Do familiars advance in skills and feats?

[Pazu]

In the PHB, familiars are noted as having HD equivalent to their masters, for all relevant effects. Later in the same section, under skills, they are described as being able to use either their own skill ranks (as a normal animal of their type) or those of their master for any skill possessed by either.

So, does the familiar accrue additional skill points to spend as its master levels up? (Presumably 1 skill point per level until its Int reaches 10.) Does it gain a new feat every 3 HD?

Thanks!

 

[Plane Sailing]

No it doesn't, sadly. Animal Companions gain actual HD (and associated benefits), but the familiars don't gain HD - they are treated as if they have a certain number, but their hp are pegged at half of their owners hp. It is as if they have 'virtual HD'

The masters increasing skill ranks will continue to benefit the familiar though.

 

[3d6]

In the PHB, familiars are noted as having HD equivalent to their masters, for all relevant effects. Later in the same section, under skills, they are described as being able to use either their own skill ranks (as a normal animal of their type) or those of their master for any skill possessed by either.

So, does the familiar accrue additional skill points to spend as its master levels up? (Presumably 1 skill point per level until its Int reaches 10.) Does it gain a new feat every 3 HD?

Thanks!

It retains the appearance, Hit Dice, base attack bonus, base save bonuses, skills, and feats of the normal animal it once was, but it is treated as a magical beast instead of an animal for the purpose of any effect that depends on its type.

Looks like they don't.

 

[Pazu]

Pretty much what I thought. Thanks everyone!

(Now, let's see what kind of imaginative uses a monstrous scorpion can come up with for 6 ranks of Concentration, Knowledge (arcana), and Spellcraft! )

 

[Snowy]

aid another

Someday my Sorceror/Rogue/arcane trickster Pirate with a monkey familiar will exist

 

[Notmousse]

Easy cheesey is to get yourself a Raven Familiar and use it to make 2 knowledge checks every time one comes up. Paired with the naturally high Int score of wizards, and the ability ravens have to speak one language of master's choosing (that master also knows). Combined with natural flight, good skills of it's own it's a must have for the knowledgable wizard (unless the raven shouts it out instead of whispering into master's ear).