There’s a new invocation which is coincidently 9th level called Dire form. It Increases health, damage, ac and size. Should satisfy your need for a battle familiar somewhat.
I can appreciate that, you’re definitely correct.
For our group you can roll Dexterity or wisdom as a default (no narrator intervention required) as long as the narrator hasn’t called for another stat. Probably not much of a house rule in any case
Is there a limit on the amount of heroic companions you can have?
My mount is int 6 and my familiar is int 10, would be cool to give them both heroic levels