D&D 5E [5e] Can a Tiny familiar share the same space as its master?

[TinyFamiliar]

Hi! This is a 5e rules question, and I could not find an answer using search.

Using 5e Rules as Written only:

• When casting Find Familiar: "the familiar appears in an unoccupied space within range" [PHB 240]
• When moving around: "Whether a creature is a friend or an enemy, you can't willingly end your move in its space." [PHB 191]

This makes it seem like a Familiar and its Master cannot occupy the same space, since the Familiar cannot end its move in its Master's space.

In DMG 251, the "Creature Size and Space" table says multiple Tiny creatures can occupy the same space, but does not say anything about a Tiny creature (e.g. a Familiar) occupying the space of a Small or Medium creature (e.g. its Master).


Am I missing a rule that allows a Tiny familiar to occupy its (larger) Master's space?

I'm only looking for rules-as-written here, not adjudication. I already know what I'd do at my table.

If I'm not missing a rule, I'm interested in knowing if this was (a) design intent by 5e writers, e.g. to balance how powerful familiars are for passively granting Sneak Attack and being able to use Help to grant Advantage on an attack; (b) a rules oversight by 5e writers; or (c) something else.


EDIT: In the discussion on the reddit thread, someone smartly volunteered Mounted Combat as a solution, which I think works perfectly. Thanks all!

 

[Satyrn]

I'm not aware of anything in the rules that says so.

 

[AaronOfBarbaria]

First thoughts: The rule your missing here seems to be the fact that adjudication is the rules-as-written - it's called "Rule Zero" afterall.

Follow up: Because of the wording of the rules in general presuming adjudication on the part of the DM to cover for not expressly handling every possible situation, you might see the rule-as-written version of "Of course your rat can sit on your shoulder" in the DMG amidst the combat option "Climb onto a Bigger Creature." (page 271, to get you there quicker.)

 

[TinyFamiliar]

In the discussion on the reddit thread, someone smartly volunteered Mounted Combat as a solution, which I think works perfectly. Thanks all!

 

[Shiroiken]

RAW movement has some issue with it, that I often see ignored. Technically, you cannot stand over your fallen ally to protect them, nor can you move atop fallen enemies, since you would be sharing the same space as them. Both situations are quite common, and while I could see an argument for Difficult Terrain, it doesn't make sense to most people that you couldn't do it. This is why 5E encourages DMs to use judgement rather than slavishly following RAW.

In this case, there is no reason whatsoever to prevent the familiar from sharing the same space as the master, even if they aren't riding along. My cat can walk next to me and move about between my feet without tripping me up, so my familiar cat should be able to do the same (or weasel, rat, toad, whatever).

 

[Mercule]

RAW movement has some issue with it, that I often see ignored. Technically, you cannot stand over your fallen ally to protect them, nor can you move atop fallen enemies, since you would be sharing the same space as them. Both situations are quite common, and while I could see an argument for Difficult Terrain, it doesn't make sense to most people that you couldn't do it. This is why 5E encourages DMs to use judgement rather than slavishly following RAW.

I count fallen critters (friend or foe) as rough terrain. If someone gains consciousness, I make them take the first "step" of movement to get out. It hasn't happened, yet, but if they were completely surrounded, I'd probably either let a friendly prone character "play dead" and carry on or have the two (friend or foe) enter some sort of implicit grapple. *shrug* Regardless, I don't really worry about it, much.

Likewise, I'm not too concerned about the familiar thing. It breaks narrative too much to not let the bird sit on its master's shoulder (or cat be under foot, etc.). I don't care whether it's a Wizard's familiar or a Ranger's companion. I probably wouldn't grant the same grace to anything small or larger, though. Also, no bond might be a different matter.

 

[Prakriti]

The wizard in my current campaign has a rat familiar. We treat it like an actual rat, rather than a 2.5'x2.5' token on a grid. In combat, it can crawl up people's legs, bite them, and yes, end its turn in enemy squares. Because why not?

 

[Satyrn]

My cat can walk next to me and move about between my feet without tripping me up

Inconceivable!

 

[Shiroiken]

My cat can walk next to me and move about between my feet without tripping me up,

Inconceivable!

Well, only when my cat isn't being a jerk...

 

[ThePolarBear]

In DMG 251, the "Creature Size and Space" table says multiple Tiny creatures can occupy the same space, but does not say anything about a Tiny creature (e.g. a Familiar) occupying the space of a Small or Medium creature (e.g. its Master).


Am I missing a rule that allows a Tiny familiar to occupy its (larger) Master's space?

While i see Mounted Combat as a very very clever and RAW solution, and agree with the ways other have expressed to solve the issue, you are indeed missing one thing:
The rule you are quoting doesn't say that the tiny creatures can occupy the same SPACE, but that up to 4 of those creatures can occupy the same SQUARE (or hex) as with clearly specified to be the "5-foot square". Since tiny creatures use up only 2.5 x 2.5 feets, up to four of them could stand in the same square WHILE NOT occuplying the same space.