Do Familiars gain feats? And another question...

[RUMBLETiGER]

PHB says for considering HD:
"For the purpose of effects related to number of Hit Dice, use the master’s character level or the familiar’s normal HD total, whichever is higher."
Does this mean, as the master's HD increases, the Familiar's does, and therefore gains a feat every 3 levels?

If so...

Does a Familiar qualify for Reserve feats? Does the "Deliver Touch Spells" ability count for, as stated in info regarding Reserve feats:
"The primary benefit can only be activated if the caster has a spell of an appropriate variety available to cast."?

I realize that the Familiar can only hold the touch spell so long as the master does not cast another spell, but assuming the master could spend turns doing things other than casting spells, does this open up the action economy to allow an Arcane caster to both cast a Reserve supernatural ability, and still have standard/full actions available? Does this also allow the Familiar to convert what should be a spell with a range of Touch into an actual ranged attack, such as Fire Trap into a Fiery Burst reserve feat 30' ranged, 10' diameter area attack?

 

[Vegepygmy]

Does this mean, as the master's HD increases, the Familiar's does, and therefore gains a feat every 3 levels?

No.

 

[Herzog]

Does a Familiar qualify for Reserve feats?

No. Holding a touch spell is having a spell ready to deliver, not to cast.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Bummer, but thanks for clear answers.

 

[Wyvernhand]

I'm pretty sure the HD thing is only in reference to effects that vary by HD. A familiar gets HP, saves, and skill ranks from its master.

In other words, if you were to use a CL 13 Blasphemy on a caster with 12 HD, that casters familiar would also be affected by the Blasphemy as if it were a 12 HD creature (because it is).

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I'm pretty sure the HD thing is only in reference to effects that vary by HD. A familiar gets HP, saves, and skill ranks from its master.

In other words, if you were to use a CL 13 Blasphemy on a caster with 12 HD, that casters familiar would also be affected by the Blasphemy as if it were a 12 HD creature (because it is).

Right. Clearly the text for a Familiar's HD is uniquely different than all other creatures, and independent from the creature itself. I would understand how, as a result, they did not gain feats or stat bonuses, but figured I'd ask.

 

[Binho]

I'm not sure, but, in the game Never Winter Nights (based in D&D), the familiar upgraded abilities and some got new powers as the familiar gains hd. I really don't know if the familiar get feats, even in game.

Anyone knows some faq or some interview that someone questioned this to WotC?

 

[Samloyal23]

If the familiar is intelligent enough to learn a feat, why not let it have some? Let's assume yes unless told otherwise. What feats would you give a familiar?

 

[Herzog]

I knew there was a way!
You can use the 6th lvl (sor/wiz) spell 'Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability' (SC) to allow it to cast spells (whether that makes him qualify for Reserve Feats would be up to your DM.....)

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I knew there was a way!
You can use the 6th lvl (sor/wiz) spell 'Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability' (SC) to allow it to cast spells (whether that makes him qualify for Reserve Feats would be up to your DM.....)

Nice. It seems harder to get a Familiar feats than it does to grant spells.