Easy Familiar Question (I hope)

[gfunk]

If I have a PC who has 10 levels of Sorcerer and 10 levels of a Prestige class, does the following apply to my familiar:

1) 20 HD
2) Exactly one-half my hitpoints (~49)
3) Uses my BAB (+10)
4) Uses my base save
5) Uses my base skills

*AND*

6) Familiar is only considered level 10 on the Familiar Special Abilities Chart, giving it:

a) +5 Natural Armor
b) 10 INT
c) Alertness, Improved Evasion, Share Spells, Emphatic Link, Touch, Speak with Master, and Speak with animals of its type

Am I right or wrong? Thanks!

 

[danielinthwolvesden]

Depends on the prestige class.

 

[Ferret]

Yeas correct. Where did the number come from?

 

[gfunk]

Alienist PrC from T&B.

 

[shilsen]

Yes, you are correct. Alienist levels do not stack for determining the familiar's special abilities, but the character's HD, hp, BAB, base skills and base saves do apply.

 

[gfunk]

Yes, you are correct. Alienist levels do not stack for determining the familiar's special abilities, but the character's HD, hp, BAB, base skills and base saves do apply.

Thanks!

 

[danielinthwolvesden]

Don't be so sure. The rules say that any classes that can have a familiar do stack- the example given is wiz & sorc. They (T&B) do go on to say that simply adding "another level" of spells, like most PRC's do isn't enuf- so in most cases, i would say "no" for PRC's. However, note- AFAIK- no PRC specifcally gives you a familiar. Thus, the rule in T&B does say "ANY class which grants a familiar- and if there are only two such classes- why not just say "only wiz & sorc."?

However, the alienist does have a special class ability for familiars. Thus- it's a "maybe".

Depends on how generous the DM is feeling. In this case, I'd let you have it. Esp if you had an outsider type as a familiar- like an imp.

 

[drnuncheon]

Don't be so sure. The rules say that any classes that can have a familiar do stack- the example given is wiz & sorc. They (T&B) do go on to say that simply adding "another level" of spells, like most PRC's do isn't enuf- so in most cases, i would say "no" for PRC's. However, note- AFAIK- no PRC specifcally gives you a familiar. Thus, the rule in T&B does say "ANY class which grants a familiar- and if there are only two such classes- why not just say "only wiz & sorc."?

They wanted to leave it open for classes and Prestige Classes that do grant you the ability to summon a familiar. Adepts, witches, devil worshipers, etc.

The criteria is, "If the character were not able to summon a familiar before taking levels in the class, would they gain that ability." If, for example, they were some kind of variant arcane caster that did not receive a familiar - or a creature with the natural ability to cast a divination & a 3rd+level summoning - would taking levels in alienist enable them to have one?

The answer, based on my reading, is "no" - the text for the pseudonatural familiar ability says "the alienist's familiar, if any..." and there is no reference to the class gaining the ability to call such a creature, just changes if it were already present.

J

 

[Jalkain]

Don't be so sure. The rules say that any classes that can have a familiar do stack- the example given is wiz & sorc. They (T&B) do go on to say that simply adding "another level" of spells, like most PRC's do isn't enuf- so in most cases, i would say "no" for PRC's.

And you'd be right!

However, note- AFAIK- no PRC specifcally gives you a familiar. Thus, the rule in T&B does say "ANY class which grants a familiar- and if there are only two such classes- why not just say "only wiz & sorc."? [/QUOTE]

Well, say they brought out a prestige class that focused on improving your familiar, and allowed standard familiar progression as part of its PrC abilities. The 'sorceror and wizard' statement would no longer be accurate. Better to be as general as possible.

However, the alienist does have a special class ability for familiars. Thus- it's a "maybe".[/QUOTE]

That suggests, purely from a game balance point of view, that you shouldn't really be allowing the standard familiar progression in addition to the special class ability. Being able to add the psuedonatural template is pretty good as it is! For example, the spell resistance from the template is better than that obtained from the standard progression.

But the bottom line is that familiar progression is not listed under the PrC description, only spell progression.

Depends on how generous the DM is feeling. In this case, I'd let you have it. Esp if you had an outsider type as a familiar- like an imp. [/QUOTE]

Many wizards that switch to spell-casting PrCs are only sacrificing familiar progression and wizard feats, leaving aside any inherent disadvantages and/or unfavorable requisites of the PrC. I say leave the straight wizards with at least a few advantages!