Familiars and Darkvision-The Sage hath spoken-Answers Within

[evileeyore]

The Sages Answers are In the Last Post





From the PHB (chapter3: page 50: paragraph 8 or so) : "A familiar is a magical, unusually tough, and intelligent small animal (see facing page). It is a magical beast, not an animal."

From the MM (introduction: page 5: paragraph 24 or so): "Magical Beast: Magical beasts are similiar to beasts but have supernatural or extraordinary abilities. Unless noted otherwise, magical beasts have darkvision with a range of 60 feet and lowlight vision. Example: displacer beast."



Now for my question:

Do familiars have darkvision and lowlight vision?

Did I miss the exclusionary statement in the PHB, or was it FAQed and I can't find it?


If NO to question, please submit supporting evidence.


Editted for speiling erors in quote. To alter Subject, hopefully to get more attention, and to emphasis the need for proof...

 

[Zhure]

I should point out that Owls have low-light vision as mentioned on the summary chart of familiar abilities. That hardly seems like something worth mentioning if all familiars have low-light and darkvision.

True, tis only circumstantial. Perhaps the cite was from T&B. I'll peruse it before I go to bed today.
Greg

 

[Mouseferatu]

I can't site evidence, only lack thereof and what I believe to be the common sense approach.

It doesn't make sense that familiars have darkvision/lowlight vision automatically. I really think that that's just a set of crossed rules that WotC didn't catch.

A) As was already mentioned, why refer specifically to the owl's lowlight vision if it's a universal?

B) Every other advantage an animal gains when it becomes a familiar is spelled out specifically. This is not.

C) It doesn't make sense to me that they'd gain this ability. It's not really in keeping with other "Familiar powers."

So again, I can't cite sources, but I'd have to say no, they don't.

 

[Aaron L]

The familiar's descriptor changes to magical beast for purposes of what spells affect it. It gains no other benefit from being called a magical beast. Not sure of the source, but this is how it works.

 

[evileeyore]

*sigh* I "know" thats how it "works". However we could all be wrong.

I ask because I refuse to believe that I am the first to spot this rule. I know because DM's give the magical beasts darkvision and lowlight, without it being in the creatures write up.


As for the rules being merely an oversight, I might believe. However by now it should be in the SRD, Tome and Blood, the Erratas for the PHB and the MM, or in the FAQ.

It isn't. I know I checked.

So agian I put out the call for Rules Sightings. If you spot the Great White Rule, tell me.


Zhure for game purposes i'll abide by your ruling, but the rest of you DM's had better watch out!!!

 

[Wolf72]

doesn't this go along with the Paladin's Mount being a Magical Beast but really gaining any benefits from that distinction?

I would say the same of familiars, no Darkvision.

 

[evileeyore]

doesn't this go along with the Paladin's Mount being a Magical Beast but really gaining any benefits from that distinction?

I would say the same of familiars, no Darkvision.

Okaaaaay. I'll bite...

And where is that rule written?

 

[Dingleberry]

OK, so if a familiar is a "magical beast" only for purposes of what spells affect it, and it does not affect the abilities the critter otherwise has as an "animal", then why does the familiar table state that an owl has low-light vision when the MM says that ALL animals have low-light vision?

 

[evileeyore]

Ya know I never thought I'd say this this but...

Thank you Dingleberry!

Heh.

A perfect example of what I am getting at.

So Agian I Ask Oh Mightiest Of Mighty Rules Lawyers:

Where is the Great White Rule?

Where is the Rule written (in a d20 manual) that says Paladin's Mounts and Arcane Familiars do not get the abilities for being Magical Beasts?

This maybe a whole new can of worms, but...

One of our groups DMs said "It's like when a Monk becomes an Outsider, what you think he gets DarkVision too?"

Well, after all the reading I've now done... YES!

Agian if the rules say otherwise, please quote them and site page reference, so I can be properly informed.

Thank you

Editted to add: If the answer was in a Sage Advice, then tell me so, with refernce to which Dragon so I can get it and end this.

 

[Bronn Spellforger]

OK, so if a familiar is a "magical beast" only for purposes of what spells affect it, and it does not affect the abilities the critter otherwise has as an "animal", then why does the familiar table state that an owl has low-light vision when the MM says that ALL animals have low-light vision?

This thread has changed my view on this topic... all familiars have darkvision since they are magical beasts... EXCEPT owls. Why? Because the PHB specifically says that they have low-light vision. I think this was mentioned because it means they have low-light vision ONLY.

I know.. that's weak... but it's all I have.