Familiars' Powers

[Anubis]

Why would anybody NOT choose a Toad familiar? It's the ONLY familiar that grants its master a GOOD ability, +2 unnamed bonus (meaning it stacks with everything) to Constitution in this case. +2 Constitution is ALWAYS helpful. Some familiars don't even have special abilities!

So, what's up with all that?

 

[AGGEMAM]

Some people go for a familiar that can deliver touch attacks instead.

 

[Crothian]

Some people like familiars that are actually useful. Toads aren't good for much, but a hawk can scout things out for you. Sure, with a toad you get a good bonus, but a nearly useless familiar. You'll notice the versatile familiars offer no extra bonus. I think that's what they call balance.

 

[AuraSeer]

The definition of a "good" bonus depends on your character, whether you're talking about familiars or anything else.

IMC there's a multiclass sorcerer whose specialty is high saving throws; the "best" familiar for him was the weasel, because it helped his Ref save. The toad would have been less useful for him, because he almost never takes damage.

 

[Xeriar]

Why would anybody NOT choose a Toad familiar? It's the ONLY familiar that grants its master a GOOD ability, +2 unnamed bonus (meaning it stacks with everything) to Constitution in this case. +2 Constitution is ALWAYS helpful. Some familiars don't even have special abilities!

So, what's up with all that?

There is always something to be said for the roleplaying value of a familiar that can speak...

"This way, follow the talking bird!"

Or heck, a flying familiar in general is pretty cool just for its scouting ability alone. The only familiar I really don't care for is the snake, but I'm sure there is a snakeophile somewhere around here...