Familiars question

[Ascending Crane]

I have a mage and a psion in a campaign that I run - both have familiars.

The question I have is this - Every time there is a 'spot' or 'listen' roll, they roll twice... Once for their own character, and once for the familiar. Is this normal? How do other DM's handle it?

 

[Drawmack]

I would grant them one roll but allow them to use the best modifiers.

I would justify it as you're paying attention so you can't communicate with your familiar right now.

If they become really insistant on keeping it then you start rolling for the familiar who will always get the same roll as the person.

 

[Dingleberry]

In my campaign, if the familiar is with the master (on the shoulder, etc.) I normally just have the master roll, and both the master and familiar use the result. I figure the Alertness bonus granted by having a familiar covers the benefit of a second set of eyes and ears.

 

[Ascending Crane]

Hurm. Interesting. Any other opinions?

 

[0-hr]

Fromt he SRD:

When several characters are listening to the same
thing, the DM can make a single 1d20 roll and use it for all the
listeners' skill checks.

And this can easily apply Spot checks as well.

They want a spot check for every player and every animal in the party? Hah, they're lucky to get a roll for each player!

 

[Cougar]

Why would familiars NOT spot or listen? Regardless of what the SRD says, I let everyone (including familiars) that can see/hear attempt to spot or listen in my games. In my experience, familiars are rarely used for ANYthing besides an extra set of eyes to watch. What function do familiars fill in your campaign if they can't spot?

 

[Morose]

What function do familiars fill in your campaign if they can't spot?

Er... they grant feats, can deliver touch attacks, and (in many cases) can act as a scout. That's quite a bit considering how powerful most of the classes that gain them are already.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I would have the player recieve +2 to spot as if being aided.

 

[KnowTheToe]

I would have the player recieve +2 to spot as if being aided.

 

[Tom Cashel]

I would have the player recieve +2 to spot as if being aided.

But the Alertness bonus already grants the +2.