Familiars question

Destil · Jan 3, 2003

Sure, familiars can get their own checks. That's one of the best benifits of some of the ones with good spot / listen bonuses. How well and qucily they can relay information over an empathic link is a diffrent matter, entirely, though.

P.S. : Don't psions get psi-crystals?

Ascending Crane · Jan 3, 2003

Destil said:
P.S. : Don't psions get psi-crystals?

Yes, the psion does indeed have a pet rock.

Hypersmurf · Jan 4, 2003

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

+2 to Con?

-Hyp.

Cougar · Jan 4, 2003

True, there is the +2 to Con, but no one in my groups has ever taken a toad for this bonus.

Well, I am surprised at the post of people who don't believe familiars get awareness checks. I checked through the errata and FAQ and could find nothing to reference whether they should or shouldn't. I am surprised at the SRD and the idea of using ONE listen check for a group. I would not play in a campaign that used that rule. It doesn't even make real world sense. I suppose limiting familiar and PCs awareness is a DM tool to surprise the characters, but I firmly believe that skill points invested should be allowed and ANYONE (or anything) who can spot or listen should be allowed to.

Dingleberry · Jan 4, 2003

Cougar said:
Well, I am surprised at the post of people who don't believe familiars get awareness checks. I checked through the errata and FAQ and could find nothing to reference whether they should or shouldn't. I am surprised at the SRD and the idea of using ONE listen check for a group. I would not play in a campaign that used that rule. It doesn't even make real world sense. I suppose limiting familiar and PCs awareness is a DM tool to surprise the characters, but I firmly believe that skill points invested should be allowed and ANYONE (or anything) who can spot or listen should be allowed to.

In addition to enabling surprise situations, it also simplifies the heck out of running a large party. Further, it helps eliminate the PC temptation to metagame that occurs when only some party members have heard something.