Familiar's: Understanding Language?

[Baumi]

I play a Kobold with a Bat-Familiar. The Combo is really funny to play but I have one question about the Familiar:

Can he understand one or more spoken Languages, after all he has more INT than Animals (and some Orks ) and share my Skills...????

Have FUN!
Baumi

 

[0-hr]

I think that most can understand a language, though only a few (like ravens) can speak them.

 

[bret]

At 5th level, I think they finally have enough Int to understand most of what is said. This is the level they get the ability to speak a language.

Until then, I think they they would often not understand all that was said, or even misunderstand much of it. I would put their language abilities at that of a small child.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

My DM does a really good job of role-playing familiars. My owl familiar has gone from the intelligence of a child ("Yes, tall-magic- one, many wingless ones come toward you") to an average intelligence animal at 10th level ("There are four of them, tall-magic-one. One wears robes like you do.")

But as for understanding languages, I'd say the animal understands more as he gains intelligence, but certainly no languages that the Wizard/Sorcerer doesn't understand.

 

[Baumi]

Is there really nothing in the books about it?

Have FUN!
Baumi

 

[Hypersmurf]

MM p10, Intelligence: Any creature with an intelligence score of 3 or higher understands at least one language (Common unless noted otherwise).

PHB p51, Table 3.19:
Familiar Special Abilities
Master Class Level: 1-2
Int: 6

Something like that?

-Hyp.

 

[Baumi]

1000 x Thanks!!!

 

[0-hr]

And if you add the following (from the SRD regarding familiars)

Skills: Use the normal skills for an animal of that type or
the master's, whichever are better.

then all familiars understand every language that the master knows. Can't neccesarily speak it, but can understand it.