Familiars

[RigaMortus]

Doesn't a familiar get half the hit points of it's master? So wouldn't that make it's HD equal to half it's master's level?

 

[Crothian]

Doesn't a familiar get half the hit points of it's master? So wouldn't that make it's HD equal to half it's master's level?

See pg 51 of the PHB in the Familar section. It says use character level.

 

[Artoomis]

Familiars don't have "levels" - they have hit dice, and even then only those of the base creature.

Hit Dice: Treat as the master's character level (for effects related to Hit Dice). Use the familiar's normal total if it is higher.

The don't advance except per the "Familiar Special Abilities" table.

Example: A fiendish (for example) cat still has only 1 hit die for its abilities.

 

[SamuraiY]

I know familiars don't have levels. My question is what to use instead. It would seem like Hit Dice would be used, although CR makes sense too.

And a fiendish cat might as well have as many hit dice as its master, because Hit Dice only come into play when an effect is based on them, and then it says to uses the master's character level.

 

[Artoomis]

I know familiars don't have levels. My question is what to use instead. It would seem like Hit Dice would be used, although CR makes sense too.

And a fiendish cat might as well have as many hit dice as its master, because Hit Dice only come into play when an effect is based on them, and then it says to uses the master's character level.

You don't use anything instead. All their extra powers from being celestial (or whatever) are based upon the base creature's hit die, not the master's level. These would not be "effects" based on hit die, they would be hit die-dependent powers or abilities, not effects.

Familiars don't advance. Period.

 

[SamuraiY]

If familiars don't advance, then what do you call the extra hit points they get when their master goes up a level? True, the don't advance, by themselves, but they do advance based on their masters level.

 

[Crothian]

It says treat HD as master's character level. So, I don't see why they wouldn't be gaining powers based on that.

 

[Artoomis]

It says treat HD as master's character level. So, I don't see why they wouldn't be gaining powers based on that.

Because that's for effects. Spells that only effect certain hit die, for example.

It's not for abilities.

Familiars do not gain hit die or "advance". Period. It's simplicity itself.

They get hit points and a defensive capability to count as the master's character level for "effects." That's it. Plus, what's on the familiar abilities table, of course.

Also, if they had any ability to cast their own spells (most unsual), then the spell effect would be based upon the master's level. I don't think that was the intent at all, but that's supported by the language that says that "effects" are based upon the master's level.

Absolutely no new or improved abilities based on the master's level, though. At least not as familiars are written up in the PHB.

 

[SamuraiY]

Lets call a truce. You play your way, and we can leave it up to my DM how the rules are interpreted in my game.

 

[Artoomis]

Lets call a truce. You play your way, and we can leave it up to my DM how the rules are interpreted in my game.

Fine. I was just explaining how the rules are written. How you play is up to you and your DM, as always.