If you have a 15th level character...

[demon_jr]

..would you consider getting a familiar if you had one level in either sorcerer or wizard?

You overall character level is 15, but you have 1 level in wizard/sorcerer. Would there be any benefits (other than the obvious ones for having a familiar) or disadvantages to having a familiar as a 1st level sorcerer/wizard at 15th level?

My main concern is keeping the familiar alive, considering it is only a 1st level wizard/sorcerer familiar.

 

[AGGEMAM]

My main concern is keeping the familiar alive, considering it is only a 1st level wizard/sorcerer familiar.

Why ? It has a lot of hit points, possibly more than the party's rogue or mage.

 

[Shayuri]

I sure would!

Remember, your familiar always has half your hit points. Not half your sorceror/wizard hit dice hit points. Half your TOTAL.

Now, granted, it's not gonna have the spiffy familiar powers of a high level mage, nor will it be especially smart (though still quite bright for an animal). But it's still potentially very useful.

I tend to favor flying familiars in general, after some experience with both sorts. They're easier to protect in battle (fly away!) and they have terrific scouting/spying potential.

That said, the crawly familiars tend to grant more useful abilities. It's all a question of yer style, and what you plan to do with the familiar. If you wanna keep it in a box and never let it out, get a toad or something. If you want another pair of eyes, an owl or hawk isn't bad. Ravens might be more fun though, since they can talk.

In any event, yeah! If you only have one level, I say milk it for all it's worth! Get that familiar. And remember, even if it kaks it, you can only lose a max of 200 exp.

*is evil*

 

[demon_jr]

In any event, yeah! If you only have one level, I say milk it for all it's worth! Get that familiar. And remember, even if it kaks it, you can only lose a max of 200 exp.

*is evil*

I should read the familiar description better! I didn't know that.

One big concern I had was that if my familiar was killed, I would lose much experience points.

However, I don't want to play my character as just picking up a new familiar everytime the old one dies.

I was thinking that a flying familiar would be the best type to keep alive, but I don't really see it as fitting with my character concept. Besides, our party wizard already has a flying familiar, a raven.

 

[Argent Silvermage]

See if your DM will allow you to take a non standard familiar. Something that will be useful but different from what is there. I had a tree from familiar in a champaign... he was great.

 

[Skullfyre]

One big concern I had was that if my familiar was killed, I would lose much experience points.

However, I don't want to play my character as just picking up a new familiar everytime the old one dies.

Can't
"you can not get another for a year and a day
Pg 50 PHB"

 

[demon_jr]

Can't
"you can not get another for a year and a day
Pg 50 PHB"

I should really read the PHB instead of just skimming it over...

 

[ConcreteBuddha]

I hate toads!