D&D 5E (2024) Move over Owl and Bat, the best 2024 familiar is a Deer!

[ECMO3]

So one of my players showed up with a Kobold Rogue with a Deer familiar (Find Familiar from magic initiate).

Checking the verbiage on Find Familiar I notice any beast with a 0 CR is usable.

So he is using it as a controlled mount with a 50 foot move (100 feet with dash) which is immune to AOOs. Also since he is mounted he gets sneak attack on any enemy within 5 feet as long as he does not have disadvantage.

I love that he found this combo.

 

[occam]

That is a cool find. Another option: a vulture, also Medium size.

Personally, I'd consider house-ruling a Tiny or Small size requirement for Find Familiar to better match traditional expectations of the spell, but I can't deny the fun of the idea.

 

[bedir than]

Decent help on Perception checks and that Dex gives it a bit of AOE survivability