No Familiars?

[Lensman]

Reading over my books, I just noticed that there are no Familiars anymore. Hummm....I am going to have to house rule something to bring them back.

 

[Branduil]

There's absolutely no rule against your Wizard owning whatever kind of animal he wants.

They just wouldn't give any mechanical benefit.

 

[Mort_Q]

They will come back officially... but yes, you'll need to house rule them for now.

 

[VannATLC]

Be very aware they were removed for a reason, and bringing them back is likely to break things, in a reasonably large way, if you model them on the 3e versions.

 

[Vanuslux]

That is a little odd, but it doesn't bother me too much. I'm sure someone will create and share rules for them eventually...in the meantime...their absence isn't going to be a huge problem.

 

[Sitara]

Yes, the reason was that they were utter and total crap. If you bring them back modeled after 3e the only thing you will 'break' is your own poor wizard.

I suggest evil wizards be given the imp familiar (and the appropriate ritual to summon it).The caster can control is through verbal commands, and the imp also give +2bonus to arcana checks. Also fights for you.

 

[Nifft]

Small animals with no mechanical effect = 100% awesome.

You could probably re-flavor some Utility powers (like Ambassador Imp) to use your familiar, and possibly even some Attack spells (particularly Conjurations, like Flaming Sphere -> Flaming Ferret).

Cheers, -- N

 

[Lizard]

Yes, the reason was that they were utter and total crap. If you bring them back modeled after 3e the only thing you will 'break' is your own poor wizard.

Uhm....what game were you playing?

'cause in the one I'm in, familiars are t3h awesome. Let's see, I polymorph myself into a hydra...and my familiar changes along with me. Two 9-headed hydras against one foe==18 attacks per round. Some of 'em are bound to hit.

Another PC regularly use his (bird) familiar to deliver all kind and manner of devastating touch spells, and has it so buffed that it's rarely in danger.

Speak with others of kind -- you have any idea how much information you can gather from the local birds or rats?

 

[BendBars/LiftGates]

I have a player in my campaign who has a fairly important familiar. It's a little flittering bat made of shadow that talks to him, spies, and whispers for him to do evil things. How should I best model this in 4th Edition, using the economy of actions?

 

[Nifft]

I have a player in my campaign who has a fairly important familiar. It's a little flittering bat made of shadow that talks to him, spies, and whispers for him to do evil things. How should I best model this in 4th Edition, using the economy of actions?

What specifically can it do?

Spying: Is it just a bonus on Perception?
Talking, Eviling: Free actions, no economic impact.

Cheers, -- N