[Rev] Will they remove the toad?

[Frostmarrow]

I was just thinking, when they revise the core rule books will they remove the toad from the familiar list? I certainly hope so. The toad is the single silliest thing in the game. Just so you know.

 

[Desdichado]

Uh, why would they? The toad as a wizard's familiar is actually something that is based on ancient traditions and folklore. What makes is so silly?

 

[gfunk]

Maybe he was referring to the whole +2 to CON thing.

 

[Gospog]

I certainly hope they don't.

It's the only familiar that really appeals to me.

I think more and different familiars can anly be a good thing. No reason to downsize the list.

 

[mmu1]

I certainly hope they do get rid of it... I've seen a lot of people who play wizards simply decide not to take familiars because of their relative fragility and risks of using one, as well as the somewhat limited benefits - except for toads, that is. The +2 CON is completely out of line with the benefits granted by other familiars, and when you factor in things like dwarven and gnome spellcasters, things start to get a bit silly.

 

[Moxie]

The problem is that it is the #1 choice of munchkins. Yeah, that's right, I said the M word.

I wouldn't mind if they went back to the improved vision thing. Give the owner a +2 on spot or something like that. The most obnixious player I have witnessed in recent years took one level of sorc, just to get the ability to use the class magic items and the +2 to con.

Of course the fact that the familiar was caught in area of effect spells was very conveniently forgotten quite often, and HE NEVER USED IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE! It was used for nothing other than twinking the character.

I have nothing against someone who uses a toad familiar and brings something colorful and interesting to the game. I just hate when players turn the game into nothing but numbers and that familiar is the one most abused.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Yup. Silly, silly toad. If the benefit of the toad had been +2 Fort save no one would chose it. Now, we see toads everywhere (well we don't actually see them or even hear about them as they always are neatly tucked into the wizard's pocket).

Moreover the toad is an afront to the system. In all other things the best stuff to pick is the stuff the designers felt should be more common. Swords are more common than axes. Humans are more common than dwarves. Fighters are more common than paladins. But the most common familiar is the toad, more common than the raven. It's silly. *Ribbet*

 

[Buttercup]

No need for it to be removed officially. If your players abuse it, disallow the toad in your campaign.

I would like to see them stat many more familiars though.

 

[Moxie]

No need for it to be removed officially. If your players abuse it, disallow the toad in your campaign.

I would like to see them stat many more familiars though.

Excellent ideas on both points!

I guess in my case it's a bad player and I can always HR the con bonus in my game. I shouldn't let bad players ruin the rule system when there's always rule zero.

 

[jaerdaph]

Remove the toad from the list of familiars!?! Good heavens no!

What would become of poor little Neville Longbottom!

Seriously though, I'm with the "don't like it, don't use it" school on this one.