Shapechange double trouble with familiars!

[Plane Sailing]

What is worse than a wizard using shapechange to turn into a Colossal Red Dragon?

How about a wizard sharing the spell with his familiar so suddenly you are faced with two Colossal Red Dragons standing side by side? Better hope you can bullrush the familiar 5ft away from its master or otherwise separate it!

n.b. Colossal Red Dragon only used for visual impact. I don't care if it exceeds the HD limit, please pick your own favourite shapechange option then double it. Or allow your shapechanging familiar to pick something complementary - e.g. it becomes an iron golem, you become a red dragon - you breathe fire over it and your enemies, healing it and hurting your foes.

This aspect of "share spells with master" is a hugely powerful option that I've never thought of before.

What ther spells are really kick-ass spells to share with your familiar?

Cheers

 

[Thanee]

After realizing, that polymorph has no size restriction anymore... well, you know the rest.

In 3.0 I often used Alter Self on the familiar for various effects (for example, have him hold a wand and use that via my ranks in Use Magic Device ).

Later, I like to have some spells imbued to (in? on?) my familiar, like Dimensional Anchor, or Haste, or other such spells, which you often don't find the time for to cast them in the heat of battle.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Oscar carramiñana]

A druid cast on himself after shape into a dire bear: animal growth, GMfangs and Righteous Might from RofSS you have in front two dire bear colosal kicking all asses in play

 

[youspoonybard]

Or the Druid can share spells the shapechange with her animal companion...

 

[Thanee]

Just a sidenote: Animal Growth doesn't work on animal companions (despite their name), AFAIK. But I don't think you meant that, anyways.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Dark Dragon]

Are you sure? I've just read the SRD and FAQ, and there's nothing that says that the animal companion has a different type. Hmm, but there was some discussion on that matter, IIRC...

 

[Silveras]

First, as regards the shapechanged familiar:
Keep in mind that, per the SRD:

Share Spells: At the master’s option, he may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) he casts on himself also affect his familiar. The familiar must be within 5 feet at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the familiar if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the familiar again even if it returns to the master before the duration expires. Additionally, the master may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his familiar (as a touch range spell) instead of on himself. A master and his familiar can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the familiar’s type (magical beast).

So, while the familiar can indeed shapechange, two colossal creatures almost can't help but be more than 5 feet apart at some point. The 5 foot distance limit, on a practical level, means the familiar can share defensive spells but quickly loses access to offensive spells.

Next, animal companions:

Animal Companion
Player’s Handbook, page 36
Contrary to the text, a druid’s animal companion is not
treated as a magical beast; it remains an animal.
Trim the first paragraph of the sidebar so that it reads as
follows:
A druid’s animal companion is superior to a normal
animal of its kind and has special powers, as described
below.

 

[Mort_Q]

Just a sidenote: Animal Growth doesn't work on animal companions (despite their name), AFAIK. But I don't think you meant that, anyways.

Bye
Thanee

IDHTBIFOM

In fact, the Exalted Companion [EXALTED] feat (BoED) actually makes sure to state that even if you gain the Celestial Template for your animal companion, it is still affected by your spells as if it were still an Animal. In fact, don't the animals have to be willing for Animal Growth or Shrink Animal?

The Awaken spell, specifically states that Awakened animals can not serve as Animal Companions.

 

[Plane Sailing]

First, as regards the shapechanged familiar:
Keep in mind that, per the SRD:

Noted in my original post. Pay attention at the back there

As long as the two of them stay adjacent, they are OK. Wouldn't want to try flying, but there are some good defensive stances that could be taken

 

[Hypersmurf]

Noted in my original post. Pay attention at the back there

As long as the two of them stay adjacent, they are OK. Wouldn't want to try flying, but there are some good defensive stances that could be taken

Alternatively, just cast Shapechange twice, once on yourself, and once on your familiar. That aspect of Share Spells isn't limited to 5'.

-Hyp.