Shrew Familiar huige +11 melee & only 1 STR ?

[Agro]

Question has been raised about one of the
new basic familiars available in the Tome & Blood book.

The poor dear Shrew. 4" inches long and a powerhouse of hurt.
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Shrew Familiar
Fine magical beast
HD : 1
hp : 1/2 of masters
Init : +3
Spd : 15 ft - Climb : 15 ft
AC 22 (touch 21 , flatfoot 19)
Attack +11 melee (1d2-5, poisonous bite)
Face/Reach : 1/2 ft by 1/2ft / 0ft
Special Attack : Poison
SQ Scent

Granted abilities
AL any
Saves
Fort +2
Ref +4
Will +3

Str 1
Dex 17
Con 11
Int 6
Wis 12
Cha 2

Skills & Feats:
Balance +11
Climb +12
Hide +23
Listen +8
Spot +8 ( or masters if better)
Weapon finesse (bite)

Attach (Ex): Bite save (DC11); initial and secondary damage 1d2 Constitution
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Not so "poor shrew" after all.
Its got a permanent constitutional poison bite,
+11 melee attack, hide +23 and ac 22.
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Its very powerful. over powered for a basic familiar.
The thinking is the player must also have improved familiar to obtain this little miracle worker. And be a level three caster than simple level one.

 

[Li Shenron]

I wouldn't overestimate the Poison ability. IMHO it's still pretty dangerous to let the familiar go & attack. IIRC such a small creature also has to enter the target's square to attack and therefore provokes AoO, and once attached it loses Dex bonus to AC (or not?).

I have seen a couple of Wiz/Sor try with a tiny viper familiar and in combat it seems more deadly for the snake than the target (or otherwise they were just unlucky). Otherwise if you are slipping the shrew into someone's bed and wait for nighttime to poison him then it may work very well