Snakes with Darkvision?

[Shin Okada]

I am looking for some snakes with darkvision. I want to give such kind of critter as an animal companion for Yuan-Ti ranger. AFAIK, some of the real vipers have a kind of IR sense. Do you guys know any snakes for 3e which have darkvision ability?

 

[Tom Cashel]

Are familiars considered magical beasts? Because all magical beasts have darkvision 60' and low-light vision. Just off the top of my noggin.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Actually, Tom, this is a bit of a debate. Do all familiars have darkvision? Since they're all magical, they probably do. The only problem is that it makes the Owl familiar pointless. Owl's are the only familiar that is specifically granted low-light vision. If all familiars have darkvision, low-light vision is pretty pointless.

Just my take on this ...

 

[Tom Cashel]

Darkvision lets you see in the dark. Low-light vision lets you see in low-light conditions. They don't overlap, AFAIK.

 

[Kraedin]

Unless noted otherwise, animals have low-light vision.

Monster Manual, page 5. That owl ability is rather unimpressive, as all familiars have that.

 

[Shin Okada]

Are familiars considered magical beasts? Because all magical beasts have darkvision 60' and low-light vision. Just off the top of my noggin.

The rule is somewhat unclear. But IMHO when applying a template or simular class-based creature modifications, the base creature should not automatically gain all the qualities of magical beasts unless otherwise noted (ie. HD, saves, skills, feats do not change).

 

[Tom Cashel]

It's not a template or class-based thing...it's in the Monster Manual errata.

So, wait...you're saying that

Owls got the shaft in 3E?!?

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

I dunno, though ... as Magical Beasts, Familiars also gain feats and skills as they level:

Magical Beast: Magical beasts are similar to beasts but have supernatural or extraordinary abilities. Unless noted otherwise, magical beasts have darkvision with a range of 60 feet and low-light vision.

Hit Die: d10
Attack Bonus: Total HD (as fighter)
Good Saving Throws: Fortitude and Reflex
Skill Points: +1 per extra HD
Feats: +1 per 4 extra HD

I'm giving my owl familiar some feats then!!

 

[Tom Cashel]

I'm giving my owl familiar some feats then!!

Lucius is dead, though.

 

[Artoomis]

It's not a template or class-based thing...it's in the Monster Manual errata...

MM errata on Magical Baeats:

p. 5, The magical beast entry should read:
Magical beasts are similar to beasts but can have Intelligence scores higher than 2. Magical beasts usually have
supernatural or extraordinary abilities. Unless noted otherwise, magical beasts have darkvision with a range of 60
feet and low-light vision. Example: displacer beast.

That's it. No other mention of Magical Beasts other than:

p. 4, Add behir to the list of Magical Beasts.

Also, familiars do not advance as they do not actually gain hit die.