Still don't know this... Familiars/Animal Companions and Darkvision?

[Thanee]

Do Familiars and Animal Companions have Darkvision (because they are Magical Beasts) or not (because they are Animals that simply "count as" Magical Beasts)?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Tessarael]

Hi Thanee,

The 3.5E PHB errata specified that animal companions are normal animals with some special abilities, not magical beasts. So no, they don't get darkvision.

Familiars ... strictly according to the rules ... if they are magical beasts, the answer is yes. As a DM, I would rule no of course. e.g. If you have a look in Tome and Blood (or whatever it is called, the Wizard/Sorcerer softcover book), the familiars of different sizes don't get darkvision.

Just my thoughts ...

 

[Thanee]

Ok, the errata answers the Animal Companion.

But how about the familiar?
T&B isn't 3.5, so who knows, if they wanted to change this or not.

Bye
Thanee

 

[sithramir]

Why would they gain darkvision in the first place?

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

sithramir- Because all magical beasts have darkvision, it's in the type description.

I don't think they're supposed to. I think that's where the 'Augmented Animal' subtype bit was supposed to come in, but that was half a good idea that wasn't completed from what I can tell.

 

[sithramir]

Just because a magical creature has darkvision has no reason for you to imply a creature that is merely "treated as " a magical creature should get it. Its treated that way because of the magical bonus's like speak with master and spell resistance and improved evasion that is granted by being the wizards familiar. Since they don't say it gains darkvision for being a familiar theres no reason to assume that it should just because a typical magical creature does.

 

[FrankTrollman]

A familiar "becomes a magical beast" (PHB page 52). If a creature gains a new type, it gains the type abilities of the new type. That's the whole point, after all.

It gains Darkvision, therefore.

-Frank

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

Just because a magical creature has darkvision has no reason for you to imply a creature that is merely "treated as " a magical creature should get it. Its treated that way because of the magical bonus's like speak with master and spell resistance and improved evasion that is granted by being the wizards familiar. Since they don't say it gains darkvision for being a familiar theres no reason to assume that it should just because a typical magical creature does.

Magical beast. If you don't understand the difference the rest of this won't make much sense to you.

You failed to mention the only reason they actually are magical beasts. An animal companion gets everything you mentioned but is still an animal. Familiars are magical beasts because they have an intelligence of greater than 2. Nothing more intelligent than that can be an animal. Familiars are more than just 'treated as' magical beasts, they are magical beasts because they can't be animals by virtue of the definition of animal.

That's right, low level type changing spell? Fox's Cunning.

Since they are magical beasts, by what's written they get darkvision because nowhere says that don't. The magical beast entry says unless 'otherwise noted' they get darkvision, no such note exists for familiars.

That is why, by the letter of the rules, familiars have darkvision. I'm not certain they should have it, but I don't mind terribly if they do. Regardless, it has a firm basis in the written rules, so I don't treat people who claim it to be true as insane little cheese-weasels. As DM it'd depend on how highly I valued Darkvision for the campaign in question.

SRD:
Magical Beast Type: Magical beasts are similar to animals but can have Intelligence scores higher than 2. Magical beasts usually have supernatural or extraordinary abilities, but sometimes are merely bizarre in appearance or habits.
Features: A magical beast has the following features.
--10-sided Hit Dice.
--Base attack bonus equal to total Hit Dice (as fighter).
--Good Fortitude and Reflex saves.
--Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die.
Traits: A magical beast possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature's entry).
--Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision.
--Proficient with its natural weapons only.
--Proficient with no armor.
--Magical beasts eat, sleep, and breathe.

EDIT: Curse you and your brief replies, Trollman!

 

[FrankTrollman]

EDIT: Curse you and your brief replies, Trollman!

Ha ha! Victoly!

-Frank

 

[DevoutlyApathetic]

Ha ha! Victoly!

Victory? Too quick this time I think.