Using Familiars in Combat

[JimAde]

A familiar does get one feat (just like everything else). A raven normally has Weapon Finesse, but maybe you can talk your DM into letting you substitute Flyby Attack. The raven will lose 2 from its to-hit number, but can swoop in and out with the attack in the middle. Combine that with Joshua's suggestion of prompting AoO and other teamwork (like the Aid Another action) and it might help.

 

[Stockdale]

Dark Quest's Familiars book might help you. I'm currently working my way through it. I would check out Mongoose's Enyclopedia Arcana: Familiars (Crunching ?; Hidden Toad). It had alternative rules for familar paths other than that in the PHB (Alterness, etc.). I think there was a combat (guardioan) path. Check it out, run it by your DM.

 

[Aluvial]

What about Polymorphing your familiar into something else?

Can you Polymorph your familiar into a Giant, or Construct?

Aluvial

 

[drunkmoogle]

What about Polymorphing your familiar into something else?
Can you Polymorph your familiar into a Giant, or Construct?

You cannot Polymorph into a Construct, though Polymorph Any Object would work.

Well, there's two schools of thought on this matter.

One is: Since Polymorph references Alter Self, you may only Polymorph the recipient to something within one size category of its normal size.

The other is:

The assumed form's size can be anything from Fine to Colossal. ~Rules of the Game: Polymorphing (Part Three)

Point one, while balanced, is no fun . Let's assume Point two is correct.

With Polymorph and Share spell, if your familiar is "riding" you, you could move within striking distance of the enemy and cast Polymorph on you and your familiar, allowing a full attack after a spell.

 

[JimAde]

Even if the size is limited, you can still polymorph the Tiny raven into something Small (if you're high enough level). Then it would have a 5' reach and no longer provoke AoO just for attacking.

 

[apsuman]

I got it!

Cast spectral hand and then have your familiar use it to deliver spells using the share spells feature of familiars.

You cast spectral hand, then in round 2 cast shocking grasp and your familair uses it to attack baddie number 1, then you cast a quickened magic missile. Next round, you cast vampiric touch for your familiar and then cast a quickened magic missile.

 

[drunkmoogle]

Cast spectral hand and then have your familiar use it to deliver spells using the share spells feature of familiars.

While a very creatively genius idea, it doesn't quite work out that way.

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.

Spectral Hand does not target the caster, nor is it a personal spell. It cannot be Shared.

However, if you give a raven familiar a Wand of Spectral Hand, he would then be able to deliver your touch spells for you at a range.

As for Polymorphing into a Small creature, Alter Self does it better than Polymorph, as it lasts longer and is a lower level spell.

 

[Misirlou]

However, if you give a raven familiar a Wand of Spectral Hand, he would then be able to deliver your touch spells for you at a range.

Now that's a really good idea. Any specific info anywhere that I can quote to my DM about
1) Whether a raven has the physical equipment to wield a wand
2) Whether he can use spell completion items like wands

 

[Misirlou]

While we're at it, what's the speed of a Spectral Hand? I can't find it anywhere.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Now that's a really good idea. Any specific info anywhere that I can quote to my DM about
1) Whether a raven has the physical equipment to wield a wand
2) Whether he can use spell completion items like wands

Unfortunately, AFAIK, familiars cannot use spell completion items. They don't have a class spell list. You'd have to spend the cash for a Ring of Spell Storing. Since a Raven can speak, it would have no trouble with a Command Word item.

There is also a spell somewhere, I think it's called Imbue Familiar that actually lets you transfer low-level spells to your familiar to be cast. Again, though, it's a dangerous proposition. Once the enemy notices your familiar plinking him with Magic Missiles, his next action will probably be to shoot the familiar out of the sky...