Hi Guys,
Looking for info or insight on acquiring a new familiar and how to maintain them.
I am playing a Magus and I just reached level 6. I am picking up magus arcana (familiar) which works off the wizards "Arcane Bond" rules for acquiring a familiar.
Either I am missing or it or its just plane to obvious, but when I hit level 6 and get this ability how do I get a new familiar. Is it the same as re-summoning one if it dies. That seems like the cost of a decent level familiar could add up quick. Or at the very least the initial acquisition equal to a magic item.
Also any advice on keeping them out of threat range from enemies. I like the idea that it would be perched on my shoulder but obviously sometimes it wont be near me and I could see dm going after it even when its on my shoulder.
Tips, thoughts or tricks.
Mechanically, presumably there wouldn't be a cost for your initial summoning of a familiar - that would be covered by your selecting that particular Magus Arcana. The price for re-summoning would only factor in if and when your familiar dies.
A regular familiar would never be a threat comparable to a full-fledged party member, so, in my experience, DM's tend not to focus on them. (Why waste actions on a creature that's not actively threatening or barely even helping threaten the opposition?) Nevertheless, if you're feeling especially protective, you can always opt for a Familiar Satchel for 25 GP.
** spoiler omitted **
A Compsognathus is often regarded as one of the best choices, because of the +4 bonus to initiative it grants. (The equivalent of the Improved Initiative feat.) Alternatively, the raven's intelligent, speaks a language, and has graspy claws, which is generally interpreted as it being able to use wands whilst flying overhead, i.e. out of melee range. (So put ranks into Use Magic Device.)
Of course, to get the most out of your familiar, I'd recommend the Improved Familiar feat (available from level 7 onwards). My particular favourite is the Imp. In addition to the advantages of the raven, the Imp can cast Invisibility (self only) at will, as well as several other handy Spell-like Abilities, has some nice resistances/ immunities, and Fast Healing II, making this quite a resilient little creature. If you wait 'til 8th level to upgrade, you can even get a Consular Imp, which has the added benefit of 50 ft. telepathy and an improved Beast Shape.
Hey thanks for the response, i didn't know about the satchel and thats cheap. I wanted to make sure about the initial cost on the first acquisition of the familiar before i went into next session.
Funny thing is I am getting an imp but its a reskinned "parrot" I really want to get the improved familiar but i dont have the feat space for it, unfortunately.
On a side note, if my familiar is on my shoulder and we are doing perception checks, i get bonus to alertness, but since my pet has decent intelligence and perception does it get a separate perception roll. So essentially giving my character 2 perception rolls?