Improved Familiar and Bestiary 2

[Blake Duffey]

The normal 'core' book has a list of possible familiars, each gives a small benefit to the arcane caster (a skill bonus, for example)

There are a number of critters in the Bestiary 2 that, per their description, can be used as familiars if the caster has the Improved Familiar feat.

My question - do these grant any 'boons' like the base familiars do? Or do their added powers make up the difference?

[Abraham spalding]

Most improved familiars do not come with the a small bonus to a skill, save or such built in. This is because most of the improved familiars are so much better than the regular familiars they are considered balanced without the need for an extra boost on top of having them.

[Blake Duffey]

That's pretty much what I thought. Is there a list somewhere of the potential familiars in this book? I read there is one for each alignment. I'm sure thay are all CR2, but I only found a couple.

Thanks

[Abraham spalding]

Silvanshee -- level 7
Voidworm -- level 7
Cassisian -- level 7
Cacodaemon -- level 7
Cythnigot - level 7
lyrakian -- level 7
arbiter -- level 7
paracletus -- level 7
Brownie -- level 5
Small elementals (any of them) -- level 5

[Sean FitzSimon]

So what sort of familiars & animal companions are even in the new Bestiary?

[Abraham spalding]

Well I listed the familiar choices and levels they should be able to be taken above.

The following are the new animal companions that are available:
Allosaurus, Manta Ray, Arsinoitherium, Baboon, Megaloceros, Megatherium, Compsognathus, Parasaurolophus, Glyptodon, Snapping Turtle, Hippopotamus, and Sting Ray.

New racial choices are:
Grippli, Fetchling, Dhampir, ifrit, oread, sylph, and undine

All of which can be found on the pfsrd website now.

[Blake Duffey]

Abraham spalding wrote:

Silvanshee -- level 7

...
Small elementals (any of them) -- level 5

Thanks!

[Blueluck]

Thanks for the names, Abraham spalding!

Here are the links:

Lyrakian had no entry.

Silvanshee
Voidworm
Cassisian
Cacodaemon
Cythnigot
arbiter
paracletus
Brownie

Earth Elemental
Fire Elemental
Ice Elemental
Lighting Elemental
Magma Elemental
Mud Elemental
Water Elemental

[spalding]

I got the name wrong: It's Lyrakien not lyrakian:

Lyrakien

[Kevin Andrew Murphy]

Wasn't the Mandragora in Bestiary 2 listed as a familiar option as well in the adventure path where it first appeared?

Was that option retconned or just cut for lack of space?

[spalding]

The mandragora in the bestiary 2 doesn't list such an option currently. I don't know if this is by design or simple oversight.

[Thane36425]

A slight angle to this thread. Would a Silvanshee remain as a familiar oe allow itself to be cound to to a character who became a lich, in particular one using the "Good Lich" template from Libris Mortis?

[Blake Duffey]

I thought there was one of these improved familiars per alignment. I don't see one for LG. Am I missing one?

[Mojorat]

Thane36425 wrote:

A slight angle to this thread. Would a Silvanshee remain as a familiar oe allow itself to be cound to to a character who became a lich, in particular one using the "Good Lich" template from Libris Mortis?

probably it would leave but ultimately that's between you and your gm

[Dragon78]

They forggot that the Lantern archon wasn't a viable familiar so there are none for LG(Archons). Also too bad the Soulbound doll wasn't an option for the improved familiar feat, it's cool, and can be any alignment.

[Firest]

Dragon78 wrote:

They forggot that the Lantern archon wasn't a viable familiar so there are none for LG(Archons). Also too bad the Soulbound doll wasn't an option for the improved familiar feat, it's cool, and can be any alignment.

Why isn't the Lantern Archon available? You could take one as a familiar in 3.5.

And I agree about the Soulbound Doll, though it may be just a matter of talking to your DM.

[Benchak the Nightstalker]

Abraham spalding wrote:

Well I listed the familiar choices and levels they should be able to be taken above.

The following are the new animal companions that are available:
Allosaurus, Manta Ray, Arsinoitherium, Baboon, Megaloceros, Megatherium, Compsognathus, Parasaurolophus, Glyptodon, Snapping Turtle, Hippopotamus, and Sting Ray.

New racial choices are:
Grippli, Fetchling, Dhampir, ifrit, oread, sylph, and undine

All of which can be found on the pfsrd website now.

Though listed as an animal companion on the table in the appendix, the Compsognathus is actually a Familiar option, giving it's master a +4 bonus to initiative.

[Thane36425]

Mojorat wrote:

Thane36425 wrote:

A slight angle to this thread. Would a Silvanshee remain as a familiar oe allow itself to be cound to to a character who became a lich, in particular one using the "Good Lich" template from Libris Mortis?

probably it would leave but ultimately that's between you and your gm

You're probably right. It might hang around to act as an external conscience to help keep its master good.