I've always liked the idea of Improved Familiar but the problem I run into is that I am a roleplayer for story first. Game mechanics come 2nd to me, though I understand how important they are. So for example then the problem with Improved Familiar is I've had this cat for the past six levels, I toss it away for a clockwork cat at level 7? The roleplayer in me has a problem with that.
So, I'd like help coming up with a way to have something like a BABY pseudodragon that levels up with you for example. I know that's not ideal mechanically, but hopefully some of you out there will be roleplayers like I am that can maybe help me come up with a way to do this.
I guess at the very least I could take a page from Dragon #122 and like Golden, the Clockwork Cat, have my familiar get sick and save her with the clockwork cat at 7th level but I still thought I might see if anyone else has ever seen this particular "issue" and found a good solution, especially since that only works if you want a clockwork animal, not if you want something like a pseudodragon?
ONG! It was clockwork the whole time wearing a catskin suit! *gasp*
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Might this cat perhaps have the name "Old Yeller"?
I have my PC going the other way. Right now he's got an owl and he's toying with a homonculus. Essentially his improved familiar feat is going to transform (or rather transfer) his owl into an owl-like homonculus.
I'm also a huge fan of story, roleplaying and familiars. At first I disliked the idea of "trading in" for an improved familiar (TROPHY familiar?) but as my compromise with my player I agreed that the Imp Familiar would merely be an evolution of sorts for their old creature into a new form.
For flavor I'm having him sculpt his homonculus, buying a pinch of Anthropromorphic Animal Dust, and some rare crystals; when the time is right (he gets the feat) the animal and construct will be merged into one and presto-chango; you've got your Improved Familiar.
You could do this all sorts of ways: a bird into a re-skinned sprite, a goat as a Tripurasura, or perhaps a cat into a silvanshee. However your story and style permits it to be; that's how it is. Just remember to talk to your players and just have fun with it.
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I just gave my solution over in the other thread, so I thought I'd link to it here.
In my case, the GM was even talking about giving the familiar partial construct traits as I get closer to 7th, representing the increasing amount of the bird that's been replaced with mechanical parts.
You could do this all sorts of ways: a bird into a re-skinned sprite, a goat as a Tripurasura, or perhaps a cat into a silvanshee. However your story and style permits it to be; that's how it is. Just remember to talk to your players and just have fun with it.
Hmm yeah that's kinda the case with Golden, the Clockwork Cat in Dragon #122. He was a normal cat familiar, but he got sick and none of the clerics could save him, so his master built a clockwork body and then used magic jar to transfer his soul to the clockwork cat, thus saving the cat's life.
As someone mentioned the clockwork familiars in the back of Asylum Stone, I read them and I do kinda like them... so I might consider something like what happened with Golden. :)
I see nothing wrong with the other way around too. I'm playing a charactor who needs higher perception and possibly some survival skills if he's going to survive, so he recruits an animal and grants it some abilities to partner up with him. Later, I'll take the advanced feat and summon a more powerful 'pet' to replace my first familiar. It's not a lack of RP: in my mind it's kinda like recruiting an underling.
Now, it's up to the GM what happens fluff wise too. Perhaps my old familiar remains inteligent and heads off on his own, becoming a minor npc with his own goals and asperations. Perhaps he decides to hold a grudge and becomes an enemy spy, or remains on good terms and stays at my makeshift home, minding the place while I go adventuring - no longer a familiar, now just a particularly smart pet. Perhaps he returns to being an unremarkable creature.
Essentially, I see no reason every spellcaster has to have some deep, meaningful connection to their familiar plot wise. Cant some of us consider them a simple means to an end? Almost like apprentaces or hirelings: a short term partnership that ends when a better option is available.
No, not every spellcaster has to have a deep connection. That's just how some folks play. I rule it that way in my games b/cause that's how I play. I'm not an evil GM and I had the conversation at the time the wizard player made his character to let him know "if you take a familiar, then later want an Improved Familar, this is what's going to happen..."
This makes sense to me because IMO it's more than just summoning up a pet. If you're a wizard you're actually investing power IN your pet that then gets taken away from the thing when you dismiss it for the new one.
To MY mind that is the equivalent of saying at first level your paladin gets Percy, the loyal squire; he's not very bright and he's a child by comparison to your character, but a bit of your divine energy rubs off on him and imparts some health while your martial skill actual imprints itself in his soul. Now fast forward a few levels Percy has developed a few other minor trifles and helped you out of a couple scrapes, but you decide you've had enough of his weaknesses so you reach into the cosmos and summon up Babella, a hot archon who can fight a bit better and has some cool special effects she can whip up. You politely shake Percy's hand and...ALL the powers you've invested in him go away as he returns to a normal little boy (source: the FAQ on the PF SRD re: dismissing a familiar for a new one)
That to me just seems cruel. Again, this is just how I play and doesn't have to be for anyone else. But if the above happened in my game, the Paladin would turn to Percy and smile down at him saying "Lad, you've been a good squire and served me well. You've heard the call of the celestial chorus and witnessed the power it imparts. They call to us now and seek to reward you with their divinity. If you accept this gift you will become one of the host and we will continue our adventures together!" Being the paladin's familiar Percy will say yes (controlled by the PC) and he will actually be transformed into an archon.
That doesn't have to be how it happens for you. It's just the flavor that I like.