Compy is almost always a good choice along with Greensting scorpion. +4 init is golden.
your familar choice is almost entirely based on your playstyle. unless we know who/what your character is all about we cant really give advice on this subject.
if you're asking which familiar is the best choice from an optimization standpoint, then there are many guides on this website and others that can help you with that...
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your familar choice is almost entirely based on your playstyle. unless we know who/what your character is all about we cant really give advice on this subject.
if you're asking which familiar is the best choice from an optimization standpoint, then there are many guides on this website and others that can help you with that...
If you're asking about my character's personality, then he is something of a bookworm. (You know, really smart yet likes to state the obvious)
That's not much to go on, really, though I suppose that could make you the "straight man"of a comedy duo. What are you after for this character?
Every familiar grants alertness and the equivalent of another feat. Some offer other advantages such as flight, speaking common, hands, etc. Pick something that sounds good and roll with it. If you don't like it, a simple ritual allows you to change it.
My wizard's familiar is a know-it-all raven who's elected himself the party leader and used to preen the hair of our female ranger when she gamed with us. In addition to mischief-making, he's also an aerial scout, has relayed messages, bombed enemies with alchemst's fire, provides another perception check every time we roll for one, and even served as a seeing-eye helper for one of our PCs when he was hit by a blindness spell...while providing off-color commentary ("Hey, since you're not using those eyes, mind if I eat them? How about just one then?"). Since he knows all the languages and skill ranks I do, he's helpful in that regard as well.
Familiars use their own stat modifiers and have their own list of class skills, though, so they'll have a hard time clearing even lowish DCs for intelligence-based skills. They get fat modifiers to stealth checks between their tiny size and it being a class skill for them, though, so grab a rank in stealth when you can if they don't have any to begin with...between that and a rank in disable device they could cause some pretty interesting diversions, serve even better as scouts and spies and possibly even bust you out of jail should it become necessary!
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Here's what I'm thinking:
Either a Compsognathus that's a bit hyper and a little bit of a glutton that only trusts his master...unless you give him time and some meat.
A raven that is a smart-bottom and likes to state the obvious, but is an intelligent bird.
Or a dodo that, while a bit on the dull side, is nonetheless a true gentleman (or would it be 'gentle-bird'?)
...god, I was going to suggest that, but decided not to. Go with the Dodo. It is the best option. Everyone knows that they taste to terrible for any nasty to eat it.
In seriousness, the raven would draw the least attention, as long as it doesn't talk in public. But Compsognathus would have the exotic flavor that tells people: this is not some jerk in a robe, this is a wizard. And we all know: wizard =/= someone to be messed with. Dodo is simply just the most awesome choice. Get it a top hat and monocle.
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A raven is a great choice because you can use him to send messages. Been captured? Just have the raven go tell the party where you are. That he can talk means you can use him for a distraction as well.
Toad is the best spy. They have a 21 to stealth, so if you are willing to put a few ranks in yourself you'll have someone that can hop through the dungeon without much chance of being noticed. Depending on enviroment, even if it is noticed no one will care.
A bat has blindsense so in a dark room he can help you navigate and target your spells.
Lest we forget, the familiar can also help dispatch vanquished enemies. My wizard's enemies have learned to fear his raven familiar's dreaded "crow de grace"! Of course, the 1d3-4 he's rolling for damage often means that it takes a while, but that makes it all the more diabolical.
KaptainKrunch/Professor Q has written up some good summaries on familiars and their uses in his guide.
There's an old post from Treantmonk that's great for inspiration, too: click me.
You always do a minimum of 1 point of damage when you hit, no matter how pathetic your attacks may be.
Ok, I have to ask, cause it has bothered me for a while...how do you do ANY damage on a 1d3-4? (Or any other roll like that for that matter?) I don't think familiars have enough Str to have + to dmg do they?
minimum damage is always 1 point of non-lethal, so if the damage rolled ends up being 0 or less, it does 1 non-lethal.