A player in my game wants to take a dog as a familiar. Is this statted out anywhere in the published info, or should I just wing it?
I'm thinking of using the standard "Small Dog" entry in the Bestiary and making the familiar-bonus a +2 to Perception.
By rules
I would suggest just using the fox familiar stats [edit: darn, beaten to that suggestion ;) ] if available to the character to represent a dog smaller than "dog, common" (which represents coyotes, which are a little big to be a familiar).If the player can go Sorc, sylvan bloodline can get wolf animal companions.
In terms of winging it
There's a house rules/homebrew rules forum around here somewhere, i'd post there, or get a mod to move this question there.
Offhand, a dog familiar could be custom made (tiny size/toy dog), or fall under "improved familiar" somehow (as small+ size dogs have better combat stats than the traditionally tiny familiars, they threaten squares, etc). If custom made... maybe use small dog, then apply young template, and make sure size drops where it doesn't threaten, and tweak it's stats/skills/feats as needed.
[Though there may be a bestiary entry for toy dogs or something in one of paizos many adventure paths, and I personally say use fox would]
That's what I got for a quick reply. Good luck.
Yeah a smallish dog with fox familiar stats should work.
Since the introduction of small-sized familiars such as the goat, pig, and donkey weasel, I don't feel the need to push for a tiny-sized dog. The regular small-sized dog in the Bestiary seems fine as is as itlooks comparable to the official small familiars.
Probably don't want to give a perception bonus. Its a stronger skill than any others. That's why the owl and eagle only give their perception bonuses under certain conditions.
Probably don't want to give a perception bonus. Its a stronger skill than any others. That's why the owl and eagle only give their perception bonuses under certain conditions.
Maybe a perception bonus when tracking something?
How about a survival bonus
Maybe... or maybe I'll reduce the Perception bonus to +1.
Why nerf the skill bonus? Having a bigger familiar makes it a bigger target. They aren't exactly built for fighting and a dog lacks hands to use any skills well. I love having pets in game myself, and custom familiars help make a bigger variety to have for yourself.
Familiars all follow the same bonuses. +4 initiative, or +3 to a skill/hit points, or +2 CMD or save, or +1 to natural armor. Maybe let your player choose to make him happiest?
I think only witches have a small sized familiar usually. Someone's free to correct me because I may very well be wrong.
I would have thought that a dog familiar would give a +2 to Diplomacy or something else Charisma-related.
A player in my game wants to take a dog as a familiar. Is this statted out anywhere in the published info, or should I just wing it?
I'm thinking of using the standard "Small Dog" entry in the Bestiary and making the familiar-bonus a +2 to Perception.
What might be fun is to substitute the skill bonus with the scent special ability. That would rock.
Dogman and his chihuahua familiar!
You already get scent by having a familiar to use scent for you, when you think about it.
A dog that will eventually be as smart as the fighter and able to talk to only you and be understood. Will it's name be Scooby or Brian? I suppose it depends on the familiar's particular choice in vices: martinis or special "snacks" from the 70's...
You could break down the skill bonus by breed:
Sheep dog: +2 Handle Animal
Retriever/hound: +2 Perception
Terrier: +2 Intimidate (wizard must simulate annoying yipping)
Can't think of any more off the top but I'm sure they're out there...