Sidekicks

[Vamptastic]

So, suppose a character wants a young word, a younger sibling, or a child(adopted or otherwise), or otherwise wants some sort of sidekick, a Robin to their Batman. Who might be useful in combat(or might not be), but generally isn't as strong, and basically provides more moral support and gives the group a tagalong kid.

GMs, do you allow this? Do you say thee nay? Do you control them, or does the player control them? Would you count them as a 'familiar' or an 'animal companion', do you feel this can lead to game abuse What are your thoughts on this? Discuss amongst yourselves.

[Ascalaphus]

Isn't this an application of the Leadership feat? That's the catch-all feat for this sort of thing. It needs special GM attention to prevent abuses, but it's the enabler for so many cool things that I don't want to ban it.

[Name Violation]

torchbearer or.squire feats work too

[Arkady Zelenka]

I think there was a feat in D20 modern that is called Side Kick, I'll see if I can find it.

[MrSin]

I allow it as an NPC under the player's control who doesn't see combat. Having a roleplaying tool that can add to the story or backstory of a character and help define them, is pretty cool, but making me readjust CR and adding more characters to the field can create a mess.

[kmal2t]

under your control but can be created together with you and the player if you want to allow this.

Just make sure he yells "HOLY GEE WILLICKERS BATMAN!" and other stupid expressions randomly.

[Eideann]

I recently DMed a game where I gave one player (and by extension the group) two children they had to protect for the whole campaign. One I made a cohort (young template Hedge Witch Cohort) who I leveled up (focussing on healing) but the player played, the second was a DM controlled young template Barbarian/Oracle/Rage Prophet who I also leveled up and gave out to players to play if their character was temporarily unavailable or used to protect the other sibling if necessary. It worked well both as plot hooks and mechanically.

[Avatar-1]

Is it PFS? Tell him to get a herald.

The sidekick can announce his presence everywhere! What better sidekick is there?