Hi,
I´m would like to know, if it is possible to qualify for Improved Familiar if I´m having a SP and a character with Eldritch Heritage(Arcane) and if so, what level would count. EH stats that for the bloodline power my sorc level is level-2, but Improved Familiar just talks about spellcasting level (which would be my character level for the SP).
Hi,
I´m would like to know, if it is possible to qualify for Improved Familiar if I´m having a SP and a character with Eldritch Heritage(Arcane) and if so, what level would count. EH stats that for the bloodline power my sorc level is level-2, but Improved Familiar just talks about spellcasting level (which would be my character level for the SP).
Good question...
The Improved Familiar feat has the prerequisite of "Arcane Spellcaster level" not just "caster level", so this means you need to be able to cast actual arcane spells not just spell like abilities (although it might be another text that just confuses things).
At the same time, being able to cast spell-like abilities of the appropriate X level, qualifies you for these prestige classes that require you to cast spells of X level.
Have they ruled something similar about feats?That, i can't recall. I would say if you go by the above ruling concerning spells and spell like abilities, then yes you qualify as long as you have an arcane spell like ability. The "sorc lvl -2" will only affect you when you determine the powers of your new improved familiar (at least that is how i am using it right now).
Hm, the FAQ talks about feats:
Spell-Like Abilities, Casting, and Prerequisites: Does a creature with a spell-like ability count as being able to cast that spell for the purpose of prerequisites or requirements?Yes.
For example, the Dimensional Agility feat (Ultimate Combat) has "ability to use the abundant step class feature or cast dimension door" as a prerequisite; a barghest has dimension door as a spell-like ability, so the barghest meets the "able to cast dimension door prerequisite for that feat.Edit 7/12/13: The design team is aware that the above answer means that certain races can gain access to some spellcaster prestige classes earlier than the default minimum (character level 6). Given that prestige classes are usually a sub-optimal character choice (especially for spellcasters), the design team is allowing this FAQ ruling for prestige classes. If there is in-play evidence that this ruling is creating characters that are too powerful, the design team may revisit whether or not to allow spell-like abilities to count for prestige class requirements.
I suppose you are good to go then!
Btw which familiar are you going to get?
Its about a Qinggong Monk with Truestrike. Should qualify as an arcane spell-like?
For purposes of using that power, treat your sorcerer level as equal to your character level – 2, even if you have levels in sorcerer.
(emphasis mine)
Therefore, for Improved Familiar, a character with Eldritch Heritage (Arcane bloodline) is treated as a sorcerer two levels less than their character level.
Note that for a druid that selects the Eagle, Frog, Monkey, or Serpent animal domains (gaining a familiar), their "effective wizard level for this ability is equal to your druid level." Which means they can take the Improved Familiar feat.
Also note that for a rogue with the Familiar advanced rogue talent, the "effective wizard level is her rogue level –4." Which means the rogue can take the Improved Familiar feat, too.
For purposes of using that power, treat your sorcerer level as equal to your character level – 2, even if you have levels in sorcerer.(emphasis mine)
Therefore, for Improved Familiar, a character with Eldritch Heritage (Arcane bloodline) is treated as a sorcerer two levels less than their character level.
Note that for a druid that selects the Eagle, Frog, Monkey, or Serpent animal domains (gaining a familiar), their "effective wizard level for this ability is equal to your druid level." Which means they can take the Improved Familiar feat.
Also note that for a rogue with the Familiar advanced rogue talent, the "effective wizard level is her rogue level –4." Which means the rogue can take the Improved Familiar feat, too.
Hmmm...I had the impression these "-2 and -4" were affecting that specific power and had no other effect and in the case of arcane bond, you are treated as a sorcerer-2 when determining the powers of your familiar that advance as you level up. I thought a rogue should have the minor/major magic talent or a racial spell like ability (as of now) in order to select the improved familiar feat.
Maybe it's just the people I game with, but we always went with the "effective arcane caster level for the arcane bond (familiar) class feature" when determining if/when a character could take Improved Familiar. Otherwise, you get too many weird cases with Magical Knack, single level dips in familiar-granting classes by other arcane casters, prestige classes like mystic theurge that increase spellcasting but specifically don't increase animal companions/familiars, permanent magic items like orange prism ioun stones, etc.