A rogue / sorcerer getting Improved Familiar?!

[Egrek]

So I've noticed there are a number of threads fighting over the various rules for Improved familiar, yet reading them through I couldn't find 'set' answers.

So...

If I'm a level 5 character Aasimar, 1 sorcerer (with the Arcane bloodline to get a familiar), 4 rogue, and want to take "Improved Familiar" - it's generally accepted without other feats I don't qualify.

Improved Spellcaster feat adds 4 to the CL, but not really Familiar (depending on how you read the Improved Familiar requirement).

Boon Companion feat adds 4 to effective level for familiar.

So can I get a "Almiraj" (for example) as it requires level 5.
1) Using the Improved Spellcaster feat
2) Using the Boon Companion feat
3) Can I just do it by being an Aasimar (CL 5) with the sorcerer familiar class ability?
4) Any other way to do it?
5) Just no.

Any help (and links to rules if possible) appreciated.
Thanks!

[GM Lamplighter]

It's not caster level, but class level in the class that grants you the familiar. Boon Companion gives you an effective 5th level in sorcerer to determine your familiar; none of the other options do that. The daylight ability of the aasimar doesn't matter in this discussion.

[Drowblade]

There is a rogue talent that grants you a familiar. As to weather or not that stacks with another class to count towards improved familiar I am not sure.

[UllarWarlord]

There's a rogue archetype, Carnivalist, that gives a familiar, for what it's worth.

[Egrek]

Thanks, I will look into these too!

[EsperMagic]

There is also being a rogue with a decent charisma and you can take the eldritch heritage line of feats.

[Cevah]

GM Lamplighter wrote:

It's not caster level, but class level in the class that grants you the familiar. Boon Companion gives you an effective 5th level in sorcerer to determine your familiar; none of the other options do that. The daylight ability of the aasimar doesn't matter in this discussion.

Improved Familiar needs arcane caster level not class level

Familiar Abilities needs class level not caster level
Scaling Arcane SLAs give you arcane caster level
[Your Asimar's Daylight is on the Sorcerer/Wizard list, so it counts as arcane.]

Egrek wrote:

So can I get a "Almiraj" (for example) as it requires level 5.

1) Using the Improved Spellcaster feat
2) Using the Boon Companion feat
3) Can I just do it by being an Aasimar (CL 5) with the sorcerer familiar class ability?
4) Any other way to do it?
5) Just no.

At character level 5, you have a few choices for the feat. However, familiar stats improve based on class levels. Your Sorcerer levels count. Your Rogue levels might count, since the advanced rogue talent Familiar states the rogue’s effective wizard level is her rogue level –4. So you get familiar benefits of character level - 4 for your rogue/sorcerer. That talent needs two others (Minor Magic and Major Magic). If you go with the Eldrich feats, that nets you -2 instead. Boon Companion reduces the amount by up to 4.

Btw, the feat is called Improved Caster Level (3pp). This helps with the stat improvement, but not with Improved Familiar, which you already cover with your SLAs.

/cevah

[Egrek]

May be a stupid question - what does "3pp" mean?

(I have a feeling I knew last week? But now nothing?)

Eldritch Heritage! That is another good one! I remember looking into it and again totally blanked on it! :)

And yes, I was more interested in getting an improved familiar, that actually making it much better. But... being better is good too ;)

[Alleran]

Egrek wrote:

May be a stupid question - what does "3pp" mean?

3rd Party Publisher. 3pp.

[Egrek]

Thanks!

Knew it had to be something obvious, just couldn't get it! :)