Eldritch Guardian / Sorcerer + Improved Familiar

[WhatAShame]

I was checking out PFSRD and noticed the Eldritch Guardian archetype can gain a familiar. I'm planning to create a wildblooded Sorcerer but still wanted to grab a familiar so it looked like an interesting dip to also pick up some weapon proficiencies.

The per-requisites for Improved Familiar simply state:
Prerequisites: Ability to acquire a new familiar, compatible alignment, sufficiently high level (see below).

Then it lists Arcane Spellcaster Levels.

If Eldritch Guardian satisfies "Ability to acquire a new familiar", would Sorc levels count for meeting the Arcane Spellcaster level?

RAW seems so.

Anyone have any thoughts?

[Byakko]

Expect table variation. Everyone seems to read that "Arcane Spellcaster" line in the Improved Familiar feat a little differently.

[WhatAShame]

Byakko wrote:

Expect table variation. Everyone seems to read that "Arcane Spellcaster" line in the Improved Familiar feat a little differently.

I found two similar threads also with inconclusive answers.

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2o29a?Improved-Familiar-Arcane-spellcaster-Leve l

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rxl3?Off-the-Top-of-My-Head-Improved-Familiar

So I'm not sure what's the proper ruling. Should I just let the GM decide?

[Jeff Merola]

Yeah, just let the GM decide.

[dragonhunterq]

I really think the sorceror levels would fulfill the requirements, strictly RAW. There is no requirement that the arcane spellcaster levels be in a class that grants a familiar. It is a little hard to argue that a sorceror isn't an arcane spellcaster.

2 peripheral points:
1) You sorceror and EG levels won't stack for determining what Improved familiar you can take.
2) your familiar will only gain the special abilities based on Eldritch Guardian levels.

[claudekennilol]

it definitely works. I don't see how anyone can say it doesn't. The prereqs are individual flags. Do you meet one? Yes? Move on the next and see if you meet that one. As long as you have enough sorc levels to qualify for whatever improved familiar you want, then you're good to go.

Saying no is like saying that a Fighter that takes a one level dip into monk for Improved Unarmed Strike doesn't qualify for something like Vicious Stomp (has IUS as a prereq) just because they're a fighter now and don't get to use their monk benefits. See? That's ridiculous, too.

[Cap. Darling]

I Think the 2 feat Way to familiar is a better way( skill focus(knowledge somthing) and eldrich heritage(arcane). Loosing spell progression level is a bad deal.

[Byakko]

There are those who will say that the class which grants the familiar is the class referenced by the "Arcane Spellcaster" requirement. Questions will also arise when arcane prestige classes are involved.

[nate lange]

Iron will and familiar bond (from familiar folio) will also get you a familiar without list caster level (and not at -2, iirc)

[Cap. Darling]

nate lange wrote:

Iron will and familiar bond (from familiar folio) will also get you a familiar without list caster level (and not at -2, iirc)

this seems to be the Way to go then.

[cavernshark]

If you want a familiar as a sorcerer, check out the Bloodline Familiars in the Familiar Folio. It allows you to swap in a familiar with a bloodline-centric bonus power for the 1st level bloodline power. It doesn't cover all bloodlines, but it could be a starting point that wouldn't require expenditure of feats or dips in another class.