Dexterity-to-hit for familiars?

[Opuk0]

I remember hearing that tiny animals and smaller should naturally use dex to hit for their melee attacks.

Just wanted to check to see if this is true or if I'm thinking of something else.

[CyderGnome]

Opuk0 wrote:

I remember hearing that tiny animals and smaller should naturally use dex to hit for their melee attacks.

Just wanted to check to see if this is true or if I'm thinking of something else.

I believe that Tiny size creatures still need Weapon Finesse to add their Dex to hit.

However they DO get to add their Dex rather than Str to their CMB.

Pathfinder Core Rules wrote:

Creatures that are size Tiny or smaller use their Dexterity modifier in place of their Strength modifier to determine their CMB.

The special size modifier for a creature’s Combat Maneuver Bonus is as follows: Fine –8, Diminutive –4, Tiny –2, Small –1, Medium +0, Large
+1, Huge +2, Gargantuan +4, Colossal +8.

[CyderGnome]

Also: Check the creature's stat block. Many of the little guys come with Weapon Finesse automatically by virtue of their creature type.

[minoritarian]

Core Rules wrote:

Use the master's base attack bonus, as calculated from all his classes. Use the familiar's Dexterity or Strength modifier, whichever is greater, to calculate the familiar's melee attack bonus with natural weapons.

[Opuk0]

Thank you thank you!

[Jeff Merola]

Just FYI, if you play PFS they have a houserule that swapping out a familiar's weapon finesse removes that feature.