First, I wanted to just clarify how the mauler archetype works. Improved strength means that at, say, level 7, the mauler has +3 strength.
With the size increase, going from, say, tiny grants you a size boost of +4 STR and an ability bonus of +2, bringing the total increase of strength from a tiny familiar to +9. From diminutive, the increase is +11 instead. Small familiars simply get the +5.
So, if I were to put together some familiars final strengths, I might get, as the notables who get 16 or higher (also not including dinosaurs or aquatics),
King Crab-16
Fox-18(!)
Herd Goat-18
Pig-16
Raccoon-17
Wallaby-17
Now, not only is the fox clearly the best in terms of STR, it's also my favorite thematically, so it is, so far, my best choice that I can think of.
Additionally, I plan to take the "evolved familiar" feat at least once to add two claw attacks to the bite attack the familiar has. At medium size, that'll be a 1d6 and two 1d4 attacks, all made at full BaB and at +4 strength. With haste(which I will be casting anyway), that's another 1d6 bite attack.
Is there anything I'm missing or getting wrong? I would love more ways to improve the familiar(I'm taking beastblade magus, don't try to stop me! :P) other than what I'm already doing?
One of the things I'm going for is to have the mauler familiar cast a multi-touch spell on itself, go in for full attacks with all its natural attacks, then cash in on sweet attacks of opportunity.
Well, the crab has grab and constrict. Also, if you're small, you can ride a crab into battle!
What about possible feats to improve the familiar's to-hit?
For example, is "weapon focus(natural attack)" valid and workable with both types of natural attacks? Anything better than a simple +1 for that feat slot?
What about possible feats to improve the familiar's to-hit?
For example, is "weapon focus(natural attack)" valid and workable with both types of natural attacks? Anything better than a simple +1 for that feat slot?
The problem with familiars is that they do not get feats. They never actually progress in hit dice, they just pretend to based off of your stuff. As seen in iconic witch havin a fox familiar with no new feats.
For the most part, you should think of them just as warm bodies for flanking (although small earth elementals come with some nice feats as improved familiars)
Now, if this is for an eldritch guardian fighter, then that is a completely different story, since those share combat feats when in range and with instructions. Those are perfectly combat ready.
What about possible feats to improve the familiar's to-hit?
For example, is "weapon focus(natural attack)" valid and workable with both types of natural attacks? Anything better than a simple +1 for that feat slot?
The problem with familiars is that they do not get feats. They never actually progress in hit dice, they just pretend to based off of your stuff. As seen in iconic witch havin a fox familiar with no new feats.
For the most part, you should think of them just as warm bodies for flanking (although small earth elementals come with some nice feats as improved familiars)
Now, if this is for an eldritch guardian fighter, then that is a completely different story, since those share combat feats when in range and with instructions. Those are perfectly combat ready.
I was more referring to the one feat that you can switch out. Though I'm now realizing that it's probably limited to familiar specific feats, but there you go.
I know that eldritch guardian's familiar will be superior, but I want this familiar to at least be passable enough to be hitting once or twice per round at level 11. His job is to provoke as many attacks of opportunity from me as possible. Perhaps magic items, like an amulet of mighty fists?
