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Familiar Details | Familiar Options | Archetypes

Familiars

Description Source: PRPG Core Rulebook
A familiar is an animal chosen by a spellcaster to aid him in his study of magic. It retains the appearance, Hit Dice, base attack bonus, base save bonuses, skills, and feats of the normal animal it once was, but is now a magical beast for the purpose of effects that depend on its type. Only a normal, unmodified animal may become a familiar. An animal companion cannot also function as a familiar.

A familiar grants special abilities to its master, as given on the table below. These special abilities apply only when the master and familiar are within 1 mile of each other.

Levels of different classes that are entitled to familiars stack for the purpose of determining any familiar abilities that depend on the master's level.

If a familiar is lost or dies, it can be replaced 1 week later through a specialized ritual that costs 200 gp per wizard level. The ritual takes 8 hours to complete.

Nethys: See the monster entry by clicking on the Familiar's name for full details on its use as a familiar.

Small and Vermin Familiars

Description Source: Ultimate Magic
Small-sized familiars threaten the areas around them like Small creatures, and can be used to flank enemies, though both familiars and their masters are often loath to use such tactics, as the result is often a dead familiar. Small-sized familiars are also harder to keep on a master's person than Tiny or smaller familiars. Often they require some form of magic item, like a bag of holding, for such a feat to work. The process of making a vermin into a familiar grants it an Intelligence score and removes the mindless trait. Vermin familiars communicate with their masters and other vermin of their kind (greensting scorpions with other scorpions, house centipedes with other centipedes, and scarlet spiders with other spiders) by way of a strange combination of behaviors, slight changes in coloration, and even the excretion of scents, subtle and otherwise. As with other types of familiars, other creatures cannot understand this communication without magical aid.

Unusual Familiars

Description Source: Familiar Folio
While most familiars are Tiny animals or magical beasts, spellcasters may acquire larger or more unusual creatures during their travels, which impart certain rules effects that should be considered at the table.

Small familiars threaten the areas around them like other Small creatures, and can be used to flank enemies—though both familiars and their masters are generally loath to employ such tactics, as the result is often a dead familiar. Small familiars are also harder to keep on a master’s person than Tiny or smaller familiars; some form of magic item, like a bag of holding, is usually required.

Construct, plant, and vermin familiars gain an Intelligence score, and they lose the mindless trait if they had it. If such familiars lack a language, they communicate with their masters and other creatures of their kind (greensting scorpions with other scorpions, mobile plant creatures with other mobile plant creatures, and so on) by way of a strange combination of behaviors, slight changes in coloration, and sometimes even the excretion of scents or pheromones. Other types of creatures can’t understand this communication without magical aid.

Outsiders and undead creatures are normally available only with the Improved Familiar feat, and require no other special rules.

FamiliarSpecial AbilitySource
ArchaeopteryxMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex savesBestiary 4 pg. 96
Arctic foxMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves (use fox statistics, +4 Stealth to blend into snow)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
Arctic hareMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
Arctic ternMaster gains a +3 bonus on Fly checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
ArmadilloMaster gains a +1 natural armor bonus to ACUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
BatMaster gains a +3 bonus on Fly checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
ButterflyMaster gains a +3 bonus on Perform checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
CatMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
Cat, margayMaster gains a +3 bonus on Bluff checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Centipede, houseMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
ChickenMaster gains a +3 hit pointsUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Bestiary 5 pg. 112, Familiar Folio pg. 0
CockroachMaster gains a +3 hit pointsUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Compsognathus dinosaurMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 2 pg. 90
Crab, kingMaster gains a +2 bonus on combat maneuver checks to start and maintain a grappleAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Creeper ivyMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
DodoMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 4 pg. 96
Dolphin, popotoMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
Donkey ratMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Dwarf caimanMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
Dweomer capMaster gains a +3 bonus on Spellcraft checks to identify magic itemsUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
ErmineMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves (use weasal statistics, +4 Stealth to blend into snow)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
Fire salamanderMaster gains a +3 bonus on Escape Artist checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Flowering latticeMaster gains a +3 bonus on Diplomacy checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Flying foxMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesBestiary 5 pg. 112
Flying squirrelMaster gains a +3 bonus on Fly checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 3 pg. 112
FoxMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex savesAnimal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 3 pg. 112, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Giant fleaMaster gains a +3 bonus on Fortitude saves against disease (witch only)Bestiary 4 pg. 99
Giant isopodMaster gains a +1 natural armor bonus to ACAnimal Archive pg. 10
GoatMaster gains a +3 bonus on Survival checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 3 pg. 112
HawkMaster gains a +3 bonus on sight-based and opposed Perception checks in bright lightAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
HedgehogMaster gains a +2 bonus on Will savesAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Horned lizardMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Ioun wyrdMaster gains a +1 natural armor bonus to ACUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
Isopod, giantMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
JerboaMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
KakapoMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
KeuliaMaster gains a +3 bonus to Disguise checksDruma, Profit and Prophecy pg. 62
KoalaMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
LampreyMaster gains a +3 hit pointsUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
LemmingMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
Leopard slugMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
Lich newtMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves against disease and poisonPathfinder #115: Trail of the Hunted pg. 82
LizardMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
Marine iguanaMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checks (use dwarf caiman stats for marine iguanas)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
MeerkatMaster gains a +3 bonus on Escape Artist checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
MoleMaster gains a +3 bonus on smell-, taste-, and touch-based Perception checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
MongooseMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves (use weasel stats for mongooses)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
MonkeyMaster gains a +3 bonus on Acrobatics checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
MothMaster gains a +3 bonus on Survival checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Octopus, blue-ringedMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
OspreyMaster gains a +3 bonus on Survival checks (use hawk stats for ospreys)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
OtterMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 3 pg. 112
OwlMaster gains a +3 bonus on sight-based and opposed Perception checks in shadows or darknessAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
ParrotMaster gains a +3 bonus on Linguistics checks (use raven stats for parrots)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
PeacockMaster gains a +3 bonus on Intimidate checksFamiliar Folio pg. 0
PeafowlMaster gains a +3 bonus on Intimidate checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
PenguinMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0, Bestiary 5 pg. 112
PetrifernMaster gains a +1 natural armor bonus to ACUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
PetrominMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksPathfinder #85: Fires of Creation pg. 82
PigMaster gains a +3 bonus on Diplomacy checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 3 pg. 112
PlatypusMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 4 pg. 96
PtarmiganMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
PufferfishMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
PuffinMaster gains a +2 bonus on Stealth checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
RabbitMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 30
RaccoonMaster gains a +3 bonus on Sleight of Hand checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 3 pg. 112
RatMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
Raven*Master gains a +3 bonus on Appraise checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
Ravenous tumbleweedMaster gains a 10-foot bonus to speed when using the charge, run, or withdraw actionsUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Razor fernMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Red pandaMaster gains a +3 bonus on Acrobatics checksBestiary 5 pg. 112
RhamphorhynchusMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Pathfinder #37: Souls for Smuggler's Shiv pg. 83, Animal Archive pg. 10
Rock TuataraMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checks in rocky environmentsPathfinder #118: Siege of Stone pg. 83
Sawleg locustMaster gains a +3 bonus on Acrobatics checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Scorpion, greenstingMaster gains a +4 bonus on initiative checks (if familiar is within 1 mile)Bestiary 4 pg. 232, Animal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Sea kraitMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves (use viper stats for sea kraits)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
SealMaster gains a +3 bonus on Swim checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Bestiary 5 pg. 112, Animal Archive pg. 10
Shimmerwing dragonflyMaster gains a +3 bonus on Fly checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
SkunkMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
SlothMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checksBestiary 4 pg. 96
Snail kiteMaster gains a +3 bonus on Fly checks (use hawk stats for snail kites)Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
Snapping turtleMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesAnimal Archive pg. 10, Bestiary 2 pg. 273
SnarkMaster gains a +3 bonus on Stealth checksPathfinder #119: Prisoners of the Blight pg. 83
Snowy owlMaster gains a +3 bonus on sight-based and opposed Perception checks when in shadows or darkness (use owl statistics, +4 Stealth to blend into snow)Reign of Winter Player's Guide pg. 10
Spider, scarletMaster gains a +3 bonus on Climb checks (if familiar is within 1 mile)Bestiary 4 pg. 252, Animal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Spiny starfishMaster treats his effective character level as 4 higher to recover hit points by restingUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
SquirrelMaster gains a +3 bonus on Escape Artist checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
Suture vineMaster gains a +3 bonus on Heal checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
Tardigrade, giantMaster gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
TarsierMaster gains a +3 bonus on Acrobatics checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
TauhotiMaster gains a +3 bonus on one Profession check of her choice, selected when gaining the familiarDruma, Profit and Prophecy pg. 63
Thrush*Master gains a +3 bonus on Diplomacy checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
ToadMaster gains 3 hit pointsAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
TorbleMaster gains a +2 bonus on Craft (alchemy) checksPathfinder #25: The Bastards of Erebus pg. 85
ToucanMaster gains a +3 bonus on Diplomacy checks (use raven stats for toucans [cannot speak])Ultimate Wilderness pg. 190, Animal Archive pg. 10
TrilobiteMaster gains a +1 natural armor bonus to ACBestiary 5 pg. 112
TuataraMaster gains a +3 bonus on Survival checksBestiary 4 pg. 96
TullimonstrumMaster gains a +3 bonus on Perception checksPathfinder #124: City in the Deep pg. 87
TurtleMaster gains a +1 natural armor bonus to ACAnimal Archive pg. 10, Ultimate Magic pg. 1
Vampire squidMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex savesUltimate Wilderness pg. 190
ViperMaster gains a +3 bonus on Bluff checksAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
WallabyMaster gains a +3 bonus on Acrobatics checksUltimate Wilderness pg. 190, Familiar Folio pg. 0
WeaselMaster gains a +2 bonus on Reflex savesAnimal Archive pg. 10, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 82
*A raven familiar can speak one language of its master's choice as a supernatural ability.

Improved Familiars

Description Source: PRPG Core Rulebook
This feat (for more details, see the Improved Familiar feat) allows you to acquire a powerful familiar, but only when you could normally acquire a new familiar.

When choosing a familiar, the creatures listed below are also available to you. You may choose a familiar with an alignment up to one step away on each alignment axis (lawful through chaotic, good through evil).

Improved familiars otherwise use the rules for regular familiars, with two exceptions: if the creature's type is something other than animal, its type does not change; and improved familiars do not gain the ability to speak with other creatures of their kind (although many of them already have the ability to communicate).

Nethys: See the monster entry by clicking on the Familiar's name for full details on its use as a familiar.

FamiliarAlignmentArcane Spellcaster LevelSource
Aether wysp 7thBestiary 5 pg. 282
Air wysp 7thBestiary 5 pg. 282
AlmirajAny5thBestiary 4 pg. 8
Arbiter inevitableLawful neutral7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 162
Augur kytonLawful evil7thBestiary 3 pg. 171
Bat, sootwingAny evil5thMonster Codex pg. 88
BeheadedNeutral evil3rdBestiary 4 pg. 17, Pathfinder #43: Haunting of Harrowstone pg. 83
Brain MoleOne step of neutral5thBestiary 5 pg. 46
BrownieNeutral5thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 49
Cacodaemon daemonNeutral evil7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 64
Caligraphy WyrmNeutral7thLegacy of Dragons pg. 26
CarbuncleNeutral5thBestiary 3 pg. 44, Pathfinder #31: Stolen Land pg. 77
Cassisian angelNeutral good7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 26
Cat sithChaotic neutral7thFamiliar Folio pg. 28
CaypupChaotic good7thFamiliar Folio pg. 29
Celestial hawk1Neutral good3rdPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
CeruNeutral good7thInner Sea Bestiary pg. 9
ChuspikiChaotic7thBestiary 5 pg. 56
Clockwork familiarAny7th; needs crafting; see monstery entryBestiary 5 pg. 57, Pathfinder #63: The Asylum Stone pg. 86
Coral capuchinOne step of neutral3rdBestiary 6 pg. 66
Coral CapuchinNeutral3rdPathfinder #58: Island of Empty Eyes pg. 83
CyphergullOne step of neutral7thPathfinder #133: Secrets of Roderic's Cove pg. 82
Cythnigot qlippothChaotic evil7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 221
Dire ratNeutral3rdPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
Doru divNeutral evil7thBestiary 3 pg. 86, Pathfinder #19: Howl of the Carrion King pg. 81
Dragon, faerieChaotic good (within 1 step)7thBestiary 3 pg. 91
Dragon, tidepoolChaotic neutral (within one step)7thPathfinder #55: The Wormwood Mutiny pg. 83
Dweomercat CubChaotic neutral7thPathfinder #36: Sound of a Thousand Screams pg. 83
Earth wysp 7thBestiary 5 pg. 282
Elemental, Small (any type)Neutral5thPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
Entropic monkey1Chaotic neutral3rdUltimate Magic pg. 1
Esipil sahkilNeutral Evil7thBestiary 5 pg. 213
Familiar automatonLawful7thConstruct Handbook pg. 24
Fey-touched toad1 3rdHeroes from the Fringe pg. 17
Fiendish viper1Neutral evil3rdPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
Fire wysp 7thBestiary 5 pg. 283
Galluvix 7thPathfinder #128: Songbird, Scion, Saboteur pg. 84
Harbinger archonLawful good7thBestiary 3 pg. 18
Hellfire IgnisAny7thCheliax, the Infernal Empire pg. 62
Homunculus2Any7thPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
House drakeChaotic good7thCurse of the Crimson Throne (PFRPG) pg. 474
Imp (Devil)Lawful evil7thPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
ImpunduluNeutral evil7thPathfinder #40: Vaults of Madness pg. 81
IsitoqAny evil5thBestiary 4 pg. 159
KatroomeAny5thGallows of Madness pg. 62
Liminal spriteChaotic7thBestiary 5 pg. 158
Lyrakien azataChaotic good7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Pathfinder #2: The Skinsaw Murders pg. 87, Bestiary 2 pg. 38
MamiwaNeutral-aligned7thIre of the Storm pg. 63
MandragoraChaotic evil9thPathfinder #17: A Memory of Darkness pg. 85
Mephit (any type)Neutral7thPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
MockingfeyChaotic neutral4thPathfinder #87: The Choking Tower pg. 189, Inner Sea Bestiary pg. 31
NehushtanGood-aligned7thPathfinder #107: Scourge of the Godclaw pg. 87
Nosoi (Psychopomp)True neutral7thBestiary 4 pg. 220, Pathfinder #47: Ashes at Dawn pg. 86
Nuglub gremlinChaotic evil7thUltimate Magic pg. 1
NycarChaotic neutral7thBestiary 4 pg. 207
Paracletus aeonNeutral7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 11
PipefoxAny7thBestiary 4 pg. 215
PookaAny non-lawful7thBestiary 4 pg. 216
PseudodragonNeutral good7thAdvanced Race Guide pg. 229, PRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
PseudosphinxNeutral7thFamiliar Folio pg. 29
PseudowyvernNeutral7thLegacy of Dragons pg. 27
Psyche serpentAny neutral7thOccult Bestiary pg. 44
Pyrausta3Chaotic neutral (within 1 step)3rdLegacy of Dragons pg. 27
Quasit (Demon)Chaotic evil7thPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
Raktavarna rakshasaLawful evil7thBestiary 3 pg. 229
RatlingChaotic evil7thBestiary 4 pg. 226
Resolute owl1Lawful neutral3rdUltimate Magic pg. 1
SeruAny evil7thMonster Codex pg. 208
Shadow drakeAny evil7thBestiary 4 pg. 80
Shikigami kamiLawful neutral7thBestiary 3 pg. 163
Silvanshee agathionNeutral good7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 21
Sin seekerSee text5thPathfinder #73: The Worldwound Incursion pg. 89
SkvaderNeutral3rdPathfinder #61: Shards of Sin pg. 86
SmokeshadeNeutral evil7thNidal, Land of Shadows pg. 63
Spirit oniLawful evil7thBestiary 3 pg. 209
SpriteChaotic neutral5thBestiary 3 pg. 256
StirgeNeutral5thPRPG Core Rulebook pg. 127
Tripurasura asuraLawful evil7thBestiary 3 pg. 26
TyphilipedeLawful evil7thPathfinder #103: The Hellfire Compact pg. 88
Voidworm proteanChaotic neutral7thUltimate Magic pg. 1, Bestiary 2 pg. 217
Water wysp 7thBestiary 5 pg. 283
WolpertingerNeutral5thPathfinder #61: Shards of Sin pg. 86
Xiao 7th level arcane casterBestiary 5 pg. 284
ZoogChaotic evil5thBestiary 3 pg. 288
1Or other celestial, entropic, fiendish, or resolute animal from the standard familiar list.
2 The master must first create the homunculus.
3 A spellcaster within one step of chaotic neutral with an arcane caster level of 3rd or greater can gain a pyrausta as a familiar by taking the Improved Familiar feat. This causes the pyrausta’s heart spark to glow slightly less brightly, but more steadily. This removes its fast healing ability and heart of flame special abilities.