Campaign Design - Base Classes: Basic Familiar Statistics

The following is a list of the many of the kinds of animals that may be called by arcane engineers, hexblades, shadowsworn, sorcerers, and wizards as familiars. This list is not exhaustive - almost any animal with the same general characteristics as those listed here would be suitable as familiars. Note that the statistics listed here don't include the bonuses these animals would get for actually being a familiar. To add those benefits, consult the familiars page.

This list uses several abbreviations to show what sourcebook the entries were drawn from. For guidance as to what sourcebooks these abbreviations reference, see my key to Sourcebook Abbreviations.

All of the material contained on this page and other pages of this blog is presented in accordance with the terms of the Open Game License.

Familiar	Source	Special
Albatross	SW	Master gains a +1 bonus on Spot checks
Badger	D277	Master gains a +2 bonus on Will saves
Bat	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Listen checks, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Bat, vampire	D341	Suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Cat	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Move Silently checks
Chameleon	D341	Master gains a +3 bonus on Disguise checks
Chipmunk	D277	Master gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves
Compsogthanus	D318	Master gains a +3 bonus on Hide checks
Crow	D341	Master gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves
Dark chanting goshawk	D341	Master gains a +2 bonus on Will saves
Dog	D277, D280, D341	Master gains a +3 bonus on Sense Motive checks
Eel	SW	Master gains a +3 bonus on Spot checks
Ferret	T&B	Master gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Fox	D280	Master gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves
Fox, arctic	FB	Master gains a +3 bonus on Move silently checks
Fox, flying	D341	Master gains a +3 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks
Giant fire beetle	MM	Master gains fire resistance 5
Groundhog	D277	Master gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves
Gyrfalcon	FB	Master gains a +3 bonus on Spot checks
Hairy spider	MosF	-
Hare	D280	Master gains a +3 bonus on Listen checks
Hawk	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Spot checks in bright light
Hedgehog	T&B	Master gains a +1 bonus to natural armor, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Hookwing	CC	Master gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves
Huitzil	DMagic	Master gains a +3 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks
Iguana	D341	Master gains a +3 bonus on Climb checks
Jankx	D319	Master gains a +3 bonus on Listen checks
Lemming	FB	Master gains a +2 bonus on Spot and Listen checks
Lizard	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Climb checks
Lizard, horned	SS	Master gains a +2 bonus on Will saves
Lizard, night	D341	Master gains a +3 bonus on Hide checks
Monkey	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Climb checks or a +3 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks
Mouse	D280	Master gains a +3 bonus on Hide checks or a +3 bonus on Move Silently checks, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Mulworm	D319	Master gains +3 hit points
Needletooth dinosaur	D351	Master gains a +3 bonus on Hide checks in forest or jungle
Octopus	SW	Master gains a +3 bonus to grapple checks
Otter	D277, D280	Master gains a +3 bonus on Swim checks
Owl	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Spot checks in shadows
Owl, fish	SW	Master gains a +3 bonus on Spot checks in shadows
Owl, screech	T&B	Master gains a +3 bonus on Move Silently checks, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Owl, snowy	FB	Master gains a +3 bonus on Move Silently checks
Parrot	CoFP, D351, SW	Master gains a +3 bonus on Appraise checks or a +3 bonus on Disguise checks, speaks one language
Penguin	FB	Master gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves
Platypus	D341	Master gains a +3 bonus on Swim checks, Suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Puffin	FB	Master gains a +2 bonus on Swim and Survival checks
Rabbit	D341	Master gains a +1 luck bonus on saving throws
Raccoon	D280	Master gains a +3 bonus on Sleight of Hand checks
Ramphor	D319	Master gains a +3 bonus on Spot checks
Rat	MM	Master gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves
Ratroo	CC	Master gains a +3 bonus on Jump checks
Raven	MM	Speaks one language, master gains a +3 bonus on Appraise checks or a +3 bonus to Move Silently checks
Rhamphorhynchus	D318	Master gains a +3 bonus on Initiative checks
Scythe falcon	CC	Master gains a +3 bonus on Move Silently checks
Sentry crow	CC	Speaks two languages, master gains a +3 bonus to Spot checks
Sewerm	SK	Master gains a +2 bonus on saves vs. pain
Shadow2	MM	Only a 4th level or higher shadowsworn may have a shadow as a familiar
Shrew	T&B	Master gains a venomous bite, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Skunk	D280	Master gains immunity to the skunk's musk attack
Snake, dung	SK	Master gains a +2 bonus on saves vs. disease
Snake, reed	SK	Master gains a +2 bonus on saves vs. poison
Snake, tiny sea	SW	Master gains a +3 bonus on Bluff checks
Snake, tiny viper	MM	Master gains a +3 bonus on Bluff checks
Snake, small constrictor	D277	-
Sparrowhawk	T&B	Suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Squirrel	D280, D341	Master gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves or a +3 bonus to Jump checks
Syfa's fox	CC	Master gains a +3 bonus on Hide checks
Thrush	T&B	Speaks one language; suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Toad	MM	Master gains a +3 hit points, suitable for Tiny spellcasters
Turtle, Sea	CoFP	Master gains a +3 bonus to all Navigation checks made at sea; aquatic masters gain a land speed and enhanced ability to survive out of water
Vrail	CC	Master gains a +2 bonus on Fortitude saves
Weasel	MM	Master gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves
Z'tal	D319	Master gains a +3 bonus on Intimidate checks

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