Thema wrote:

I would ask you. What's the point of a familiar if it's not even as beneficial as some flea-bitten hound?

That is a good point, but my problem has been in the other direction. They have tried to make a simple benefit into an awesome extension. Familiars are prime munchkin material, because they can have something GRAND at first level. No, I make it clear that such will not happen.

The game is role-play, not control and conquer. I thus work to force the CHARACTERS to have to save the day -- not their weapons or supreme energies. I have thus put familiars in the same vein. Igor might do the deed that saves the day, but it will take planning and setting up the event to have it happen. If Igor does save the day, I want it clear that Igor's owner gains the credit, not have a 'Oh, WOW! Your familiar is AWESOME! I want to play a magic-user so I can have a familiar too."

TerishD wrote:

Thema wrote: I would ask you. What's the point of a familiar if it's not even as beneficial as some flea-bitten hound? Familiars are prime munchkin material, because they can have something GRAND at first level.

Familiars at first level aren't very powerful.

Thema's familiar was a Wardog. He spent most of his time trying to bite Thema's enemies which irked thema muchly since it pre-occupied her trying to keep the daft mutt alive instead of doing her job.
However when he was being useful then you couldn't find any better.

|¬)