What can a sorcerer trade out his familiar for?

[Deca4531]

I have been looking around for a list of alternatives to gaining a familiar for sorcerer in 3.5. It seems all the better options are for wizards. Could the great sages of the boards please list me off some options (and a reference source if possible).

[Vhaidara]

I know Immediate Metamagic (PH2) trades out familiar.

It lets you apply metamagic feats to Sorcerer spells without increasing the casting time 3 + Int Modifier times per day. Actually quite a nice option.

Here's a complete list of ACFs (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-character-optimization/threads/1151316)

[Blackhawk748]

Well i believe its called Rapid Metamagic and its in PHB2 it lets you cast a metamagiced spell as a standard action a few times per day, its not great but it isnt bad

[HaikenEdge]

It's called Metamagic Specialist and is on page 61 of PHB2.

If Dragon Magazine is allowed, you can swap the familiar for a feat using a flaw; there's Forlorn from Dragon 333, and Loner from Dragon 327.

[The Trickster]

Found some of these, credit goes to Surreal;

Divine Companion (CC, 51): Gain a spirit that stores spell energy, turns it into healing or deflection bonuses.

Drakken Familar (DrM, p 12): Gain a familiar with the dragon subtype. It doesn't gain normal special abilities, but can breathe fire instead.

Dwarf Sorcerer Substitution Levels (RS, p 161): d6 hitdice, add knowledge: dungeoneering
1st level: Arcane Earthblood (alertness feat, damage reduction), lose familiar
5th level: Power of Stone (increase range and DC for spells), lose 2nd level spell known
9th level: Earth Meditation (add Con bonus to Cha to determine bonus spells), lose a 4th level spell known

Metamagic Specialist (PHB 2, p 61): Apply metamagic rapidly (3 + Int bonus times per day). One of my favorites.


Raptoran Sorcerer Substitution Level (RW, p 162):
1st level: Air Magic (add spells to spells known), Elemental Familiar (air elemental familiar), lose normal familiar
5th level: Air Magic, Command the Winds (lose 2nd level spell known, add other spells)
11th level: Air Magic, Spell on the Wing (can fly and cast), lose a 5th level spell known

Spell Shield (DS, p 13): Sacrifice a spell slot to make a bubble that prevents damage equal to (5x spell level).

Wilderness Companion (UA, p 58): Trade familiar for animal companion.

Hope this helps.

[Tryxx]

I'd like to state, once again for the record that Metamagic Specialist has no use limitation; people who are saying it can only be used 3 + Int Bonus per day are confusing it with Immediate Magic, the Wizard ACF. The following is the complete text of Metamagic Specialist, via PHB2:

You missed the additional paragraph at the top of the page on the right column on page 61. This paragraph defines the use limit and defines Metamagic Specialist as an extraordinary ability

[HaikenEdge]

You missed the additional paragraph at the top of the page on the right column on page 61. This paragraph defines the use limit and defines Metamagic Specialist as an extraordinary ability

My apologies. I really need to read things better.

Again, I need to read better. My apologies. Post deleted to avoid confusion.

[Blackhawk748]

It happens to us all, and there is a Feat that does it better, i mixed the names up in my earlier post, the Feat is called Rapid Metamagic and you can get it at lvl 9, but it has no limitation

[Deca4531]

Thx for all the info, I should be able to put it to good use.

[Fates]

Immediate metamagic/metamagic specialist have the advantage, however, of being optional. Which means you can still use them and abuse Arcane Spellsurge + Invisible spell, if you're into that kind of stuff.

[johnbragg]

It happens to us all, and there is a Feat that does it better....

There's a Feat that gives you (the player, not the PC), Perfect Reading Comprehension?