Homebrew Hummingbird Familiar Stats

[zeek0]

Hello all-

I am planning to have a hummingbird familiar for my Sorcerer/Swiftblade. Because I found the WotC description of the hummingbird inadequate (thrush != hummingbird) I came up with my own. Please tell me what you think:

Hummingbird Familiar: Fine magical beast
HP 1/2 master’s
Init +4
Spd 2 ft., fly 50 ft. (good)
AC 23, touch 23, flat-footed 23
Base Atk +0
Grp –22
Space/Reach: 1/2ft./0 ft.
Improved Evasion (1/2 damage even on failed reflex throws);
Str 1, Dex 18, Con 6, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 6
Skills and Feats: Hide +20, Listen +2, Spot +2, Move Silently -8, Uncanny Dodge (retains AC even while flat-footed)
Master gains a +4 bonus on initiative checks

Length: 4 in.
Weight: 6 grams (2 oz.)
Very small claws, carry weight is only about 1 gram (~10 toothpicks)

Notes:
-negative on Move Silently checks because of buzzing
- the master's benefit is listed by WotC, and is admittedly powerful. But being a hummingbird familiar gives up much of the familiar's utility, since they cannot carry objects, manipulate objects, or be an effective combatant.
- Humminbirds can't really walk, they can only scoot sideways. Hence the terrible walking speed.

I tried to make this comparable to other familiars. Please let me know how it compares, and whether I need to tone it up or down.

Thanks!

[Maginomicon]

There actually is a hummingbird familiar option in Dragon Magazine #323 page 98. It uses the stats of a Thrush (DMG page 203) and gives its master a +4 bonus on initiative checks instead of being able to speak a language.

The hummingbird presented in the article is flavored as particularly useful for conjuration specialists, but it also says it's fine to add it to the list of other familiars.

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by zeek0
Because I found the WotC description of the hummingbird inadequate (thrush != hummingbird) I came up with my own.


Originally Posted by Maginomicon
There actually is a hummingbird familiar option in Dragon Magazine #323 page 98. It uses the stats of a Thrush (DMG page 203)....

Le sigh.



Also, zeek0, I don't know if you noticed it from your other thread, but I worked up a homebrew hummingbird (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289285) you might compare with yours. If you'd like critiques of your version, I'd recommend posting it in the Homebrew (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15) section, which is made for those discussions.

[zeek0]

Palanan-

Thanks, I'm still new to navigating these forums; I appreciate it.

Cheers.