(Improved) Familiar Flanking Buddy?

[Larkas]

Is this at all possible? If so, which familiar choices would you recommend?

[Raven777]

High enough level, couldn't you permanently Polymorph any Object a Faerie Dragon into an actual dragon?

[inertia709]

Any familiar that is small sized will do: for instance, a goat (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/herd-animals/goat). For a full list of familiars, see here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/familiar) and here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/improved-familiar).

Make sure that your familiar is buffed to protect it if it's going to be in melee, since they only have half of your HP. Give it mage armour, false life, etc. at the beginning of every adventuring day, and casting mirror image on it if you can afford the spell slot and prep time.

[Larkas]

High enough level, couldn't you permanently Polymorph any Object a Faerie Dragon into an actual dragon?

That assumes you're a wizard/sorcerer/witch (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/rogue/rogue-talents/paizo---rogue-advanced-talents/familiar-ex), or has access to one, in any case. Still, that's a fairly high level trick.


Any familiar that is small sized will do: for instance, a goat (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/herd-animals/goat). For a full list of familiars, see here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/familiar) and here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/improved-familiar).

Make sure that your familiar is buffed to protect it if it's going to be in melee, since they only have half of your HP. Give it mage armour, false life, etc. at the beginning of every adventuring day, and casting mirror image on it if you can afford the spell slot and prep time.

I'm coming from a d8 hit dice, so that's a little less problematic, but thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to deck it in armor, at the very least. And I'll be sure to check the list. Thanks for pointing me towards the goat! I was drawing at a blank aside from the dire rat! Are there any "optimized" choice that comes to mind?

EDIT: These are the relevant ones from the non-improved list: Dodo (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/dodo), Donkey Rat (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/donkey-rat), Dwarf Caiman (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/crocodilians/dwarf-caiman), Goat (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/herd-animals/goat), Pig (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/pig) and Seal (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/seal).

The dodo gives the equivalent of Improved Initiative, which stacks with that feat, so it's pretty beastly for a full caster, but not very interesting as a flanking buddy. The dwarf caiman has the best AC of the bunch and gives a bonus to Stealth, but only moves 10 ft. (20 ft. one round per minute). The seal is pretty much only an option for aquatic campaigns. This leaves us with the donkey rat, the goat and the pig, all of which move 30 ft. Bonus-wise, it goes donkey rat>pig>goat, but battle-wise I think the best is the goat, due its better ability spread and its pre-selected feat. Hmmmm... Tough choice.