Author Topic: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar  (Read 24271 times)

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kevin_video

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Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« on: May 01, 2011, 12:30:42 AM »
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kevin_video

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #1 on: May 01, 2011, 01:08:58 AM »
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rot42

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #2 on: May 01, 2011, 02:16:18 AM »
Go ahead and give it a +8 racial bonus to Swim checks - that is part of having a natural Swim speed (Rules Compendium 94), which it should definitely have. You could also consider granting the Poison Use ability (or whatever it is called - can make and apply poisons without risk of scratching yourself) instead of the Swim bonus to the master. Technically only the male platypus has poison spurs, but close enough for D&D. The blindsense might be a bit far (maybe 15' or take it out entirely in favor of just blindsight), but given that it is circumstantial to being underwater it is probably fine.

kevin_video

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2011, 03:03:56 AM »
I guess I could go with the +8, but the problem is that this is supposed to be a regular 1 HD familiar (although I don't get why it's a magical beast other than the DMG says so). I don't want it to be so much more powerful than other familiars that it's almost godly by comparison, but I don't want them to lose out on everything too.

I wouldn't consider the Poison Use ability simply because vipers and other familiars with poison don't have it. They don't apply poison, it just gets excreted from the tips of the spurs. It's like a regular snake. They're not immune to their own poison, and they can accidentally bite themself. A platypus is no different it would seem. I did read that only the males only have poison claws, but the magazine says that's what you're to replace it with, so I'm going with it.

I'd probably drop the blindsense down to 20 feet. It's just that the dire version had 20 feet blindsight and 60 feet blindsense, so I just halved it. But yeah, it's circumstantial under the water anyways. From what I read, the water makes it easier to conduct the ability, much like electricity. At least that's how it sounded.
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kevin_video

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #4 on: May 01, 2011, 03:06:09 AM »
« Last Edit: May 01, 2011, 03:09:53 AM by kevin_video »
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Prime32

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #5 on: May 01, 2011, 04:00:10 PM »
I asked on the board, and ended up getting a dire platypus. Well, three of them. One's an archived animal, one someone found, and the other is from the WotC forum. None of which are the "magical beast" that it's apparently supposed to be, according to the DMG.
Familiars are animals that become magical beasts. A normal platypus (or raven, toad, etc.) should not be a magical beast. ???
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kevin_video

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #6 on: May 01, 2011, 07:18:06 PM »
Oh? Fair enough. And there's an "official" platypus in Octavirate Creature Weekly Volume 01. I'll use that one. It's a lot better than what's been come up with so far.
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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2011, 04:18:34 PM »
Also, the Improved Evasion is gained through familiar-ness, so the platypus familiar should get it. I don't see snakes or lizards as being especially nimble, but snake/lizard familiars do get Imp Evasion.
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kevin_video

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2011, 04:24:13 PM »
Familiars are animals that become magical beasts. A normal platypus (or raven, toad, etc.) should not be a magical beast. ???
Fair enough, I guess. Where does it say they become magical beasts though? I read through the familiar write-up, but I don't see it.
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Garryl

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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2011, 06:51:41 PM »
Quote from: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/sorcererWizard.htm#familiars
Familiar
A sorcerer can obtain a familiar. Doing so takes 24 hours and uses up magical materials that cost 100 gp. A familiar is a magical beast that resembles a small animal and is unusually tough and intelligent. The creature serves as a companion and servant.
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Re: Figuring Out the Platypus Familiar
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2011, 08:14:58 PM »
Thanks.
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