Call me crazy but love the idea of my Paladin having an Owl familiar. But want to make sure it's worth it taking a level in Wizard. (Which gives me extra learned spells also). Don't want to use up my next Feat on Magic Initiate... My DM will allow it if I buy a Headband of Intellect to meet the prerequisite. But I don't think the level is worth it if I can't use the famiar effectivly in combat. (Think it might live in combat long enough to be worthwhile by moving away with Flyby.)
Does using it in combat with Help Action give Advantage to to your hit AND damage, or just hit? And does Advantage amount to about a +3 on your roll?
Is rolling its own Initiative a hard rule or can it act on your turn if DM allows this?
Then there is delivering Touch spells. One DM told me the owl can take its Reaction of releasing a spell I cast on anyone's turn but my own. It just has to be in place. Is this correct?
Of course, they can scout, 'Help' with some Ability/Skill rolls, re-appear from your pocket dimension on the other side of doors so you can see there, offer Passive Perception, watch over you while sleeping, and (not so nice) test for traps/poisons.
* I should mention I'm level 2 and thinking of going to Wizard instead of level 3, so delaying my Oath... But I think a familiar is most useful in low-level play situations.
Is it the most optimal thing to do? Of course not, but have there been much worse ideas? Absolutely. I think given the circumstances it’ll work out just fine, and you’ll be fine. If it scratches that itch, go for it!
I would just say, you’d be better off with magic initiate.
advantage only affects chance to hit, and it’s usually estimated to be about a +5 bonus.
although, if you do take a level in wizard, make sure to take the booming blade or green flame blade cantrip.
Thank you! I couldn't find "advantage" defined specifically online, (down to what the bonus would be). After one level of Wizard I'd like to return to build my Paladin with Polearm Master feat so don't want to use Magic Initiate... And I know it's not the optimal thing to do, but it would be, well, fun. (as long as the combat tactics work.)
The Help action will only give you advantage if your familiar is within 5 ft of your target and will only give you advantage on your first attack roll, not subsequent attack rolls. So Polearm Master will give you three attacks, but only one of three will get advantage, not all of them. Just wanted to make sure we're clear on this.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hi All,
Call me crazy but love the idea of my Paladin having an Owl familiar. But want to make sure it's worth it taking a level in Wizard. (Which gives me extra learned spells also). Don't want to use up my next Feat on Magic Initiate... My DM will allow it if I buy a Headband of Intellect to meet the prerequisite. But I don't think the level is worth it if I can't use the famiar effectivly in combat. (Think it might live in combat long enough to be worthwhile by moving away with Flyby.)
Does using it in combat with Help Action give Advantage to to your hit AND damage, or just hit? And does Advantage amount to about a +3 on your roll?
Is rolling its own Initiative a hard rule or can it act on your turn if DM allows this?
Then there is delivering Touch spells. One DM told me the owl can take its Reaction of releasing a spell I cast on anyone's turn but my own. It just has to be in place. Is this correct?
Of course, they can scout, 'Help' with some Ability/Skill rolls, re-appear from your pocket dimension on the other side of doors so you can see there, offer Passive Perception, watch over you while sleeping, and (not so nice) test for traps/poisons.
* I should mention I'm level 2 and thinking of going to Wizard instead of level 3, so delaying my Oath... But I think a familiar is most useful in low-level play situations.
Any info is appreciated!
Is it the most optimal thing to do? Of course not, but have there been much worse ideas? Absolutely. I think given the circumstances it’ll work out just fine, and you’ll be fine. If it scratches that itch, go for it!
I would just say, you’d be better off with magic initiate.
advantage only affects chance to hit, and it’s usually estimated to be about a +5 bonus.
although, if you do take a level in wizard, make sure to take the booming blade or green flame blade cantrip.
Thank you! I couldn't find "advantage" defined specifically online, (down to what the bonus would be). After one level of Wizard I'd like to return to build my Paladin with Polearm Master feat so don't want to use Magic Initiate... And I know it's not the optimal thing to do, but it would be, well, fun. (as long as the combat tactics work.)
Yeah! It’ll work just fine, that’s why it’s not a bad idea
The Help action will only give you advantage if your familiar is within 5 ft of your target and will only give you advantage on your first attack roll, not subsequent attack rolls. So Polearm Master will give you three attacks, but only one of three will get advantage, not all of them. Just wanted to make sure we're clear on this.