I am DMing a game where the wizard in the party has gained a pseudodragon as a familiar. I intend to do some homebrew stuff with it, but id like to know what exactly are the rules of having this familiar? Such as in combat: does it go on the wizards turn, or rolls its own initiative? Can it attack, or only take the other actions in combat? How much of the rules of the find familiar spell does it follow? (seeing as it wasnt required in this method) How do the wizard and the pseudodragon work together? It is an intelligent creature, so does it have to wait for commands or just act on its own?(sorry i know its a lot of questions)
I don't think those details exist. I think it rolls is own initiative and has its own turn by default, but beyond that it is kind of up to you to decide, maybe with the player's input. There are three options I can imagine: 1. Treat it exactly like a summoned familiar with the same restrictions. 2. Let it take whatever actions the monster normally could, but have it be controlled by the DM - just mostly following the players spoken instructions. 3. Place it under the player's control and place no restrictions.
The 3rd option may turn out to be quite powerful, the 2nd mightmight be annoying, and the 1st might seem unnecessarily restrictive. Choose whatever settings will maximise the fun for all. No matter what, remember that this pseudodragon remains an independent and intelligent creature that may have its own goals, feelings, and ideas - it is no puppet or toy for the wizard to abuse.
Mechanically, I'd turn it over to the player for control, using the stat block given in the Monster Manual. However, for roleplay and interaction purposes, the DM should still maintain control of it's thoughts and the specifics of it's actions. This pseudodragon was not summoned via Find Familiar, and as such has 100% autonomy in whatever relationship it has established with the Wizard in question. It's under no compulsion to obey as a normal Familiar, and it's not a slave to it's master's will like a Pact of the Chain Warlock's variant that could normally summon it. If the pseudodragon's needs, wants, or goals are not being met, then it should begin to wish to leave the Wizard.
I am DMing a game where the wizard in the party has gained a pseudodragon as a familiar. I intend to do some homebrew stuff with it, but id like to know what exactly are the rules of having this familiar? Such as in combat: does it go on the wizards turn, or rolls its own initiative? Can it attack, or only take the other actions in combat? How much of the rules of the find familiar spell does it follow? (seeing as it wasnt required in this method) How do the wizard and the pseudodragon work together? It is an intelligent creature, so does it have to wait for commands or just act on its own?(sorry i know its a lot of questions)
Thank you in advance.
I looked at the monster manual, but it didnt provide any of the specific details that im looking for.
I don't think those details exist. I think it rolls is own initiative and has its own turn by default, but beyond that it is kind of up to you to decide, maybe with the player's input. There are three options I can imagine: 1. Treat it exactly like a summoned familiar with the same restrictions. 2. Let it take whatever actions the monster normally could, but have it be controlled by the DM - just mostly following the players spoken instructions. 3. Place it under the player's control and place no restrictions.
The 3rd option may turn out to be quite powerful, the 2nd mightmight be annoying, and the 1st might seem unnecessarily restrictive. Choose whatever settings will maximise the fun for all. No matter what, remember that this pseudodragon remains an independent and intelligent creature that may have its own goals, feelings, and ideas - it is no puppet or toy for the wizard to abuse.
Mechanically, I'd turn it over to the player for control, using the stat block given in the Monster Manual. However, for roleplay and interaction purposes, the DM should still maintain control of it's thoughts and the specifics of it's actions. This pseudodragon was not summoned via Find Familiar, and as such has 100% autonomy in whatever relationship it has established with the Wizard in question. It's under no compulsion to obey as a normal Familiar, and it's not a slave to it's master's will like a Pact of the Chain Warlock's variant that could normally summon it. If the pseudodragon's needs, wants, or goals are not being met, then it should begin to wish to leave the Wizard.
It is essentially a normal NPC ally. It gets its own initiative and has no special limitations on its actions.
Drag0n_77 explains it well.