Can Warlocks Have Familiars? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, Warlocks can absolutely have familiars! This isn’t just a simple “yes” though, there’s a lot of nuance involved, particularly for Pact of the Chain Warlocks. While all spellcasters can technically access the Find Familiar spell, Warlocks, especially those who choose the Pact of the Chain boon, have a unique and powerful connection to their familiars, opening up possibilities that are unavailable to other classes. Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of this magical bond.
Warlocks and the Find Familiar Spell
Any spellcaster, including a Warlock, can learn the Find Familiar spell. This spell, when cast, summons a spirit that takes the form of a small animal. The spell is a ritual, meaning it can be cast without expending a spell slot, though it does require one hour of ritual casting, 10 gold pieces worth of magic incense, and a brass brazier. The familiar is typically used for scouting, delivering touch spells, and providing assistance, but its combat abilities are limited for non-Chain Warlocks.
Pact of the Chain: A Special Connection
This is where the Pact of the Chain Warlock truly shines. Unlike other spellcasters, a Pact of the Chain Warlock gains access to four special types of familiars, in addition to the standard options offered by Find Familiar. These special familiars are not simply enhanced versions of the base animals. They are instead spirits that take the forms of a Imp, Pseudodragon, Quasit, or Sprite.
What makes these pact familiars different?
- Unique Forms: These familiars have unique stat blocks and abilities compared to standard animal familiars.
- Combat Prowess: Unlike familiars of other classes, these Pact of the Chain familiars are meant to participate in combat.
- Role in Narrative: They often become extensions of the Warlock’s patron and a reflection of their pact.
Investment of the Chain Master Invocation
The Investment of the Chain Master invocation is a game-changer for Pact of the Chain Warlocks. This invocation allows the familiar to gain either a flying speed or a swimming speed of 40 feet. This dramatically improves their maneuverability, turning them into potent combat allies capable of flanking, scouting, and delivering spells with greater efficiency.
Warlock Familiar Mechanics
How Many Familiars Can a Warlock Have?
A Warlock, like any other character, can only have one familiar at a time. The Find Familiar spell specifically states that casting the spell while you already have a familiar will cause it to adopt a new form.
Changing Familiar Forms
Yes, a Warlock can change their familiar’s form. If the Warlock casts Find Familiar while already having a familiar, they are not summoning a second one but instead re-shaping the existing familiar. This can be useful if a particular form doesn’t suit the current situation. It also means that the pact familiar, though taking the form of a celestial, fiend, or fey, is not “really” those creatures but a spirit emulating them.
Are Pact of the Chain Familiars More Powerful?
Pact of the Chain Familiars are inherently more powerful in combat than typical animal familiars. They come with unique traits, resistances, and offensive capabilities that make them valuable assets in combat. They also benefit from the Investment of the Chain Master invocation, further enhancing their capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do Warlocks summon a familiar?
Warlocks summon their familiar using the Find Familiar spell. This requires a one-hour ritual, 10 gp worth of incense, and a brass brazier.
2. Can a Warlock have two familiars?
No, a Warlock cannot have more than one familiar at a time. Casting Find Familiar while you already have one simply changes the form of your existing familiar.
3. Can Warlock familiars fight in combat?
Yes! Specifically, Pact of the Chain Warlock familiars are designed to fight in combat. They have better stat blocks and unique abilities that enable them to be useful in battle.
4. What is the best familiar option for a Pact of the Chain Warlock?
The Imp is often considered the optimal familiar choice due to its Devil’s Sight, poison and fire immunity, Magical Resistance, Invisibility, and Shapechanger abilities.
5. What is the Investment of the Chain Master Invocation?
The Investment of the Chain Master invocation allows your Pact of the Chain familiar to gain either a flying or swimming speed of 40 feet, greatly improving its mobility.
6. Can my warlock familiar be a demon?
Pact of the Chain familiars are not actually demons, but spirits that take the form of fiends, fey, or celestials. They are not summoned in the same way as actual demons are.
7. Are warlock familiars considered beasts?
No, Pact of the Chain familiars are not beasts. They are spirits taking the form of specific creatures (Imp, Pseudodragon, Quasit, or Sprite). They become Celestial, Fiend, or Fey.
8. Can Warlocks get familiars from other sources?
The Find Familiar spell is the primary source of familiars. The article does not detail or refer to the possibility of Warlocks getting familiars from other sources. The Find Familiar spell and other rules don’t allow for more than one familiar.
9. What if my familiar dies?
If a familiar dies, the Warlock can recast the Find Familiar spell to summon a new one. This process again requires the hour-long ritual and materials.
10. What happens when a Pact of the Chain familiar is killed in combat?
When a Pact of the Chain familiar is killed, it is treated the same as any other familiar. You must recast the spell to summon a new one, and this requires the hour-long ritual and materials.
11. Does the Warlock’s familiar share their alignment?
A familiar is not obligated to share alignment. In the case of Pact of the Chain Warlocks, the familiar’s form (celestial, fey, or fiend) might hint at the alignment associated with the Warlock’s patron.
12. What benefits do familiars provide besides combat?
Familiars provide a wide range of benefits, including scouting, delivering touch spells, and assisting with skill checks.
13. Can I give my familiar magic items?
Familiars cannot generally use magic items that are intended for humanoids, as the familiar’s form is not that of a humanoid.
14. How does the familiar’s skill proficiencies work?
A familiar typically uses your skill proficiencies, so if you have proficiency in Stealth, the familiar can apply that bonus to its Stealth checks.
15. Is it worth it to play a Pact of the Chain Warlock?
If you enjoy having a loyal and powerful companion at your side, and enjoy the tactical and strategic options a familiar provides, the Pact of the Chain Warlock is an excellent choice. The combination of utility, combat support, and narrative potential makes it a highly enjoyable and rewarding subclass.