Can You Have Two Familiars? A Comprehensive Guide

The short, definitive answer is: No, you cannot have two familiars at the same time in Pathfinder 2nd Edition (PF2e). The core rulebook explicitly states that you can only have one familiar. Attempting to summon another familiar will cause your existing familiar to transform into the new form, rather than creating a second one. This single familiar serves as a powerful tool for spellcasters, offering a range of benefits, but its utility is limited to just one spectral companion. This limitation is consistent across the game system and regardless of class or build.

Why Only One Familiar?

The restriction to a single familiar is a deliberate game design choice for several reasons. Primarily, it helps maintain game balance. Familiars offer a variety of useful abilities, such as scouting, delivering touch spells, and providing combat advantages through aid actions. Having multiple familiars would grant an overwhelming edge, especially for spellcasters, by granting multiple actions for a single player. It would also greatly diminish the utility of other character options. Furthermore, the unique bond between a master and a single familiar is a thematic element that would be lost with multiple companions.

Familiar Basics in Pathfinder 2nd Edition

Before delving deeper into the limitations on familiars, let’s establish a few key details about what they are and how they work in PF2e.

What is a Familiar?

A familiar is a spirit that takes an animal form, bound to a spellcaster through a magical ritual. They are not simply regular animals; they are magical entities that share a mystical link with their masters. They are typically summoned using the Find Familiar spell, which is available to several classes.

Familiar Abilities and Limitations

• No Attacking: Familiars cannot attack enemies directly. Their role is supportive, not combative.
• Action Economy: They can take normal actions, including aiding their master, delivering touch spells, and moving around the battlefield.
• Telepathic Communication: You can communicate with your familiar telepathically while they are within 100 feet of you.
• Ephemeral Nature: If a familiar is reduced to 0 hit points, it disappears and must be re-summoned using the Find Familiar spell.
• Form Change: If you cast Find Familiar while already having a familiar, it will change into the chosen form, replacing its current one instead of adding a new familiar.

Related FAQs About Familiars

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you understand familiars in more depth:

Can You Have Multiple Animal Companions?

No, much like familiars, you are limited to a single animal companion. You can, however, have both a familiar and an animal companion simultaneously. However, gaining an animal companion from more than one source stacks your effective druid level, it doesn’t grant an additional companion.

Can Familiars Talk to Other Animals?

According to the rules, familiars are not classified as Beasts, so spells like Speak with Animals don’t work on them. A druid, for instance, would likely know they can’t understand a familiar, but might not know why.

How Long Do Familiars Last?

A familiar lasts indefinitely or until it is reduced to 0 hit points. Once it’s destroyed, you need to cast Find Familiar again to re-summon it.

Do Familiars Need to Eat or Sleep?

Familiars are spirits, not living creatures, and therefore do not require food, water, air, or sleep. They essentially reside in a kind of pocket dimension when not active.

Can Familiars Speak?

Typically, no. They are not naturally equipped for speech, but you can speak through them using your own voice when perceiving through their senses. This is a unique form of vocal communication enabled through the link. Familiars primarily communicate telepathically with their masters.

What are Rare Familiars?

Rare familiars are special familiars that might have unique visual appearances, such as colors or musical elements in battle. They are more difficult to find and often possess a higher level compared to common familiars.

Can Familiars Carry Items?

Yes, familiars can carry items. Their carrying capacity is determined by their Strength score. It’s generally sufficient to carry small items, potions, or scrolls.

Can Familiars Grant Advantage?

While they can’t attack, familiars can take the Aid action, which can provide an ally with a bonus to their next action, this is similar to advantage in other systems. In PF2e there is no “advantage”, but aiding an ally can offer similar combat assistance.

How Do Familiars Gain Power?

Familiars are usually empowered via Awakening Spirits, which can then unlock new abilities through a Soul Tree system. This enhances the capabilities and versatility of the familiar.

Can You Polymorph a Familiar?

Yes, you can polymorph a familiar, provided that the new form has a Challenge Rating (CR) equal to or lower than its current form. Most familiars are CR 0.

Can Familiars Be Put to Sleep?

Yes, familiars can be put to sleep by effects that cause creatures to fall asleep unless they have a specific rule in their statblock that prevents it. Being a Fey creature does not grant sleep immunity.

What is the Most Powerful Familiar?

The power of a familiar is dependent on its abilities and how well it complements your build. A familiar that is good for one character may not be good for another. Imps, for example, are noted for their powerful ability to see through magical darkness, among other things, but that doesn’t inherently make them the “best.”

Can Familiars Be Sidekicks?

Yes, a familiar can become a sidekick. The primary restriction on sidekicks is their CR, which familiars usually meet. However, implementing a familiar as a sidekick is a decision that falls to the Game Master, and it will most likely weaken your overall party effectiveness.

Do Familiars Gain Levels?

By default, familiars do not gain experience or levels. They maintain a consistent power level as a familiar. However, this could be modified in a homebrew game with the Game Master’s permission.

What Are Common Familiar Abilities?

Some common familiar abilities include:

• Amphibious: Grants a swim speed.
• Burrower: Grants a burrow speed.
• Climber: Grants a climb speed.
• Damage Avoidance: Gives a specific saving throw bonus.
• Darkvision: Grants the ability to see in the dark.

Conclusion

In summary, you can only have one familiar at a time in Pathfinder 2nd Edition. While a tempting idea to have multiple helpful spirits, the rules limit you to only one to maintain game balance and thematic consistency. Make the most of your single familiar by considering its abilities and using it wisely, as it can be a powerful asset to any spellcaster.