Can You Have Two Familiars in D&D 5e? A Comprehensive Guide
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The short answer is generally no, you can’t have two familiars simultaneously through the Find Familiar spell in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. Casting Find Familiar while you already have one typically results in your current familiar changing its form, not creating a second one. However, D&D, being the flexible and imaginative game it is, always has exceptions and workarounds. Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of familiar ownership.
The Rules of Familiars
The Find Familiar spell explicitly states: “You can’t have more than one familiar at a time. If you cast this spell while you already have a familiar, you instead cause it to adopt a new form.” This rule is pretty clear-cut, but there are other avenues to explore.
Multiclassing and Multiple Casters
While you can’t have two familiars from repeatedly casting Find Familiar, a party consisting of multiple characters can each have their own. A wizard, a warlock with Pact of the Chain, and even a paladin who takes the Magic Initiate feat could all potentially have a familiar active at the same time within the same adventuring party. The rules explicitly limit an individual caster from having multiple familiars from a single source, not the party as a whole.
Alternative Methods for Gaining Minions
Several classes and subclasses offer ways to gain creatures that function similarly to familiars, even if they aren’t technically called “familiars.” These companions, summoned creatures, or loyal beasts can fight alongside you, scout ahead, and generally provide similar utility to a traditional familiar without violating the Find Familiar limitation.
- Beast Master Ranger: The Ranger’s Animal Companion acts as a loyal ally that grows in power alongside the Ranger. It can attack, follow commands, and fills a similar role to a familiar, even if the mechanics are different.
- Battlesmith Artificer: The Artificer’s Steel Defender is a construct companion that assists in battle and provides tactical advantages.
- Summoning Spells: Spells like Conjure Animals, Summon Fey, Summon Celestial, etc., allow you to temporarily summon creatures that can fight for you and provide utility, albeit for a limited duration.
The Pact of the Chain Warlock
Warlocks who choose the Pact of the Chain have access to unique familiar options. They can summon more powerful familiars like Imps, Quasits, or Sprites, which possess greater abilities than standard familiars. While still limited to one familiar from the Pact of the Chain, the increased power and utility partially compensate for the lack of multiples.
FAQs about Familiars
Here’s a collection of frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities and possibilities surrounding familiars in D&D 5e.
1. Can I change my familiar’s appearance at will?
No, you cannot change your familiar’s appearance at will. You can only change its form by recasting the Find Familiar spell. Remember this destroys the original familiar, though, and summons another one, even if you choose the same kind of animal.
2. What happens if my familiar dies?
When your familiar drops to 0 hit points, it disappears, leaving behind no physical form. You can resummon it by casting Find Familiar again, which takes 1 hour and costs 10 gp worth of materials, unless your Dungeon Master decides otherwise.
3. Can my familiar attack in combat?
The Find Familiar spell explicitly states that a familiar can’t attack, but it can take other actions, such as Help. This action can give an ally advantage on their next attack roll against a creature within 5 feet of your familiar.
4. Can my familiar use magic items?
Generally, no. Familiars are not proficient with weapons or armor, and unless explicitly stated otherwise, they cannot use magic items that require attunement or activation.
5. What kind of creatures can be familiars?
The Find Familiar spell allows you to choose from a variety of common animals, including cats, rats, dogs, owls, ravens, toads, and more. Warlocks with the Pact of the Chain can choose from Imps, Quasits, Sprites, and other more powerful creatures.
6. Can I speak through my familiar?
Yes, while perceiving through your familiar’s senses, you can also speak through your familiar in your own voice, even if your familiar is normally incapable of speech. You can also communicate telepathically within 100 feet.
7. Does my familiar level up with me?
No, familiars do not level up or gain experience in 5e. However, some of their statistics, such as skills and attack rolls, are based on your level.
8. Can I use my familiar to deliver touch spells?
Yes, you can deliver touch spells through your familiar as if you were the one doing the touching. This is a useful way to deliver healing spells or inflict harmful spells from a safe distance.
9. What happens if I lose concentration on the Find Familiar spell?
The Find Familiar spell does not require concentration after the initial casting. Once your familiar is summoned, it remains until dismissed, killed, or you cast the spell again.
10. Can my familiar be targeted by spells and attacks?
Yes, your familiar can be targeted by spells and attacks just like any other creature. It has its own hit points and armor class, so it’s important to protect it.
11. Can my familiar carry items for me?
Yes, your familiar can carry items, but its carrying capacity is limited by its Strength score. Small familiars, such as cats or rats, have a very low Strength score, so they can’t carry much.
12. What is the most powerful familiar?
Generally, Imps are considered the most powerful familiars accessible via the Pact of the Chain. They possess useful abilities like Devil’s Sight, Invisibility, and immunity to poison and fire damage.
13. Can my familiar speak with animals?
Familiars are not Beasts; they are Celestials, Fey, or Fiends, depending on your choice. Therefore, the Speak with Animals spell will not work on them directly. However, you can communicate through your familiar and interpret the animal’s responses.
14. Can I have a familiar if I’m not a spellcaster?
Yes, you can gain a familiar by taking the Magic Initiate feat and choosing the Find Familiar spell. This allows characters of any class to have a familiar, although they’ll be limited to the basic animal forms.
15. Can a familiar be a sidekick?
Yes, a familiar can be a sidekick, because the only limitations on sidekicks are their CR, and find familiar copies the entire statblock except for type (and then it adds abilities). As with all sidekicks, it’s up to your DM to allow it or not, and in general, it will nerf your party.
Thinking Outside the Box
While the rules may seem restrictive, the beauty of D&D lies in its adaptability. Discuss alternative interpretations or creative solutions with your Dungeon Master. Perhaps there’s a magical item that grants a temporary second familiar, or a unique quest reward that bends the usual rules. The key is to maintain the spirit of the game while exploring fun and engaging possibilities.
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