Ever wonder what happens when you give a wizard a housecat and poor impulse control? We did—and now the kobold population is down one.

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Whether you're in Athens, on vacation, or hiding from your dice curse, Nick runs D&D, Call of Cthulhu, Vampire: The Masquerade, and more—online or in-person, tailored to your party’s wildest dreams (or darkest regrets).

Visit www.dungeonmasteradamantine.comor summon him directly at StartPlaying

He’s got minis, maps, madness—and yes, he’s fluent in both Greek and goblin.

Episode Summary

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the gang dives whiskers-first into the magical, mystical, and occasionally murderous world of familiars in tabletop RPGs. From Pathfinder to D&D and beyond, we examine what happens when your arcane support animal becomes the party MVP—or a tragic footnote in the kobold kill count.

Ash tries to argue that the toad is a viable combat companion. Tyler reminds us that the hawk definitely doesn't have thumbs. Randall... well, Randall has a deeply concerning attachment to his fox, whom he insists is “just a little guy, your honor.”

Expect practical advice, chaotic anecdotes, and passionate hot takes on why your next spellcaster should come with a built-in critter co-pilot.

Key Takeaways

• Familiars are more than flavor: These aren't just spellbook-warming fluffballs—they can scout, deliver spells, and manipulate the action economy if you build them right.
• Pick the right pet for the job: Owls? Great for flyby tactics. Frogs? Great for... ambiance. Imp? Great for morally questionable espionage and tax evasion.
• Don't get them killed: Familiars may be magically bound, but they're emotionally expensive. Losing one mid-dungeon isn't just tragic—it’s also a wasted action economy investment and possibly a therapy bill.
• In Pathfinder 2e: The familiar system is highly customizable—think of it like Build-A-Bear with spell slots. Choose abilities like "Deliver a Touch Spell" or "Can Lick Its Own Eyebrows" depending on your tactical goals.
• Familiars are not Pokémon: You cannot legally send them into battle for XP farming. You can, however, use them as adorable bait. The ethical line is blurry, but the kobolds are definitely distracted.
• Beware of DM interpretation: That squirrel familiar might be RAW legal, but if your DM hates rodents, you will be hunted by owlbears. Plan accordingly.
• You can give your familiar a name, but not a pension: Remember—if you're going to bond with the ferret that ferries fireballs, don’t forget a cute name. (Suggestions include: Toast, Balthazar, LegallyDistinctPikachu.)

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How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

• BlueSky: @rpgbot.net
• TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET

Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
• BlueSky: @GravenAshes
• YouTube: @ashravenmedia

Randall James

• BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG
• Amateurjack.com
• Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link)

Producer Dan

• @Lzr_illuminati