I'd like to take this opportunity to post my list of non-improved familiars, since it never seemed to merit a handbook unto itself.
The following are all intended to be even with the options in Player's Handbook. Some of the options from Dungeon Master's Guide listed here are meant for tiny characters, but they're no more powerful than the normal options, and there are +0 LA races of tiny size anyway. The options from Dragon 323 might be limited to wizards specialized in a particular school, or they may be available to everyone, depending on which of the suggestions in the article your DM takes.
Familiar | Size | Speed | AC | Attacks | Special | Feats | Str | Dex | Con | Wis | Cha | Master Benefit | Source |
Albatross | small | 10 ft, fly 50 ft (a) | 13 | bite | low-light vision | endurance, weapon finesse * | 10 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 6 | +1 spot | Stormwrack |
Arctic Fox | small | 40 ft | 15 | bite | low-light vision, scent | alertness, weapon finesse | 6 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 6 | +3 move silently | Frostburn |
Badger | small | 30 ft, burrow 10 ft | 15 | 2 claws and bite | low-light vision, rage, scent | agile, track, weapon finesse | 8 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 6 | +2 will saves | Dragon 277 |
Bat 1 | diminutive | 5 ft, fly 40 ft (g) | 16 | – | blindsense, low-light vision | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 4 | +3 listen | Player's Handbook |
Bat 2 | diminutive | 5 ft, fly 40 ft (g) | 16 | – | blindsense | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 4 | – | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Butterfly | diminutive | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 16 | – | – | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 spellcraft | Dragon 323 |
Cat | tiny | 30 ft | 14 | 2 claws and bite | low-light vision, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 7 | +3 move silently | Player's Handbook |
Caterpillar | fine | 10 ft, climb 10 ft | 18 | – | scent | * | 1 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 disguise | Dragon 323 |
Chameleon | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 disguise | Dragon 341 |
Chipmunk | diminutive | 10 ft | 17 | – | scent | * | 1 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 4 | +2 ref saves | Dragon 277 |
Compsognathus | tiny | 30 ft | 16 | bite | infection, low-light vision, resistant to disease, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 4 | 19 | 10 | 14 | 11 | +3 hide | Dragon 318 |
Constrictor Snake | small | 10 ft, climb 10 ft | 14 | bite | constrict, improved grab, scent | * | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 1 | – | Dragon 277 |
Crow | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 14 | claws | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +2 fort saves | Dragon 341 |
Dark Chanting Goshawk | tiny | 10 ft, fly 60 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 6 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +2 will saves | Dragon 341 |
Dog 1 | small | 40 ft | 15 | bite | low-light vision, scent | alertness, track | 13 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 6 | +3 sense motive | Dragon 341 |
Dog 2 | small | 40 ft | 15 | bite | low-light vision, scent | alertness, track | 13 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 6 | +2 sense motive | Dragon 280 |
Eagle | small | 10 ft, fly 80 ft (a) | 14 | 2 talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 10 | 15 | 12 | 14 | 6 | – | Dragon 277 |
Eel | medium | swim 30 ft | 13 | bite | aquatic, low-light vision, scent | improved initiative, weapon finesse | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 2 | +3 escape artist | Stormwrack |
Ferret | diminutive | 15 ft, climb 15 ft | 14 | bite | scent | weapon finesse * | 3 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 5 | +2 ref saves | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Fish Owl | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 4 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 4 | +3 spot (shadows) | Stormwrack |
Fly | fine | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 20 | – | – | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 gather information | Dragon 323 |
Flying Fox | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 14 | claws | low-light vision, speech | alertness, weapon finesse | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 sleight of hand | Dragon 341 |
Fox 1 | tiny | 30 ft | 14 | 2 claws and bite | low-light vision, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 7 | +2 will saves | Dragon 323 |
Fox 2 | tiny | 40 ft | 17 | bite | scent | * | 10 | 18 | 13 | 12 | 7 | +2 ref saves | Dragon 280 |
Groundhog | tiny | 10 ft | 13 | – | scent | * | 3 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 3 | +2 fort saves | Dragon 277 |
Gryfalcon | tiny | 10 ft, fly 60 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 6 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 spot | Frostburn |
Hairy Spider | fine | 20 ft, climb 10 ft | 20 | bite | darkvision, poison, poison immunity | – | 1 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 2 | – | Monsters of Faerun |
Hare | tiny | 30 ft | 16 | – | scent | * | 3 | 18 | 11 | 12 | 7 | +2 listen | Dragon 280 |
Hawk | tiny | 10 ft, fly 60 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 6 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 spot (bright light) | Player's Handbook |
Hedgehog | diminutive | 15 ft | 16 | bite | defensive ball, poison | weapon finesse * | 3 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 5 | +1 natural armor | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Horned Lizard | tiny | 15 ft, burrow 5 ft | 16 | bite | blood squirt, low-light vision, spines | alertness | 7 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 6 | +2 will saves | Sandstorm |
Hummingbird | diminutive | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 16 | – | – | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +4 initiative | Dragon 323 |
Ibis | tiny | 20 ft, fly 50 ft (p) | 16 | bite | wading | alertness, weapon finesse | 6 | 17 | 10 | 16 | 6 | +3 spot | Races of Faerun |
Iguana | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 climb | Dragon 341 |
Lemming | tiny | 15 ft, climb 15 ft, swim 15 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 2 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +2 listen and spot | Frostburn |
Lizard 1 | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 climb | Player's Handbook |
Lizard 2 | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +2 climb | Dragon 280 |
Mink | diminutive | 15 ft, climb 15 ft | 14 | bite | scent | weapon finesse * | 3 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 5 | +3 diplomacy | Dragon 323 |
Monkey 1 | tiny | 30 ft, climb 30 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | agile, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 5 | +3 tumble | Dragon 341 |
Monkey 2 | tiny | 30 ft, climb 30 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | agile, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 5 | +2 sleight of hand | Dragon 277 |
Moth | diminutive | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 16 | – | – | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 spellcraft | Dragon 323 |
Mouse 1 | fine | 10 ft, climb 10 ft | 18 | – | scent | * | 1 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +2 move silently | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Mouse 2 | fine | 15 ft, climb 15 ft | 20 | – | scent | * | 2 | 14 | 10 | 12 | 3 | +2 hide | Dragon 280 |
Night Lizard | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 hide | Dragon 341 |
Octopus | small | 20 ft, swim 30 ft | 16 | arms and bite | aquatic, improved grab | weapon finesse * | 12 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 3 | +3 grapple | Stormwrack |
Otter | tiny | 20 ft, swim 20 ft | 14 | – | scent | * | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 7 | +2 swim | Dragon 280 |
Owl | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 4 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 4 | +3 spot (shadows) | Player's Handbook |
Parrot | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 14 | claws | low-light vision, speech | alertness, weapon finesse | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 appraise | Stormwrack |
Penguin | tiny | 10 ft, swim 40 ft | 12 | bite | hold breath, low-light vision | endurance, weapon finesse | 2 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 6 | +2 fort saves | Frostburn |
Platypus | diminutive | 15 ft | 16 | claw | defensive ball, poison | weapon finesse * | 3 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 5 | +3 swim | Dragon 341 |
Puffin | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 14 | claws | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +2 swim and survival | Frostburn |
Rabbit | tiny | 30 ft | 14 | 2 claws and bite | low-light vision, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 7 | +3 listen | Dragon 341 |
Raccoon | tiny | 30 ft | 16 | bite | scent | * | 12 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 5 | +2 sleight of hand | Dragon 280 |
Rat | tiny | 15 ft, climb 15 ft, swim 15 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 2 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +2 fort saves | Player's Handbook |
Raven 1 | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 14 | claws | low-light vision, speech | alertness, weapon finesse | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +3 appraise | Player's Handbook |
Raven 2 | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 14 | claws | low-light vision, speech | alertness, weapon finesse | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | – | Frostburn |
Reed Snake | tiny | 15 ft, climb 15 ft | 18 | bite | low-light vision, poison, scent | ability focus (poison), weapon finesse | 4 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 2 | +2 saves vs disease | Serpent Kingdoms |
Rhamphorhynchus | tiny | 10 ft, fly 60 ft (g) | 17 | bite | evasion, low-light vision, scent | improved initiative, weapon finesse | 2 | 21 | 8 | 12 | 10 | +3 initiative | Dragon 318 |
Screech Owl | diminutive | 10 ft, fly 30 ft (a) | 17 | talons | – | weapon finesse * | 4 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 4 | +2 move silently | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Sea Snake | tiny | 10 ft, swim 30 ft | 17 | bite | hold breath, poison, scent | improved initiative, weapon finesse | 4 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 2 | +3 bluff | Stormwrack |
Skunk | tiny | 30 ft | 14 | bite | musk, scent | * | 8 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 5 | – | Dragon 280 |
Snake | tiny | 15 ft, climb 15 ft, swim 15 ft | 17 | bite | poison, scent | improved initiative, weapon finesse | 4 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 2 | +3 bluff | Player's Handbook |
Snowy Owl | tiny | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 4 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 4 | +3 move silently | Frostburn |
Spider | fine | 10 ft, climb 10 ft | 18 | – | scent | * | 1 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 slight of hand | Dragon 323 |
Spitting Crawler Lizard | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | spit acid | agile, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | – | Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting |
Squirrel 1 | tiny | 15 ft, climb 15 ft, swim 15 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision, scent | stealthy, weapon finesse | 2 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 2 | +3 jump | Dragon 341 |
Squirrel 2 | diminutive | 10 ft, climb 15 ft | 17 | – | scent | * | 2 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 4 | +2 ref saves | Dragon 280 |
Toad 1 | diminutive | 5 ft | 15 | – | amphibious, low-light vision | alertness | 1 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 4 | +3 HP | Player's Handbook |
Toad 2 | diminutive | 5 ft | 15 | – | – | alertness | 1 | 12 | 11 | 14 | 4 | +3 HP | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Thrush | diminutive | 10 ft, fly 40 ft (a) | 16 | – | speech | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 6 | – | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Turtle | diminutive | 15 ft | 16 | bite | defensive ball | weapon finesse * | 3 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 5 | +1 AC (prone/cover) | Dragon 323 |
Vampire Bat | diminutive | 5 ft, fly 40 ft (g) | 16 | – | blindsense, low-light vision | alertness | 1 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 4 | – | Dragon 341 |
Vulture | tiny | 10 ft, fly 60 ft (a) | 17 | talons | low-light vision | alertness, weapon finesse | 6 | 17 | 10 | 14 | 6 | +4 fort saves vs disease | Dragon 323 |
Weasel | tiny | 20 ft, climb 20 ft | 14 | bite | low-light vision, scent | agile, weapon finesse | 3 | 15 | 10 | 12 | 5 | +2 ref saves | Player's Handbook |
The following options are from Serpent Kingdoms and were probably only meant for yuant-ti characters. The monster entries say they can be used as familiars without mentioning any restrictions, but there are decidedly more powerful than the normal options. Though, since it
Serpent Kingdoms, it's entirely possible that these are just more manifestations of the designers' terrible judgment.
Familiar | Size | Speed | AC | Attacks | Special | Feats | Str | Dex | Con | Wis | Cha | Master Benefit | Source |
Dung Snake | medium | 20 ft, climb 20 ft, swim 20 ft | 15 | bite | constrict, environmental adaptation, fast healing 1, immunity to disease, improved grab, low-light vision, scent | alertness, multigrab, toughness | 17 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 2 | +2 saves vs disease | Serpent Kingdoms |
Sewerm | small | 20 ft, climb 20 ft, swim 20 ft | 17 | bite | attach, blood drain, low-light vision, poison, scent | alertness, weapon finesse | 17 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 2 | +2 saves vs pain | Serpent Kingdoms |
The following options are meant for large characters and are more powerful than the standard options.
Familiar | Size | Speed | AC | Attacks | Special | Feats | Str | Dex | Con | Wis | Cha | Master Benefit | Source |
Dire Rat | small | 40 ft, climb 20 ft | 15 | bite | disease, low-light vision, scent | alertness, weapon finesse | 10 | 17 | 12 | 12 | 4 | +2 fort saves | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Leopard | medium | 40 ft, climb 20 ft | 15 | bite and 2 claws | improved grab, low-light vision, pounce, rake, scent | alertness, weapon finesse | 16 | 19 | 15 | 12 | 6 | +2 move silently | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Monitor Lizard | medium | 30 ft, swim 30 ft | 15 | bite | low-light vision | alertness, great fortitude | 17 | 15 | 17 | 12 | 2 | +3 HP | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Owl (Medium) | medium | 10 ft, fly 60 ft (a) | 13 | talons and bite | low-light vision | multiattack | 14 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 4 | +2 move silently | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Raven (Small) | small | 10 ft, 40 ft (a) | 12 | talons | low-light vision, speech | weapon finesse * | 5 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 6 | – | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Viper Snake (Medium) | medium | 20 ft, climb 20 ft, swim 20 ft | 16 | bite | poison, scent | weapon finesse * | 8 | 17 | 11 | 12 | 2 | – | Dungeon Master's Guide |
Wolverine | medium | 30 ft, burrow 30 ft, climb 10 ft | 14 | 2 claws and bite | low-light vision, rage, scent | alertness, toughness, track | 14 | 15 | 19 | 12 | 10 | +2 ref saves | Dungeon Master's Guide |
In the above tables, an asterisk (*) denotes a violation of the rules. I many cases, this is because I'm evaluating 3.0 material by 3.5 rules. In many other cases, it's because someone forgot that weapon finesse requires base attack bonus +1. There are a few instances where I'm be nitpick-y about an animal with two hit dice not meeting the prerequisite at its first hit die, when it would have taken the feat.