In Baldur’s Gate 3, familiars represent a unique type of summoned companion, primarily generated through the spell aptly named “Find Familiar.”Typically, these allies take the form of small or tiny beasts. While in traditional Dungeons & Dragons, familiars excel more in non-combat scenarios, the video game’s mechanics allow them to contribute significantly in battles, offering a range of distinctive attacks and abilities.
The variety of stats and features among the available familiars indicates that some are far superior to others. Baldur’s Gate 3 features twelve creatures classified as familiars, utilizing ten different stat blocks. While six of these familiars can be summoned via the spell, the remaining options necessitate extra effort to either discover or unlock. This comprehensive ranking aims to assist players in determining which familiars are most beneficial, especially considering that a player character can only maintain one familiar at a time.
10 The Spider Lacks Both Defensive And Offensive Capabilities
A Disappointing Summon On All Levels
The spider is the first familiar on our list, representing a basic model summoned by the first-level spell. Although it boasts slightly more health than some alternatives and features a bite attack with the potential to inflict poison damage, its overall utility is severely hampered. This makes it the least effective option among the ten available in the game.
With an armor class (AC) of just 9—the lowest among any familiar—it is particularly vulnerable and can be hit easily. Despite having six hit points (which is better than many), it often succumbs to basic attacks. The poison damage it may inflict is not consistent enough to significantly impact combat, especially since it does not apply the poisoned condition. Although the spider can navigate webbed surfaces deftly, it lacks the ability to create webs, thus rendering its capabilities uninspired and disappointing.
9 The Frog Leaps A Little Farther Up The Rankings
A Slightly Better Option At Lower Levels
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Next is the frog, which also lacks standout qualities, but it is positioned marginally higher than the spider. It only boasts one hit point and can inflict a mere point of damage with its attack. However, its AC of 12 provides it with a slight edge, increasing the chances of surviving attacks.
The frog’s notable action, Bufotoxin, requires enemies to make a constitution saving throw. Failing the save results in 1 point of acid damage, along with disadvantage on their next dexterity saving throw. While the damage is minimal, the opportunity to impose a penalty on enemy saves can be strategically advantageous, particularly for magic users like sorcerers or wizards.
8 The Rat Has One Of The More Interesting Special Attacks
A Plain Familiar With An Exciting Feature
With minimal impressive stats—1 hit point, an AC of 10, and a basic bite attack dealing only 1 point of piercing damage—the rat seems quite standard. Yet, it distinguishes itself through its infectious bite ability, granting it potential utility in combat.
This bite can transmit an illness that disadvantages creatures on constitution saving throws and reduces their constitution score by 1, thereby affecting their hit point maximum. With a duration exceeding that of the frog’s effect, this ability positions the rat as a unique and valuable choice in battles, particularly for spells that rely on constitution saves.
7 Cats Have More Uses For Thieves Than Fighters
A Familiar Better Off Of The Battlefield
In Baldur’s Gate 3, cats resemble the traditional role of familiars in D&D, thriving more outside combat. Their relatively high dexterity equips them for stealthy maneuvers across challenging terrains. An ability labeled “Meow”allows them to summon nearby creatures for assistance, akin to the Minor Illusion cantrip.
While their performance in combat is lackluster, with 12 AC and only 2 hit points, they provide value as scouts and distractions during encounters. Such attributes should not be overlooked despite their humble battle statistics.
6 Crabs Have Some Powerful Claw Attacks At Their Disposal
The First True Combat Familiar
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Interestingly, crabs present a unique case among familiars. While one might assume they would exceed in defensive capabilities, the crab has an AC of 11 and 2 hit points, placing it below average defensively. Nevertheless, its offensive prowess sets it apart, with attacks that deal superior damage compared to most familiars.
The crab’s maiming pinch can inflict between 2-5 points of piercing damage and additionally reduce the enemy’s speed by 10 feet. This crowd control ability mirrors the effects of the Ray of Frost cantrip without requiring an enemy saving throw, thereby proving valuable in BG3’s strategic combat scenarios.
5 Quasits Are Strong, And In Some Cases, Crass
Shovel Stands Out As The Game’s Most Foul-Mouthed Familiar
For Pact of the Chain warlocks, quasits serve as notable familiar options, boasting 7 hit points and an AC of 13, making them more resilient than typical familiars. Their claw attacks range from 4-7 points of slashing damage, enhancing their combat effectiveness.
Quasits also possess the ability to turn invisible at will and attempt to terrify enemies once per short rest. Unique to one quasit is Shovel, an endearing character with vivid personality traits that have won the hearts of players. Originally belonging to a rogue necromancer, Shovel can be summoned daily, adding a blend of fun and effective utility to any spellcaster’s arsenal.
4 Scratch Is A Joy To Have Around
A Good Boy With Good Stats
Everyone enjoys Scratch, the lovable dog who can join your camp early in Act One. He brings joy to the campsite, and later, he can even become a familiar. Uniquely, players can summon Scratch by simply throwing his ball outside the camp, bringing him into the world.
Scratch boasts an AC of 14 and 5 hit points, and his bite attack can deal between 3-8 points of piercing damage. Notably, he is one of the few familiars capable of providing helpful actions, such as reviving prone characters or curing conditions. Additionally, Scratch often assists in finding hidden treasure, cementing his status as a valuable companion through BG3.
3 Boo Is Surprisingly Powerful For His Size
Don’t Underestimate This Miniature Giant Space Hamster
Boo, the miniature giant space hamster, is a unique familiar available to a specific character: Minsc of Rashemen. This character’s return introduces Boo as a strong ally, equipped with an impressive AC of 20 and 20 hit points.
Boo’s bite attack serves as the highest damage output among familiars, inflicting between 7-13 points of piercing damage. Furthermore, Boo can be thrown without suffering damage, and he may blind targets upon being thrown. Although restricted to Minsc, Boo’s power is undeniable, marking him as a formidable summon in gameplay.
2 The Raven’s Flight Makes It Stronger Than Most Other Familiars
Maneuverability Is Key In Baldur’s Gate 3
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Among the six familiar options available via the Find Familiar spell, the raven stands out as the sole familiar capable of flight, significantly enhancing its mobility and effectiveness in various scenarios. This makes the raven an excellent scout and exploration companion.
A special version known as Quothe can be summoned through the raven gloves. While mechanically similar to the standard raven, Quothe possesses an additional ability that allows it to restrain an attacker for a time if it is defeated.
Despite its low hit points (1) and AC (12), the raven’s rend vision attack delivers effective piercing damage while potentially blinding targets, providing a strategic advantage through the imposition of disadvantages on enemy attack rolls, thereby increasing the chances of success for allies.
1 Imps Reign Supreme As The Most Powerful Familiar Summons
The Game’s First Enemies Become Some Of Its Best Allies
Finally, imps are crowned as the most powerful familiar in Baldur’s Gate 3, available only to Pact of the Chain warlocks. With an AC of 13 and 10 hit points, imps showcase resilience and versatility, positioning them among the most durable familiars. Their sting attack not only inflicts 4-7 points of piercing damage but can also deliver an additional 1-6 poison damage, enhancing combat effectiveness.
Like quasits, imps can turn invisible, providing essential stealth capabilities, but their unique flight ability separates them from other familiars. This mobility advantage, coupled with their robust stats, establishes imps as the definitive champions in the realm of familiars within Baldur’s Gate 3.
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