Review/nerf familiars

[IndifferentPerson]

Some familiars out source rogues with absurd stealth, disarm trap, open lock, etc etc. Have multiple charges of way too powerful abilities, and have insane survivability(even epic dodge).

In PvP, a familiar can disable the enemy multiple times and be considerably tanky(even absurdly so depending on level range), making them just as dangerous as the mage. It makes PvP for mages even more dumbed down.

[Artos13]

We received a very comprehensive feedback report on this just recently. It'll have to be something that Yellena and/or Mithreas look into, and our lovely Mithreas is indeed again traveling this next week for a (very deserved) R&R cruise. Might be a bit on it, but I'm also hoping it gets tweaked too. While my lowish-mid ranger multi-class appreciates having a companion that no longer dies in two rounds, the stuff at the higher end gets really weird.

[Mithreas]

OK - I have nerfed familiars - your familiar now doesn't progress with levels, and even the level 1 version is toned down to the point of being near useless (though not totally!) in combat. However, mages can now use Summon Familiar any number of times per day, until their familiar dies (at which point they have to rest as usual). So put them away before fights once you're battling things harder than goblins...

Animal Companions have been toned down some, though they are still significantly better than base NWN. We'll keep watching them; feedback welcome.