So, you think you know how to summon a familiar? You've played a bit of Dungeons & Dragons, you've cast Find Familiar at the table, and you're ready to bring a tiny, loyal creature to the party in Baldur's Gate 3. Well, hold onto your spellbook, because Larian Studios has decided to flip the script entirely. Gone are the days of your owl familiars gracefully swooping in to grant the Help action. In the world of Faerûn as rendered in 2026, your familiar is less of a support buddy and more of a tiny, often vicious, combatant with its own unique agenda. Is your wizard's cat about to become a kamikaze distraction? Can your warlock's imp truly out-scout a rogue? Let's dive into the chaotic, wonderful world of BG3 familiars and see which fey spirit is the best fit for your morally ambiguous adventuring party.

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The Top Tier: Powerhouses from the Lower Planes

When it comes to raw power and utility, two familiars soar above the rest, and they're not your typical forest critters. These are beings from other planes, and they mean business.

1. The Quasit: The Ultimate Scout & Saboteur

Don't let its comical names (Shovel, Fork, Basket) fool you. The Quasit is arguably the most versatile familiar in the game. What makes this little terror so special?

  • Innate Invisibility: Just like the Imp, it can turn invisible, making it the perfect stealth scout.

  • Environmental Interaction: This is the game-changer. The Quasit is the only familiar that can open doors, chests, and interact with levers. Need to unlock a gate from the inside for your party? Send in the Quasit!

  • Crowd Control: Its Scare ability can frighten enemies for two turns, imposing disadvantage on their attack rolls. Sometimes, preventing damage is better than dealing it.

How to Get It: Warlocks can choose it as their Pact of the Chain familiar. Alternatively, any class can find and use the rare Scroll of Summon Quasit.

2. The Imp: The Flying Damage Dealer

If your strategy is more about applying pointy-ended persuasion, the Imp is your go-to.

  • High Damage Output: Its Sting attack deals 1d4 + Charisma modifier piercing damage PLUS 1d6 poison damage on a failed save. Its Claw attack is no joke either.

  • Flight & Invisibility: With an 18m flying speed and the ability to turn invisible, it's a deadly, untouchable skirmisher. An invisible Imp gets advantage on its first attack!

  • Durable: It boasts a higher HP pool than standard familiars, meaning it might survive a stray arrow.

How to Get It: Exclusive to Warlocks who select the Pact of the Chain boon.

The Exceptional Companions: More Than Just Pets

These familiars aren't summoned from a spell slot; they're earned through friendship (or, in one case, recruitment).

3. Scratch: The Goodest Boy

Who's a good familiar? Scratch is! This isn't a conjured spirit; this is the actual dog you can befriend in Act 1.

  • Universal Summon: Any class can summon him once he's your camp buddy, using his ball.

  • Unique Helper: He can use the Help action to revive downed allies, a trait no other familiar has.

  • Treasure Sniffer: Out of combat, Scratch can sniff out hidden treasure and secrets. A true companion!

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4. Boo: The Miniature Giant Space Hamster

"Go for the eyes, Boo! GO FOR THE EYES!"

  • Exclusive Partner: Only available if you recruit the legendary ranger Minsc in Act 3. Boo is his familiar.

  • Surprisingly Tanky: Has more health than your average familiar.

  • Unconventional Weapon: Can be thrown by characters like Berserkers, with a chance to blind the target. Yes, you can weaponize the hamster.

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The Standard Issue (But Still Useful) Familiars

Available to Wizards, Warlocks, Rangers, Eldritch Knights, and Arcane Tricksters via the Find Familiar spell, these creatures each have a niche.

Familiar Best For Key Ability How to Unlock
Raven Scouting & Control Rend Vision (Blinds target) Level-up Spell
Cat Crowd Gathering Meow (Lures enemies within 18m) Level-up Spell
Frog Setting up Nukes Bufotoxin (Disadvantage on Dex Saves) Level-up Spell
Spider Mobility & Poison Arachnid Jump (18m leap) Level-up Spell
Crab Slowing Enemies Crippling Pinch (Reduces movement) Level-up Spell
Rat Debuffing Foes Infectious Bite (Disadvantage on Con Saves) Level-up Spell

Why These Matter:

  • The Raven's Blindness is a devastating debuff, setting up your team for easy critical hits.

  • The Cat's Meow is a hilarious and effective way to cluster enemies for a perfect Fireball or Hunger of Hadar. A sacrificial kitty, but the spell slot is worth it!

  • The Frog is a spellcaster's best friend. That disadvantage on Dexterity saves makes enemies much more likely to fail against your biggest area-of-effect spells.

  • The Spider's mobility is insane, especially if you buff it with a Jump spell for a 54-meter leap. Perfect for reaching those pesky high places.

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Pro Tips for Familiar Mastery in 2026

Think you can just summon them and forget them? Think again! Here’s how the pros use their tiny allies:

  1. Scouting is Key: Always send your familiar (especially Raven, Imp, or Quasit) ahead to reveal the map and scout enemy positions. Why walk into an ambush?

  2. Environmental Cheesing: Use familiars to trigger traps from a safe distance or to steal items while the owner is distracted. A quasit opening a door can bypass entire encounters.

  3. The Distraction Gambit: As mentioned, a Cat can lure enemies into a kill zone. A familiar provoking an opportunity attack can waste an enemy's reaction.

  4. They're Expendable (Sort Of): Familiars cost only a spell slot to resummon. Don't be afraid to use them for risky maneuvers. That 1 HP rat taking a hit for your wizard is a good trade!

  5. Class Synergy: Remember, only certain classes get access. Planning a sneaky Arcane Trickster? A quasit from a scroll doubles your lock-picking and scouting potential. Playing a Warlock? The Imp is a no-brainer for damage.

So, which familiar will you choose? The invisible, door-opening quasit? The damage-dealing imp? Or will you forgo optimization entirely for the simple, treasure-finding loyalty of man's best friend, Scratch? In Baldur's Gate 3, even the smallest companion can turn the tide of battle—or at least die trying in a spectacularly hilarious fashion.