Hey adventurers! 🎮✨ As a seasoned BG3 player who's spent way too many hours testing every companion and spell, I've gotta say, choosing the right familiar can be a total game-changer. It's not just about having a cute sidekick—it's about finding that perfect partner who complements your playstyle. From scouting ahead to controlling the battlefield, these little guys (and gals!) bring so much to the table. Let's dive into my personal ranking of all the familiars you can summon in 2026, based on hundreds of hours of gameplay and the latest meta!
10. The Spider 🕷️ - The Disappointment
Okay, let's start with the tough love. The spider familiar is, unfortunately, the worst of the bunch. I mean, look at these stats:
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AC: 9 (Basically a walking bullseye 🎯)
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HP: 6 (Better than some, but still...)
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Attack: Bite with chance of poison damage
The poison damage sounds nice on paper, but trust me, it rarely procs and doesn't even apply the poisoned condition! The spider can walk on webs (cool), but can't create them (not cool). When every other familiar brings something special to the party, the spider just... exists. Bottom line: There's always a better choice.
9. The Frog 🐸 - The Niche Support
Don't let its humble appearance fool you—the frog has one trick that makes it better than the spider. With only 1 HP and AC 12, it's fragile AF. But check this out:
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Bufotoxin Attack: Forces CON save
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On Fail: 1 acid damage + disadvantage on next DEX save
That disadvantage on saving throws? That's pure gold for casters! Wizards and sorcerers can follow up with spells that target DEX, making enemies more likely to fail. It's situational, but when it works? Chef's kiss! 🤌
8. The Rat 🐀 - The Disease Vector
This little guy looks plain with 1 HP and AC 10, but oh boy, does he pack a punch with his special ability!
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Infectious Bite: Chance to inflict disease
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Disease Effect: Disadvantage on CON saves + -1 to CON score
This is HUGE because many powerful spells (like Hold Person) require CON saves. Lowering that save chance? That's a caster's dream come true! Plus, the -1 to CON might reduce enemy HP maximum. Not bad for a tiny rodent!
7. The Cat 🐱 - The Ultimate Scout
Cats in BG3 are what I call 'utility kings'. They're not frontline fighters, but for rogues and stealth characters? Perfection.
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High Dexterity: Excellent at sneaking
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Meow Ability: Lures enemies to investigate (like Minor Illusion!)
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Combat Stats: AC 12, 2 HP, 2 slashing damage (meh)
I've used cats to:
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Scout ahead without triggering traps
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Distract guards during heists
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Lure enemies into ambush zones
Pro tip: If you're playing a stealth character, the cat is your best friend. Just keep it out of direct combat!
6. The Crab 🦀 - The Slow King
Now we're getting into the actual combat familiars! The crab might seem defensive, but it's all about offense:
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Stats: AC 11, 2 HP (average)
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Maiming Pinch: 2-5 piercing damage + slows enemy by 10ft
That slowing effect is INSANE. No saving throw, just straight-up movement reduction. In a game where positioning is everything, taking 10ft off an enemy's movement can:
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Prevent them from reaching your backline
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Keep them in your AoE spells
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Make kiting strategies actually work
It's like having a permanent Ray of Frost cantrip following you around!
5. The Quasit (Especially Shovel!) 😈 - The Foul-Mouthed Fighter
Pact of the Chain warlocks, this is one of your special options! Quasits are beefier than standard familiars:
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Stats: 7 HP, AC 13, 4-7 slashing damage
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Special Abilities: Invisibility at will + Frighten once per short rest
But let's talk about the real star: SHOVEL! This quasit has personality:
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Found via scroll in Moonhaven village
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Once learned, summonable once per day
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Hilariously bloodthirsty voice lines
Mechanically identical to other quasits, but the entertainment value? Priceless. She'll curse at enemies, complain about everything, and generally be the sassiest member of your party.
4. Scratch 🐕 - The Goodest Boy
EVERYONE loves Scratch! This mail-carrying dog joins your camp in Act One and eventually becomes a summonable familiar. His summon method is adorable: throw his ball outside camp!
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Stats: AC 14, 5 HP, 3-8 piercing damage (sturdy!)
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Unique Ability: Can help up prone allies or cure conditions
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Exploration Bonus: Finds hidden treasure chests!
Scratch isn't just combat-effective—he's emotionally supportive! Seeing him fetch his ball at camp never gets old. Warning: He sometimes gets too curious and finds trouble, but that's part of his charm!
3. Boo 🐹 - The Miniature Giant Space Hamster
Available only to Minsc (who joins in Act Three), Boo is LITERALLY built different:
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Stats: AC 20, 20 HP (WHAT?!)
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Attack: 7-13 piercing damage (highest familiar damage!)
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Throw Ability: Immune to throw damage + chance to blind targets
Yes, you read that right. You can throw Boo at enemies to potentially blind them! This miniature giant space hamster (his official classification!) hits harder than some level 1 characters. The only downside? You need Minsc in your party.
2. The Raven 🐦⬛ - The Sky Scout
The raven is the only basic Find Familiar option that can fly, and in BG3, flight is KING:
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Mobility: Reach any height, bypass terrain
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Combat: Rend Vision attack (piercing damage + chance to blind)
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Scouting: Unmatched exploration capabilities
Blind is an incredible condition—disadvantage on attacks, no ranged attacks, easier to hit. The raven's stats (AC 12, 1 HP) are paper-thin, but if you micro-manage well? This bird wins battles.
1. The Imp 👿 - The Undisputed Champion
And here we are—the BEST familiar in the game. Another Pact of the Chain exclusive, the imp is everything you want:
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Durability: AC 13, 10 HP (can take hits!)
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Damage: Sting deals 4-7 piercing + 1-6 poison
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Abilities: Invisibility + FLIGHT
Imps combine the raven's flight with the quasit's invisibility and add better stats. They're perfect for:
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Scouting ahead while invisible
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Ambushing from above
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Surviving longer in combat
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Applying consistent damage
My verdict after 500+ hours? If you're a warlock, the imp is non-negotiable. If not, the raven is your next best bet!
Final Thoughts & Pro Tips 💡
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One at a time: Remember, you can only have one familiar active!
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Synergy matters: Match your familiar to your class/build
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Don't sleep on utility: Sometimes scouting > damage
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Personality counts: Shovel and Scratch make the journey more fun!
What's your favorite familiar? Drop your thoughts below! 👇 And remember—whether you're team Imp or team Scratch, having any familiar is better than having none. They're not just summons; they're companions on your journey through Faerûn! 🏹✨
Based on 2026 BG3 meta and personal experience. Patch notes can change things, but these rankings have held strong!