I admit that I haven't played much NWN. I struggled getting into the original campaign and my backlog of games is such that I haven't gotten back to it. Still, I think about NWN a lot, and sometimes I'll fire up a multiplayer game with a friend.

My questions right now, however, pertain to familiars.
- What's their practical usage?
- Is there a significant difference in choosing one over the other?
- At what level is it best to summon a familiar?
- Any other suggestions regarding familiars?

Thanks!

I'm only on my 1st playthrough & for the 1st 3 levels my pixie (rogue) was pretty useless & I spent more time cursing not having a quickload key because of her getting herself killed.
They are hard to control (with the base game no mods)
But by level 5 or 6 she does as much damage as my cleric or I, & spots & disarms traps without being told.
She can unlocks things as soon as I fail to open them.
I'm glad I stuck with her.

Some familiars are decently combat capable, which helps at early levels.

I'm not absolutely sure if this applies to familiars (or only animal companions), but you can reselect every time you level up, so you don't lose anything by experimenting and making bad choices.

You can give them commands (stand your ground, guard, etc.) just like your companions, which makes it easier to keep them alive.

As well, some have useful special abilities you can use (you have to take control of them), such as the Pseudodragon, which can cast Improved Invisibility.

As well, others have damage reduction (like the Imp). This makes them fairly useful tanks for the low level caster.

They can be useulf as scouts as well - just cast invis on them (or use their ability if they have it) and scout ahead using the familiar.

Yes I didn't realize this until later.
If I ever play this game again, I won't go with a pixie in the early levels.

On the plus side, I like that sorcerers can unlearn spells each level, & can cast from scrolls.

I like pixies, even for lower lvls, tho the imps are definitly the best for the very first ones because they have some Damage Reduction. Once you have Flame weapon tho, the pixie becomes a powerful little one. She has a dagger so you can buff her with flame weapon, get the enemy distracted with a summons and then send her in to get FW and sneak attack damage.

Tony K's AI improves familiars and companions and henchies (and enemies) a lot. So if you are playing SP I definitly reccommend it.

Have fun :)

Thanks for the info, everyone!

Slightly off topic.
What are the effects of having your familiar die.
I've reloaded many games to keep her alive.
I saved after she was killed without realizing it, but seem to have suffered no ill effects ie:
loss of constitution, loss of HP's?

CON loss was from Baldur's Gate.

In NWN, you immediately lose some HP (I think your level in HP) when they die.

A good trick is to spawn your familiar and then rest. That way when they die, you can call them immediately again.

As for the types, pixie for the rogue is great.

If you want some combatants, the puma one is good for sneak attacks if you have a tank. The wolf is good as a tank.

I'm not much of a fan of the others.