D&D 5E Giving a magic dagger to a sprite familiar?

[doctorhook]

My party found a magic dagger, but none of the party members are particular interested in wielding it themselves. However, our FeyChain warlock wants to give it to her sprite familiar. I'm the DM, and I'm okay with this, but I'm interested to see what the consensus is. (5E does not seem to have as clear rules about giving equipment to summoned creatures as 3E did, but it's possible I'm missing something.)

Two questions:

1. Can a Tiny humanoid creature wield a normal sized dagger? I'm imagining they can wield it as a longsword or greatsword or something, but for 1d4 damage.
2. Can a familiar keep equipment given to it? If they get killed/unsummoned, will they still have the equipment again when resummoned? I'm leaning yes, just because it's more interesting that way.

Thanks team.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Tiny is one size category smaller than Small. Small creature's cant use heavy weapons without a penalty. Scaling that down, I'd rule that Tiny creatures cant use heavy weapons at all, can use weapons without the heavy or light at disadvantage, and can use light weapons as one handed weapons without penalty. So he'd be able to use the dagger one handed, for d4. He couldnt dual wield them though, because he'd need the equivalent of a super light weapon.

I also think it's fun to allow familiars to keep gear. It strengthens the bond between the player and NPC, and tends to let them think about what the familiar might want. In the game I run, my one player gave her imp a "sexy lady goat" for, umm... reasons. And rewards him with rats to strangle/sting to death when he does well, because he's a petty little bastard. I play a shai'ir pact warlock in another game, so am always looking for things my gen would enjoy. In both games, the familiars have a "home" in a pocket dimension they store their stuff in. Anything they are carrying at the time their prime material form is destroyed drops to the ground.

 

[iserith]

1. Sure. Fey magic or the dagger's magic is reason enough to make it work. Be sure the sprite gives its new weapon a great, whimsical name like Giant Slayer.

2. "It's fun for everyone and leads to exciting, memorable stories..." is all the justification we DMs need for ruling a particular way.

 

[doctorhook]

Tiny is one size category smaller than Small. Small creature's cant use heavy weapons without a penalty. Scaling that down, I'd rule that Tiny creatures cant use heavy weapons at all, can use weapons without the heavy or light at disadvantage, and can use light weapons as one handed weapons without penalty. So he'd be able to use the dagger one handed, for d4. He couldnt dual wield them though, because he'd need the equivalent of a super light weapon.

I like your assessment; it's very consistent with the player rules. That said, the sprites in appendix D of the Player's Handbook actually do have a longsword attack that has a reach of 5 feet and deals 1 slashing damage. I'm pretty sure this is a case of "EZ-Monster Rules for DMs" rather than secret rules for 5E weapon sizing.

It's worth noting that if I allow the sprite to keep a Medium-sized dagger, its damage will go from 1 to 1d4+1. That's a big jump, but it's also on par with melee damage from other Chain-pact familiars--imp, pseudodragon, and quasit all have melee attacks that deal 1d4+X damage, and all of those deal extra effects or damage as well.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Yeah, in general I think the sprite may be the weakest of the group. In particular, the imp's attack is so much better. Plus they're investing magic treasure in him. Try it, worst case scenario you talk to your players. Easy solution to get rid of it, just have the sprite gift the dagger to a fae queen who grants the party a boon or something and problem solved.

1 damage really isnt worth the time it takes to narrate and make the attack roll. If you're spending time on the attack, make it count!

 

[famousringo]

The familiar is a pact warlock's big core class feature. IMO, it should be powerful, and the player should be able to have as much fun as possible without detracting from the fun of other players.

As long as the sprite isn't suddenly competing with players for loot, I say go with it.

Giant Slayer is a good name, but how about Cat Scratcher? I imagine a sprite's worst enemy would be hungry/playful housecats.

 

[doctorhook]

Yeah, in general I think the sprite may be the weakest of the group. In particular, the imp's attack is so much better. Plus they're investing magic treasure in him. Try it, worst case scenario you talk to your players. Easy solution to get rid of it, just have the sprite gift the dagger to a fae queen who grants the party a boon or something and problem solved.

1 damage really isnt worth the time it takes to narrate and make the attack roll. If you're spending time on the attack, make it count!

I agree. At any rate, the sprite is probably the weakest in terms of damage, but it's got at-will invisibility, a ranged poisoning attack that can put foes to sleep, and an out-of-combat "detect evil" power. Overall, I think the Chainlock familiar options are pretty tightly balanced.

 

[Coredump]

I would have the warlock 'bond' the weapon to his familiar....which requires some specific materials...which requires him to go on a quest....

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

How's the sprite feel about handling cold iron?

That aside, I'd let the familiar use the dagger like a long sword. It's Bilbo and Sting, writ smaller.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

How's the sprite feel about handling cold iron?

Most likely it's not cold iron, which is a specific technique and material in D&D. If it's been smelted and refined, it wouldnt qualify.