Improved Familiar [General]

You can acquire a new familiar from a nonstandard list of creatures.

Prerequisites: Ability to acquire a new familiar, compatible alignment, sufficiently high arcane spellcaster level.

Benefit: When you choose a familiar, the creatures on the table below are also available . You can choose a familiar with an alignment up to one step away on each of the alignment axes (lawful through chaotic, good through evil). For example, a chaotic good spellcaster could acquire a neutral familiar. A lawful neutral spellcaster could acquire a neutral good familiar.

Except as noted here, improved familiars use the normal rules for familiars.

Special: This feat was originally presented on page 200 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide and has recurred in other books since then; the description here provides new alternatives for arcane spellcasters who want familiars stealthy and versatile enough to follow them anywhere.

Source: Complete Scoundrel, page 78.