DragonSword Familiar Guide – All 30 Familiars & How to Get

Complete Familiar Guide: All 30 Familiars in DragonSword: Awakening

Familiars in DragonSword: Awakening are more than mere cosmetic companions—they are integral combat allies that provide passive buffs, active abilities, and synergistic bonuses when paired with specific heroes. Developed by Hound13, the Familiar system is designed to complement the game's tag-action combat, allowing players to customize their approach to battles across the Continent of Orbis. Whether you're a free-to-play adventurer or have invested in DLC, understanding how to obtain and utilize all 30 Familiars is essential for mastering the endgame content, including Hero Requests and high-level Rift System challenges.

This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of every Familiar in the game, including their acquisition methods, combat roles, and strategic uses. We'll clarify the split between free and DLC Familiars—approximately two-thirds are obtainable through gameplay, while one-third require DLC purchases—and emphasize that there is no functional difference between them in terms of stats or abilities. A DLC Familiar is not inherently stronger; it simply offers a different aesthetic or thematic option.

Understanding the Familiar System

Before diving into the complete list, let's establish how Familiars function in DragonSword: Awakening. Each Familiar is a creature that accompanies your active hero, providing a unique set of benefits. These can range from passive stat boosts, like increased critical rate or elemental resistance, to active skills that trigger during combat, such as area-of-effect healing or enemy debuffs. More importantly, Familiars can synergize with specific heroes, amplifying their Signal Skills or Switching Signal combos.

For example, pairing the Valiant Hatchling with Lute enhances his Knockdown potential, while the Abyssal Direwolf boosts Dana's Shock application. Understanding these synergies is key to optimizing your tag combo chains. Familiars are managed through the Familiar menu, where you can equip up to three per loadout, but only one can be active at a time during combat. Switching between them on the fly is a core mechanic, allowing for dynamic strategies.

Acquisition methods vary widely. Some Familiars are earned by progressing through the main story, others are hidden in specific Rift System dungeons, and a significant number are tied to Nameless Soul encounters—spectral entities scattered across the Continent of Orbis that, when defeated, yield Familiar eggs. The DLC Familiars are unlocked by purchasing specific packs from the Steam store or Hound13's official site, but once acquired, they integrate seamlessly into the free ecosystem.

Complete List of All 30 Familiars

Below is a detailed breakdown of all 30 Familiars, categorized by acquisition type. We've noted which are free and which are DLC, along with their primary abilities and optimal hero pairings. All data is based on current version 1.2.1, with some community-reported estimates where official numbers are unconfirmed.

Free Familiars (20 Total)

These Familiars can be obtained without spending real money, through gameplay, exploration, or in-game achievements.

1. Valiant Hatchling

• Acquisition: Main story quest in Chapter 1, "Awakening of the Soul." Automatically unlocked after defeating the corrupted golem.

• Ability: Increases Knockdown damage by 15% for 10 seconds after a successful Switching Signal.

• Synergy: Best with Lute or Kalien, who rely on Knockdown status ailments to control crowds.

2. Crimson Fox Kit

• Acquisition: Complete the side quest "The Fox's Den" in the Red Fox Mercenaries camp after reaching reputation level 3.

• Ability: Grants a 10% chance to inflict Bleed on critical hits.

• Synergy: Ideal for Johnny or Roxy, whose rapid attack chains maximize Bleed stacks.

3. Glacial Wisp

• Acquisition: Found in the Frostveil Tundra Rift dungeon, behind an ice wall that requires the Freeze status ailment to break.

• Ability: Periodically applies Freeze to nearby enemies, reducing their movement and attack speed.

• Synergy: Pairs well with Alex, whose ice-based attacks can extend Freeze duration.

4. Stormwing Chick

• Acquisition: Rescue all three scattered chicks in the Gale Canyon region, then defeat the adult Stormwing boss.

• Ability: Increases airborne damage by 20% and reduces fall damage.

• Synergy: Essential for Airborne combo chains with Theresia or Ornette.

5. Verdant Sapling

• Acquisition: Obtained by nurturing a sapling in the Organa Order sanctuary, requiring daily watering for seven real-time days.

• Ability: Heals 5% of max HP every 10 seconds while out of combat.

• Synergy: A generalist support Familiar, useful for any hero in prolonged exploration.

6. Shadow Mink

• Acquisition: Stealth-kill 50 enemies without being detected; the mink will appear at the next campsite.

• Ability: Reduces enemy detection radius by 30%.

• Synergy: Best for stealth-focused heroes like Renia or Eileen.

7. Ember Cub

• Acquisition: Defeat the Molten Core boss in the Ashen Cauldron Rift dungeon.

• Ability: Adds fire damage to basic attacks, with a small chance to cause Burn.

• Synergy: Enhances DPS for any hero but is particularly effective with Castella's multi-hit skills.

8. Tidal Seahorse

• Acquisition: Fish at the Azure Depths pier for a rare catch; the seahorse egg is a random reward.

• Ability: Increases swim speed by 50% and water resistance by 20%.

• Synergy: Situational for underwater exploration but pairs with Dana for water-based combat.

9. Quartz Golemite

• Acquisition: Mine 100 ore nodes; the golemite will emerge from the next rich deposit.

• Ability: Increases mining yield by 25% and reduces pickaxe durability loss.

• Synergy: Non-combat Familiar, useful for farming materials efficiently.

10. Lumina Sprite

• Acquisition: Solve all 12 light puzzles in the Celestial Spire dungeon.

• Ability: Emits a light that reveals hidden paths and secrets.

• Synergy: Essential for exploration, particularly in dark areas or when hunting for collectibles.

11. Venomous Hatchling

• Acquisition: Survive 10 minutes in the Venomwood Swamp without using antidotes.

• Ability: Poison attacks deal 15% more damage and spread to nearby enemies.

• Synergy: Best with Tarte or Veronica, who can apply poison status ailments.

12. Ironhide Boarlet

• Acquisition: Complete the "Boar Hunter" achievement by defeating 20 boars.

• Ability: Increases defense by 20% for 5 seconds after taking damage.

• Synergy: Tank heroes like Aria or Logan benefit from the added survivability.

13. Arcane Owl

• Acquisition: Read all 50 lore scrolls scattered across the Continent of Orbis.

• Ability: Highlights resource nodes and treasure chests on the mini-map.

• Synergy: General exploration utility, no combat benefit.

14. Frostbite Pup

• Acquisition: Complete the "Frozen Loyalty" questline in the Frostveil Tundra, involving a lost sled dog.

• Ability: Increases movement speed by 20% in snowy areas and reduces cold damage.

• Synergy: Situational for cold regions, but pairs with Alex for thematic synergy.

15. Thunder Cub

• Acquisition: Survive 50 lightning strikes in the Stormpeak Summit during a thunderstorm.

• Ability: Adds lightning damage to air attacks, chaining to nearby enemies.

• Synergy: Boosts Theresia's Airborne combos significantly.

16. Mossy Tortoise

• Acquisition: Wait at the Ancient Grove for 30 real-time minutes without moving.

• Ability: Reduces damage taken while stationary by 30%.

• Synergy: Useful for ranged heroes like Ornette or ranged Lute builds.

17. Mirage Fox

• Acquisition: Solve the mirage puzzles in the Desert of Illusions, then defeat the phantom boss.

• Ability: Creates a decoy every 60 seconds that taunts enemies.

• Synergy: Great for crowd control with any hero, especially in solo play.

18. Obsidian Hound

• Acquisition: Defeat the Abyssal Direwolf world boss 5 times.

• Ability: Increases damage against bleeding targets by 25%.

• Synergy: Must-have for Bleed-focused builds with Johnny or Roxy.

19. Astral Moth

• Acquisition: Collect all 20 star fragments in the Celestial Observatory ruins.

• Ability: Restores 10% of ultimate gauge on kill.

• Synergy: Best for heroes with powerful ultimate skills, like Kalien or Dana.

20. Whirlwind Hatchling

• Acquisition: Achieve a 500-hit combo in any Rift dungeon.

• Ability: Increases combo duration by 2 seconds, making it easier to maintain chains.

• Synergy: Essential for tag combo enthusiasts; see our tag combo chains guide.

DLC Familiars (10 Total)

These Familiars are unlocked by purchasing specific DLC packs. They offer unique aesthetics and abilities, but are balanced to not outperform free Familiars.

21. Celestial Dragonet

• DLC Pack: "Celestial Ascension Pack"

• Ability: Periodic light explosions that deal area damage.

• Synergy: Pairs with Lute or Castella for added burst damage.

22. Shadow Drake

• DLC Pack: "Shadow Realm Pack"

• Ability: Applies a fear effect that reduces enemy attack power.

• Synergy: Great with Renia or Eileen for stealth and debuff stacking.

23. Golden Kirin

• DLC Pack: "Golden Legacy Pack"

• Ability: Chance to generate gold on hit.

• Synergy: Non-combat utility, but pairs with any hero for farming.

24. Phoenix Chick

• DLC Pack: "Phoenix Rebirth Pack"

• Ability: Revives the player once per battle with 20% health.

• Synergy: A lifesaver in endgame content, pairs with tanky heroes like Aria.

25. Serpentine Basilisk

• DLC Pack: "Serpent's Gaze Pack"

• Ability: Petrifies enemies on critical hits, similar to Freeze but longer duration.

• Synergy: Works well with any critical-focused hero, like Johnny.

26. Spectral Fox

• DLC Pack: "Spectral Haunt Pack"

• Ability: Phases through enemies, ignoring shields.

• Synergy: Best with Roxy or Tarte for bypassing armored foes.

27. Crystal Golem

• DLC Pack: "Crystal Fortress Pack"

• Ability: Creates a crystal barrier that absorbs damage.

• Synergy: Top-tier for defense, ideal for Logan or Aria.

28. Thunderbird Fledgling

• DLC Pack: "Storm's Fury Pack"

• Ability: Summons lightning strikes on Shock-afflicted enemies.

• Synergy: Amplifies Shock status ailment builds, especially with Dana.

29. Abyssal Seahorse

• DLC Pack: "Abyssal Depths Pack"

• Ability: Underwater breathing and increased swim speed.

• Synergy: Niche exploration Familiar, but stylish.

30. Void Hatchling

• DLC Pack: "Voidwalker Pack"

• Ability: Teleports the player a short distance on dodge.

• Synergy: Game-changer for mobility, pairs with any hero for dodging mechanics.

Note: According to community reports, DLC Familiars can sometimes be obtained through limited-time events, but this is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon. The primary method remains purchase through the official storefronts.

Free vs DLC: Debunking the Power Gap Myth

A common misconception is that DLC Familiars are more powerful than their free counterparts. This is entirely false. Hound13 has designed all Familiars to be balanced, ensuring that free players are not at a disadvantage in any content, including PvE leaderboards or Hero Requests. For instance, the free Valiant Hatchling provides a 15% Knockdown damage boost, which is numerically superior to the DLC Celestial Dragonet's light explosion in terms of raw damage amplification for specific builds. The DLC Familiars primarily offer alternative playstyles, unique visuals, or convenience factors, such as the Golden Kirin's gold generation or the Phoenix Chick's revive.

In practice, a free player can assemble a top-tier loadout using the Valiant Hatchling, Obsidian Hound, and Stormwing Chick for a balanced approach to combat, exploration, and boss fights. The key is synergy with your chosen hero, not the acquisition method. For example, a Lute build focused on Knockdown combos will benefit more from the free Valiant Hatchling than from any DLC Familiar, as the damage bonus directly scales with his Signal Skills.

Optimizing Familiar Loadouts for Endgame

Endgame content in DragonSword: Awakening, such as the deepest Rift System dungeons and Hero Request missions, demands careful Familiar selection. Here are three recommended loadouts based on different playstyles:

The Knockdown Specialist (Free)

• Valiant Hatchling: Increases Knockdown damage, core for this build.

• Obsidian Hound: Boosts damage against bleeding targets, which synergizes if you apply Bleed before Knockdown.

• Whirlwind Hatchling: Extends combo windows, allowing for longer Knockdown chains.

This loadout is devastating with Lute or Kalien, as their kits are built around the Knockdown status ailment. Use Switching Signal combos to maximize the Valiant Hatchling's buff uptime.

The Elemental Dominator (Mixed Free/DLC)

• Glacial Wisp: Freeze application for crowd control.

• Thunderbird Fledgling (DLC): Lightning strikes on Shocked enemies, amplifying Dana's natural abilities.

• Ember Cub: Adds fire damage for elemental variety.

This setup works best with Dana or Alex, who can exploit multiple status ailments. The Thunderbird Fledgling is the only DLC Familiar here, but can be replaced with the Mirage Fox for a fully free version that still provides excellent control.

The Survivability Tank (Free)

• Mossy Tortoise: Damage reduction while stationary, perfect for holding ground.

• Ironhide Boarlet: Defense boost on damage taken.

• Verdant Sapling: Passive healing between encounters.

Ideal for Aria or Logan, this loadout ensures you can withstand sustained pressure in boss fights or Rift challenges. No DLC is required, proving the viability of free options.

Hidden Familiar Acquisition Tips

Some Familiars have obscure requirements that the game doesn't explicitly state. Here are a few tips to streamline your collection:

• Nameless Soul Farming: Many Familiars, like the Shadow Mink and Arcane Owl, require defeating Nameless Souls. These entities spawn at night in specific regions—use the Lumina Sprite to reveal their locations on the mini-map.

• Rift Dungeon Resets: Familiars tied to Rift dungeons, like the Glacial Wisp, can be farmed by resetting the dungeon. However, drop rates are estimated at 5-10% based on community reports, so patience is key.

• Daily Activities: The Verdant Sapling's growth is tied to real-time, so plant it early. Similarly, the Tidal Seahorse requires fishing during specific weather conditions—check the in-game forecast at the Organa Order outposts.

For DLC Familiars, keep an eye on seasonal sales on Steam. Hound13 occasionally bundles them with other cosmetics, reducing the overall cost. The official store at hound13.com also offers exclusive packs that include multiple Familiars.

FAQ

How do I equip multiple Familiars at once?

You can equip up to three Familiars in the Familiar menu, but only one can be active during combat. Switch between them using the D-pad on controllers or number keys on PC. The inactive Familiars still provide passive benefits, but their active skills require them to be summoned.

Can I obtain DLC Familiars without spending money?

As of version 1.2.1, DLC Familiars are exclusively obtained through purchases. However, some community events have offered them as rewards in the past—follow the official DragonSword: Awakening Twitter or Reddit for announcements.

Which Familiar is best for beginners?

The Valiant Hatchling is the easiest to obtain and provides a straightforward damage boost. It's forgiving for new players learning the Knockdown mechanics and pairs well with Lute, the default hero.

Do Familiars affect multiplayer or co-op?

Familiars function the same in multiplayer, but their effects are localized to your character. For example, the Glacial Wisp's Freeze aura only affects enemies hit by your attacks, not your partner's. Coordination with teammates can lead to devastating combos, though.

How do I track which Familiars I've collected?

The Familiar compendium in the menu tracks your collection, including acquisition hints for unowned Familiars. DLC Familiars are listed but grayed out until purchased. The compendium also shows synergy suggestions with your current hero.

Are there any missable Familiars?

Most Familiars can be obtained at any point post-game, but the Stormwing Chick requires rescuing chicks before defeating the boss—if you kill the boss first, the chicks despawn permanently. Always check guides before tackling dungeons to avoid missing out.

How do I reset my Familiar's abilities?

You cannot reset a Familiar's abilities, as they are fixed per species. However, you can enhance them using Familiar Essence, obtained from dismantling duplicate eggs. This increases the potency of their active and passive skills by up to 20% at max level, according to community estimates.