What Are Familiars?
Familiars are ridable companions that help you traverse the open world of Orbis. They unlock early in Chapter 1 after joining Johnny's Mercenaries. Each Familiar belongs to one of eight types, and each type grants a specific traversal skill.
Key facts:
- 29 Familiars total — 18 free through gameplay, 10 DLC-exclusive, 1 Deluxe Pack-exclusive
- No combat stats — Familiars are purely for traversal and type passives
- Most are claimed from the Familiar Codex after meeting a requirement
- The Abyssal Direwolf was a free pre-order bonus until August 31, 2026
Traversal Skills by Type
Each type has a fixed traversal skill — every Familiar of the same type shares the same skill:
| Type | Traversal Skill | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Insect | None | No special movement ability |
| Squirrel | Climbing Jump | Jump higher while scaling cliffs |
| Cat | Swim Dash | Quick dash while swimming |
| Bird | Air Dash | Forward dash in mid-air (3s cooldown) |
| Sky Wolf | Underwater Dash | Quick dash underwater |
| Direwolf | Boost Jump | Jump farther during Ground Boost (0s cooldown) |
| Gryphon | Charged Jump | Charge up a high jump |
| Dragon | Air Free Dash | Unlimited free aerial movement (strongest) |
Type Passive System
When you own 2 or more Familiars of the same type, you unlock that type's passive: keeping one Familiar of that type in your party grants its movement skill to all Familiars in the party.
For example, owning 2 Direwolves means any equipped Familiar can use Boost Jump. This is why collecting duplicates within a type is valuable — you can use your favorite mount while having access to multiple movement skills.
Type passive bonuses:
- The type's traversal skill becomes available
- All Familiars can use that skill
- Stamina consumption reduced by 20% during that movement type
- Movement speed increased by 10% during that movement type
Note: The Brave Baby Dragon (Dragon type) does not provide a type passive.
Which to Unlock First
For the biggest early exploration upgrades, prioritize these Familiars:
1. Bright Crowtit (Bird)
Grants Air Dash — the single biggest exploration upgrade. Reach Novice Mercenary Corps rank.
2. Refreshing Canary (Bird)
Second Bird for the type passive — all mounts get Air Dash. Complete 20 Mini-Games.
3. Marple Flying Squirrel (Squirrel)
Climbing Jump for cliffs and high places. Reach Intermediate Mercenary Corps.
4. Stormy Direwolf (Direwolf)
Boost Jump for crossing wide gaps. Reach Veteran Mercenary Corps.
5. Mist Wing Cat (Cat)
Swim Dash for water exploration. Craft 100 equipment pieces.
All 29 Familiars
| Familiar | Type | Skill | How to Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robust Stag Beetle | Insect | — | Automatically during Chapter 1 |
| Fierce Rhinoceros Beetle | Insect | — | 100 Adventure's Emblems at Codex |
| Cowardly Firefly | Insect | — | Mine 300 times |
| Red Ladybug | Insect | — | Clear 40 Puzzles |
| Cotton Flying Squirrel | Squirrel | Climbing Jump | DLC-exclusive |
| Acorn Flying Squirrel | Squirrel | Climbing Jump | Defeat 100 squirrels |
| Viola Flying Squirrel | Squirrel | Climbing Jump | DLC-exclusive |
| Marple Flying Squirrel | Squirrel | Climbing Jump | Reach Intermediate Mercenary Corps |
| Orchid Wing Cat | Cat | Swim Dash | DLC-exclusive |
| Mist Wing Cat | Cat | Swim Dash | Craft 100 equipment pieces |
| Shadow Wing Cat | Cat | Swim Dash | Open 300 Treasure Chests |
| Dawn Wing Cat | Cat | Swim Dash | Reach Advanced Mercenary Corps |
| Refreshing Canary | Bird | Air Dash | Complete 20 Mini-Games |
| Timid Hummingbird | Bird | Air Dash | DLC-exclusive |
| Diligent Sparrow | Bird | Air Dash | Collect 150 Bird Eggs |
| Bright Crowtit | Bird | Air Dash | Reach Novice Mercenary Corps |
| Frosty Sky Wolf | Sky Wolf | Underwater Dash | DLC-exclusive |
| Sandstorm Sky Wolf | Sky Wolf | Underwater Dash | 300,000 Gold at Codex |
| Gale Sky Wolf | Sky Wolf | Underwater Dash | DLC-exclusive |
| Snowstorm Sky Wolf | Sky Wolf | Underwater Dash | Complete "The Captain's Scheme" quest |
| Stormy Direwolf | Direwolf | Boost Jump | Reach Veteran Mercenary Corps |
| Abyssal Direwolf | Direwolf | Boost Jump | Pre-order bonus (free until Aug 31) |
| Flame Spirit Fox | Direwolf | Boost Jump | DLC-exclusive |
| War Direwolf | Direwolf | Boost Jump | DLC-exclusive |
| Guardian Gryphon | Gryphon | Charged Jump | Defeat World Bosses 30 times |
| Holy Knightage Griffon | Gryphon | Charged Jump | DLC-exclusive |
| Exploration Squad Griffon | Gryphon | Charged Jump | DLC-exclusive |
| Knightage Griffon | Gryphon | Charged Jump | Reach Elite Mercenary Corps |
| Brave Baby Dragon | Dragon | Air Free Dash | Deluxe Pack-exclusive |
Mercenary Corps Ranks
Several Familiars are unlocked by climbing Mercenary Corps ranks:
| Rank | Familiar Unlocked | Skill |
|---|---|---|
| Novice | Bright Crowtit | Air Dash |
| Intermediate | Marple Flying Squirrel | Climbing Jump |
| Advanced | Dawn Wing Cat | Swim Dash |
| Veteran | Stormy Direwolf | Boost Jump |
| Elite | Knightage Griffon | Charged Jump |
Tips & Common Mistakes
Claim from the Codex
Meeting a requirement doesn't auto-unlock the Familiar — you must claim it in the Familiar Codex.
Get 2 of Each Type
Two Familiars of a type share the skill across all your mounts. This is a major mobility upgrade.
DLC Is Not Stronger
DLC Familiars provide the same skills as free ones. They only add variety and help hit type passive thresholds.
No Combat Function
Familiars have no combat stats. You must dismount to fight — monster attacks knock you off.
Ready to explore Orbis?
Check our map guide for hidden areas and Familiar locations.
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