Tamed Monsters

A «Familiar» (officially called a «Tamed Beast») is a monster ally that would assist its partner in Sword Art Online.

Background
On rare occasions, monsters would take interest on players, giving the player the chance to tame it by giving it something to eat. If successfully done, the monster would become the player's familiar, a valuable ally that would assist the player.

However, not all monsters can become familiars as only a limited variety of small monsters could be tamed. The conditions needed to trigger the event are unclear but it is common knowledge that the event would not trigger if the player killed too many of the monster that they are trying to tame.

Abilities
Though familiars are known to have low stats, they are able to use special skills to help players and make hunting easier. Some of their known abilities are:


 * «Scan» - a scanning ability that warns the player of approaching monsters.
 * «Heal» - a healing ability that heals a small percentage of the player's HP.

Care
A familiar must be fed regularly, as it usually only shows interest in food when its owner personally feeds it, ignoring even its favourite food otherwise and not even complaining directly when hungry. If a familiar isn't fed for a prolonged period of time, a hidden parameter for affinity will fall, leading to the abrupt termination of the "tamed" status and the ex-pet would either flee or attack its ex-owner.

Death
It is possible for familiars to be killed during combat. When killed, familiars will leave a «Heart», an item that will make it possible for their tamer to revive them with the help of the «Pneuma Flower», an item that can be obtained in the 47th Floor's northern dungeon, the «Hill of Memories». However, if the player fails to revive the familiar after three days of its death, the «Heart» will turn into «Remains», prohibiting the player from reviving it.