[RPG] Can a familiar use a vial of acid

dnd-5eequipmentfamiliars

Can a familiar use a vial of acid or similar items? I'm wondering if they're able to since I am making a warlock with proficiency in Alchemist’s Supplies.

Best Answer

Only if you have a feature that permits the familiar to make an attack.

The description of a vial of acid says:

As an action, you can splash the contents of this vial onto a creature within 5 feet of you or throw the vial up to 20 feet, shattering it on impact. In either case, make a ranged attack against a creature or object, treating the acid as an improvised weapon.

So using a vial of acid involves making an attack.

However, the description of the find familiar spell states:

A familiar can't attack, but it can take other actions as normal.

But you said you were a warlock, which most likely means you are a Pact of the Chain warlock (since you have a familiar), and so you have this feature:

Additionally, when you take the Attack action, you can forgo one of your own attacks to allow your familiar to make one attack with its reaction.

Which would allow your familiar to throw the vial of acid using its reaction.

Otherwise, if you are not a Pact of the Chain warlock, and you acquired find familiar through other means (such as via the Magic Initiate feat), your familiar cannot attack and you have no features that allow it to do so.