[RPG] Improved Familiar + Valet archetype

archetypefamiliarspathfinder-1e

Deliver Aid (Ex)

[…]

This ability replaces speak with animals of its kind.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/familiar/familiar-archetypes/valet-familiar-archetype

[I]mproved familiars do not gain the ability to speak with other creatures of their kind […].

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/improved-familiar

Can an Improved Familiar take the Valet archetype?

The Valet archetype is not the only one that replaces that ability, so this question applies to more than just that archetype.

Best Answer

The designer did not intend for familiar archetypes to be applied to improved familiars

While I agree that it kind of sucks, Familiar Folio author Mark Seifter confirms as much in this Paizo messageboard thread. He says, in response to another poster, that

Another Poster:
The writer of the book... also confirmed that the improved familiars should be usable with the archetypes.

Seifter:
As the freelancer in question, I can assure that I did not confirm that improved familiars should be usable with the archetypes.

There are, nonetheless, probably ways to get the archetypes on an improved familiar anyway; Pathfinder is pretty vast, after all. But such ways aren't intentional.