I have frustrating memories of one particular conjurer that wanted an owl, but got the Faerie Dragon 3 times, rerolling twice in the process.

After the third faerie dragon, I gave up on caring about my familiar and found he was actually marginally useful in certain situations. He didn't meet the role I made up or play style I had decided for this character, however, so I always felt crippled compared to other conjurers. I adapted, and survived with around 200 hours on this char, but I would never do another conjurer again because of it.

For some things, randomness works well... shifters for instance, since they are decently balanced. For something as crucial as a major class power (familiars), I'd like to see less randomness, or atleast some parity among what the familiars can do.