what's a familiar that is worth using say I was fighting tzhaar stuff, what's the first that would actually speed up killing?

I really started to notice a difference when I started to use the 3 elemental titans and now with a geyser there's a large jump.

 

It varies depending on who you ask, some people start to see a difference earlier and some later. The earliest I've heard people talking about is the obsidan golem and karamthulu (73 & 58 summoning, respectively). Of course, the phoenix came out when I was already a much higher summon level than is required, so for all I know the phoenix might be quite strong for it's level (wouldn't be surprised, either).

yeah that is what i was thinking, i used a spirit cobra and a barker toad and they are [cabbage] compared to karam. overlord. so probably level 73 i'd be worth waiting for.

Overlord and smoke devil (magic based so hits more commonly on some monsters), then once you hit 72 phoenix. With the phoenix make sure your not sending it too soon as it takes damage easily.

From 72 up you have more useful ones; 73 Obby golem, 74 granite lobster, 76 forge regent then the quite dam good ele titans.

Above 80 they start really coming into there own, but your a long way off.