Just wondering, I check the FAQ and it doesn't specifically state anything?

So if an ability says any hero within 3, does the familiar count as a hero?

Thanks,

A familiar (such as the summoned stone, or the shadow soul, or skye from the conversion kit) does not ever count as a hero.

However, some familiars (like the Reanimate) are "treated like hero figures." This give them several properties. Firstly, they are figures, which affects how they're treated during movement. It also allows them to be counted as heroes in limited circumstances. This includes:

1) Hero abilites, monster abilities, and attacks. (Horn of Valor, Howl, etc)

2) OL cards (note, NOT plot cards) that target "a hero" (Pit trap, for example.)

Otherwise, they are not considered heroes. This interpretation applies to anything that is "treated as a hero." The only figures that are ALWAYS treated as heroes are the actual party of 2-4 heroes.

For the record, this is in the FAQ, page 3 on the left. It's also in the rulebook.

For some monster abilities, heroes are required to make attribute tests. Familiars treated as figures, not having attributes, automatically fail. However, some abilities (like the Hybrid Sentinel's "Prey on the Weak") have no effect on such figures- the Reanimate's might is not less than 2, it doesn't exist. Same deal with "Explosive Runes-" the Reanimate suffers no damage because there is no way to count shields in excess of a non-existent value.

Famillairs are usually always familiars, and something else. This is usually lsited on their card, or on the card that allows the hero to summon them.

For example, Zaltyre mentionned the summon stone. The summoned stone is "an obstacle", meaning it blocks movement and line of sight for everyone, but the card also says it can be targetted by attacks. This very specifically tells you what can affect it or not.