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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    RangerGuy

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    Nov 2010

    Default alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    the general concensus is that beastmaster sucks, which is a shame as I would love to play a character with a usable pet.

    is there any other ways to have a useful combat companion? I have this really unique idea of a dual wielding drow with panther companion (jk). I have tried beastmaster ranger and just feel so far behind the curve it isn't fun. and have to RP grieving for my pet and finding a new one every time an enemy combatant throws it so much as a sideways glance.
    Last edited by Camman1984; 2018-01-08 at 09:21 AM.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Ettin in the Playground
     
    nickl_2000's Avatar

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    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Quote Originally Posted by Camman1984 View Post
    the general concensus is that beastmaster sucks, which is a shame as I would love to play a character with a usable pet.

    is there any other ways to have a useful combat companion? I have this really unique idea of a dual wielding drone with panther companion (jk). I have tried beastmaster ranger and just feel so far behind the curve it isn't fun. and have to RP grieving for my pet and finding a new one every time an enemy combatant throws it so much as a sideways glance.
    Are you allowed the UA Revised Ranger Beastmaster? That one is very different, and looks WAY more fun.
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  3. - Top - End - #3
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    Grod_The_Giant's Avatar

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    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Find Steed is probably your best bet for official published material.
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  4. - Top - End - #4
    Ettin in the Playground
    Join Date
    Sep 2014

    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Do you have a friend willing to play a moon druid? Or, do you have a friend willing to play a beast PC and a DM willing to allow that and support it with items like Insignia of the Claw? This thread needs more context.
    Breaking BM: Revised - an updated look at the beast-mounted halfling ranger based on the Revised Ranger: Beast Conclave.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Ogre in the Playground
     
    GnomeWizardGuy

    Join Date
    May 2015

    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Quote Originally Posted by Camman1984 View Post
    the general concensus is that beastmaster sucks, which is a shame as I would love to play a character with a usable pet.

    is there any other ways to have a useful combat companion? I have this really unique idea of a dual wielding drow with panther companion (jk). I have tried beastmaster ranger and just feel so far behind the curve it isn't fun. and have to RP grieving for my pet and finding a new one every time an enemy combatant throws it so much as a sideways glance.
    The general consensus is wrong. Beastmaster does not suck and Beastmaster is not behind the curve.
    Beastmaster simply feels wonky because of strange mechanics.
    The revised version fixed that problem, in addition to adding some power. If you can use the Revised Ranger Beastmaster, you'll be just fine.

    If DM's Guild stuff is allowed, there's a Druid subclass (which was featured by Wizards) called Circle of the Beast, that feels very similar, and is mostly what the Revised Beastmaster's beast was altered to function like. WotC took that DM's Guild Druid beast subclass and used it as inspiration for the Revised Ranger's beast subclass. After the Revised Ranger was released, Circle of the Beast then added an option to use those rules outright with the subclass.
    Last edited by DivisibleByZero; 2018-01-08 at 12:13 PM.
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  6. - Top - End - #6
    Bugbear in the Playground
     
    NecromancerGuy

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    Jul 2016

    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Simple solution, play a 5th level Druid, cast conjure animals.
    Last edited by Garfunion; 2018-01-08 at 12:04 PM.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Dwarf in the Playground
     
    RangerGuy

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    Nov 2010

    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    the revised ranger does look good, might give that a try if my dm allows

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Orc in the Playground
     
    Kobold

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    Oct 2017

    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Lore bard, use magical secrets to get find steed and find greater steed faster than Paladin. They also can share spells for some terrifying synergy. Heck, throw in 3 levels of warlock or one of wizard for a familiar on top.

    If your party can snag a ring of spell storing, you can set up everyone with over the top mounts and familiars as well.

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Ettin in the Playground
    Join Date
    Sep 2014

    Default Re: alternate ways to be a beastmaster

    Quote Originally Posted by Camman1984 View Post
    the revised ranger does look good, might give that a try if my dm allows
    Revised Ranger with Beast Conclave has a lot going for it. There's a build in my signature that uses it. Regarding Drizzle, I thought it was funny that, because revised BM doesn't get extra attack, TWF is actually the best style for them.

    Wolf is overall the best companion in my estimation due to free save-or-prone and flanking advantage. If the wolf attacks just before you do, or between your attacks with its reaction at level 5, there's a good chance it can provide advantage on your attacks as well. And there's no size limit to what the wolf can knock down by RAW.

    Anyway, just my two cents. I've seen revised ranger in a campaign and it's overall balanced, potentially very good if you fight Favored Enemies a lot and your DM lets you and your beast share advantage instead of going separately.
    Breaking BM: Revised - an updated look at the beast-mounted halfling ranger based on the Revised Ranger: Beast Conclave.

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