Adumbration
2009-04-19, 11:01 AM
The goal of this build is to fulfill the role of the Beastmaster, and hopefully not suck too much, unlike the prestige class. I've here outlined only the necessary steps for gaining three loyal companions to aid you during your adventures - the rest is up to you, and I'm fairly certain that someone will kindly find and provide even better way.
The Beastmaster, as such, is not about you. You are merely the mastermind behind the beasts, the elusive trickster that guides, aids and directs the pack. Now you ask, what class fits the bill? A druid, or perhaps a ranger? No.
The true key to Beastmastery lies behind one of the arcane classes. The Bard. Specifically, it's variant, the bard with nature connections. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#bard) This variant is the first step: you gain an animal companion, as per the Druid. If you wish an even more naturalistic bard, combine this with the Savage Bard (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#bardVariantSavageBard) for different spell list.
The next step is simple, and, I admit, perhaps the most dubious one, due to the fact that the source is a web enhancement.. Even without this, you'll have 2 fairly reliable companions, but you lack the critical mass required for a pack. Have you guessed it yet? That's right, it's the Wild Cohort. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a) This gains you a second animal companion, albeit slightly weaker than the druidic - and now bardic - version. Take this feat at 1st level, preferably. This way you will start the game with two equally powerful animal companions.
The third and final step is the reason why you're using a Bard, instead of a Druid or a Ranger. Arcane caster levels. Pick up the feat Obtain Familiar at 3rd level, and Improved Familiar later, as you reach the necessary levels. My personal favorite is to pick 2 wolves as your animal companions, and later take Worg or Winter wolf as your familiar.
The easiest way from this onward is to keep taking pure Bard. This will advance both your animal companion and your improved familiar, and so keeps your trusted companions fairly competent.
The Beastmaster, as such, is not about you. You are merely the mastermind behind the beasts, the elusive trickster that guides, aids and directs the pack. Now you ask, what class fits the bill? A druid, or perhaps a ranger? No.
The true key to Beastmastery lies behind one of the arcane classes. The Bard. Specifically, it's variant, the bard with nature connections. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#bard) This variant is the first step: you gain an animal companion, as per the Druid. If you wish an even more naturalistic bard, combine this with the Savage Bard (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#bardVariantSavageBard) for different spell list.
The next step is simple, and, I admit, perhaps the most dubious one, due to the fact that the source is a web enhancement.. Even without this, you'll have 2 fairly reliable companions, but you lack the critical mass required for a pack. Have you guessed it yet? That's right, it's the Wild Cohort. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a) This gains you a second animal companion, albeit slightly weaker than the druidic - and now bardic - version. Take this feat at 1st level, preferably. This way you will start the game with two equally powerful animal companions.
The third and final step is the reason why you're using a Bard, instead of a Druid or a Ranger. Arcane caster levels. Pick up the feat Obtain Familiar at 3rd level, and Improved Familiar later, as you reach the necessary levels. My personal favorite is to pick 2 wolves as your animal companions, and later take Worg or Winter wolf as your familiar.
The easiest way from this onward is to keep taking pure Bard. This will advance both your animal companion and your improved familiar, and so keeps your trusted companions fairly competent.