How to make a beekeeper druid

[Talakeal]

I was working on a druid character for Pathfinder who has a bee theme. I was goi g to use a giant wasp (refluffed as a swarm of bees) as an animal companion and summoning various forms of vermin (also refluffed as bees).

We decided to switch the game from Pathfinder to 5e and I am wondering if this is still a viable character concept.

I am not very familiar with 5e, especially the druids thereon, but it looks to me like they no longer get an animal companion at all and there summon spells are a lot more limited and much higher level. Is this the case or am I missing something?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Ninja_Prawn]

I am not very familiar with 5e, especially the druids thereon, but it looks to me like they no longer get an animal companion at all and there summon spells are a lot more limited and much higher level. Is this the case or am I missing something?

That's the short of it. I've seen homebrew Druidic Circles with animal companions, so you could look at that. And 'swarm of bees' is a perfectly legal (if suboptimal) wildshape when you get to level 8, so that's still good.

[kladams707]

If you aren't set on druid, you could be a beast master archery ranger. I don't know if you can get a giant wasp, but refluff whatever animal companion as such for your swarm. Reflavor those archery spells as you commanding your swarm.

[Falcon X]

Here's a link to Middle Finger of Vecna's Vermin Lord druidic circle. It's not by the book, but might give you some ideas.
http://www.middlefingerofvecna.com/2016/02/vermin-lord.html

[JeffreyGator]

I would look at May DM Review (http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/may-dungeon-masters-guild-review)

There is a circle of the beast alternate in there that might work for you.

[busterswd]

If you don't have your heart set on Druid, Animate Objects with Tiny targets sounds perfect. Maybe talk with your DM and see if you can homebrew downscaled versions of it.

[AmbientRaven]

Here is one I made. it is being used by a player of mine, and I have been recieving feed back form 8-10 other people currently playing it. It isn't as optimal as a Moon Druid, but it is fun and the players are enjoying it so far

http://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/VJIn9oUse

Edit: the way the companion works includes a common beast master pet fix (Bonus action to command to attack) so clear it with DM, but recommend adding that to the Beastmaster Ranger as well.