DM7581
2019-05-25, 10:46 AM
So, I posted this on a FB group and got zero assistance. Wanting to hear some feedback/fixes.
Working on a Ranger (Beast Master) fix. Sorry, but I don't know how to make it all official looking like some of you:
Level 3: choose a beast your size or smaller, 1/4 CR or lower, and with the same movement type as you (if you have multiple, pick one). Add your proficiency bonus to the beast's AC, attack rolls, damage rolls, save DCs, as well as any saves and skills it is proficient in. Your beast uses its own HD or its HD is equal to half of your Ranger level, whichever is higher. The beast follows the rules of a Controlled Mount (even if not mounted), but gains the Attack, Help, and Hide actions, as well as any additional actions listed in its stat block. Your bond with the beast is such that it receives the same benefit that you do for the following class features: Favored Enemy (though it does not learn any languages), Natural Explorer, Land's Stride, Hide in Plain Sight, Vanish, Feral Senses, and Foe Slayer, when you gain these abilities.
NOTES: so no mount right off the bat, and no flight at level 3 either. Save DCs get a bonus, however, and HD/HP calculations are less static, though not far off from before (see a 55-95 range at level 20). The biggest change is the actions in combat and class features (more for fluff, or to mirror the Ranger than anything).
Level 7: you may now choose a beast up to one size category larger than you, up to 1/2 CR, and with any movement type. Alternatively, your existing beast can increase in size (and CR) as it grows more feral. Lastly, your beast's attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks and damage.
NOTES: now you get a bigger beast that you can mount. And possibly fly/climb/burrow with. Seems level-appropriate.
Level 11: you may now choose a beast of up to Large in size, up to CR 1 (or your existing beast can increase in size and CR). When the beast takes the Attack action, the beast can now make 2 attacks. When you cast a spell targeting yourself, you can also affect your beast companion with the spell if the beast is within 30 feet of you.
NOTES: kind of level off at Large size, but extra offense and you get to share spells a little earlier (but not as early as a Paladin and his mount).
Level 15: you may now choose a beast of up to Huge in size, up to CR 2 (or your existing beast can assume his final form in size and CR). Your beast gains proficiency in all Saving Throws as well as resistance to non-magical attacks and damage.
NOTES: beast capstone. An optional size increase and some defense. At this point, without some protection, the beast would otherwise be a severe liability, so now it seems more tanky.
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Please pick apart and give some feedback. Clearly this is meant to be a sizeable improvement, without going so far as the powerhouse that is the UA Revised Ranger. The beast should be a powerful add-on, even making the duo stronger than most others in combat. Of course, it is also a liability, so without the beast, the Ranger is just basically a watered down Fighter.
The DM and players might need to come up with some beast scaling (dog-wolf-dire wolf-mega wolf) but that is easy enough to do by re-skinning similar beasts. This limits the mounted approach (or at least delays it to level 7) so that the Ranger does not default to a mounted build, but now makes the beast more viable in combat by not having to share actions and giving him some more defense, especially at later levels where it counts the most.
Working on a Ranger (Beast Master) fix. Sorry, but I don't know how to make it all official looking like some of you:
Level 3: choose a beast your size or smaller, 1/4 CR or lower, and with the same movement type as you (if you have multiple, pick one). Add your proficiency bonus to the beast's AC, attack rolls, damage rolls, save DCs, as well as any saves and skills it is proficient in. Your beast uses its own HD or its HD is equal to half of your Ranger level, whichever is higher. The beast follows the rules of a Controlled Mount (even if not mounted), but gains the Attack, Help, and Hide actions, as well as any additional actions listed in its stat block. Your bond with the beast is such that it receives the same benefit that you do for the following class features: Favored Enemy (though it does not learn any languages), Natural Explorer, Land's Stride, Hide in Plain Sight, Vanish, Feral Senses, and Foe Slayer, when you gain these abilities.
NOTES: so no mount right off the bat, and no flight at level 3 either. Save DCs get a bonus, however, and HD/HP calculations are less static, though not far off from before (see a 55-95 range at level 20). The biggest change is the actions in combat and class features (more for fluff, or to mirror the Ranger than anything).
Level 7: you may now choose a beast up to one size category larger than you, up to 1/2 CR, and with any movement type. Alternatively, your existing beast can increase in size (and CR) as it grows more feral. Lastly, your beast's attacks count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks and damage.
NOTES: now you get a bigger beast that you can mount. And possibly fly/climb/burrow with. Seems level-appropriate.
Level 11: you may now choose a beast of up to Large in size, up to CR 1 (or your existing beast can increase in size and CR). When the beast takes the Attack action, the beast can now make 2 attacks. When you cast a spell targeting yourself, you can also affect your beast companion with the spell if the beast is within 30 feet of you.
NOTES: kind of level off at Large size, but extra offense and you get to share spells a little earlier (but not as early as a Paladin and his mount).
Level 15: you may now choose a beast of up to Huge in size, up to CR 2 (or your existing beast can assume his final form in size and CR). Your beast gains proficiency in all Saving Throws as well as resistance to non-magical attacks and damage.
NOTES: beast capstone. An optional size increase and some defense. At this point, without some protection, the beast would otherwise be a severe liability, so now it seems more tanky.
--
Please pick apart and give some feedback. Clearly this is meant to be a sizeable improvement, without going so far as the powerhouse that is the UA Revised Ranger. The beast should be a powerful add-on, even making the duo stronger than most others in combat. Of course, it is also a liability, so without the beast, the Ranger is just basically a watered down Fighter.
The DM and players might need to come up with some beast scaling (dog-wolf-dire wolf-mega wolf) but that is easy enough to do by re-skinning similar beasts. This limits the mounted approach (or at least delays it to level 7) so that the Ranger does not default to a mounted build, but now makes the beast more viable in combat by not having to share actions and giving him some more defense, especially at later levels where it counts the most.