How does the Class Feature Variant for Beast Master Rangers stack up?

[Citadel97501]

Hello all, I was just wondering how you think the Beast Master Rangers pet stacks up in comparison to the one in the Class Feature Variant from the Unearthed Arcana pdf?

All in all, it looks like its OK early on as it compares with the Battlesmith Artificer well, but the damage begins to fall off noticeably due to a lack of advancement for the pet?

[GoldenDuck]

A lot of people have the misconception that the Ranger Compaion Options in the Class Feature Variants UA replaces the Ranger's Companion feature from the PHB, but this isn't actually the case, the Class Feature Variant is actually just an enhancement of this feature, basically providing two new types of pet that you can chose. This means that you still add your profiency mod to their AC, attack rolls and damage rolls, as well as their save and skill profiencies.

The main benefit of the Class Feature Variant Beastmaster is that the beasts of air and earth both have more hit points and can be commanded to attack and hide as a bonus action, fixing the main problem with the Beastmaster subclass, which is that you have to use your action to make the beast attack. With the Class Feature Variant Beasts, you can make your two attacks and then use a bonus action to make your beast attack which is far superior to having either you or your beast attack on a turn. In addition, when you get to level 11, you can command your pet to make two attacks as a bonus action, meaning that you are essentially getting four attacks per round between you and your beast.

In regards to comparing the Class Feature Variant beasts to the Battlesmith Artificers Steel Defender, I'd say they're about relative in terms of power with the Steel Defender spiking at certain levels but the beasts being more consistent, as they scale with your profiency modifier. At Higher levels, your beast should be outperforming the Steel Defender, with a +6 to its AC, attack and damage rolls, two attacks per turn and being able to share your spells. Just to demonstrate:

Level 20 Beastmaster Ranger w/Beast of Air (Assuming Hunters Mark/Favored Foe)
AC: 19
Shred Attack: +11 to hit, 1d6+9+1d6=Avg 16
w/Beastial Fury (Multiattack): 16x2=Avg 32
Without hunters mark, its still an Average of 25 damage

Level 20 Battlesmith Artificer
AC: 17
Force-Empowered Rend: +8 to hit, 1d8+6=Avg 10
w/Arcane Jolt: 10+4d6=Avg 24

So yeah, when it comes to damage they are pretty close, however, its worth noting that both the Beasts and the Steel Defender can do more than just attack. The Beast of Air has a fly speed and doesn't provoke oppertunity attacks, and the Beast of Earth has a swim and climb speed, and can charge creatures, knocking the target prone. The Steel Defender on the other hand can use its Deflect Attack reaction or can heal itself or its allies with Repair or Arcane Jolt. In summary, the Class Feature Variant Beastmaster Ranger is great and makes the archetype actually playable and viable, making it competative with the Battlesmith Artificer whilst not overshadowing it or making it redundant.