Beastmaster, and "Would it be broken to..." [Archive] - Wizards Community

Beastmaster, and "Would it be broken to..." [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
koiulpoi
06-20-07, 04:46 PM The Beastmaster class, from Complete Adventurer, over 10 levels, gets 4 animal companions, at +3, -3, -6, and -9 of your "effective druid level", for which the beastmaster stacks with, but only for the first one. This means, Ranger 10/Beastmaster 10 will have four companions, at level:
18 (BM 10 + BM 3 + Ranger 5)
7 (BM 7)
4 (BM 4)
1 (DM 1)

Now, it seems to me that these extra animal companions will be next to worthless in combat, and almost next to worthless outside of combat. Now, do you think it would be game-breaking to have the "effective druid level" always stack with beastmater, so that you have 4 companions at:
18 (BM 10 + BM 3 + Ranger 5)
12 (BM 7 + Ranger 5)
9 (BM 4 + Ranger 5)
6 (BM 1 + Ranger 5)

This way the companions are actually "up to snuff" a bit more, and might be better than cannon fodder flanking companions.

Now, my second question is, ignoring that the druid loses spellcasting, would it be broken to go Druid 10/Beastmaster 10, giving
23 (BM 10 + BM 3 + Druid 10)
17 (BM 7 + Druid 10)
14 (BM 4 + Druid 10)
11 (BM 1 + Druid 10)
Which, arguably is still not more powerful than 9th level spells, but might be a viable choice for gestalts.
Amilius
06-21-07, 10:48 AM Bump...
because I would to know as well
:plotting:
koiulpoi
06-27-07, 04:35 PM :bump: for great justice
koiulpoi
06-29-07, 03:03 PM Last bump and then I'm just going to houserule that it's ok.

As it stands, beastmaster needs something more than just extra animals and weaksauce abilities.
BlueFlames
06-29-07, 04:10 PM In a non-gestalt campaign, it seems reasonable to me. Druids certainly give up more than they gain by taking this class, with or without modification. Things balance out a little better for the Ranger, though without some kind of change, the benefit is arguable. Losing a weak casting progression and favored enemies is certainly a blow, and in its original form, the Beastmaster benefits hardly make up for the loss, but three decent/mediocre animal companions seems fair compensation.

I can't speak to gestalt campaigns, as I avoid them like a cocktail of several different strains of plague.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
koiulpoi 06-20-07, 04:46 PM	The Beastmaster class, from Complete Adventurer, over 10 levels, gets 4 animal companions, at +3, -3, -6, and -9 of your "effective druid level", for which the beastmaster stacks with, but only for the first one. This means, Ranger 10/Beastmaster 10 will have four companions, at level: 18 (BM 10 + BM 3 + Ranger 5) 7 (BM 7) 4 (BM 4) 1 (DM 1) Now, it seems to me that these extra animal companions will be next to worthless in combat, and almost next to worthless outside of combat. Now, do you think it would be game-breaking to have the "effective druid level" always stack with beastmater, so that you have 4 companions at: 18 (BM 10 + BM 3 + Ranger 5) 12 (BM 7 + Ranger 5) 9 (BM 4 + Ranger 5) 6 (BM 1 + Ranger 5) This way the companions are actually "up to snuff" a bit more, and might be better than cannon fodder flanking companions. Now, my second question is, ignoring that the druid loses spellcasting, would it be broken to go Druid 10/Beastmaster 10, giving 23 (BM 10 + BM 3 + Druid 10) 17 (BM 7 + Druid 10) 14 (BM 4 + Druid 10) 11 (BM 1 + Druid 10) Which, arguably is still not more powerful than 9th level spells, but might be a viable choice for gestalts.
Amilius 06-21-07, 10:48 AM	Bump... because I would to know as well :plotting:
koiulpoi 06-27-07, 04:35 PM	:bump: for great justice
koiulpoi 06-29-07, 03:03 PM	Last bump and then I'm just going to houserule that it's ok. As it stands, beastmaster needs something more than just extra animals and weaksauce abilities.
BlueFlames 06-29-07, 04:10 PM	In a non-gestalt campaign, it seems reasonable to me. Druids certainly give up more than they gain by taking this class, with or without modification. Things balance out a little better for the Ranger, though without some kind of change, the benefit is arguable. Losing a weak casting progression and favored enemies is certainly a blow, and in its original form, the Beastmaster benefits hardly make up for the loss, but three decent/mediocre animal companions seems fair compensation. I can't speak to gestalt campaigns, as I avoid them like a cocktail of several different strains of plague.