Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RangerReek Mar 23, 2015 20:12:25	So after scouring the forums for clarification on beast masters, and months of playing one with total frustration, my DM and I decided to revise some things that seemed off about the beastmaster. First we assessed the squishy animals. My animal is a panther and doesn't get a hp boost until 7 level. It goes from 24 to 28. Starting at level three when you select the archetype your Animal gets 6 x level or it's max whichever is greater. Second, we addressed the me or it attack problem. By following the TWF rules using your bonus action you can command your Animal to attack. When the ranger gets the extra attack feature your extra attack goes to the beast instead. At 5th level you attack once, your Animal attacks twice ( or using your bonus action for something other than attack it gains one), we will address the level 11 features when we get there. And lastly, how to heal out of combat. When you take a short rest and expend hit dice to heal you choose either yourself or your Animal to receive the healing. That's it in a nutshell, any suggestions would be welcome. Trying it tomorrow for the first time.
#2 mellored Mar 23, 2015 20:47:30	i add revivify beast as a level 2 spell. (no component cost) and scale the beasts hit dice. and give the beast his own readtion/OA. i havn't noticed any damage issue. it's awkward, but not lacking.
#3 RangerReek Mar 25, 2015 7:12:08	Thanks for the suggestion! We went having a huge problem with the attack and damage output, just mainly how every time there was combat if my companion survives the fight how to heal them if I don't have potions, spell slots, or a cleric available to me. Played last night and the mechanics so far have not changed anything dramatically.
#4 QwertyAzerty Mar 25, 2015 7:27:33	Personally I would allow the beast companion to be "independant" just like the find steed of the paladin is. He obey your free action command and attack the best he can the designated target(s) using his own action, reaction, bonus action. So yes a Ranger under level 5 would have his own attack, plus the companion multiple attack (if applicable) then at level 5 the the ranger get 2 attacks and the beast companion get his multiple attack (if applicable) if the ranger want to use his bonus action to cast a spell to improve his arrows, he can do so without any penalty tot the beast companion (exactly like the palaidn can do the same thing with his find steed. The difference is the ranger took a full specialization for this bonus, while the palaidn spended a 2nd level spell)   At my table, our ranger is getting mad at my wizard who is able to command his find familiar as a free action to give himself advantage on an attack roll, while the ranger who specialized in beastmaster need to spend his own bonus action to gain the SAME bonus.
#5 mellored Mar 25, 2015 8:37:53	RangerReek wrote: