Most amount of followers/animals/etc possible?

[Argyle King]

Browsing the PHB, I've started to become curious concerning how many creatures and followers one character could have control over.

The Noble background seems like an obvious choice due to the three retainers.

At a glance, Bard (Lore College) seems to be the best option. You could learn Find Steed from the Paladin spell list and Find Familiar from the wizard list.

After that, Beastmaster Ranger would grant an animal companion.

Is there a faster or more efficient way of collecting creatures and followers?


Bard 6/Ranger 3 w/ Noble background is what I have from a quick glance at the PHB.

 

[Harrumphreys]

My Ranger has enjoyed using his Bag of Tricks to produce three woodland creatures a day. Eight additional beasts can join in for a battle thanks to Conjure Animals, also.

I have just started playing a Vampire (reskinned as something else) from the MTG Zendikar UA, and unlimited Zombie companions are an option.

 

[Yunru]

You want the Knight variant of the Noble background, that way you get a retainer that will follow you into dangerous areas, unlike the other two.