D&D 5E ranger with panther companion as mount

[LabyrinthLord718]

That is a GREAT mental image!

 

[Parmandur]

A paladin green knight would be more effective as described; perhaps a Gnome to synergize the racial beast talking.

 

[Paraxis]

I don't see a problem with an animal companion using a bonus action. The animal is balanced around that, to do otherwise would weaken the animal compared to animals with more reliable max damage.
But I'd still limit the player to one bonus action per turn, either their PC's action or the animal's. I wouldn't allow both.

What is giving the animal companion a bonus action? Since they don't attack with light weapons dual weapon fighting does not apply. A normal panther in the wild doesn't get to make a claw or bite attack as a bonus action I don't see why a companion would be able to.

 

[Jester David]

What is giving the animal companion a bonus action? Since they don't attack with light weapons dual weapon fighting does not apply. A normal panther in the wild doesn't get to make a claw or bite attack as a bonus action I don't see why a companion would be able to.

From reading the OP I assumed there was something allowing a panther to make a bonus action attack.
I didn't want to grab my books to check: I'm at my computer, not in my gaming room, and as WotC hasn't released PDFs, checking the MM means getting up. Which is a bit much for a casual e-conversation. Getting the book would have taken longer than writing that post.

 

[damnbul]

PG 333 MM: Panther has pounce ability, giving it an attack after knocking its opponent prone as a bonus action.

 

[PnPgamer]

PG 333 MM: Panther has pounce ability, giving it an attack after knocking its opponent prone as a bonus action.

Yes indeed this. The stats for panther are also in PG 302 PHB.

 

[TrippyHippy]

Additionally, the beast can make two attacks on command at Level 11.

So, at the Ranger’s command, it could make a pounce (claw) and potentially an extra bite attack, along with another claw attack, while the rider can make another bonus attack, which could be augmented by the Mounted Combatant feat possibly too.

 

[PnPgamer]

I also forgot to mention that the ranger I had in mind used dual wielding, and would get bonus action attack from offhand weapon. Sorry.

 

[TrippyHippy]

Nothing to apologise for - the offhand attack is available to all, it’s just you can’t add any bonuses to it. Two handed fighting allows you to add your bonuses.

Another way of stretching you attack would be to take the Martial Adept feat, choose the Commander’s Strike manoeuvre, then forgo one of your attacks to command your beast to make an extra attack with a d8 bonus! Pretty good for a pounce!

So, if the Ranger has two actions - he could use Commander’s strike to get the Panther to pounce (+d8 claw attack and a Save to avoid falling prone), which could possibly lead on to a bonus attack (bite)….and then command it to attack again (bite or claw). Howzat?!

EDIT: Hmm..not sure about the second command, due to the Commander’s strike giving a reaction to the recipient rather than a bonus action (it’s a bonus action for the Commander’s strike - not for the recipient). You would still be able to use the second attack for the rider’s strike though.

So in all, Commander’s Strike - to get the Panther to pounce (+d8 on the attack roll), possibly followed by a bonus bite attack if the victim is prone, then a final attack from the rider with a possible bonus offhand attack if using Two Weapon fighting. All available at 5th level.

 

[Paraxis]

I also forgot to mention that the ranger I had in mind used dual wielding, and would get bonus action attack from offhand weapon. Sorry.

The ranger is using his action to command the animal companion to attack, he himself never uses the "attack" action even at level 5 when he can make an attack when he commands the animal. Since the ranger isn't using the "attack" action he never triggers the bonus action to attack with the off hand weapon.

An attack is not always an "attack" action, and you don't get a bonus action unless something gives it to you.