Charles Rampant
Explorer
The Runesmith suggestion is interesting. What would that look like, in 5e terms?
I agree that a 'Pokemon' or 'Summoner' class where you get a pet that levels up and does 75%+ of the damage output of the character would be fun. I can imagine a lot of interesting subclasses for that, including 'magical artefact', where you have a genie or a sentient flying sword or whatever under your control. Mearls has said that the action economy issues around summoning are a big problem; but one character with a single pet that levels up as they do should work fine. It also gives players the option between PHB Beastmaster (strong character, weak pet), Revised Beastmaster (medium character, medium pet) and Summoner (weak character, strong pet) which should cover most itches.
I agree that a 'Pokemon' or 'Summoner' class where you get a pet that levels up and does 75%+ of the damage output of the character would be fun. I can imagine a lot of interesting subclasses for that, including 'magical artefact', where you have a genie or a sentient flying sword or whatever under your control. Mearls has said that the action economy issues around summoning are a big problem; but one character with a single pet that levels up as they do should work fine. It also gives players the option between PHB Beastmaster (strong character, weak pet), Revised Beastmaster (medium character, medium pet) and Summoner (weak character, strong pet) which should cover most itches.