D&D 5E Druid with Animal Companion - how to build?

[bedir than]

I may have finally convinced my wife to try D&D. The mini I picked out is from the Wardling line at WizKids, because I knew that she'd want a companion (plus I guess it's just the two of us for a few more weeks). Thing is I think she's more of a Druid than a Ranger.

How would you build a 5e Druid with an Animal Companion via?

My current thoughts are;

• D&D Essentials/UA sidekick style
• Take Magic Initiate/Ritual Caster and call it a familiar
• Ranger 3/Druid X

Any other close to RAW paths?

 

[Ashrym]

The UA with alternate features uses wildshape to power a summon.

News Archive | Dungeons and Dragons

Read the full archives of Dungeons & Dragons news, Sage Advice, Unearthed Arcana, and D&D Studio Blogs.

dnd.wizards.com

That might work for her. Give it a name and resummon the same animal every time.

Alternatively, make a lore bard and take find steed and conjure animals with secrets at 6th, and focus on druid shared spells in the meantime.

 

[FrogReaver]

Do it as a companion / sidekick.

 

[bedir than]

The UA with alternate features uses wildshape to power a summon.

News Archive | Dungeons and Dragons

Read the full archives of Dungeons & Dragons news, Sage Advice, Unearthed Arcana, and D&D Studio Blogs.

dnd.wizards.com

That might work for her. Give it a name and resummon the same animal every time.

Alternatively, make a lore bard and take find steed and conjure animals with secrets at 6th, and focus on druid shared spells in the meantime.

Oh! I forgot about that one

 

[Weiley31]

Either UA Sidekick rules, Revised Ranger Beast Master animal mechanic, UA Class Variant feature's Primal Beast, or Battle Smith's Might of The Master feature for upgradable Animal Companions.

 

[jgsugden]

I have a first level spell in my games. It allows druids, rangers and nature clerics to gain an animal companion that follows their verbal commands, but is an NPC. They can cast it at higher levels to get stronger animal allies, and the animal advances in ability with the PC. It is not broken, and it allows a lot of fun.

 

[Perun]

If it's just the two of you (i.e. one player and a DM) I'd just stat the companion as a character (with modifications here and there, to better fit the animal), and let it advance in levels as any other PC. With just one character, you don't have to worry too much about the balance, and having another PC-like character could help with the adventures.

I don't know what animal companion you had in mind, but I figure champion and/or thieves might be a decent fit for a number of animals.

This is just a thought, I haven't really looked at the rules to see how viable it could be.

 

[Li Shenron]

I may have finally convinced my wife to try D&D. The mini I picked out is from the Wardling line at WizKids, because I knew that she'd want a companion (plus I guess it's just the two of us for a few more weeks). Thing is I think she's more of a Druid than a Ranger.

How would you build a 5e Druid with an Animal Companion via?

My current thoughts are;

• D&D Essentials/UA sidekick style
• Take Magic Initiate/Ritual Caster and call it a familiar
• Ranger 3/Druid X

Any other close to RAW paths?

• if she wants it for the story (and minor functions but not combat), buy a puppy pet and train it
• if she wants it to fight along, make it an animal NPC

I like the option of Call Familiar, which opens up some spellcasting tricks, if she's ok with the heavier magic bent. I am instead not fond of sidekicks rules (just use the animal or NPC as is) and I'd certainly avoid multiclassing gimmicks.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I may have finally convinced my wife to try D&D. The mini I picked out is from the Wardling line at WizKids, because I knew that she'd want a companion (plus I guess it's just the two of us for a few more weeks). Thing is I think she's more of a Druid than a Ranger.

How would you build a 5e Druid with an Animal Companion via?

My current thoughts are;

• D&D Essentials/UA sidekick style
• Take Magic Initiate/Ritual Caster and call it a familiar
• Ranger 3/Druid X

Any other close to RAW paths?

I've used a slightly modified sidekick as a companion for a ranger. It works fine. If the other players want parity you can just let them have sidekicks as well.

Progression after level 2 is as an unmodified warrior sidekick.

 

[Weiley31]

Grey Wolf Hexblade sounds like a perfectly fine animal companion. Make it wield its pact weapon like Great Wolf Sif.