D&D 5E Beasts of the Earth

[TheCosmicKid]

How are armor proficiencies taught? What about weapon proficiencies? If an elf wizard spends 300 years studying how to use a great sword without taking a level of fighter or the weapon training feat, will he simply fail?

Such study would constitute taking a level of fighter or a weapon training feat. If the player doesn't take one of those options, they're saying the wizard was actually doing something else with his time. Or, possibly, that he failed.

 

[Charlaquin]

So, does one describe the natural state of that "special type of magical beast?"

A CR 1/4 or lower beast. To quote the Unearthed Arcana article it’s from:

“When a primal beast is met apart from a Beast Master, the creature takes the form a regular beast of challenge rating 1/4 or lower, as determined by the DM.

What does it look like?

The player decides. To quote the UA:

“When choosing such a creature, you decide whether it is a Beast of the Air or the Earth, and *you determine its appearance.”

Where can one be found?

In the wilds (presumably in the natural habitat of the CR1/4 monster the DM determines it is). To quote the UA:

“A special type of beast awaits a Beast Master in the wilds, a creature whose lineage stretches back to the beginnings of the world: a primal beast known as a Beast of the Air or a Beast of the Earth.”

How does it naturally behave?

Unclear, except for the fact that it craves the companionship of a Ranger. To quote the UA:

“Such a creature seeks out the type of companionship that a Beast Master offers, ready for the two of them to battle the imbalances in the natural world.”

Is it a mimic that can only change form when not bound by a ranger?

Well, it’s not a mimic, that’s a different kind of monster entirely. But, it might be able to chant form when not bound by a ranger, if the stories are to be believed. To quote the UA:

“Stories describe primal beasts that mystically change form to align with the spirit of their companion.”

So a BotE pretending to be a pony can also give an enemy the finger?

Well, no, ponies don’t have fingers. It could probably give the hoof. Maybe could if it changes form to a best that does have fingers.

I'm not sure those things are "cosmetic." Giving an enemy the finger can have real, in-game effects. If a character with red hair who walks into a town full of red-head hating ruffians, is having red hair merely cosmetic? Moreover, if a PC is infected by poisonous lice, the ability to remove them effectively is not cosmetic at all, but is instead a life-saving ability.

Thart’d all be down to DM discretion.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

[/QUOTE]

It would have the same effect of a player character imitating the roar of a lion, no more, no less.

So a lion's roar is no scarier than its gnomish master's?

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

No, produce flame cannot start a fire - it is a specific benefit of fire bolt (which does not cast any light).

OK. And what about the barbarian?

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Such study would constitute taking a level of fighter or a weapon training feat. If the player doesn't take one of those options, they're saying the wizard was actually doing something else with his time. Or, possibly, that he failed.

But the elf gained no XP and therefore could not have gained a level or taken a feat.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Is an ape not capable of using a club or mail? I could see the ape being incapable of donning said armor without assistance, however. I think the ape might be capable of learning to use it properly.

Then you don't know much about real life apes. If you tried putting a real life ape into armour it would have hysterics, and probably use a club - which it can certainly use without being proficient - to smash your head in.

Note that the ape stat block significantly understates how much stronger a chimpanzee is than a human.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

There are rules for learning weapon and armor proficiencies - it generally requires 300 hours training and an amout of cash.

Only languages and tools, actually. Skills, weapons, and armor are conspicuously absent from those rules -- notwithstanding that the illustration in XGtE depicts a wizard trying to shoot a bow.

IMC, I allow downtime training in everything. But that's not what's in the book.

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

Then you don't know much about real life apes. If you tried putting a real life ape into armour it would have hysterics, and probably use a club - which it can certainly use without being proficient - to smash your head in.

Note that the ape stat block significantly understates how much stronger a chimpanzee is than a human.

That's all true, but none of those apes were trained by a ranger and did not share a magical bond with their masters.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Such study would constitute taking a level of fighter or a weapon training feat. If the player doesn't take one of those options, they're saying the wizard was actually doing something else with his time. Or, possibly, that he failed.

No, it's in the down-time rules. You can learn proficiencies in specific weapons and armour just as you can learn languages and tools. It just requires time and gold, not xp.

 

[TheCosmicKid]

No, it's in the down-time rules. You can learn proficiencies in specific weapons and armour just as you can learn languages and tools. It just requires time and gold, not xp.

Look again.