Beastmaster Ranger up

[Klaus]

Only one animal companion? When I think of a beastmaster, I think of the classic movie - The Beastmaster. He had two ferrets, a tiger, and a hawk (or eagle or something). Minor cosmetic changes were made in later movies, such as making the tiger a lion. But I digress.

I hope they have a paragon path in there that represents this archetype. I know, I know, it's all about the Balance. Still, there's something to be said about archetypes.

Heathen!

Two Ferrets, an Eagle and a black Tiger. Later movies changed the eagle to a Bald Eagle and the Black Tiger to a regular one.

And the first movie rocks. Very Dark Sun-esque.

I hope Martial Power offers a multiclass option for other classes to get beast companions.

 

[Dragonhelm]

To me, that's more a point of roleplaying than mechanics, but is there a mechanical way which you can see that the "friend" aspect might influence the game?

You're right, it's a matter of semantics. As for the friend aspect in-game...I could see, for example, an empathic connection. A pet wouldn't have that, but an animal companion that you're bonded to would. Therefore, you could direct your beast-friend on the battlefield, or have him do some separate action.

 

[Simplicity]

Hmmm... Check the area of effects...

There's:

Melee beast 1. (I'm assuming this is the beast's attack area?)
Melee weapon (beast 1) (Does this mean BOTH in your area and the beast's area?)

 

[Scribble]

You're right, it's a matter of semantics. As for the friend aspect in-game...I could see, for example, an empathic connection. A pet wouldn't have that, but an animal companion that you're bonded to would. Therefore, you could direct your beast-friend on the battlefield, or have him do some separate action.

Why would it being a freind allow you to be empathically linked to it, and it being a pet wouldn't?

 

[Ktulu]

But is there a mechanical way which you can see that the "friend" aspect might influence the game?

A little Bow-Chika-wow-wow for healing, maybe?

 

[Howndawg]

My only beef with the beastmaster build is:

No ape.

I'm also curious as to what other classes might get companion builds.
-Animals for druids and possibly barbarians.
-Familiars for wizards.
-Mounts for paladins.
-Spirits for shamans.
-Golems for divine controllers.

 

[ppaladin123]

My only beef with the beastmaster build is:

No ape.

I'm also curious as to what other classes might get companion builds.
-Animals for druids and possibly barbarians.
-Familiars for wizards.
-Mounts for paladins.
-Spirits for shamans.
-Golems for divine controllers.

I am confident that arcane power will have familiars for wizards and/or sorcerers and that divine power will have a "mounted warrior" build for paladins.

 

[fba827]

Hmmm... Check the area of effects...

There's:

Melee beast 1. (I'm assuming this is the beast's attack area?)
Melee weapon (beast 1) (Does this mean BOTH in your area and the beast's area?)

I noticed that too, and wondered the same thing myself. But then I can to the same interpretation that you did. A little less than a month away from release so I guess we'll know soon enough

 

[Dragonhelm]

Why would it being a freind allow you to be empathically linked to it, and it being a pet wouldn't?

Point taken.

Congrats on getting married, btw.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

My only beef with the beastmaster build is:

No ape.

But... but... Ape is no beef!

Spoiler

I heard it tastes like chicken