D&D 5E (2014) Improved Animal Companion Feat

[RhaezDaevan]

Just an idea to improve the companion you already have, or get a better one.

Improved Animal Companion

Prerequisite: Beastmaster Ranger

Your training with beasts is unmatched. You gain the following benefits:

• Beasts of CR 1/4 or lower chosen as an animal companion have HP equal to 6 x ranger level.
• Your animal companion can be a beast up to CR 1/2 and can be up to size large.
• If your animal companion rolls a 1 on any attack roll, ability check, skill roll or saving throw, they may roll again but must take the new value.
• During a short or long rest, you may spend your own hit dice to heal your animal companion.

Thoughts? Comments? Too weak? Too Strong?

 

[doctorhook]

Not being super familiar with the Ranger, the features look reasonable to me. My concern is that it's restricted to only a specific type subclass where (IIRC) no other feats are even restricted to a single class. Considering the fact that it improves the beastmaster's main feature, this feat looks a lot like a feat tax (i.e.: if you're playing a beastmaster, you either take this feat or suck).

 

[RhaezDaevan]

Not being super familiar with the Ranger, the features look reasonable to me. My concern is that it's restricted to only a specific type subclass where (IIRC) no other feats are even restricted to a single class. Considering the fact that it improves the beastmaster's main feature, this feat looks a lot like a feat tax (i.e.: if you're playing a beastmaster, you either take this feat or suck).

Good points. I could see it being altered a bit to also benefit familiars as well, since they also could use some HP / healing love. I can't think of a way to avoid it being a feat tax. Any ideas?

This idea started with my realization that a swamp ranger couldn't have a crocodile as a companion. Maybe it should just be a house-rule that ups the CR max at a higher ranger level and avoid a feat entirely?

 

[Chriscdoa]

Good points. I could see it being altered a bit to also benefit familiars as well, since they also could use some HP / healing love. I can't think of a way to avoid it being a feat tax. Any ideas?

This idea started with my realization that a swamp ranger couldn't have a crocodile as a companion. Maybe it should just be a house-rule that ups the CR max at a higher ranger level and avoid a feat entirely?

i think this is better. the CR restriction is silly. it should go up at certain levels. to 1 or 2...
i don't think a level 15 PC with a CR 2 animal is too op is it?

i would also house rule if the animal is attacked it defends itself unless told NOT to by an action.

 

[RhaezDaevan]

i think this is better. the CR restriction is silly. it should go up at certain levels. to 1 or 2...
i don't think a level 15 PC with a CR 2 animal is too op is it?

i would also house rule if the animal is attacked it defends itself unless told NOT to by an action.

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I think a house-rule works best. I like your ideas. It could start at up to CR 1/4, then move to 1/2 at say 7th level, then at around 12th it'd go to CR 1 max, then finally at around 16 it'd be max CR 2.

Now, I don't think upping the CR to 2 at the high levels is overpowered compared to other classes, but I wonder if then the Hunter would need a small boost or if it's good as is.

 

[Chriscdoa]

i'd like the hunter to be able to switch powers. maybe not at will, but per rest maybe.

it would be annoying to know you are facing a horde and have a giant killer power and vice versa...

not op, but more versatile.

 

[TwoSix]

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I think a house-rule works best. I like your ideas. It could start at up to CR 1/4, then move to 1/2 at say 7th level, then at around 12th it'd go to CR 1 max, then finally at around 16 it'd be max CR 2.

Now, I don't think upping the CR to 2 at the high levels is overpowered compared to other classes, but I wonder if then the Hunter would need a small boost or if it's good as is.

Just remember that the hunter pet is adding your proficiency bonus to attacks, damage, saves, and skill checks and AC, and has hit points of 4 x ranger level. It's not that weak at higher levels.

I mean, a level 13 panther ranger pet has 52 hp, a bite at +9 for 1d6+7, and a claw at +9 at 1d4+7. It has an AC of 17, and a Stealth Score of +11.

Compare to the Saber Tooth tiger, a CR 2. Also 52 hp, a 12 AC, a bite at +6 for 1d10+5, and a claw at +6 for 2d6+5. The pet is much tougher than the CR2, and has more accurate attacks at the cost of a little damage.

The thing with the ranger pet is that it isn't an independent entity. It's not an extra character, really. It's more of a cuddly magic weapon with hit points.

Now, I do think a little boost to get Large pets for the sake of variety would be nice, maybe up to CR 1/2 or 1 at higher levels. Anything past that could cause a problem, I think.