NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Asisreo" data-source="post: 8123374" data-attributes="member: 7019027">Why do you not update the Beastmaster in these comparisons? The beastmaster is just as eligible for the same feats as your non-beastmaster Ranger. If the beastmaster also takes Dual-Wielding, the total damage they do also increases. Its now 2d8+8=17+14.5=31.5 so the Wolf Spider Ranger outdamages that Ranger again. Actually, the Wolf Spider isn't even that close to the most damaging Beast. In fact, it has less AC and significantly less to-hit than the most powerful damaging option. I'd consider it "middle-of-the-pack" in terms of damage. The strongest companion is the Giant Poisonous Snake, which, quite frankly, does more damage than even a fighter or barbarian unless they use feats or cast serious buff spells. At level 5, we're talking a best-case scenario of doing 19 damage with a +9 to-hit alone. With a 10ft reach. That's a total of 34 damage every round at level 5 for the Beastmaster Ranger. Worst-case (they succeed both saves), this is still 29 damage. The Wolf Spider really just pails, yet they're still better than non-beastmaster in terms of damage. The Wolf Spider does poison damage, which bypass that specific resistance. But also, at 7th level, the companion's attacks are magical so that's wrong. Its in the Errata so you may have missed it if you have the OG PHB like I do. The steep cost is...8 hours? I've seen spellcasters take longer in an adventure. Good thing that's not the only thing the subclass offers. Not everything is about damage, despite the previous topic. Sometimes imposing disadvantage on your enemy can be worth more than the damage outright since its basically an immediate effect. Damage doesn't do anything until the enemy's HP is 0. Bringing it closer to that number might save a round or be inconsequential depending on the actual tactic. Its best to use common sense when using your beast. Doesn't change the point that someone must first play an optimal beastmaster before they can say they're good or bad in-play.</blockquote>

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