D&D 5E Multi-Classing UA Ranger Beastmaster: Question on Hit Dice

[Giant2005]

That ruling seriously deters one from staying pure Ranger. After level 5, they get virtually nothing at all that they wouldn't get while still getting the full bonuses of another class - a level 5 Ranger/15 anything would effectively be a level 20 ranger/15 whatever.
Not only would the Ranger be certainly better off by ditching the class as soon as he hits 5, but every other class in the game would be foolish to not be taking 3-5 Ranger levels if they can afford the class requirements. It makes a few Ranger levels too powerful to be optional anymore and that just isn't the spirit of the game.

 

[Cyber-Dave]

While I think Giant2005's claim is a little hyperbolic (there are some very nice class abilities after level 5), I agree with his general sentiment. For balance sake, I really hope it is class level and not character level...

 

[WarpedAcorn]

While I think Giant2005's claim is a little hyperbolic (there are some very nice class abilities after level 5), I agree with his general sentiment. For balance sake, I really hope it is class level and not character level...

I agree to an extent, but at the same time that would make the Beastmaster a trap pick for a Class Specialization for a multi-class character. Similarly, I agree that a Ranger-Beastmaster 20 should have a stronger Animal than a Ranger (Beastmaster) 15 / Rogue (Assassin) 5. That is why I was thinking that a nice compromise is to use 1/2 of the Non-Ranger levels to determine HD.

Regardless, total character level will determine the Proficiency Bonus which is used for it To-Hit, Damage Bonus, and Saving Throws. So its going to have that going for it.

 

[Giant2005]

I agree to an extent, but at the same time that would make the Beastmaster a trap pick for a Class Specialization for a multi-class character.

It isn't really.5 levels would get you an extra 2 attacks per round regardless of your class, regardless of what you are doing (attacking, casting spells etc). The damage and attack roll bonuses do scale RAW, so the damage will remain competitive. That is pretty huge and the only way to get extra attacks that actually stack with all character builds. Even if it does die mid battle, those attacks in the meantime will amount to a lot more than virtually 5 levels of anything else would have, and considering you can still take Mounted Combatant to keep it alive like we have been doing this entire time with the canon Ranger, it dying is a pretty big "if".

 

[WarpedAcorn]

It isn't really.5 levels would get you an extra 2 attacks per round regardless of your class, regardless of what you are doing (attacking, casting spells etc). The damage and attack roll bonuses do scale RAW, so the damage will remain competitive. That is pretty huge and the only way to get extra attacks that actually stack with all character builds. Even if it does die mid battle, those attacks in the meantime will amount to a lot more than virtually 5 levels of anything else would have, and considering you can still take Mounted Combatant to keep it alive like we have been doing this entire time with the canon Ranger, it dying is a pretty big "if".

It is true that you are getting extra attacks, but there are other ways to "enhance" your attack rolls by dipping into other classes such as going Rogue for Sneak Attack, Warlock for Hex, or even Ranger-Hunter for Colossus Slayer. The Animal's attack boils down to a 1d8 + X. This is better than the Hunter's Colossus Slayer (maybe on par with a Rogue's Sneak attack), but if we are talking about a Fighter 5 / Ranger 3, then we are attaching that 1d8+X to a 11HP Animal that will probably be dropping the first time its targeted. And since the Animals attack in melee, there is no way to keep the Animal safe.

My primary concern, should this arise, is dealing with the hassle of a player constantly having to revive his pet after every combat encounter due to inappropriately low HP (when considering a multiclass). Now, in the above example of a Fighter 5 / Ranger 15, the Animal would be fine after a few levels. But it doesn't seem much fun to have a player choose Beastmaster and then have their Class Feature be put on hold until the Animal can actually join the Ranger in combat without dieing from a sideways glance.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Like someone else posted, it has been specifically said by Jeremy Crawford that none of the UA classes are balanced yet for multi-classing. They are meant to be single class playtest material and when the final version comes out, some things will be changed and others will be powered down so that the it does not become overpowered when used to multi-class.