I wonder if the below is what the designers were shooting for? It seems that the ranger companion doesn't really match the released version of the various summon / conjure creature spells. Perhaps the companion was slated for an update that it did not get? Anyway, thoughts?
Ranger Companion
At 3rd level, you gain a beast companion that accompanies you on your adventures and is trained to fight alongside you. Choose a beast that is no larger than Medium and that has a Challenge Rating of 1/4 or lower. Add your Proficiency Bonus to the beast's, Armor Class, Attack Rolls, Damage Rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills it is proficient in. If it has a special attack with a stated DC save, you also add your Proficiency Bonus to the save DC. Its hit point maximum equals its normal maximum hit points (no roll; max hit points) plus four times your Ranger level.
The beast obeys your commands. It rolls its own Initiative and acts as you direct. On your turn, you can verbally command the beast where to move (no action required by you). You can use one of your attacks to verbally select a target for the beast. After selecting the target, the beast acts normally using the Attack, Full Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action (as you direct). Once a target is selected, you do not use your attack action to direct the best unless you wish to change its target.
If you do not give the beast a target, it is assumed to default to defense for you. While defending, the beast does not attack foes you melee. Instead, the beast threatens the target, which gives you and your companions advantage against the target.
While traveling through your favored terrain with only the beast, you can move stealthily at normal pace. In addition, the beast's ability to be watchful results in you having the effects of the Alertness feat (again, only if it is just you and your companion).
If the beast is slain, you can obtain another one by spending 8 hours magically bonding with another beast that is not hostile to you, either the same type of beast as before or a different one.
Exceptional Beast
Beginning at 7th level, the beast's attacks are considered magical for the purpose of attacking foes with resistance. The beast's resilience also increases. The beast can spend an action to completely heal itself. Once used, this healing cannot be used again until the beast finishes a short or long rest. Also, any attack that would kill the beast instead reduces the best to 0 hit points and stuns it for one round.
Bestial Furry
Starting at 11th level, the beast gains a bonus attack when using the attack action. It also gains a bonus to damage for each of its attacks equal to 1/3rd your Range level (round down).
Share Spells
Beginning at 15th level, when you cast a spell targeting yourself, you can also affect your beast companion if the best is within 100 feet of you.
Ranger Companion
At 3rd level, you gain a beast companion that accompanies you on your adventures and is trained to fight alongside you. Choose a beast that is no larger than Medium and that has a Challenge Rating of 1/4 or lower. Add your Proficiency Bonus to the beast's, Armor Class, Attack Rolls, Damage Rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills it is proficient in. If it has a special attack with a stated DC save, you also add your Proficiency Bonus to the save DC. Its hit point maximum equals its normal maximum hit points (no roll; max hit points) plus four times your Ranger level.
The beast obeys your commands. It rolls its own Initiative and acts as you direct. On your turn, you can verbally command the beast where to move (no action required by you). You can use one of your attacks to verbally select a target for the beast. After selecting the target, the beast acts normally using the Attack, Full Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action (as you direct). Once a target is selected, you do not use your attack action to direct the best unless you wish to change its target.
If you do not give the beast a target, it is assumed to default to defense for you. While defending, the beast does not attack foes you melee. Instead, the beast threatens the target, which gives you and your companions advantage against the target.
While traveling through your favored terrain with only the beast, you can move stealthily at normal pace. In addition, the beast's ability to be watchful results in you having the effects of the Alertness feat (again, only if it is just you and your companion).
If the beast is slain, you can obtain another one by spending 8 hours magically bonding with another beast that is not hostile to you, either the same type of beast as before or a different one.
Exceptional Beast
Beginning at 7th level, the beast's attacks are considered magical for the purpose of attacking foes with resistance. The beast's resilience also increases. The beast can spend an action to completely heal itself. Once used, this healing cannot be used again until the beast finishes a short or long rest. Also, any attack that would kill the beast instead reduces the best to 0 hit points and stuns it for one round.
Bestial Furry
Starting at 11th level, the beast gains a bonus attack when using the attack action. It also gains a bonus to damage for each of its attacks equal to 1/3rd your Range level (round down).
Share Spells
Beginning at 15th level, when you cast a spell targeting yourself, you can also affect your beast companion if the best is within 100 feet of you.
