Starfox
Hero
There is a difference between a mount and being able to carry you over a crevasse. But I suppose they are designed for this not to function - just too distruptive to many scenarios. there is a reason they removed flight.
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Ranger Beast Comparison
- Thread starter Dire Human
- Start date
There is a difference between a mount and being able to carry you over a crevasse. But I suppose they are designed for this not to function - just too distruptive to many scenarios. there is a reason they removed flight.
well, at 12 strength it's normal load would be 120 pounds, Heavy load of 240 and you'd be slowed.
Most adventurers and their gear would pose a problem for the bird to even carry, also, I hope you have a special harness or the method in which a bird carries an object may hurt a little =)
I don't think they intend for any of the beasts to be used for locomotion in any way. But there would be times it was possible I imagine.
Most adventurers and their gear would pose a problem for the bird to even carry, also, I hope you have a special harness or the method in which a bird carries an object may hurt a little =)
I don't think they intend for any of the beasts to be used for locomotion in any way. But there would be times it was possible I imagine.
I like the spider a lot. Aside from flavor (Oh my God, it is a Dark Elf with a giant spider, hide the children!), they do the same d8 damage as all but 2 of the beasts with a decent to hit bonus, have stealth training, and spider climb. The ultimate scout, and DFA with a spider will sure be a memorable moment...
The goblin leader grinned as his troops pinned the group of topdwellers in their trap. He raised his staff to cast his favorite spell, when suddenly a 150 lb spider dropped from the ceiling and bit him in the ass.
Okay, tongue in cheek, but an invisible ally on the ceiling has its uses.
Jay
DFA=Death from above, nach.
The goblin leader grinned as his troops pinned the group of topdwellers in their trap. He raised his staff to cast his favorite spell, when suddenly a 150 lb spider dropped from the ceiling and bit him in the ass.
Okay, tongue in cheek, but an invisible ally on the ceiling has its uses.
Jay
DFA=Death from above, nach.
CapnZapp
Legend
Does the Raptor have the Hover ability? Doesn't it need to make fly-by attacks?
CapnZapp
Legend
More generally, I have a question regarding beast use.
It seems the animal must use your actions. That is, you have one standard and one move action with which you can have both yourself and your animal act.
This seems incredibly strange and very weak to me. I'm assuming your beast's attacks are always going to be much inferior to your own.
Could anyone explain how this is good and balanced? Thanks.
And what's up with the raise dead ritual? You can use it even if you can't use any other rituals? WTF? That's the most video-gamey concession to playability I've ever seen. Would it have been so hard to give the Beast Master Ritual Caster, so he could have followed the game's own rules?! Or simply to make a note "before choosing a Beast Master, make sure your Cleric/Wizard is willing to learn the Raise Dead Beast ritual for your benefit. Unless you learn the ritual yourself, that is."
It seems the animal must use your actions. That is, you have one standard and one move action with which you can have both yourself and your animal act.
This seems incredibly strange and very weak to me. I'm assuming your beast's attacks are always going to be much inferior to your own.
Could anyone explain how this is good and balanced? Thanks.
And what's up with the raise dead ritual? You can use it even if you can't use any other rituals? WTF? That's the most video-gamey concession to playability I've ever seen. Would it have been so hard to give the Beast Master Ritual Caster, so he could have followed the game's own rules?! Or simply to make a note "before choosing a Beast Master, make sure your Cleric/Wizard is willing to learn the Raise Dead Beast ritual for your benefit. Unless you learn the ritual yourself, that is."
lukelightning
First Post
It's all about style. As a goblin your choices are wolf or spider (or maybe lizard); if you chose anything else you must turn in your goblin card. One exception would be taking raptor and "reskinning" it as a giant bat with the same stats.
lukelightning
First Post
It is balanced. Your beast companion is not meant to be an additional character. Think of it more as a special focus, like a wizard's staff or a holy symbol. It's something that can let you do some powers and exploits but isn't there to give you a whole 'nother set of actions; that would make it too powerful. And if you make the beast's standard attacks too good, then your ranger will just be there to pick up the bear's poop and groom the cat while the beast kicks butt.
Sure, a beast's standard attacks are lackluster, but some of the encounter/daily powers are good, and the beast can help you flank, etc. It can also make opportunity attacks at virtually no cost to you (it just used up an immediate reaction).
If you read the rules again, it says that you both can move with the Ranger's move action. Still only one Standard though.
You can 'optimize' your beast's attack by choosing the right beast and having high stats in the right places, and taking advantage of the incredible opportunity to flank.
My issue is that at 20th, 30th level, you will have magic items that boost your damage and utility in a lot of ways, but there are only a handful of items for the companion, and none that have any sort of effect like a magic weapon. So, sure, I think the beast's attacks are not as damaging. But, if you look at the powers, a good number of the powers that require a beast still use your weapon damage, and have cool effects for your companion.
Jay
You can 'optimize' your beast's attack by choosing the right beast and having high stats in the right places, and taking advantage of the incredible opportunity to flank.
My issue is that at 20th, 30th level, you will have magic items that boost your damage and utility in a lot of ways, but there are only a handful of items for the companion, and none that have any sort of effect like a magic weapon. So, sure, I think the beast's attacks are not as damaging. But, if you look at the powers, a good number of the powers that require a beast still use your weapon damage, and have cool effects for your companion.
Jay
