D&D 5E (2024) Ranger Pet Spell

[Merlecory]

(Snip)
Adventure role is my top choice. A spell that summons a Small dog-like statbock, Small bird-like statblock, Medium wolf-like statblock, and Large horse-like stat.

Like Summon Beast but the Combat form has more HP and Damage and is Medium, the Scout form has Flight, Darkvision, and is Small, and the Mount form has high AC and is Large.

I had started drafting out a spell for that purpose, let me know what you think
Hunting Hound (1st level)
Ranger
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: 10 ft
Duration: 1 Hour
You summon a faithful hunting hound to help you track a creature, smell, or subject of your Hunter’s Mark. Alternatively, the hound can be sent to hunt for small prey in the area. animal. The summoner knows the direction and approximate distance to the hound. The hound will not attack their mark unless given the telepathic order, or if they are attacked first.
The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger.

Spoiler: Hunting Hound

Hunting Hound (Creature)
Beast
AC: 13
HP: 11
Speed: 50 ft.
STR: 12(+1) DEX: 15(+2) CON: 12(+1) INT: 3(-4) WIS: 14(+2) CHA: 6(-2)
Skills: Stealth +4, Survival +6, Perception +4
Keen Hearing and Smell: The hound has advantage on all checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Actions
Bite: +4, 2d4+2 Piercing

This does not have the costly material component of Summon Beast, but I think it is fine for a 1st level ranger only spell. Get creative with this, put a message onto it and have it chase down an ally who left something with a smell on you!

 

[doctorbadwolf]

So

Level 2: Ranger Critical
Your attack rolls with weapons and Unarmed Strikes can score a Critical Hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20. If those attack rolls are against one of your Favored Enemies, you score a Critical Hit on a roll of 18, 19, or 20 on the d20.

Level 13: Improved Ranger Critical
Your attack rolls with weapons and Unarmed Strikes can score a Critical Hit on a roll of 18, 19, or 20 on the d20. If those attack rolls are against one of your Favored Enemies, you score a Critical Hit on a roll of 17, 18, 19, or 20 on the d20.

That could work

 

[Minigiant]

I had started drafting out a spell for that purpose, let me know what you think
Hunting Hound (1st level)
Ranger
Casting Time: 1 Action
Range: 10 ft
Duration: 1 Hour
You summon a faithful hunting hound to help you track a creature, smell, or subject of your Hunter’s Mark. Alternatively, the hound can be sent to hunt for small prey in the area. animal. The summoner knows the direction and approximate distance to the hound. The hound will not attack their mark unless given the telepathic order, or if they are attacked first.
The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger.

Spoiler: Hunting Hound

Hunting Hound (Creature)
Beast
AC: 13
HP: 11
Speed: 50 ft.
STR: 12(+1) DEX: 15(+2) CON: 12(+1) INT: 3(-4) WIS: 14(+2) CHA: 6(-2)
Skills: Stealth +4, Survival +6, Perception +4
Keen Hearing and Smell: The hound has advantage on all checks that rely on hearing or smell.
Actions
Bite: +4, 2d4+2 Piercing

This does not have the costly material component of Summon Beast, but I think it is fine for a 1st level ranger only spell. Get creative with this, put a message onto it and have it chase down an ally who left something with a smell on you!

Nice one.

I have a rough draft of a similar spell that summons a hound, horse, or falcon (eagle) which is primarily is exploration but lets you sacrifice an attack to make 1 Beast attack per spell level.