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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Chaosmancer" data-source="post: 7478398" data-attributes="member: 6801228">The problem with fixing it via spells is that those spells still take actions and spell slots, and from a balance perspective it becomes odd to create a "fix" for a class that requires the expenditure of resources on a regular basis. As for the beasts, I think the revised still comes out ahead for me, because we are talking about a larger portion of the Statblock. Regular Hawk - HP 1 (1d4-1), AC 13, Talons +5, 1 dmg, Perception +4STR 5 (-3)  DEX 16 (+3)  CON 8 (-1) INT 2 (-4) WIS 14 (+2) CHA 6 (-2)PHB: 20 Level Ranger Hawk Companion - HP 80 (1d4-1), AC 19, Talons +11, 7 dmg, Perception +10STR 5 (-3)  DEX 16 (+3)  CON 8 (-1) INT 2 (-4) WIS 14 (+2) CHA 6 (-2)Revised: 20 Level Ranger Hawk Companion - HP 36 (18d4+0) AC 21 Talons +11 7 dmg, Perception +10, Stealth +11, Sleight of Hand +11, All Saves +6STR 5 (-3)  DEX 20 (+5)  CON 10 (+0) INT 2 (-4) WIS 18 (+4) CHA 6 (-2)So, in this example, the hp math does not favor the Hawk. Low con and low HD, that hurt your HP. However, since the hawk can use their HD per the rules of the PHB ranger, they can recover far better on a short rest. AC and saves are far higher, and the revised Hawk can hide and steal things from enemies via the new skills I gave it. It isn't great in a fight, but 7 damage is pitiful no matter how you cut it. Regular Giant Wolf Spider - HP 12 (2d8+2), AC 13, Bite +3, 1d6+1 dmg (DC 11 vs poison), Perception +3, Stealth +7STR 12 (+1) DEX 16 (+3) CON 13 (+1) INT 3 (-4) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 4(-3)PHB 20th Level Ranger Gian Wolf Spider - HP 80 (2d8+2), AC 19, Bite +9, 1d6+7 (DC 17 vs poison) dmg, Perception +9, Stealth +13STR 12 (+1) DEX 16 (+3) CON 13 (+1) INT 3 (-4) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 4(-3)Revised 20th Level Ranger Gian Wolf Spider - HP 152 (19d8+57), AC 20, Bite +9, 1d6+9 (DC 19 vs poison) dmg, Perception +7, Stealth +16, Athletics +9, Intimidation +3/+9, +6 to all savesSTR 16 (+3) DEX 18 (+4) CON 16 (+3) INT 4 (-3) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 4(-3)This one shows the disparity quite a bit more, and also may I just say, some of the assumptions and math behind these monsters are odd to me. For example, I did not expect spider's to use strength as their primary attack attribute, and figuring out that they have expertise in stealth was a fun little nugget. But here is a monster that is tougher, smarter, faster, and stronger than not only standard versions, but even the beast masters pet. Now, I could see the argument that adding 150 extra hp to the party pool is highly significant, but their damage is still crap, and a DM could easily adjust the game math to account for it.  I guess in the end, maybe I just find the Revised Ranger process more interesting too. Picking new skills and adjusting their base stats gives a feel of growth that simply multiplying and adding numbers doesn't provide. And it allows the ranger to craft more of a story for their pet. It isn't just a hawk, it is a hawk that can hide and steal. It isn't just a spider, it is a spider that grapples and scares. That tiny bit of extra depth makes a big difference in making them seem like far more than their associated species.</blockquote>

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