Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana: Another New Ranger Variant

*Deleted by user*

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

My main beef with the ranger is the low hit points and poor spell defense of the beast companion of the one subclass. Also that Hunter's Mark is a concentration spell with a melee class that doesn't have Con for a save. I don't think it needs to be replaced, just tweaked so a single fireball doesn't kill the beast. The other ranger subclasses seem fine to me but I haven't played them.

Make sure somebody in the party takes Inspired Leadership then and you're golden. As long as that person can communicate with your animal, anyway. Try to get a giant eagle or something that actually speaks a language so you don't need to cast Speak With Animals.

Apropos of nothing, Warlock 2/Paladin X results in a paladin whose Armor of Agathys spell also coats his steed with frosty armor, doubling the offensive and defensive efficiency of the spell.

 

[Mercule]

I've got a Rogue player who dipped into the Ranger, last level. I'm going to let him try this, and we'll see if it's broken. I think we're both just going to pretend the Spirit Companion doesn't exist.

 

[Zaran]

Make sure somebody in the party takes Inspired Leadership then and you're golden. As long as that person can communicate with your animal, anyway. Try to get a giant eagle or something that actually speaks a language so you don't need to cast Speak With Animals.

Apropos of nothing, Warlock 2/Paladin X results in a paladin whose Armor of Agathys spell also coats his steed with frosty armor, doubling the offensive and defensive efficiency of the spell.

I think the problem is that the beastmaster ranger is made to replace their pets like they were a 6-pack of soda. Most characters in literature have more permanent animal companions and I feel like that should be a part of the class. As a house rule, I apply the Ranger's Prof bonus to all the beasts saves. I think that gives them a better chance to survive . I haven't had an issue with the beast companion sharing the ranger's attacks.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

I think the problem is that the beastmaster ranger is made to replace their pets like they were a 6-pack of soda. Most characters in literature have more permanent animal companions and I feel like that should be a part of the class. As a house rule, I apply the Ranger's Prof bonus to all the beasts saves. I think that gives them a better chance to survive . I haven't had an issue with the beast companion sharing the ranger's attacks.

Excellent point--the Beastmaster is indeed made to use disposable animals, and I think you're right that if you want a permanent companion you should make some changes to the class, like maybe giving the beast increased HP as the ranger increases in levels. Although honestly, if I were DMing, I'd just declare the pet a full NPC henchman and give it a share of XP and the ability to level up.

 

[CapnZapp]

If it did those very things, it would be removed in my game certainly.

Excellent!

Then my suggestion would work as intended - those groups that want and like the ranger to have a sturdy animal companion that works much like any other creature get what they want; those groups that don't like it aren't forced to have it. Everybody's happy!

And WotC can stop trying to achieve the impossible: to give us animal companions that doesn't suck but also doesn't make the ranger suck BUT ALSO doesn't steal any spotlight. OF COURSE a character with a wolf or a panther needs more than his share of spotlight, he's running two characters. That doesn't individually suck.

 

[CapnZapp]

Clearly a work in progress. Meanwhile my party's ranger is a default PHB type and seems to be just fine. Does good damage, has decent hp, versatile skills wise... Plus a few spells. Maybe it's his synergy with the rest of the party, but he has no complaints.

What level is he?

The ranger is okay as a class, but seems to run out of steam compared to other classes at mid- to high level.

Talking about the hunter ranger of course.

 

[ExploderWizard]

It is a full turn.

On a turn you can move and take an action, if something gives you a bonus action you may take a bonus action.

The ambuscade ability limits what Action you can take on the special turn it gives you to Attack or Hide, but you can still move and if something gives you a bonus action you can still gain it.

This has been clarified by Mearls and I have posted the quote and links in this thread.

There is no limit of bonus actions in a round, just on a turn. This ability gives you a turn.

Yes.This is why that feature borks the action economy. I just don't get how WOTC can make such a weak beast master archetype for fear of breaking the action economy, then turn right around and put out something that breaks it worse than letting that animal companion act independently. Truly baffling.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Excellent point--the Beastmaster is indeed made to use disposable animals, and I think you're right that if you want a permanent companion you should make some changes to the class, like maybe giving the beast increased HP as the ranger increases in levels.

They do gain HP as the Ranger levels RAW - HP=4*Ranger level. Between Death saves, and overnight healing they are nearly as sturdy as the party's wizard or sorcerer.

Or are you referring to increasing the per level HP?

By my spreadsheet the old companion lags the spirit companion by only a few HP, but has better AC and attack bonus. (4*level vs. 1/2 Ranger HP).

 

[El Mahdi]

I don't like the 2d6. The Barbarian's raison d'etre, pretty much, is no armor, most hit points.

No, the Barbarian's raison d'etre is Rage. The no-armor aspect is a sign to the World that they are the baddest mother on the battlefield because of their Rage, and don't need armor - and for consistency with the historical Berserkers. The higher hit points are a mechanical consideration to make the class survivable with no armor.

It's the same reason this revamped Ranger get's higher HP also (light armor restriction yet meant to be a significant force in combat), and is appropriate.

Rangers don't Rage. Rage is the Barbarian's unique shtick...

 

[Minigiant]

Excellent!

Then my suggestion would work as intended - those groups that want and like the ranger to have a sturdy animal companion that works much like any other creature get what they want; those groups that don't like it aren't forced to have it. Everybody's happy!

And WotC can stop trying to achieve the impossible: to give us animal companions that doesn't suck but also doesn't make the ranger suck BUT ALSO doesn't steal any spotlight. OF COURSE a character with a wolf or a panther needs more than his share of spotlight, he's running two characters. That doesn't individually suck.

Or they could just. MAKE a new class which doubles the power of the beasylt but trades of combat power on the PC side.

Just like an eldritch knight who takes levels on wizard for more magic, a ranger beastmaster should be able to multiclass to boost beast power.

It is the easiest solution