Thank you everyone for all the great advice and responses I truly appreciate it and I’m extremely interested in starting D&D!
Which books did you order?
At the moment I have the Players handbook, dungeon master guide, and monster manual all arriving tomorrow. I also have Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, volo's guide to monsters, mordenkainen's tome of foes, and Xanathar's guide to everything on order from my local book store. I believe that covers all of the books that were mentioned in the thread, but im not sure if there any others worth snagging and reading through. I plan to read each of the books cover to cover to try and absorb as much as I can before my first game. I have gotten a lot of good ideas from this thread and truly appreciate everyone's help :D
For the sword and bow question, you're going to have to pick one to be your primary form of offense and one to be your backup. If you choose to dual wield primarily, take the Dial Wielder feat and the Two-Weapon Fighting Style. For archery, you want the eponymous fighting style and...still probably Dual Wielder. Though you'd be a more effective Archer with Sharpshooter.
At any rate, pump your Dexterity since it's your attacking stat for bows and crossbows, as well as light and finesse weapons (shortawords and rapiers.) These will be your main arsenal.
I believe that, if you want to wield a rapier and a hand crossbow, you can take Crossbow Expert. You make an attack with your rapier, which let's you make a bonus action attack with your hand crossbow (without disadvantage for melee.) Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.
In practice, as a Beast Master, you'll want to attack at melee once, use your other attack to command your pet, and then shoot your hand crossbow as a BA. If you're a Gloomstalker, Summon Beast doesn't use your actions, so you have some more flexibility at the cost of power and utility.
For the sword and bow question, you're going to have to pick one to be your primary form of offense and one to be your backup. If you choose to dual wield primarily, take the Dial Wielder feat and the Two-Weapon Fighting Style. For archery, you want the eponymous fighting style and...still probably Dual Wielder. Though you'd be a more effective Archer with Sharpshooter.
At any rate, pump your Dexterity since it's your attacking stat for bows and crossbows, as well as light and finesse weapons (shortawords and rapiers.) These will be your main arsenal.
I believe that, if you want to wield a rapier and a hand crossbow, you can take Crossbow Expert. You make an attack with your rapier, which let's you make a bonus action attack with your hand crossbow (without disadvantage for melee.) Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.
In practice, as a Beast Master, you'll want to attack at melee once, use your other attack to command your pet, and then shoot your hand crossbow as a BA. If you're a Gloomstalker, Summon Beast doesn't use your actions, so you have some more flexibility at the cost of power and utility.
You can't seamlessly dual wield a rapier and a hand crossbow without help, since you need to reload the hand crossbow with an empty hand, per ammunition. You can drop the rapier, shoot, and pick the rapier back up using only your free 1/turn Use an Object action, similarly to how Soulknives are forced to operate by their subclass rules - this trick won't work with a hand crossbow and shield, though. It's also potentially possible a minion of yours, such as a beast companion, can reload your hand crossbow for you, but that gets pretty far into DM fiat territory in terms of which companions can do it and what the mechanics are.
I was talking about an actual Black Panther. I had built my backstory with hints of a bond with panthers. I had a few questions though.
1. Are there no real ways for the panther to be stealthy besides hiding behind a physical object?
2. From what I read on one of the other comments, he said that the Gloomwalker could flawlessly change between bows and dual wielding without issue, but can you still summon a beast using this class? Just trying to get as close to what I had listed originally or does it have to be one or the other?
3. How would I actually go about building this class through the levels? I’ve read as much as I could find online atm and I bought 4-5 of the handbooks so far....don’t remember which ones, they’ll be here tomorrow. I’m guessing the books will explain it, but how do I go about using multiple books to build a character? Is it seamless between the books or are there special rules?
Panthers have +6 to stealth and your companion will add your proficiency bonus to that, so panthers are reasonably stealthy. What I'm saying is that your panther won't have access to your wood elf ability to essentially hide behind things like twilight. That's not fixable per se, but your panther is compatible with many magic items you may be able to find which may be able to help address this. For example, barring DM fiat otherwise, a cloak of elvenkind can be strapped to your panther just fine, which makes your panther harder to see in exactly the same way dim light does. I don't know of a magic item offhand that allows for hide in plain sight, though. You can also cast Pass Without Trace, which also makes your panther stealthier but doesn't provide any ability to hide while observed. There are a variety of options like this you can look into, none of which will give you exactly what you want but many of which may do a good enough job. Other spells to look at include Fog Cloud and Enhance Ability.
Gloomstalkers, like all Rangers, do have to pick a fighting style, as well as feats, so "without issue" is a slight stretch, but it's true they can do both, as most any Ranger can. All Rangers, including Gloomstalkers, get access to the Summon Beast spell at level 5, provided your DM is playing with TCOE (see below). Gloomstalker is particularly popular in combination with Assassin rogues due to some particular synergy there (they both have strong openers that synergistically stack), but you don't need to feel attached to Gloomstalker if you're going this route.
It's mostly seamless unless your DM has banned specific sources, which is common and typical. The rulebooks you've seen referenced here are the Player's Handbook (PHB), Xanathar's Guide to Everything (XGTE), and Tasha's Cauldron of Everything (TCOE). You need the PHB for the basic ranger rules, TCOE for both some optional changes to Ranger you'll have to ask your DM for permission to take, the same for optional changes to PHB Beast Masters, and a couple new Ranger subclasses. You need Xanathar's for other subclasses, including Gloomstalker. Regardless, you build your character using the PHB rules as potentially modified by the TCOE rules, and when it comes time to pick a subclass, you pick from any of the three sourcebooks.
so what would be the advantages and disadvantages of each build?
1. Beast Master with Archery main and duel wield backup. Panther Companion using Cloak of Elvenkind. Using the spell Pass without trace. - I feel like this is a more normal version of a WoW hunter with an item/spell to increase stealth of self and companion?
2. Beast Master with duel wield main and archery backup. Panther Companion with Cloak of Elvenkind and Pass Without Trace. - More of a rogue with a companion feel I think?
3. Gloomstalker with archery main and duel wield backup. Summon Beast spell (less stealthy). Using Pass Without Trace. - Stealthier PC but more noticeable pet/companion spirit thing?
4. Gloomstalker with Duel Wield main and archery backup. Summon Beast spell and Pass without Trace. - Stealthy Assassin with a Summon Beast for distraction?
And I could always use the Feats from earlier the Shadow Touched and Fey Touched for extra bonuses. Although i am not sure what the benefits of either of those are. Although the Fey Touched kind of rolls with my backstory so maybe ill read up more on that and go with that as a Feat.
I may have interpreted all the info I have gotten incorrectly but those are the ideas I have gotten through the thread...... I think? lmao
I do lean more towards archery and support, but im not sure if companions are useful or usable while the PC is at a long distance. Or if they are actually useful as a type of rear guard to defend the Ranger while hes supporting the party from a distance? I know you can get some sort of spell to share their vision or senses or something and i assumed allowing the Panther to climb above the ranger, you could use the panthers sight to hit targets more accurately?
I apologize for all the questions, my brain is just going in a million directions and I have never played a game that allows this much freedom before so I may just be trying to cram too much into a single character
if your DM allows it, maybe you could have found a spell scroll of summon beast, and choose panther.
then make your class a gloom stalker ranger.
The spell only lasts an hour.
If the summon beast spell only lasts for an hour I think I would rather avoid the Gloomstalker and build a Beast Master and use the Items and spells that were listed in the thread to increase my stealth capabilities for my companion
so what would be the advantages and disadvantages of each build?
1. Beast Master with Archery main and duel wield backup. Panther Companion using Cloak of Elvenkind. Using the spell Pass without trace. - I feel like this is a more normal version of a WoW hunter with an item/spell to increase stealth of self and companion?
Personally, my first priority item for your panther companion would be goggles of night. Regardless, you can't reliably assume you have access to any magic items unless your own special items provide them, which yours won't. Instead, that's a whole talk with your DM. In order to sneak attack, you'll need to do at least one of credibly hide (you'll want Rogue 2 for this, so you can hide as a bonus action) or attack a target within 5 feet of an ally, such as your panther. The disadvantage here is order of operations: if your panther successfully pounces a target, which is unlikely at DC 12 on the save, a prone target will give you disadvantage to hit them, so you want to shoot before the pounce (you can shoot after your panther moves and before it pounces, if you like).
2. Beast Master with duel wield main and archery backup. Panther Companion with Cloak of Elvenkind and Pass Without Trace. - More of a rogue with a companion feel I think?
The premier disadvantage here compared to 1 is simply needing to be near the enemy. The advantage is that you're near the enemy, so you can tie them up in melee, and perhaps critically, now when your panther knocks an enemy prone with Pounce, which again, is unlikely to happen, you get advantage on the attack, which is tremendously good, especially if you have the Elven Accuracy feat. Other than that, see 1.
3. Gloomstalker with archery main and duel wield backup. Summon Beast spell (less stealthy). Using Pass Without Trace. - Stealthier PC but more noticeable pet/companion spirit thing?
The pet only lasts an hour and you don't get the spell until level 5. When you summon the pet, the vast majority of DMs will not let you use the Stealth rules to be quieter, so for most DMs, everyone nearby will just hear you. Your ability to murder targets at night will be essentially unparalleled - some things can credibly fight you, like dragons or devils, but most can't. You yourself will be so stealthy at night there'll usually be no reason for most opponents to even touch a die, it's just that your pet won't be very sneaky.
4. Gloomstalker with Duel Wield main and archery backup. Summon Beast spell and Pass without Trace. - Stealthy Assassin with a Summon Beast for distraction?
Gloomstalkers really want to get the jump on the enemy, even moreso if you literally take the Assassin subclass for Rogue. This is much, much harder to do in melee than at range.
I may have interpreted all the info I have gotten incorrectly but those are the ideas I have gotten through the thread...... I think? lmao
Two things to emphasize:
There are two Beast Master options: the PHB kind, with a literal panther, and the TCOE kind, with a Primal Companion with a panther's body shape. You'll understand this better when you look at TCOE.
You do not have to be a Gloomstalker to use Summon Beast. I encourage you to look over all the subclasses in the books you have coming in, then come back and ask about any that strike your fancy. Gloomstalkers, as you'll see, are absolute terrors in the dark and their opening round is incredibly hard for a target to live through, but they're not the only option.
Beast Sense is the spell you're thinking about. It's a good 2nd-level spells which, thanks to Tasha's Primal Awareness variant feature, you get for free and can use once a day without expending a spell slot.
Sending your pet to the front lines while you stay back and provide ranged support is actually a really solid strategy that a lot of Beast Masters use. Granted, most of those Beast Masters take a flying pet with flyby that can hit-and-run.
Keep in mind that the PHB's Ranger Companion's Achilles Heel is it's low HP. So you need to make sure your panther stays safe from big hits, else it'll go down fast. Tasha's Primal Companion fixes this somewhat by giving the Beast of the Land a bit more HP and the ability to come back to life for the cost of a spell slot. If you can successfully knock the target prone, they'll have disadvantage on OA's against your panther, letting it get out of a scrape much more reliably.
Another alternative is to send your beast to the front as a dodge tank/decoy while you snipe from afar.
This all stops being an issue once you hit 15th-level and get access to the Share Spells feature of the Beast Master, since you can cast Zephyr Strike or the UA Flame Stride to become immune to OA's along with your pet. But that won't be for a while.
so what would be the advantages and disadvantages of each build?
1. Beast Master with Archery main and duel wield backup. Panther Companion using Cloak of Elvenkind. Using the spell Pass without trace. - I feel like this is a more normal version of a WoW hunter with an item/spell to increase stealth of self and companion?
Personally, my first priority item for your panther companion would be goggles of night. Regardless, you can't reliably assume you have access to any magic items unless your own special items provide them, which yours won't. Instead, that's a whole talk with your DM. In order to sneak attack, you'll need to do at least one of credibly hide (you'll want Rogue 2 for this, so you can hide as a bonus action) or attack a target within 5 feet of an ally, such as your panther. The disadvantage here is order of operations: if your panther successfully pounces a target, which is unlikely at DC 12 on the save, a prone target will give you disadvantage to hit them, so you want to shoot before the pounce (you can shoot after your panther moves and before it pounces, if you like).
2. Beast Master with duel wield main and archery backup. Panther Companion with Cloak of Elvenkind and Pass Without Trace. - More of a rogue with a companion feel I think?
The premier disadvantage here compared to 1 is simply needing to be near the enemy. The advantage is that you're near the enemy, so you can tie them up in melee, and perhaps critically, now when your panther knocks an enemy prone with Pounce, which again, is unlikely to happen, you get advantage on the attack, which is tremendously good, especially if you have the Elven Accuracy feat. Other than that, see 1.
3. Gloomstalker with archery main and duel wield backup. Summon Beast spell (less stealthy). Using Pass Without Trace. - Stealthier PC but more noticeable pet/companion spirit thing?
The pet only lasts an hour and you don't get the spell until level 5. When you summon the pet, the vast majority of DMs will not let you use the Stealth rules to be quieter, so for most DMs, everyone nearby will just hear you. Your ability to murder targets at night will be essentially unparalleled - some things can credibly fight you, like dragons or devils, but most can't. You yourself will be so stealthy at night there'll usually be no reason for most opponents to even touch a die, it's just that your pet won't be very sneaky.
4. Gloomstalker with Duel Wield main and archery backup. Summon Beast spell and Pass without Trace. - Stealthy Assassin with a Summon Beast for distraction?
Gloomstalkers really want to get the jump on the enemy, even moreso if you literally take the Assassin subclass for Rogue. This is much, much harder to do in melee than at range.
I may have interpreted all the info I have gotten incorrectly but those are the ideas I have gotten through the thread...... I think? lmao
Two things to emphasize:
There are two Beast Master options: the PHB kind, with a literal panther, and the TCOE kind, with a Primal Companion with a panther's body shape. You'll understand this better when you look at TCOE.
You do not have to be a Gloomstalker to use Summon Beast. I encourage you to look over all the subclasses in the books you have coming in, then come back and ask about any that strike your fancy. Gloomstalkers, as you'll see, are absolute terrors in the dark and their opening round is incredibly hard for a target to live through, but they're not the only option.
Thank you again for all the amazing info!
I will read them all over the next few days and come back and ask more directed questions when I have a better idea of what I have an interest in. But everything you gave me was extremely helpful and informative.
I hope you enjoy your night! Stay safe and stay healthy! :D
Beast Sense is the spell you're thinking about. It's a good 2nd-level spells which, thanks to Tasha's Primal Awareness variant feature, you get for free and can use once a day without expending a spell slot.
Sending your pet to the front lines while you stay back and provide ranged support is actually a really solid strategy that a lot of Beast Masters use. Granted, most of those Beast Masters take a flying pet with flyby that can hit-and-run.
Keep in mind that the PHB's Ranger Companion's Achilles Heel is it's low HP. So you need to make sure your panther stays safe from big hits, else it'll go down fast. Tasha's Primal Companion fixes this somewhat by giving the Beast of the Land a bit more HP and the ability to come back to life for the cost of a spell slot. If you can successfully knock the target prone, they'll have disadvantage on OA's against your panther, letting it get out of a scrape much more reliably.
Another alternative is to send your beast to the front as a dodge tank/decoy while you snipe from afar.
This all stops being an issue once you hit 15th-level and get access to the Share Spells feature of the Beast Master, since you can cast Zephyr Strike or the UA Flame Stride to become immune to OA's along with your pet. But that won't be for a while.
I am not sure what an OA or a UA are lol. But can I also use the Panther mainly for the senses and as a rear guard to keep with me even while at a distance? Or would using it as a guard to stay with me be a waste of a companion? I am sure that may depend more on how the campaign or adventure is going as to if it would be beneficial or not but i am not 100% sure
You can definitely keep it with you to protect you from attack. It'll also keep it safe in most combats. I'd say it really depends on the type of encounter you find yourself in at the moment. That being said, not using it in combat really is not letting the pet live up to its full potential. Another good way to use your pet is to post him up opposite an ally and grant them a flanking bonus. The pet will automatically dodge --making them a less attractive target-- but just by standing opposite your friend, they'd be granting your friend advantage on their attack rolls. Keep in mind flanking is an optional rule and isn't necessarily observed at all tables.
You can definitely keep it with you to protect you from attack. It'll also keep it safe in most combats. I'd say it really depends on the type of encounter you find yourself in at the moment. That being said, not using it in combat really is not letting the pet live up to its full potential. Another good way to use your pet is to post him up opposite an ally and grant them a flanking bonus. The pet will automatically dodge --making them a less attractive target-- but just by standing opposite your friend, they'd be granting your friend advantage on their attack rolls. Keep in mind flanking is an optional rule and isn't necessarily observed at all tables.
Awesome, thank you! I'll keep all this in mind while I am reading over all the books over the next few days and jotting down more ideas with more specific details.
You can definitely keep it with you to protect you from attack. It'll also keep it safe in most combats. I'd say it really depends on the type of encounter you find yourself in at the moment. That being said, not using it in combat really is not letting the pet live up to its full potential. Another good way to use your pet is to post him up opposite an ally and grant them a flanking bonus. The pet will automatically dodge --making them a less attractive target-- but just by standing opposite your friend, they'd be granting your friend advantage on their attack rolls. Keep in mind flanking is an optional rule and isn't necessarily observed at all tables.
Awesome, thank you! I'll keep all this in mind while I am reading over all the books over the next few days and jotting down more ideas with more specific details.
Stay safe and stay healthy! :D
Word of warning, this is incorrect. PHB Beast Master companions don't dodge by default. TCOE Beast Master primal companions do.
You can definitely keep it with you to protect you from attack. It'll also keep it safe in most combats. I'd say it really depends on the type of encounter you find yourself in at the moment. That being said, not using it in combat really is not letting the pet live up to its full potential. Another good way to use your pet is to post him up opposite an ally and grant them a flanking bonus. The pet will automatically dodge --making them a less attractive target-- but just by standing opposite your friend, they'd be granting your friend advantage on their attack rolls. Keep in mind flanking is an optional rule and isn't necessarily observed at all tables.
Awesome, thank you! I'll keep all this in mind while I am reading over all the books over the next few days and jotting down more ideas with more specific details.
Stay safe and stay healthy! :D
Word of warning, this is incorrect. PHB Beast Master companions don't dodge by default. TCOE Beast Master primal companions do.
Yes they do. It is an errata.
Ranger’s 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 AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills it is proficient in. Its hit point maximum equals the hit point number in its stat block or four times your ranger level, whichever is higher. Like any creature, it can spend Hit Dice during a short rest to regain hit points.
The beast obeys your commands as best as it can. It takes its turn on your initiative. On your turn, you can verbally command the beast where to move (no action required by you). You can use your action to verbally command it to take the Attack, Dash, Disengage, or Help action. If you don't issue a command, the beast takes the Dodge action. Once you have the Extra Attack feature, you can make one weapon attack yourself when you command the beast to take the Attack action.
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
While traveling through your favored terrain with only the beast, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
If the beast dies, you can obtain a new companion by spending 8 hours magically bonding with a beast that isn’t hostile to you and that meets the requirements.
I know folks think that is terrible, and I can see how it would be, like in a dungeon or something, but personally, the “non disposable” nature of the PHB companion makes it more meaningful for me as a player. Plus, with any given DM, YMMV.
Please don’t get me wrong. The Tasha’s companion is much more durable and much easier to “bring back“. It is definitely more combat ready. Anyone new to the game playing with others using all the optional rules and additional optional books should definitely use the Tasha’s companion.
Please don’t get me wrong. The Tasha’s companion is much more durable and much easier to “bring back“. It is definitely more combat ready. Anyone new to the game playing with others using all the optional rules and additional optional books should definitely use the Tasha’s companion.
I would agree. Its not that I do not think the PHB version is completely useless but the 8 hour thing is just so....punishing. Especially for a new player. I think Tasha's is likely better in that aspect.
Please don’t get me wrong. The Tasha’s companion is much more durable and much easier to “bring back“. It is definitely more combat ready. Anyone new to the game playing with others using all the optional rules and additional optional books should definitely use the Tasha’s companion.
I would agree. Its not that I do not think the PHB version is completely useless but the 8 hour thing is just so....punishing. Especially for a new player. I think Tasha's is likely better in that aspect.
At a core rule book (post errata(s)) table the beast master is fine, having played it many times. With what I consider to be the increase in both power and focus on combat of Tasha's it likely can't keep up at most tables now.
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or if your DM allows homebrew, make a feat that allows you to have the beastmaster archetype.
At the moment I have the Players handbook, dungeon master guide, and monster manual all arriving tomorrow. I also have Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, volo's guide to monsters, mordenkainen's tome of foes, and Xanathar's guide to everything on order from my local book store. I believe that covers all of the books that were mentioned in the thread, but im not sure if there any others worth snagging and reading through. I plan to read each of the books cover to cover to try and absorb as much as I can before my first game. I have gotten a lot of good ideas from this thread and truly appreciate everyone's help :D
For the sword and bow question, you're going to have to pick one to be your primary form of offense and one to be your backup. If you choose to dual wield primarily, take the Dial Wielder feat and the Two-Weapon Fighting Style. For archery, you want the eponymous fighting style and...still probably Dual Wielder. Though you'd be a more effective Archer with Sharpshooter.
At any rate, pump your Dexterity since it's your attacking stat for bows and crossbows, as well as light and finesse weapons (shortawords and rapiers.) These will be your main arsenal.
I believe that, if you want to wield a rapier and a hand crossbow, you can take Crossbow Expert. You make an attack with your rapier, which let's you make a bonus action attack with your hand crossbow (without disadvantage for melee.) Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.
In practice, as a Beast Master, you'll want to attack at melee once, use your other attack to command your pet, and then shoot your hand crossbow as a BA. If you're a Gloomstalker, Summon Beast doesn't use your actions, so you have some more flexibility at the cost of power and utility.
The spell only lasts an hour.
You can't seamlessly dual wield a rapier and a hand crossbow without help, since you need to reload the hand crossbow with an empty hand, per ammunition. You can drop the rapier, shoot, and pick the rapier back up using only your free 1/turn Use an Object action, similarly to how Soulknives are forced to operate by their subclass rules - this trick won't work with a hand crossbow and shield, though. It's also potentially possible a minion of yours, such as a beast companion, can reload your hand crossbow for you, but that gets pretty far into DM fiat territory in terms of which companions can do it and what the mechanics are.
so what would be the advantages and disadvantages of each build?
1. Beast Master with Archery main and duel wield backup. Panther Companion using Cloak of Elvenkind. Using the spell Pass without trace.
- I feel like this is a more normal version of a WoW hunter with an item/spell to increase stealth of self and companion?
2. Beast Master with duel wield main and archery backup. Panther Companion with Cloak of Elvenkind and Pass Without Trace.
- More of a rogue with a companion feel I think?
3. Gloomstalker with archery main and duel wield backup. Summon Beast spell (less stealthy). Using Pass Without Trace.
- Stealthier PC but more noticeable pet/companion spirit thing?
4. Gloomstalker with Duel Wield main and archery backup. Summon Beast spell and Pass without Trace.
- Stealthy Assassin with a Summon Beast for distraction?
And I could always use the Feats from earlier the Shadow Touched and Fey Touched for extra bonuses. Although i am not sure what the benefits of either of those are. Although the Fey Touched kind of rolls with my backstory so maybe ill read up more on that and go with that as a Feat.
I may have interpreted all the info I have gotten incorrectly but those are the ideas I have gotten through the thread...... I think? lmao
I do lean more towards archery and support, but im not sure if companions are useful or usable while the PC is at a long distance. Or if they are actually useful as a type of rear guard to defend the Ranger while hes supporting the party from a distance? I know you can get some sort of spell to share their vision or senses or something and i assumed allowing the Panther to climb above the ranger, you could use the panthers sight to hit targets more accurately?
I apologize for all the questions, my brain is just going in a million directions and I have never played a game that allows this much freedom before so I may just be trying to cram too much into a single character
If the summon beast spell only lasts for an hour I think I would rather avoid the Gloomstalker and build a Beast Master and use the Items and spells that were listed in the thread to increase my stealth capabilities for my companion
Personally, my first priority item for your panther companion would be goggles of night. Regardless, you can't reliably assume you have access to any magic items unless your own special items provide them, which yours won't. Instead, that's a whole talk with your DM. In order to sneak attack, you'll need to do at least one of credibly hide (you'll want Rogue 2 for this, so you can hide as a bonus action) or attack a target within 5 feet of an ally, such as your panther. The disadvantage here is order of operations: if your panther successfully pounces a target, which is unlikely at DC 12 on the save, a prone target will give you disadvantage to hit them, so you want to shoot before the pounce (you can shoot after your panther moves and before it pounces, if you like).
The premier disadvantage here compared to 1 is simply needing to be near the enemy. The advantage is that you're near the enemy, so you can tie them up in melee, and perhaps critically, now when your panther knocks an enemy prone with Pounce, which again, is unlikely to happen, you get advantage on the attack, which is tremendously good, especially if you have the Elven Accuracy feat. Other than that, see 1.
The pet only lasts an hour and you don't get the spell until level 5. When you summon the pet, the vast majority of DMs will not let you use the Stealth rules to be quieter, so for most DMs, everyone nearby will just hear you. Your ability to murder targets at night will be essentially unparalleled - some things can credibly fight you, like dragons or devils, but most can't. You yourself will be so stealthy at night there'll usually be no reason for most opponents to even touch a die, it's just that your pet won't be very sneaky.
Gloomstalkers really want to get the jump on the enemy, even moreso if you literally take the Assassin subclass for Rogue. This is much, much harder to do in melee than at range.
Two things to emphasize:
Beast Sense is the spell you're thinking about. It's a good 2nd-level spells which, thanks to Tasha's Primal Awareness variant feature, you get for free and can use once a day without expending a spell slot.
Sending your pet to the front lines while you stay back and provide ranged support is actually a really solid strategy that a lot of Beast Masters use. Granted, most of those Beast Masters take a flying pet with flyby that can hit-and-run.
Keep in mind that the PHB's Ranger Companion's Achilles Heel is it's low HP. So you need to make sure your panther stays safe from big hits, else it'll go down fast. Tasha's Primal Companion fixes this somewhat by giving the Beast of the Land a bit more HP and the ability to come back to life for the cost of a spell slot. If you can successfully knock the target prone, they'll have disadvantage on OA's against your panther, letting it get out of a scrape much more reliably.
Another alternative is to send your beast to the front as a dodge tank/decoy while you snipe from afar.
This all stops being an issue once you hit 15th-level and get access to the Share Spells feature of the Beast Master, since you can cast Zephyr Strike or the UA Flame Stride to become immune to OA's along with your pet. But that won't be for a while.
Thank you again for all the amazing info!
I will read them all over the next few days and come back and ask more directed questions when I have a better idea of what I have an interest in. But everything you gave me was extremely helpful and informative.
I hope you enjoy your night! Stay safe and stay healthy! :D
I am not sure what an OA or a UA are lol. But can I also use the Panther mainly for the senses and as a rear guard to keep with me even while at a distance? Or would using it as a guard to stay with me be a waste of a companion? I am sure that may depend more on how the campaign or adventure is going as to if it would be beneficial or not but i am not 100% sure
OA = Opportunity Attack
UA = Unearthed Arcana (playtest material)
You can definitely keep it with you to protect you from attack. It'll also keep it safe in most combats. I'd say it really depends on the type of encounter you find yourself in at the moment. That being said, not using it in combat really is not letting the pet live up to its full potential. Another good way to use your pet is to post him up opposite an ally and grant them a flanking bonus. The pet will automatically dodge --making them a less attractive target-- but just by standing opposite your friend, they'd be granting your friend advantage on their attack rolls. Keep in mind flanking is an optional rule and isn't necessarily observed at all tables.
Awesome, thank you! I'll keep all this in mind while I am reading over all the books over the next few days and jotting down more ideas with more specific details.
Stay safe and stay healthy! :D
Word of warning, this is incorrect. PHB Beast Master companions don't dodge by default. TCOE Beast Master primal companions do.
Yes they do. It is an errata.
Still have to spend a full day to bond with a creature. That time is not even including finding and making the creature non-hostile.
I know folks think that is terrible, and I can see how it would be, like in a dungeon or something, but personally, the “non disposable” nature of the PHB companion makes it more meaningful for me as a player. Plus, with any given DM, YMMV.
Please don’t get me wrong. The Tasha’s companion is much more durable and much easier to “bring back“. It is definitely more combat ready. Anyone new to the game playing with others using all the optional rules and additional optional books should definitely use the Tasha’s companion.
I would agree. Its not that I do not think the PHB version is completely useless but the 8 hour thing is just so....punishing. Especially for a new player. I think Tasha's is likely better in that aspect.
At a core rule book (post errata(s)) table the beast master is fine, having played it many times. With what I consider to be the increase in both power and focus on combat of Tasha's it likely can't keep up at most tables now.