I created a Dragonborn Ranger with the intent to subclass as the new Drakewarden. I took two short swords and chose the two weapon fighting style-- I have a whole backstory about how my character was given her swords and learned how to use them, etc-- and I've only just now realized that I can't dual wield and command my drake companion because both require use of the bonus action.
It's not too late for me to change my character, but I will be so disappointed to redo it after I built everything exactly how I wanted it.
Any thoughts on how I could still dual wield and keep my drake companion without sacrificing the combat potential of either? (Including any homebrew/house rule solutions that wouldn't be too game breaking)
Please no recommendations to play something besides Ranger-- not helpful.
I say keep the two weapon fighting and the drake. The drake can add a d6 to your attacks once per turn using it’s reaction, so right out of the gate you’re getting the same damage bump that most other rangers get at level 3. Plus you have a buddy that gives you other options. It can attack when it makes more sense to do so, and when not, it can dodge, move around, soak hits, etc. it just gets better later on.
I created a Dragonborn Ranger with the intent to subclass as the new Drakewarden. I took two short swords and chose the two weapon fighting style-- I have a whole backstory about how my character was given her swords and learned how to use them, etc-- and I've only just now realized that I can't dual wield and command my drake companion because both require use of the bonus action.
It's not too late for me to change my character, but I will be so disappointed to redo it after I built everything exactly how I wanted it.
Any thoughts on how I could still dual wield and keep my drake companion without sacrificing the combat potential of either? (Including any homebrew/house rule solutions that wouldn't be too game breaking)
Please no recommendations to play something besides Ranger-- not helpful.
First of all, Frank is right in that there's non-zero utility to the drake even with your Bonus Action "busy" - its reaction and movement are always available to you, and since it dodges while not ordered, you can move it into position for cover, for an OA, to buff your damage or the damage of a party member, etc. You should explore that.
Secondly, an admittedly homebrew solution would be giving you the same order capabilities as a Beastmaster. This would be an upgrade, but if your DM is cool with it, Beastmasters can either order with a BA or with one of their attacks from the Attack action. Starting at level 5, this would let you take the Attack action, combining an order with a shortsword attack, and then BA shortsword attack. This wouldn't improve your Damage Per Round at all, since it's the same output as not dual wielding with extra steps - you could attack with a shortsword twice during your Attack action, then use your BA to order. Since there's no mechanical benefit in this particular context, and the benefits, when they do show up, aren't gamebreaking (you can e.g. stab, order, and cast Hunter's Mark), if I were your DM I'd allow it.
A radically more powerful homebrew your DM may be ok with, if your other party members are very powerful so it's reasonable to dial you up to 11, is to re-word TWF so the additional attack happens during your Attack action instead of consuming your BA. I really need to emphasize this is a big deal and you absolutely will notice how incredible your DPR will be (and so will your DM and fellow players). A playtest might be in order. It's not fun for anyone if your damage output skyrockets to the point your other party members feel redundant, and of course your DM needs to be aware if you've been up-gunned in terms of ensuring your fights are challenging enough to not be boring.
Sadly they nerfed the ranger’s TWF in 5e, hunter, gloomstalker and Fey wanderer support it but horizon walker and any subclass with a companion uses your bonus action for the companion or a basic subclass ability. So how do you manage to do both? One way as frank described is to let the beast pretty much do it’s dodge thing either around you or someone else skipping the bonus action attack occasionally to command the companion. You could ask the DM for a homebrew so that commanding the companion is not a bonus action. An alternate is to get the DM to allow the companion to take a reaction and attack either when a foe misses it or when a foe misses you (or whoever you instruct it to help). That is probably the best way to get it attacking with some frequency rather than just being a distraction while you TWF.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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I created a Dragonborn Ranger with the intent to subclass as the new Drakewarden. I took two short swords and chose the two weapon fighting style-- I have a whole backstory about how my character was given her swords and learned how to use them, etc-- and I've only just now realized that I can't dual wield and command my drake companion because both require use of the bonus action.
It's not too late for me to change my character, but I will be so disappointed to redo it after I built everything exactly how I wanted it.
Any thoughts on how I could still dual wield and keep my drake companion without sacrificing the combat potential of either? (Including any homebrew/house rule solutions that wouldn't be too game breaking)
Please no recommendations to play something besides Ranger-- not helpful.
You should 100% play a ranger! My favorite class!
I say keep the two weapon fighting and the drake. The drake can add a d6 to your attacks once per turn using it’s reaction, so right out of the gate you’re getting the same damage bump that most other rangers get at level 3. Plus you have a buddy that gives you other options. It can attack when it makes more sense to do so, and when not, it can dodge, move around, soak hits, etc. it just gets better later on.
First of all, Frank is right in that there's non-zero utility to the drake even with your Bonus Action "busy" - its reaction and movement are always available to you, and since it dodges while not ordered, you can move it into position for cover, for an OA, to buff your damage or the damage of a party member, etc. You should explore that.
Secondly, an admittedly homebrew solution would be giving you the same order capabilities as a Beastmaster. This would be an upgrade, but if your DM is cool with it, Beastmasters can either order with a BA or with one of their attacks from the Attack action. Starting at level 5, this would let you take the Attack action, combining an order with a shortsword attack, and then BA shortsword attack. This wouldn't improve your Damage Per Round at all, since it's the same output as not dual wielding with extra steps - you could attack with a shortsword twice during your Attack action, then use your BA to order. Since there's no mechanical benefit in this particular context, and the benefits, when they do show up, aren't gamebreaking (you can e.g. stab, order, and cast Hunter's Mark), if I were your DM I'd allow it.
A radically more powerful homebrew your DM may be ok with, if your other party members are very powerful so it's reasonable to dial you up to 11, is to re-word TWF so the additional attack happens during your Attack action instead of consuming your BA. I really need to emphasize this is a big deal and you absolutely will notice how incredible your DPR will be (and so will your DM and fellow players). A playtest might be in order. It's not fun for anyone if your damage output skyrockets to the point your other party members feel redundant, and of course your DM needs to be aware if you've been up-gunned in terms of ensuring your fights are challenging enough to not be boring.
Sadly they nerfed the ranger’s TWF in 5e, hunter, gloomstalker and Fey wanderer support it but horizon walker and any subclass with a companion uses your bonus action for the companion or a basic subclass ability. So how do you manage to do both? One way as frank described is to let the beast pretty much do it’s dodge thing either around you or someone else skipping the bonus action attack occasionally to command the companion. You could ask the DM for a homebrew so that commanding the companion is not a bonus action. An alternate is to get the DM to allow the companion to take a reaction and attack either when a foe misses it or when a foe misses you (or whoever you instruct it to help). That is probably the best way to get it attacking with some frequency rather than just being a distraction while you TWF.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.