I have found many postings on the internet complaining that the PHB ranger’s companion either does nothing or uses up the ranger’s action to do anything. However, no one seems to think that the ranger can command the ready action. It is not listed on PHB page 93 as an action that requires the ranger to use his action. Neither are the search or hide actions; two actions that seem logical that a companion could use.
One of the main rules of d&d is Specific beats General. In this case, Specific are the rules on page 93. General would be the rules governing an NPC beast e.g. the beast would be under the control of the DM, the beast would have its own initiative count and it could take any action the DM thought appropriate (including the ready action),
If specific rules do not apply then general rules are the default. The specific rules that apply to giving the companion the ready action are the ranger needs to verbally command it (no action required, if the ranger’s action were required it would have been among the actions listed) and the beast obeys the command as best it can. The ready action “attack when I say so” would be simple enough to understand that the beast could obey it. This would use up the companion’s action and reaction so it seems that would solve action economy problems.
This is how I would DM a ranger/beast master and it is IMO completely RAW.
The beast obeys your commands as best as it can. It takes its turn on your initiative, though it doesn’t take an action unless you command it to.
Ok, cool. But commanding a beast isn't an action the rules define.
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, Dodge, or Help action.
Ah, there's the definition. It's pretty obvious that list of actions is meant to be exhaustive with regards to how you can command your companion.
The beast obeys your commands as best as it can. It takes its turn on your initiative, though it doesn’t take an action unless you command it to.
Ok, cool. But commanding a beast isn't an action the rules define.
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, Dodge, or Help action.
Ah, there's the definition. It's pretty obvious that list of actions is meant to be exhaustive with regards to how you can command your companion.
I might agree with you that the list is exhaustive if Hide and Search actions were listed with an explanation of how to command these actions. Ruling that it is exhaustive means the companion can’t hide even though it can “move stealthily” in the ranger’s favored terrain. The DM will have to figure out some way to rule on Hide and Search in a way that isn’t covered by the PHB. I’m suggesting that he could also rule that the ranger can command the Ready action as well.
I believe that the writers left a lot of stuff out of the PHB Beast Master archetype because they didn’t think they needed to explain it in great detail. They assumed that DMs and players would be able to figure it out.
In my printed first edition PHB, the ranger archetypes take up exactly one page. That’s not luck, it’s editing.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
I have found many postings on the internet complaining that the PHB ranger’s companion either does nothing or uses up the ranger’s action to do anything. However, no one seems to think that the ranger can command the ready action. It is not listed on PHB page 93 as an action that requires the ranger to use his action. Neither are the search or hide actions; two actions that seem logical that a companion could use.
One of the main rules of d&d is Specific beats General. In this case, Specific are the rules on page 93. General would be the rules governing an NPC beast e.g. the beast would be under the control of the DM, the beast would have its own initiative count and it could take any action the DM thought appropriate (including the ready action),
If specific rules do not apply then general rules are the default. The specific rules that apply to giving the companion the ready action are the ranger needs to verbally command it (no action required, if the ranger’s action were required it would have been among the actions listed) and the beast obeys the command as best it can. The ready action “attack when I say so” would be simple enough to understand that the beast could obey it. This would use up the companion’s action and reaction so it seems that would solve action economy problems.
This is how I would DM a ranger/beast master and it is IMO completely RAW.
Ok, cool. But commanding a beast isn't an action the rules define.
Ah, there's the definition. It's pretty obvious that list of actions is meant to be exhaustive with regards to how you can command your companion.
I believe that the writers left a lot of stuff out of the PHB Beast Master archetype because they didn’t think they needed to explain it in great detail. They assumed that DMs and players would be able to figure it out.
In my printed first edition PHB, the ranger archetypes take up exactly one page. That’s not luck, it’s editing.