I am having the hardest time finding information on how the new stat blocks work for the 2024 Ranger Beast Master subclass.
When choosing an animal that correlates with the current stat block, say you pick a wolf for the Beast of the Land stat block, do they only get the Beast's Strike attack and the senses listed? OR do they also get the senses and attacks that the animal you've chosen has? So for wolf Beast of the Land, it also has Bite for an attack. For senses/skills, it has Keen Hearing and Smell, plus Pack Tactics.
I am having the hardest time finding information on how the new stat blocks work for the 2024 Ranger Beast Master subclass.
When choosing an animal that correlates with the current stat block, say you pick a wolf for the Beast of the Land stat block, do they only get the Beast's Strike attack and the senses listed? OR do they also get the senses and attacks that the animal you've chosen has? So for wolf Beast of the Land, it also has Bite for an attack. For senses/skills, it has Keen Hearing and Smell, plus Pack Tactics.
Any and all help is appreciated!
My understanding standing is no customization but all creatures can use the standard set of actions. You now only use the statblock of the chosen "beast of x" and things like study or hide.
Also, as far as I can tell since they rewrote beastmaster the 2014 version that allows for traits is no longer even considered official options. This is especially egregious since familars and druids got to pick blocks but those were way more problematic for dms or play speed than bm rangers.
To be fair traits can change the balance but I still prefered it even with 2014 "costs." I liked the utility and game master style of play that made you look for hidden potential for each unique block.
In my experience Generic block creatures are often Treated worse than actual statblock creatures and feel more like a tool than a party member.
Tldr: you get the land statblock and generic actions or you get dm permissions to change it.
Ok that was what I was thinking! The only thing I don't understand is why it doesn't have a "regular attack" cause the only way to do the beast's strike is by sacrificing your own attack. But I guess it's because they want to use Hunter's Mark more? Anyways, thank you for the feedback! ♥
Ok that was what I was thinking! The only thing I don't understand is why it doesn't have a "regular attack" cause the only way to do the beast's strike is by sacrificing your own attack. But I guess it's because they want to use Hunter's Mark more? Anyways, thank you for the feedback! ♥
You can take a standered attack as a bonus action or use an attack action as the beast's strike. You choose the type of attack like bite, claw, bludgeoning each time when you summon the beast. If you are two weapon fighting your nick weapon will allow you to use your bonus(off hand) as part of the attack sequence but still allows you a bonus action like Hunters mark or your beast taking a standard attack, or a dash, or disengage. So potentially 3 attacks plus a beast attack in a round.
For a beast master? Yes but they aren’t really ideal. reach weapons (xcept whip) are 2 handed and none are light so you don’t get the extra attack of a light weapon let alone the ability to fit it into your attack action that Nick weapons give you. So at L1-4 you get 1 attack and a bonus action that has to be split between HM and telling your beast to attack. The protection feat is very nice - for a bodyguard, but whose body are you guarding? Your beast’s? Your better off with the two weapon fighting feat which allows your stat bonus to be added to both attacks not just the first. probably the best set up is to take two weapon fighting feat, using a short sword (vex) and scimitar (Nick). This allows two attacks at L1-4 (3 at L5+) going short sword for vex first ( hopefully getting advantage on the follow up scimitar (Nick) as part of your attack action. Cast HM with your bonus action at the start of round one the your attack action hopefully getting both the vex and Nick attacks hitting. Your beast dodges this round. Round 2 (assuming your HM stays up you get your 2 light weapon attacks n the attack action and command your beast to attack with the bonus action giving you an effective 3 attacks that and each successive round your concentration holds.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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Hello!
I am having the hardest time finding information on how the new stat blocks work for the 2024 Ranger Beast Master subclass.
When choosing an animal that correlates with the current stat block, say you pick a wolf for the Beast of the Land stat block, do they only get the Beast's Strike attack and the senses listed? OR do they also get the senses and attacks that the animal you've chosen has? So for wolf Beast of the Land, it also has Bite for an attack. For senses/skills, it has Keen Hearing and Smell, plus Pack Tactics.
Any and all help is appreciated!
My understanding standing is no customization but all creatures can use the standard set of actions. You now only use the statblock of the chosen "beast of x" and things like study or hide.
Also, as far as I can tell since they rewrote beastmaster the 2014 version that allows for traits is no longer even considered official options. This is especially egregious since familars and druids got to pick blocks but those were way more problematic for dms or play speed than bm rangers.
To be fair traits can change the balance but I still prefered it even with 2014 "costs." I liked the utility and game master style of play that made you look for hidden potential for each unique block.
In my experience Generic block creatures are often Treated worse than actual statblock creatures and feel more like a tool than a party member.
Tldr: you get the land statblock and generic actions or you get dm permissions to change it.
Ok that was what I was thinking! The only thing I don't understand is why it doesn't have a "regular attack" cause the only way to do the beast's strike is by sacrificing your own attack. But I guess it's because they want to use Hunter's Mark more? Anyways, thank you for the feedback! ♥
You can take a standered attack as a bonus action or use an attack action as the beast's strike. You choose the type of attack like bite, claw, bludgeoning each time when you summon the beast. If you are two weapon fighting your nick weapon will allow you to use your bonus(off hand) as part of the attack sequence but still allows you a bonus action like Hunters mark or your beast taking a standard attack, or a dash, or disengage. So potentially 3 attacks plus a beast attack in a round.
Is a build with reach and protection feat possible ?
Like yes you lose your main attack but you'll use all side attack possible.
For a beast master? Yes but they aren’t really ideal.
reach weapons (xcept whip) are 2 handed and none are light so you don’t get the extra attack of a light weapon let alone the ability to fit it into your attack action that Nick weapons give you. So at L1-4 you get 1 attack and a bonus action that has to be split between HM and telling your beast to attack.
The protection feat is very nice - for a bodyguard, but whose body are you guarding? Your beast’s? Your better off with the two weapon fighting feat which allows your stat bonus to be added to both attacks not just the first.
probably the best set up is to take two weapon fighting feat, using a short sword (vex) and scimitar (Nick). This allows two attacks at L1-4 (3 at L5+) going short sword for vex first ( hopefully getting advantage on the follow up scimitar (Nick) as part of your attack action. Cast HM with your bonus action at the start of round one the your attack action hopefully getting both the vex and Nick attacks hitting. Your beast dodges this round. Round 2 (assuming your HM stays up you get your 2 light weapon attacks n the attack action and command your beast to attack with the bonus action giving you an effective 3 attacks that and each successive round your concentration holds.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.