Let's face it... Beast Master subclass is TERRIBLE. Even at level 20, your animal will die if in the fray of battle! However, as I was talking with my cohorts and fellow players, we have come up with a solution.
First, what you need is a small race. Gnome or Halfling. For this example, we will be using stout halfling. Her name is going to be... Diane! Diane the Stout Halfing. First, dump your points into strength, which will be necessary, but save your ASI's for feats, which we'll discuss later. Choose ranger class for all 20 levels. Your background does not matter to this optimization, but Diane will be an Outlander, and she's acquainted with the forest. Now here's the problem with this build. For total optimization, you want higher strength so you can dual wield lances. Sounds crazy, I know, let me explain. For your beast, choose any medium creature, but my favorite for this is going to be... (Drum roll) Pteranodon! The requirements for mounts say it has to be one size category larger than you, making small race necessary. The Beast Master subclass limits your beast's size to medium, therefor, you must be small. Diane will choose a Pteranodon. Using standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8), she will put 15 into Str, staying a 15. Then 14 into Con, going up to 15, and 13 into Dex, going up to 15. Now with 3 15's!
Then increase your strength as much as possible! As much as possible! AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! It will be important! Then, pick the two-weapon fighting style at level 2. Next, grab 2 lances. They aren't heavy weapons, making it possible to dual wield.
DISCLAIMER: This optimization can be used with finesse weapons with reach! Im only using Lances for the d12 damage dice and the reach. Reach is important!
Before you get your beast, do not use lances! They require 2 hands when dismounted. Now, lets skip to the beast.
Diane has her Pteranodon, her two lances, and an exotic saddle (60 gp in the PHB). Now in combat, she flies 10 feet above the targets, and hits with her lances. Pteranodon uses fly-by so as not to provoke opportunity attacks. BUT! As the targets leave Diane's range during the fly-by, she gets an opportunity attack! So that is 3 lance attacks to one target at level 3. The next ASI, you can do whatever you want... More strength, more con... Wisdom isnt important in this build, but you can if you want.
FEATS
As usual, feats aren't neccessary. However, for much more prowess, take the Sentinel, and Mounted Combatant. With these two perks, now Diane and her pteranodon, who she named Phil, now have half-evasion, and Diane can take attacks, not her mount. Now, her opportunity attacks now stop the target if they hit in their tracks, and disengage doesnt work. Then, at level 5, 2 attacks! Meaning, with the dual wielding, you can now do 5 lance attacks (With the opportunity attack) and the fly-by. Don't forget, Phil can make a claw attack.
Now, this game, you never play alone, so your party will be distracting the target group, such as orcs.
So Diane's party, which consists of a: wizard, fighter, bard, and monk. (Or any other combination). They are on the ground, defending against the orcs. Then, the pteranadon flies by, nailing on of the orcs with 5 lance attacks. She's moving too quickly to get shot easily by any arrows. This. This is the optimized build.
HOWEVER!
There are varients. Do can make a dexterity version with finesse weapons with reach. An example? Whips. A mere d4 compared to the lance's d12, however, as a small race, a higher dexterity score will be much easier to get than strength. Of course, you can do the ranged part of 'Ranger' and use arrows or crossbows, but that'll take whole new optimization, which I'll do next week!
Your opinions?
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lol, a 1 hp familiar can survive high level battles but an 80 hp animal companion from a beast master is fragile...
My opinion is that class bias might be clouding some judgement. That's not you in particular, just a common sentiment.
The riding trick for a small beast master isn't new. The Pteranodon doesn't work as well in hallways and smaller rooms in the dungeons because of the wingspan. I think a companion that can accompany the beast master everywhere makes more sense.
Lance's aren't light weapons so you'll need dual wielder feat before this works. So it wont work till lvl 4.
Using the Pteranodon...genius. The odd mount for my Grung Ranger is a giant crab. Amphibious with swim speed, high for a beast AC, plus blindsight. Blindsight is the cherry on top.
lol, a 1 hp familiar can survive high level battles but an 80 hp animal companion from a beast master is fragile...
My opinion is that class bias might be clouding some judgement. That's not you in particular, just a common sentiment.
The riding trick for a small beast master isn't new. The Pteranodon doesn't work as well in hallways and smaller rooms in the dungeons because of the wingspan. I think a companion that can accompany the beast master everywhere makes more sense.
Well, yes, a pteranadon is easier to hit in combat than a 1 hp raven. And on the bias, I don't exactly think I have bias, since my two favorite classes are druid and fighter, but it may very well be. And lastly, I see, the small hallways won't work in small dungeons. That'll just have to be planned for. Such as if your campaign is aquatic, this may be great, OR you could do a water-breathing race and have an aquatic mount. OOh........... Ideas......... But yes, that'll be up to the player to decide if most of the combats will be in an apropriate setting.
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I love roleplaying, message me so we can set something up.
I talk everything D&D, message me for questions, chat, arguements, or roleplay!
lol, a 1 hp familiar can survive high level battles but an 80 hp animal companion from a beast master is fragile...
My opinion is that class bias might be clouding some judgement. That's not you in particular, just a common sentiment.
The riding trick for a small beast master isn't new. The Pteranodon doesn't work as well in hallways and smaller rooms in the dungeons because of the wingspan. I think a companion that can accompany the beast master everywhere makes more sense.
Well, yes, a pteranadon is easier to hit in combat than a 1 hp raven. And on the bias, I don't exactly think I have bias, since my two favorite classes are druid and fighter, but it may very well be. And lastly, I see, the small hallways won't work in small dungeons. That'll just have to be planned for. Such as if your campaign is aquatic, this may be great, OR you could do a water-breathing race and have an aquatic mount. OOh........... Ideas......... But yes, that'll be up to the player to decide if most of the combats will be in an apropriate setting.
"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. "
The Pteranodon would have a 19 AC while the raven would have a 12 AC. I'm unclear how that translates into the Pteranodon being easier to hit. Or the beast master could just take a raven as a companion and it would have an 18 AC, 80 hp.
The Pteranodon has a listed wingspan of 15-20 feet. That's not even small hallways. I like small characters on medium mounts when it comes to the beast master but it gets problematic with a few. It's not like dungeons are the exception in Dungeons and Dragons, unlike an aquatic environment.
"My opinion is that class bias might be clouding some judgement. That's not you in particular, just a common sentiment." ;-)
I see it all the time on forums where the advice is given to pick up a familiar. Sometimes by the same individuals claiming beast master companions are fragile. A 20th level wizard or sorcerer has 82 hp instead of 80 before adding in CON bonus, and that's what is supposed to be reasonable in the 5e math. A beast master companion can be any familiar but with better attributes. It's a bit silly to call the ranger's raven companion fragile compared to the wizard's raven, no? ;-)
The benefits wizards get out of familiars is the link that rangers would need to cast beast sense or beast bond to replicate.
The Pteranodon has a listed wingspan of 15-20 feet.
Uh, you know D&D isn't real life, right? The only relevant place a pteranodon is "listed" is the stat block in the basic rules. And that says D&D pteranodon is a medium creature. That means it takes up one 5-foot square. When it's flying, when it's sitting, when it's sleeping curled up in a cute little pternodon ball - it's still a medium creature. It absolutely does not need 20 feet of clearance to fly. It doesn't need that when being run as a monster and it doesn't need it when it's a companion. A pteranodon can fit anywhere a human could fit because for gaming purposes they are exactly the same size.
I love the idea of a dual-lance-wielding pteranodon-riding halfling, but Diane does not get that attack of opportunity. Creatures provoke AoOs when they move out of your reach, not when you move such that they are no longer within your reach. You can’t provoke an AoO if you don’t move.
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Let's face it... Beast Master subclass is TERRIBLE. Even at level 20, your animal will die if in the fray of battle! However, as I was talking with my cohorts and fellow players, we have come up with a solution.
First, what you need is a small race. Gnome or Halfling. For this example, we will be using stout halfling. Her name is going to be... Diane! Diane the Stout Halfing. First, dump your points into strength, which will be necessary, but save your ASI's for feats, which we'll discuss later. Choose ranger class for all 20 levels. Your background does not matter to this optimization, but Diane will be an Outlander, and she's acquainted with the forest. Now here's the problem with this build. For total optimization, you want higher strength so you can dual wield lances. Sounds crazy, I know, let me explain. For your beast, choose any medium creature, but my favorite for this is going to be... (Drum roll) Pteranodon! The requirements for mounts say it has to be one size category larger than you, making small race necessary. The Beast Master subclass limits your beast's size to medium, therefor, you must be small. Diane will choose a Pteranodon. Using standard array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, and 8), she will put 15 into Str, staying a 15. Then 14 into Con, going up to 15, and 13 into Dex, going up to 15. Now with 3 15's!
Then increase your strength as much as possible! As much as possible! AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! It will be important! Then, pick the two-weapon fighting style at level 2. Next, grab 2 lances. They aren't heavy weapons, making it possible to dual wield.
DISCLAIMER: This optimization can be used with finesse weapons with reach! Im only using Lances for the d12 damage dice and the reach. Reach is important!
Before you get your beast, do not use lances! They require 2 hands when dismounted. Now, lets skip to the beast.
Diane has her Pteranodon, her two lances, and an exotic saddle (60 gp in the PHB). Now in combat, she flies 10 feet above the targets, and hits with her lances. Pteranodon uses fly-by so as not to provoke opportunity attacks. BUT! As the targets leave Diane's range during the fly-by, she gets an opportunity attack! So that is 3 lance attacks to one target at level 3. The next ASI, you can do whatever you want... More strength, more con... Wisdom isnt important in this build, but you can if you want.
FEATS
As usual, feats aren't neccessary. However, for much more prowess, take the Sentinel, and Mounted Combatant. With these two perks, now Diane and her pteranodon, who she named Phil, now have half-evasion, and Diane can take attacks, not her mount. Now, her opportunity attacks now stop the target if they hit in their tracks, and disengage doesnt work. Then, at level 5, 2 attacks! Meaning, with the dual wielding, you can now do 5 lance attacks (With the opportunity attack) and the fly-by. Don't forget, Phil can make a claw attack.
Now, this game, you never play alone, so your party will be distracting the target group, such as orcs.
So Diane's party, which consists of a: wizard, fighter, bard, and monk. (Or any other combination). They are on the ground, defending against the orcs. Then, the pteranadon flies by, nailing on of the orcs with 5 lance attacks. She's moving too quickly to get shot easily by any arrows. This. This is the optimized build.
HOWEVER!
There are varients. Do can make a dexterity version with finesse weapons with reach. An example? Whips. A mere d4 compared to the lance's d12, however, as a small race, a higher dexterity score will be much easier to get than strength. Of course, you can do the ranged part of 'Ranger' and use arrows or crossbows, but that'll take whole new optimization, which I'll do next week!
Your opinions?
I love roleplaying, message me so we can set something up.
I talk everything D&D, message me for questions, chat, arguements, or roleplay!
lol, a 1 hp familiar can survive high level battles but an 80 hp animal companion from a beast master is fragile...
My opinion is that class bias might be clouding some judgement. That's not you in particular, just a common sentiment.
The riding trick for a small beast master isn't new. The Pteranodon doesn't work as well in hallways and smaller rooms in the dungeons because of the wingspan. I think a companion that can accompany the beast master everywhere makes more sense.
You need to take the Dual Wielder feat to be able to dual wield lances.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
Lance's aren't light weapons so you'll need dual wielder feat before this works. So it wont work till lvl 4.
Using the Pteranodon...genius. The odd mount for my Grung Ranger is a giant crab. Amphibious with swim speed, high for a beast AC, plus blindsight. Blindsight is the cherry on top.
I missed that, thanks for the catch, but easy fix.
I love roleplaying, message me so we can set something up.
I talk everything D&D, message me for questions, chat, arguements, or roleplay!
Well, yes, a pteranadon is easier to hit in combat than a 1 hp raven. And on the bias, I don't exactly think I have bias, since my two favorite classes are druid and fighter, but it may very well be. And lastly, I see, the small hallways won't work in small dungeons. That'll just have to be planned for. Such as if your campaign is aquatic, this may be great, OR you could do a water-breathing race and have an aquatic mount. OOh........... Ideas......... But yes, that'll be up to the player to decide if most of the combats will be in an apropriate setting.
I love roleplaying, message me so we can set something up.
I talk everything D&D, message me for questions, chat, arguements, or roleplay!
"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. "
The Pteranodon would have a 19 AC while the raven would have a 12 AC. I'm unclear how that translates into the Pteranodon being easier to hit. Or the beast master could just take a raven as a companion and it would have an 18 AC, 80 hp.
The Pteranodon has a listed wingspan of 15-20 feet. That's not even small hallways. I like small characters on medium mounts when it comes to the beast master but it gets problematic with a few. It's not like dungeons are the exception in Dungeons and Dragons, unlike an aquatic environment.
"My opinion is that class bias might be clouding some judgement. That's not you in particular, just a common sentiment." ;-)
I see it all the time on forums where the advice is given to pick up a familiar. Sometimes by the same individuals claiming beast master companions are fragile. A 20th level wizard or sorcerer has 82 hp instead of 80 before adding in CON bonus, and that's what is supposed to be reasonable in the 5e math. A beast master companion can be any familiar but with better attributes. It's a bit silly to call the ranger's raven companion fragile compared to the wizard's raven, no? ;-)
The benefits wizards get out of familiars is the link that rangers would need to cast beast sense or beast bond to replicate.
Uh, you know D&D isn't real life, right? The only relevant place a pteranodon is "listed" is the stat block in the basic rules. And that says D&D pteranodon is a medium creature. That means it takes up one 5-foot square. When it's flying, when it's sitting, when it's sleeping curled up in a cute little pternodon ball - it's still a medium creature. It absolutely does not need 20 feet of clearance to fly. It doesn't need that when being run as a monster and it doesn't need it when it's a companion. A pteranodon can fit anywhere a human could fit because for gaming purposes they are exactly the same size.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
I love the idea of a dual-lance-wielding pteranodon-riding halfling, but Diane does not get that attack of opportunity. Creatures provoke AoOs when they move out of your reach, not when you move such that they are no longer within your reach. You can’t provoke an AoO if you don’t move.