They don't magically appear out of thin air, but how much adventuring and effort it takes to acquire the companion is up to your DM and you.
Some DMs will handle it as a downtime action between sessions and allow you to specify any animal type that could reasonably be found in the wilderness in that area.
Other DMs may opt to have the Ranger seeking a suitable animal companion as part of the game, involving the other players as well.
I once ran a "solo session prelude" for a Ranger, where the player turned up for the session an hour earlier and I ran an hour of game for him solo, to cover the seeking and befriending a large tiger (this was 2nd edition rules at the time).
When i first become level 3, do i automatically get a beast companion, or do i have to adventure for one?
They don't magically appear out of thin air, but how much adventuring and effort it takes to acquire the companion is up to your DM and you.
Some DMs will handle it as a downtime action between sessions and allow you to specify any animal type that could reasonably be found in the wilderness in that area.
Other DMs may opt to have the Ranger seeking a suitable animal companion as part of the game, involving the other players as well.
I once ran a "solo session prelude" for a Ranger, where the player turned up for the session an hour earlier and I ran an hour of game for him solo, to cover the seeking and befriending a large tiger (this was 2nd edition rules at the time).
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Thanks for the info. Is there any way that i can get a beast of higher challenge rating than 1/4?
If you wish to focus on playing a Ranger with a beast companion, you may wish to look at the Unearthed Arcana: Revised Ranger.
Be aware though that they are playtest rules from Wizards of the Coast.
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊