I have this idea for a character who just has a bunch of bird friends. Of course, I want them to have as many as possible. I know that there's no rule for how many animals you can have following you around, but a character has limited ways to get summons. What build would allow a character to have the most animal companions possible?
My current idea is a druid who takes the Magic Initiate feat to gain access to the Find Familiar spell. Since druids can also use the spell Conjure Animals, and most birds are CR 1/4 or lower, you could have a total of 9 bird friends. Plus, you could wild shape into a bird yourself to join the party.
Take 3 levels in ranger beastmaster to get a ranger pet, and another 3 levels in artificer battlesmith for a steel defender pat. For druid go wildfire and get the fire spirit pet. So thats 3 pets, find familiar for 4 pets, then you have the various summoning spells. Potentially you could get the Strixhaven mascot if your game uses that book. If you want to include undead then you have the night caller whistle and if you want to go with warlock 5 then the undying servitude invocation also gives you animate dead. If you can get find steed / greater steed from the paladin spell list even better. But at this point we are running out of character levels and would need some pretty amazing stat rolls for all that multiclass goodness.
There's also the Swarm Ranger, who can have an indeterminate "swarm" of bird friends flying around. Not exactly the same mechanically, but could be similar thematically. Or could be multiclassed into for greater shenanigans
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Ranger swarmkeeper gives you as many bird friends as you want. Mechanically they don't act individually the way a familiar does with separate turns etc., but from a role-play perspective you could easily give them individual names and tasks ("I have Roger fly over there and pick up the gem" when you cast mage hand, that sort of thing)
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Do note that while having lots of animal companions may be fun, it can also clutter the game up and may be kind of frustrating for the DM if they have to keep track of a million familiars. There is nothing wrong with making a build like this; but I'd warn your DM in advance and give them the option to say no if you intend to use it.
There's also the Swarm Ranger, who can have an indeterminate "swarm" of bird friends flying around. Not exactly the same mechanically, but could be similar thematically. Or could be multiclassed into for greater shenanigans
I have a Swarm Ranger playing in one of my games, she has spiders as her swarm and they all have personalities. So it can be flavored that way if the DM is cool with it.
The personalities of each spider is based on characters that have died in-game. She has four with distinct personalities. lol
I have this idea for a character who just has a bunch of bird friends. Of course, I want them to have as many as possible. I know that there's no rule for how many animals you can have following you around, but a character has limited ways to get summons. What build would allow a character to have the most animal companions possible?
My current idea is a druid who takes the Magic Initiate feat to gain access to the Find Familiar spell. Since druids can also use the spell Conjure Animals, and most birds are CR 1/4 or lower, you could have a total of 9 bird friends. Plus, you could wild shape into a bird yourself to join the party.
Any other options I'm overlooking?
I would suggest Swarm Ranger too... a swarm of birds would be dope. You can name them too since you/ll always have your swarm. If your DM is cool with it that is.
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"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
If you're looking for maximum summons, of any kind, such as elementals - then Wizard, 20th Level. Your number is infinite.
Specifically for animals though? Mark of Warding Druid.
9th Level Glyph of Warding : store 8th Level Planar Binding.
Conjure Animals. They still count as Fey so they can walk into the glyph, get planar bound for 180 days.
Repeat 178 more time and then switch into just the glyph+binding so that every day you're renewing a binding, cycling through.
This is 179 animals being maintained permanently. You could make this 180, but having that extra day in the cycle to just rebind ensures there's less chance of a hiccup in timing since the time when to do it may change.
Planar Binding takes an hour to cast normally so it breaks concentration and even if you used Magic Circle somehow you'd run out of time. By storing the Planar Binding into a Glyph of Warding it will trigger on one summon instantly.
Mark of Warding allows you to add Glyph of Warding to your spell list so you can prep it.
--
As stated though, Wizards with Wish can maintain higher number of minions. Using Wish to replicate Planar Binding essentially gives you 1 year binding instantly without needing to make glyphs, so a safe 364 minions there. Plus other summon spells and casting it normally with glyph/magic circle, and infinite zombies from Finger of Death. Necromancer wizard can use Create Magen without losing hit points so another potential infinite pool of minions.
If you be a Mark of Handling Human, you could use Conjure Animals as a Wizard.
-
Best summoner build is a full Wizard. No contest.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
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I have this idea for a character who just has a bunch of bird friends. Of course, I want them to have as many as possible. I know that there's no rule for how many animals you can have following you around, but a character has limited ways to get summons. What build would allow a character to have the most animal companions possible?
My current idea is a druid who takes the Magic Initiate feat to gain access to the Find Familiar spell. Since druids can also use the spell Conjure Animals, and most birds are CR 1/4 or lower, you could have a total of 9 bird friends. Plus, you could wild shape into a bird yourself to join the party.
Any other options I'm overlooking?
Take 3 levels in ranger beastmaster to get a ranger pet, and another 3 levels in artificer battlesmith for a steel defender pat. For druid go wildfire and get the fire spirit pet. So thats 3 pets, find familiar for 4 pets, then you have the various summoning spells. Potentially you could get the Strixhaven mascot if your game uses that book. If you want to include undead then you have the night caller whistle and if you want to go with warlock 5 then the undying servitude invocation also gives you animate dead. If you can get find steed / greater steed from the paladin spell list even better. But at this point we are running out of character levels and would need some pretty amazing stat rolls for all that multiclass goodness.
Oh I didn't even think of the multi-class options. Thanks!
There's also the Swarm Ranger, who can have an indeterminate "swarm" of bird friends flying around. Not exactly the same mechanically, but could be similar thematically. Or could be multiclassed into for greater shenanigans
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Ranger swarmkeeper gives you as many bird friends as you want. Mechanically they don't act individually the way a familiar does with separate turns etc., but from a role-play perspective you could easily give them individual names and tasks ("I have Roger fly over there and pick up the gem" when you cast mage hand, that sort of thing)
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
There is also Flock of Familiars that gives you three familiars (doesn't stack with Find Familiar, though).
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Do note that while having lots of animal companions may be fun, it can also clutter the game up and may be kind of frustrating for the DM if they have to keep track of a million familiars. There is nothing wrong with making a build like this; but I'd warn your DM in advance and give them the option to say no if you intend to use it.
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HERE.I have a Swarm Ranger playing in one of my games, she has spiders as her swarm and they all have personalities. So it can be flavored that way if the DM is cool with it.
The personalities of each spider is based on characters that have died in-game. She has four with distinct personalities. lol
I would suggest Swarm Ranger too... a swarm of birds would be dope. You can name them too since you/ll always have your swarm. If your DM is cool with it that is.
"...Debts must always be paid, sometimes in more than blood and gold. But this is Ordo Ursa," Ren places his hand on Erakas's chest, right where the Dragonborn's heart is. "Right here. And it always has been and always will be. Don't ever forget that. Because I won't."
Serandis Mendaen (Aereni Elven Rogue/maybe one day Wizard)- Project Point Playtest
If you're looking for maximum summons, of any kind, such as elementals - then Wizard, 20th Level. Your number is infinite.
Specifically for animals though? Mark of Warding Druid.
9th Level Glyph of Warding : store 8th Level Planar Binding.
Conjure Animals. They still count as Fey so they can walk into the glyph, get planar bound for 180 days.
Repeat 178 more time and then switch into just the glyph+binding so that every day you're renewing a binding, cycling through.
This is 179 animals being maintained permanently. You could make this 180, but having that extra day in the cycle to just rebind ensures there's less chance of a hiccup in timing since the time when to do it may change.
Planar Binding takes an hour to cast normally so it breaks concentration and even if you used Magic Circle somehow you'd run out of time. By storing the Planar Binding into a Glyph of Warding it will trigger on one summon instantly.
Mark of Warding allows you to add Glyph of Warding to your spell list so you can prep it.
--
As stated though, Wizards with Wish can maintain higher number of minions. Using Wish to replicate Planar Binding essentially gives you 1 year binding instantly without needing to make glyphs, so a safe 364 minions there. Plus other summon spells and casting it normally with glyph/magic circle, and infinite zombies from Finger of Death. Necromancer wizard can use Create Magen without losing hit points so another potential infinite pool of minions.
If you be a Mark of Handling Human, you could use Conjure Animals as a Wizard.
-
Best summoner build is a full Wizard. No contest.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.