quick question, i know the drake can only be summoned within 30 feet but once its summoned is there a range from my PC that it can exist or for xample if i was in Phandalin could i send it to Leilon? (it has traveled there with the party before so it would know the way)
I would add the caveat that they need to be commanded unless the ranger is incapacitated.(sleeping counts i guess). So communication distance is the limit.
This means you basically have to stay on the same field of battle. Now the 2014 contrasts this by the wording allowing the ranger to be absent.
Here is the relevant drake warden part:
[In combat, the drake shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the drake can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.]
Meanwhile 2014 beasmaster says:
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
So the 2014 beasmaster here can have its companion be independent as long as it follows the purview of commands and self protection. Hence independent scouting or hunting are far more reasonable for the old non summon companions.
I would add the caveat that they need to be commanded unless the ranger is incapacitated.(sleeping counts i guess). So communication distance is the limit.
This means you basically have to stay on the same field of battle. Now the 2014 contrasts this by the wording allowing the ranger to be absent.
Here is the relevant drake warden part:
[In combat, the drake shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the drake can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.]
Meanwhile 2014 beasmaster says:
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
So the 2014 beasmaster here can have its companion be independent as long as it follows the purview of commands and self protection. Hence independent scouting or hunting are far more reasonable for the old non summon companions.
I disagree. As you quote, it says “In combat …” sending it on a mission out of combat does not fall under those restrictions. Certainly, it has to be close enough to hear you when you give it the mission, but that seems like all. Now, if something attacked it while it was on its own, that could get to be an issue about how it would act without you there to command it. But sending it out scouting, or even maybe retrieving something, seems reasonable. With an 8 int, and 14 wis it is as smart and clever as lots and lots of PCs. It could probably handle such a job.
I would add the caveat that they need to be commanded unless the ranger is incapacitated.(sleeping counts i guess). So communication distance is the limit.
This means you basically have to stay on the same field of battle. Now the 2014 contrasts this by the wording allowing the ranger to be absent.
Here is the relevant drake warden part:
[In combat, the drake shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the drake can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.]
Meanwhile 2014 beasmaster says:
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
So the 2014 beasmaster here can have its companion be independent as long as it follows the purview of commands and self protection. Hence independent scouting or hunting are far more reasonable for the old non summon companions.
I disagree. As you quote, it says “In combat …” sending it on a mission out of combat does not fall under those restrictions. Certainly, it has to be close enough to hear you when you give it the mission, but that seems like all. Now, if something attacked it while it was on its own, that could get to be an issue about how it would act without you there to command it. But sending it out scouting, or even maybe retrieving something, seems reasonable. With an 8 int, and 14 wis it is as smart and clever as lots and lots of PCs. It could probably handle such a job.
Its that zone of getting attacked or attacking or even the potential of such is the exact problem. Often initiative is rolled and that's a clear division of combat. The risk of shutdown is too great because the character doesn't choose "combat" ... a dm does.
My thesis still stands: gameplay design is for the drake and ranger to be a team on the field while 14 beasmaster is closer to separate characters with independent functions. You can step outside of the design but it won't work well.
If your dm is letting the drake scouts its clearly a free pass excption because intelligence or wisdom isn't a factor when the mechanics say the only action it can take is doge. That doesn't even allow hawking outside of command range because it attacks (sending the hawking to catch small game for food).
This goes back to the original question "how far away can the drake be ?" The proposed go to x or take this to x scenario is only designed to be safer for 14 beastmaser or warlock familiar that took the long range options. (Or maybe animal messanger casters)
The best answer is command distance or risk functionality shutdown.
Its that zone of getting attacked or attacking or even the potential of such is the exact problem. Often initiative is rolled and that's a clear division of combat. The risk of shutdown is too great because the character doesn't choose "combat" ... a dm does.
My thesis still stands: gameplay design is for the drake and ranger to be a team on the field while 14 beasmaster is closer to separate characters with independent functions. You can step outside of the design but it won't work well.
If your dm is letting the drake scouts its clearly a free pass excption because intelligence or wisdom isn't a factor when the mechanics say the only action it can take is doge. That doesn't even allow hawking outside of command range because it attacks (sending the hawking to catch small game for food).
This goes back to the original question "how far away can the drake be ?" The proposed go to x or take this to x scenario is only designed to be safer for 14 beastmaser or warlock familiar that took the long range options. (Or maybe animal messanger casters)
The best answer is command distance or risk functionality shutdown.
Right. So, you agree. You can send them away on this sort of mission if you are willing to "risk functionality shutdown." Nothing in the game is risk-free. Of course, while the only action it takes is dodge, it can still move. So, if attacked it couldn't dash, but it could dodge and run away (or fly away if the ranger is high enough level and it can fly) as best it could.
Also, I don't know what this hawking thing is coming from. I said retrieve something. Like, go back to this place, and pick up the bag I left there (an item interaction which isn't an action, and wouldn't be taking place in combat, anyway) and bring it back. If the DM wants to attack the drake on the way there or back, that's the risk you take for sending it unattended.
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quick question, i know the drake can only be summoned within 30 feet but once its summoned is there a range from my PC that it can exist or for xample if i was in Phandalin could i send it to Leilon? (it has traveled there with the party before so it would know the way)
There's nothing in the class feature that says there's a limit on how far it can be from you, so there's no limit.
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I would add the caveat that they need to be commanded unless the ranger is incapacitated.(sleeping counts i guess). So communication distance is the limit.
This means you basically have to stay on the same field of battle. Now the 2014 contrasts this by the wording allowing the ranger to be absent.
Here is the relevant drake warden part:
[In combat, the drake shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take another action. That action can be one in its stat block or some other action. If you are incapacitated, the drake can take any action of its choice, not just Dodge.]
Meanwhile 2014 beasmaster says:
If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.
So the 2014 beasmaster here can have its companion be independent as long as it follows the purview of commands and self protection. Hence independent scouting or hunting are far more reasonable for the old non summon companions.
I disagree. As you quote, it says “In combat …” sending it on a mission out of combat does not fall under those restrictions. Certainly, it has to be close enough to hear you when you give it the mission, but that seems like all. Now, if something attacked it while it was on its own, that could get to be an issue about how it would act without you there to command it. But sending it out scouting, or even maybe retrieving something, seems reasonable. With an 8 int, and 14 wis it is as smart and clever as lots and lots of PCs. It could probably handle such a job.
Its that zone of getting attacked or attacking or even the potential of such is the exact problem. Often initiative is rolled and that's a clear division of combat. The risk of shutdown is too great because the character doesn't choose "combat" ... a dm does.
My thesis still stands: gameplay design is for the drake and ranger to be a team on the field while 14 beasmaster is closer to separate characters with independent functions. You can step outside of the design but it won't work well.
If your dm is letting the drake scouts its clearly a free pass excption because intelligence or wisdom isn't a factor when the mechanics say the only action it can take is doge. That doesn't even allow hawking outside of command range because it attacks (sending the hawking to catch small game for food).
This goes back to the original question "how far away can the drake be ?" The proposed go to x or take this to x scenario is only designed to be safer for 14 beastmaser or warlock familiar that took the long range options. (Or maybe animal messanger casters)
The best answer is command distance or risk functionality shutdown.
Right. So, you agree. You can send them away on this sort of mission if you are willing to "risk functionality shutdown." Nothing in the game is risk-free. Of course, while the only action it takes is dodge, it can still move. So, if attacked it couldn't dash, but it could dodge and run away (or fly away if the ranger is high enough level and it can fly) as best it could.
Also, I don't know what this hawking thing is coming from. I said retrieve something. Like, go back to this place, and pick up the bag I left there (an item interaction which isn't an action, and wouldn't be taking place in combat, anyway) and bring it back. If the DM wants to attack the drake on the way there or back, that's the risk you take for sending it unattended.