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None of the various versions of this ability — Ranger's Companion from the 2014 Player's Handbook, Primal Companion from Tasha's, or Primal Companion from the 2024 Player's Handbook — have a timed duration.
The 2014 version only goes away if it dies (and you can only summon a new one if it's dead). The Tasha's version and the 2024 version both go away if you die, if it dies, or if you summon a new one while it's still alive (which you can only do at the end of a long rest).
Though killing the Beast is both easily doable and super distasteful, so I'd probably let (or ask the DM to) let the Ranger just burn a Spell Slot and a minute of time to swap out the Beast for a new one, rather than have the Ranger order the Beast to sit and take a bunch of damage from the party so the Ranger can switch to a more appropriate beast for the occasion.
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🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Though killing the Beast is both easily doable and super distasteful, so I'd probably let (or ask the DM to) let the Ranger just burn a Spell Slot and a minute of time to swap out the Beast for a new one, rather than have the Ranger order the Beast to sit and take a bunch of damage from the party so the Ranger can switch to a more appropriate beast for the occasion.
That does seem quite reasonable. I would allow that for any similar "pet" creature.
I was sure both 24 and Tasha's allowed resummoning because of the wording but I just don't find them interesting as beasmaster.
It was clearly a flaw in the original 14 design to not account for swapping. Wotc really didn't understand the mechanics of rangers and its tie to gameplay.
It however did kinda self correct via the pet death loophole.
Because "willing" resurrection is necessary a jaded/abused companions wouldn't come back. However, if willing it allowed for two viable pet's . Both pet's were still affected by the ranger action economy meaning you could only functionality use one at a time but allowed for faster swapping of the best option. I'd say the cost benefit situation creates interesting rolplay storytelling.
The mechanical story of the summoned ones are alot less interesting and alot simpler. Both can be beneficial storytelling if your focus is not on the class or pet but for logical characters/worldbuilding summons limit a lot of potential.
I like stories of rangers that bond a pet and release them only to return at critical moments.
Or
Stories like John wick where killing the dog becomes a revenge goal.
Or
A ranger who's duties require him to leave the sacred grove but could leave his resurrected pals (still poweed up but also out of regular play) to do what he/she cant.
Or more
Each of these stories only work with 2014 and not Tasha's (without dm handwaving) making players/character choices feel valuable or personalized.
Once summoned I can’t see how long it is around for. Or is it there till it dies or you summon another one ?
None of the various versions of this ability — Ranger's Companion from the 2014 Player's Handbook, Primal Companion from Tasha's, or Primal Companion from the 2024 Player's Handbook — have a timed duration.
The 2014 version only goes away if it dies (and you can only summon a new one if it's dead). The Tasha's version and the 2024 version both go away if you die, if it dies, or if you summon a new one while it's still alive (which you can only do at the end of a long rest).
pronouns: he/she/they
Though killing the Beast is both easily doable and super distasteful, so I'd probably let (or ask the DM to) let the Ranger just burn a Spell Slot and a minute of time to swap out the Beast for a new one, rather than have the Ranger order the Beast to sit and take a bunch of damage from the party so the Ranger can switch to a more appropriate beast for the occasion.
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Charisma Saving Throw: DC 18, Failure: 20d6 Psychic Damage, Success: Half damage
That does seem quite reasonable. I would allow that for any similar "pet" creature.
pronouns: he/she/they
How to prove your evil....... kill the group mascot and shut down a major subclass feature in one go.
I was sure both 24 and Tasha's allowed resummoning because of the wording but I just don't find them interesting as beasmaster.
It was clearly a flaw in the original 14 design to not account for swapping. Wotc really didn't understand the mechanics of rangers and its tie to gameplay.
It however did kinda self correct via the pet death loophole.
Because "willing" resurrection is necessary a jaded/abused companions wouldn't come back. However, if willing it allowed for two viable pet's . Both pet's were still affected by the ranger action economy meaning you could only functionality use one at a time but allowed for faster swapping of the best option. I'd say the cost benefit situation creates interesting rolplay storytelling.
The mechanical story of the summoned ones are alot less interesting and alot simpler. Both can be beneficial storytelling if your focus is not on the class or pet but for logical characters/worldbuilding summons limit a lot of potential.
I like stories of rangers that bond a pet and release them only to return at critical moments.
Or
Stories like John wick where killing the dog becomes a revenge goal.
Or
A ranger who's duties require him to leave the sacred grove but could leave his resurrected pals (still poweed up but also out of regular play) to do what he/she cant.
Or more
Each of these stories only work with 2014 and not Tasha's (without dm handwaving) making players/character choices feel valuable or personalized.