I wanted to run a home-brew mechanic by some people who have played beast master before, a well as DMs who have run campaigns with a beast master in the party. The mechanic goes like this, if a companion has been with the player for an amount of time chosen by the DM, I was thinking 5 levels per cr level (1/8 to 1/4, 1/4 to 1/2, etc.) , it can change to become something stronger. Like I said, the time, and/or number of levels is up to the DM, I would base it on the companions current cr, and the cr of what it would become. The next form would be similar to the original, for example, a wolf would become either a dire wolf, or a home-brew half die wolf with stats and abilities half way between a wolf and a dire wolf, with a cr of 1/2. If there's no reasonable choice for the next stage of a companion, i would suggest home-brewing one, or you can try to find a way to explain why your player's giant weasel became a snake. Maybe at level 20 they get an exception on the time it takes, as it will have been just 2 levels since the last, and we all know level 20 is a big milestone, especially if the player has had this companion since level 3. This probably won't mesh well with the unearthed arcana ranger, but feel free to add the revive function. Perhaps if the companion is revived, the strain of death and revival has reset the companion to it's original form, although, i suggest it should become stronger faster so that it doesn't become a hindrance to the party. Another way you could determine when a companion grades up is giving it experience based on what it kills. Please give me your suggestions and ideas. If this gets enough attention, I may try to contact WotC about it.
I still think beastmasters should have multiple companions, and their actions should be a bonus action.
That's an interesting idea, but it seems a little unbalanced. you could also just get a pet and get a similar, more balanced result. Also, that was not what I was looking for. It doesn't give me a reason why it's not a good idea, it doesn't build on the idea, and frankly, it's a bit rude. know you were making a joke, but I was excited to see a comment on my post, just to find out it was a joke that is almost an insult to my idea, and doesn't help me in the least.
Question. What is the real goal or motivation behind having your monster upgrade? Is it supposed to be for a HP/ damage improvement? Is it because you want a bigger pet?(one you can ride) Or is it the idea of a monster getting stronger and "evolving"? I can see this concept working in a campaign that has evolving monsters in it. Other than that, I don't know why you would really want an evolving beast companion.
I will say this though, you gave me an idea for a Ranger spell that works on pets/beast companions that makes them into a mount temporarily that scales with spell slot level. Paladins won't be the only half (1/2) casters that can have a temporary mount now.
I have my own idea on how to make the beast companion feel a lot better if that is what you are going for. I posted it in the Ranger forum a while back and can give you the link if you are interested.
Beastmaster has a limit of 1/4 CR. Are you also removing that when you improve them? If so, you should first discuss what the new CR limit on them will be. That is FAR more of a change than whatever 'evolution' you allow.
Companions already get boosted a lot by smart Beast masters. You should be:
Buying them magic items (Barding, Horseshoes)
Awakening them
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I wanted to run a home-brew mechanic by some people who have played beast master before, a well as DMs who have run campaigns with a beast master in the party. The mechanic goes like this, if a companion has been with the player for an amount of time chosen by the DM, I was thinking 5 levels per cr level (1/8 to 1/4, 1/4 to 1/2, etc.) , it can change to become something stronger. Like I said, the time, and/or number of levels is up to the DM, I would base it on the companions current cr, and the cr of what it would become. The next form would be similar to the original, for example, a wolf would become either a dire wolf, or a home-brew half die wolf with stats and abilities half way between a wolf and a dire wolf, with a cr of 1/2. If there's no reasonable choice for the next stage of a companion, i would suggest home-brewing one, or you can try to find a way to explain why your player's giant weasel became a snake. Maybe at level 20 they get an exception on the time it takes, as it will have been just 2 levels since the last, and we all know level 20 is a big milestone, especially if the player has had this companion since level 3. This probably won't mesh well with the unearthed arcana ranger, but feel free to add the revive function. Perhaps if the companion is revived, the strain of death and revival has reset the companion to it's original form, although, i suggest it should become stronger faster so that it doesn't become a hindrance to the party. Another way you could determine when a companion grades up is giving it experience based on what it kills. Please give me your suggestions and ideas. If this gets enough attention, I may try to contact WotC about it.
So my pikachu turns into a raichu?...Pass.
I still think beastmasters should have multiple companions, and their actions should be a bonus action.
That's an interesting idea, but it seems a little unbalanced. you could also just get a pet and get a similar, more balanced result. Also, that was not what I was looking for. It doesn't give me a reason why it's not a good idea, it doesn't build on the idea, and frankly, it's a bit rude. know you were making a joke, but I was excited to see a comment on my post, just to find out it was a joke that is almost an insult to my idea, and doesn't help me in the least.
Question. What is the real goal or motivation behind having your monster upgrade? Is it supposed to be for a HP/ damage improvement? Is it because you want a bigger pet?(one you can ride) Or is it the idea of a monster getting stronger and "evolving"? I can see this concept working in a campaign that has evolving monsters in it. Other than that, I don't know why you would really want an evolving beast companion.
I will say this though, you gave me an idea for a Ranger spell that works on pets/beast companions that makes them into a mount temporarily that scales with spell slot level. Paladins won't be the only half (1/2) casters that can have a temporary mount now.
I have my own idea on how to make the beast companion feel a lot better if that is what you are going for. I posted it in the Ranger forum a while back and can give you the link if you are interested.
You can find my published homebrew Spells here.
Beastmaster has a limit of 1/4 CR. Are you also removing that when you improve them? If so, you should first discuss what the new CR limit on them will be. That is FAR more of a change than whatever 'evolution' you allow.
Companions already get boosted a lot by smart Beast masters. You should be: