Circle of the Beast Master

Druids of the Circle of the Beast Master have a deep connection with all animals, watching over them and protecting them from harm. This guardianship allows the druid to form a natural alliance between themselves and an animal companion.

With a natural affinity for animals, the members of this circle might be found prowling through the shadows as a cat, soaring the skies as a bird, crossing a lake as a crocodile or even crashing through the undergrowth as a bear. No matter the form they adopt, the spirit of the animal is in the Beast Master's blood.

 

Primal Bond

You have a deep connection with a wild beast, who accompanies you. It can be no larger than medium and must have a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower. Your animal companion acts independently of you, but it always obeys your commands. The animal companion gains a variety of benefits while it is linked to you.

Add your proficiency bonus to the companion’s AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills with which it is proficient. The companion’s hit point maximum equals the hit point number in its stat block or four times your druid level, whichever is higher. Like any creature, it can spend Hit Dice during a short rest to regain hit points.

In combat, you can verbally command the beast where to move (no action required by you). You can use your action to verbally command it to take the Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action. If you are incapacitated or absent, the companion acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself.

If your animal companion is ever slain, the magical bond you share allows you to return it to life using the Raise Dead, Resurrection or True Resurrection spells. If you have the Wild Companion feature, you may use this to recall your animal companion's spirit back to their body.

Wild Understanding

Beginning at level 6, while in wild shape, you and your companion can sense each other, regardless of distance. You and your companion know when the other is in danger.

If you are attacked by an obvious target, your companion will attack that target without you commanding it on your turn.

Master of Beasts

Beginning at level 10, you may cast the Druid spells Animal Friendship and Speak with Animals once each as first level spells and the Druid spell Animal Messenger once as a second level spell without expending a spell slot.

 When you cast spells using this ability you do not need to have the spells prepared. Once you cast these spells using this ability, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Faithful Summons

At level 14, the beasts with which you commune will protect you when you are the most defenseless. If you are reduced to 0 hit points or are incapacitated against your will, you can immediately gain the benefits of Conjure Animals as if it were cast using a 9th-level spell slot.

It summons four beasts of your choice that are challenge rating 2 or lower. The conjured beasts appear within 20 feet of you. If they receive no commands from you, they protect you from harm and attack your foes. The spell lasts for 1 hour, requiring no concentration, or until you dismiss it (no action required).

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.