Beastmaster: Nature of the Beast

My goals with this rework is to provide more choices for Beast Companions and creating a synergy between ranger and beast companion. I believe with allowing choices from CR 1 but using stat blocks from CR 1/2 or lower will give more options for Beast Companions as well as give more flavor in battle and role play.

Beast Companion

At 3rd level, you learn to use your magic to create a powerful bond with a creature of the natural world. Through the use of magic and experience you call forth your Beast Companion and create a bond between you and your Beast Companion. Over time your bond grows and strengthens granting access to greater tactics and power.

You may select any Beast with a CR 1/2 or lower and has a size of large or smaller If your chosen Companion is a Large Beast it is considered a Medium Beast. You may choose a Beast that is a CR 1 if there is a Beast that is similar in the CR 1/2 or lower.(Substituting panther stats for lion) As always, your DM has final say on your chosen Companion and can make further changes if they deem fit. Add your proficiency bonus to your Beast Companion's AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls. Your Beast Companion shares your Saving throws and also must make Death Saving Throws if it falls unconscious.

Starting Hit Points for your Beast Companion is either 4x Ranger level or Hit Dice average plus Constitution mod. Starting Hit Dice for your Companion is as follows: Tiny Beasts 3d4, Small 3D6, Medium/Large 3D8. If your chosen Companion has Keen Smell, Keen Hearing, or Keen Sight you may keep these but no other additional Beast feats. Multi-attack is not able to be used if your Beast attacks come with it. When you level add one hit die and roll accordingly to add hit points to your Companion.

Your companion takes it turn on your Initiative Roll but can take its Reaction separately from yours. You may command your Companion to move on your turn. On your Bonus Action you may have your Companion take the following actions: Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help. If you do not issue a command to your Companion on your turn it will automatically take the Dodge action. Your Companion may only attack once and only on your Bonus Action unless otherwise noted.

Beast Companion Ability Score Improvement

At level 8 you may raise a chosen attribute of your Companion by 2 or two attributes by 1 or you may upgrade an attack of your Companion. If you choose to upgrade your Companions attack you may only upgrade an attack once unless your Companion has only one attack. (ex.Mastiff). If your companions attack die is a 1D6 it may be upgraded to a 1D8 and if it is a 1D4 it is upgraded to a 1D6.

At level 12 you may raise a chosen attribute of your Companion by 2 or two attributes by 1 or you may upgrade an attack of your Companion. If you choose to upgrade your Companions attack you may only upgrade an attack once unless your Companion has only one attack. (ex.Mastiff). If your companions attack die is a 1D6 it may be upgraded to a 1D8 and if it is a 1D4 it is upgraded to a 1D6.

For Companions with one Attack feature you may upgrade the attack at level 8 and a level 12 if you choose not to increase the Attributes of your Companion. If your Companions attack die is a D4 it increases to a D6 or D6 to a D8 on its first upgrade. At the level 12 upgrade it will increase from a D6 to a D8 or a D8 to D10 (or 2D6 I'm not sure on this part).

Nature of the Pack

 At level 3 you gain access to Nature of the Pack features and can choose two of them. You will gain access to further features at levels 7, 11, and 15. You must expend a spell slot equal to the level it requires. Pack features may be used only on your Bonus Action and in place of your Beast Companions Attack unless otherwise stated.

Nature of the Pack

At level 3 you are able to choose your Beast Companion. You also gain access to Nature of the Pack features and can choose two of them. You will gain access to further features at levels 5 ,9, 13, and 17. You must expend a spell slot as required by the Pack feature. Pack Features maybe used only on the Bonus Action.

Bestial Retaliation

When you take melee damage from a target and your Companion is within 5 feet of you. You can use your Reaction to lash out at the Target with your weapon and have your Companion make a Bite attack. This requires a 4th level spell slot and can only be used once per round.

Blood Frenzy

During battle you and your Companion go into a Blood Frenzy. You both do increased piercing, bludgeoning, and slashing damage and gain advantage on your attacks for 1 minute. The damage increase is a 1D4 for you and your Companion. This requires a 5th level spell slot, causes 1 point of exhaustion, and can only be used once per long rest.

Dread Roar

If your Companion kills its Target it make take the Ranger's Action and let loose an intimidating roar. All enemies within 20 feet(not sure on this yet) must make a WIS saving throw or have disadvantage on their next attack. 3rd level spell slot

Dripping Claws

The Ranger forgoes his Attack action to empower his Companion. The Companion strikes with both claws and inflicts a movement penalty on the Target. (Will either be -10 feet or half MS until Targets next turn.) 2nd level spell slot req. companion must have a claw attack.

Dripping Fangs

The Ranger forgoes his Attack to empower his Companion. The Companion makes two bite attacks and inflicts a movement penalty on the Target. (Will either be -10 feet or half MS until Targets next turn.) 2nd level spell slot

Menace with Purpose

Your Companion rushes the targeted enemy with a distracting attack causing 1D4 damage. If the attack is successful the Ranger gains Advantage on their attack against the targeted creature. If the Ranger already has advantage on his attack this Pack feature has no effect and the spell slot is still consumed.

Sacrifice

If your Companion is within its MS it can intercept an attack that would otherwise drop your Rangers HP to 0. Your Companion takes the full force of the attack and regardless of your Companions HP level it is dropped to 0 and is unconscious. This Pack feature can only be used if your Companion has not used its Reaction that Round. Can only be used once per Short/Long Rest.

Surprise!

If no combat actions have been taken and the Companion is successfully stealthed. The Companion may Leap or Swoop into view of the Target with loud Roar, Howl, Scream and attempt to scare the Target. The Target must succeed on a WIS saving throw or be Frightened until the end of its next turn. Normal frightened rules apply to this state.

Unbalanced Attack

You and your Companion combine to unbalance and potentially knock your opponent prone. As you fire your attack your Companion hits the target below the knees seeking to unbalance it at the same time your attack lands. The Target must succeed on a DEX save or be knocked prone. If the target succeeds on the DEX save it is not knocked prone but has disadvantage on its next attack. Target takes Damage from your Attack regardless of Save outcome.

Victory Roar

If your Companion kills its target it may take your Action and release a Roar that invigorates your allies within 25 feet of the kill. All allies within that range gain 3 +WIS modifier temporary hit points.

Bond of the Pack

Starting at level 7 your companions attacks are now considered magical as to the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

Bond Transference

Starting at level 11 your companion now receives additional bonuses through the Bond with you. If you have an equipped item that increases your AC your Companions AC increases by 1. Elemental/Damage Resistances are transferred over(fire resistance etc). Does not stack if your companion has Barding that applies the same affects. Weapons that increase the Rangers Attack bonus to hit and damage give a +1 to hit and damage for your Companion. Damage immunity is not transferable. 

Life Bond

Starting at level 15 any healing magic that affects the Ranger also affects your Companion reduced by half. Your Companion can now make to two Attacks when you use the Bonus Action for the Companion to Attack.