This is the first series for a new column to study the design and thought process of the latest Unearthed Arcana rules put out by Wizards of the Coast. This column aims for me to point out some observations I've made on the rules, imagine its impact at the table and raise discussions of how it would be used or played if it becomes official.
In my post on the Beast Conclave, I mentioned that the revised Animal Companion and Companion's Bond has vastly changed the animal companion and the companion's statistics that accompanies the Ranger. So to make a more meaningful comparison, I needed a post focused on just comparing what was changed for the animal companion.
For this comparison, I choose to take a Black Bear as the animal companion because it has the Multiattack action to demonstrate what happens when it is removed. I will be comparing the animal companion across different levels at 3rd (when the Ranger first acquires it), 7th (when it gets its second Conclave/Archetype feature) and lastly at 11th (for the 3rd Conclave/Archetype feature). This I think will give a wider picture of how the companion differs as it progresses as you will see.
As a disclaimer, I cannot guarantee that the math I've done is perfect so I'm open to anyone who can point out anything unusual or incorrect in the statistics I've derived, and if proven wrong, I would make the amendments accordingly. Of course, conversely, if there's any of the calculations that doesn't make sense to you, I can try to show you my workings.
So first off, here are the companion's stats when the Ranger is at 3rd level and first acquires the animal companion:
For this comparison, I choose to take a Black Bear as the animal companion because it has the Multiattack action to demonstrate what happens when it is removed. I will be comparing the animal companion across different levels at 3rd (when the Ranger first acquires it), 7th (when it gets its second Conclave/Archetype feature) and lastly at 11th (for the 3rd Conclave/Archetype feature). This I think will give a wider picture of how the companion differs as it progresses as you will see.
As a disclaimer, I cannot guarantee that the math I've done is perfect so I'm open to anyone who can point out anything unusual or incorrect in the statistics I've derived, and if proven wrong, I would make the amendments accordingly. Of course, conversely, if there's any of the calculations that doesn't make sense to you, I can try to show you my workings.
So first off, here are the companion's stats when the Ranger is at 3rd level and first acquires the animal companion:
| Black Bear, Medium Beast | Ranger's Companion (Player's Handbook) | Animal Companion & Companion's Bond (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Armor Class | 13 (11+2) | 13 (11+2) |
| Hit Points | 19 (3d8+6) | 19 (3d8+6) |
| Speed | 40 ft., Climb 30 ft. | 40 ft., Climb 30 ft. |
| STR | 15 (+2) | 15 (+2) |
| DEX | 10 (+0) | 10 (+0) |
| CON | 14 (+2) | 14 (+2) |
| INT | 2 (-4) | 2 (-4) |
| WIS | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) |
| CHA | 7 (-2) | 7 (-2) |
| Ranger's Proficiency Bouns | +2 | +2 |
| Saving Throws | ||
| STR | +2 | +4 |
| DEX | +0 | +2 |
| CON | +2 | +4 |
| INT | -4 | -2 |
| WIS | +1 | +3 |
| CHA | -2 | +0 |
| Skill Proficiencies | ||
| Athletics | +4 | |
| Perception | +3 | +3 |
| Stealth | +2 | |
| Number of Attacks | 1 | 1 |
| Bite | +5 to Hit: 1d6+4 Piercing | +5 to Hit: 1d6+4 Piercing / 1d6+6 Piercing (Favored Enemy) |
| Claw | +5 to Hit: 2d4+4 Slashing | +5 to Hit: 2d4+4 Slashing / 2d4+6 Slashing (Favored Enemy) |
Here's the animal companion when the Ranger is at 6th level. For the Ability Score Improvement, the player of the revised Ranger would increase the companion's CON score by 2. Also should be noted that the revised Ranger would have also gained the Greater Favored Enemy feature.
| Black Bear, Medium Beast | Ranger's Companion (Player's Handbook) | Animal Companion & Companion's Bond (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Armor Class | 14 (11+3) | 14 (11+3) |
| Hit Points | 19 (3d8+6) | 43 (6d8+18) |
| Speed | 40 ft., Climb 30 ft. | 40 ft., Climb 30 ft. |
| STR | 15 (+2) | 15 (+2) |
| DEX | 10 (+0) | 10 (+0) |
| CON | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
| INT | 2 (-4) | 2 (-4) |
| WIS | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) |
| CHA | 7 (-2) | 7 (-2) |
| Ranger's Proficiency Bouns | +3 | +3 |
| Saving Throws | ||
| STR | +2 | +5 |
| DEX | +0 | +3 |
| CON | +2 | +5 |
| INT | -4 | -1 |
| WIS | +1 | +4 |
| CHA | -2 | +1 |
| Skill Proficiencies | ||
| Athletics | +5 | |
| Perception | +4 | +4 |
| Stealth | +3 | |
| Number of Attacks | 1 | 1 ,1 Reaction (Coordinated Attack) |
| Bite | +6 to Hit: 1d6+5 Piercing | +6 to Hit: 1d6+5 Piercing / 1d6+9 Piercing (Favored Enemy) |
| Claw | +6 to Hit: 2d4+5 Slashing | +6 to Hit: 2d4+5 Slashing / 2d4+9 Slashing (Favored Enemy) |
For our last comparison, this is the companion with the Ranger at 11th level. For the Ability Score Improvement, the Ranger increases the companion's STR by 2.
| Black Bear, Medium Beast | Ranger's Companion (Player's Handbook) | Animal Companion & Companion's Bond (Revised) |
|---|---|---|
| Armor Class | 15 (11+4) | 15 (11+4) |
| Hit Points | 19 (3d8+6) | 78 (11d8+33) |
| Speed | 40 ft., Climb 30 ft. | 40 ft., Climb 30 ft. |
| STR | 15 (+2) | 17 (+3) |
| DEX | 10 (+0) | 10 (+0) |
| CON | 14 (+2) | 16 (+3) |
| INT | 2 (-4) | 2 (-4) |
| WIS | 12 (+1) | 12 (+1) |
| CHA | 7 (-2) | 7 (-2) |
| Ranger's Proficiency Bouns | +4 | +4 |
| Saving Throws | Has Advantage (Beast's Defense) | |
| STR | +2 | +6 |
| DEX | +0 | +4 |
| CON | +2 | +6 |
| INT | -4 | +0 |
| WIS | +1 | +5 |
| CHA | -2 | +2 |
| Skill Proficiencies | ||
| Athletics | +7 | |
| Perception | +5 | +5 |
| Stealth | +4 | |
| Number of Attacks | 2 / Multiattack (Bestial Fury) | Up to 8 (Storm of Claws and Fangs), 1 Reaction (Coordinated Attack) |
| Bite | +7 to Hit: 1d6+6 Piercing | +7 to Hit: 1d6+7 Piercing / 1d6+11 Piercing (Favored Enemy) |
| Claw | +7 to Hit: 2d4+6 Slashing | +7 to Hit: 2d4+7 Slashing / 2d4+11 Slashing (Favored Enemy) |
Overall, I think there's plenty to like for the new Beast Conclave. I hope these comparisons has helped you to see how the companion is now an effective party member rather than a meat shield. Given that it now costs time and money to bring back a dead animal companion, it probably justifies that these companions don't die as easily. Although its combat effectiveness isn't worrying, but it certainly makes the Beast Conclave seem more fun to play.
This would pretty much conclude my study of the new revised Ranger, and I'm quite certain that this won't be the last time that the designers would be making another revision, so I'm already looking forward to see the next revision. I would definitely like to hear what you all have to say about this revised Ranger, so feel free to share your thoughts on them.
See you until the next Unearthing the Arcana!
Last Updated: 10/10/2016
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