A player in a game I am DM'ing has chosen a beast master ranger as his PC. I can't help thinking that it's a bit under powered, as well as being quite poorly explained (do the beast's defences and attacks go up every level, for example, or just every other level as normal?) in the book. Does anyone else have experience with this?

A player in a game I am DM'ing has chosen a beast master ranger as his PC. I can't help thinking that it's a bit under powered, as well as being quite poorly explained (do the beast's defences and attacks go up every level, for example, or just every other level as normal?) in the book. Does anyone else have experience with this?

I have a character who has been trying this out, though I've only played one short adventure with him since switching to a Beast Master build. My ranger uses the bow, so isn't able to take advantage of most of the powers for the beast master (which involve melee attacks on the ranger's end) - but I found it fun and useful. Not overwhelming in power, but it does add a lot of versatility to have a companion that can interfere with enemies, provide flanking, threaten with opportunity attacks, help with designating Hunter's Quarry, etc.

I think it is a perfectly fine choice - not going to be super-powerful (at least not till high levels), but certainly capable of holding its own. It will require some care to not let the companion just be a healing surge sink, but otherwise should be fun to play.

Mechanics-wise, I'm not sure where the confusion is. Each type of companion has a listing with the formulas for calculating their defences and attacks. They use these formulas, rather than any PC related calculations. Defences and Attacks go up every level, HP go up according to the listing, etc. The numbers come out reasonably even, since they don't have items/feats/etc to deal with.

A player in a game I am DM'ing has chosen a beast master ranger as his PC. I can't help thinking that it's a bit under powered, as well as being quite poorly explained (do the beast's defences and attacks go up every level, for example, or just every other level as normal?) in the book. Does anyone else have experience with this?

It does feel a bit wonky going in, that the pet doesn't do anything at all in combat unless the ranger spends his actions controlling it. Do consider what little the ranger actually gives up to gain this companion though - prime shot and what pretty much amounts to a feat. Not a bad trade IMO.

The individual statblocks spell out exactly what happens to the beast every time you gain a level. Most of its combat stats are level + something, so the answer to your question would be that defenses & attacks go up every level.

I'll add that my experience with beast master rangers is the same as yours - I've got one in the group I DM for.

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

A player in a game I am DM'ing has chosen a beast master ranger as his PC. I can't help thinking that it's a bit under powered, as well as being quite poorly explained (do the beast's defences and attacks go up every level, for example, or just every other level as normal?) in the book. Does anyone else have experience with this?

I have a character who has been trying this out, though I've only played one short adventure with him since switching to a Beast Master build. My ranger uses the bow, so isn't able to take advantage of most of the powers for the beast master (which involve melee attacks on the ranger's end) - but I found it fun and useful. Not overwhelming in power, but it does add a lot of versatility to have a companion that can interfere with enemies, provide flanking, threaten with opportunity attacks, help with designating Hunter's Quarry, etc.

I think it is a perfectly fine choice - not going to be super-powerful (at least not till high levels), but certainly capable of holding its own. It will require some care to not let the companion just be a healing surge sink, but otherwise should be fun to play.

Mechanics-wise, I'm not sure where the confusion is. Each type of companion has a listing with the formulas for calculating their defences and attacks. They use these formulas, rather than any PC related calculations. Defences and Attacks go up every level, HP go up according to the listing, etc. The numbers come out reasonably even, since they don't have items/feats/etc to deal with.

I wasn't sure if the beast went up every level or every other level (and whether this evened out or not at high levels, since I an unfamiliar with them). The beast does seem quite vulnerable at low level - AC is lousy, HP indifferent, and the attacks are a bit irrelevant since you really use the beast as a prop for powers. Plus whenever the beast gets hurt badly the player immediaely runs and hides, taking his wolf with him (the latter not a problem with the class of course, more the players, but hey).

Thanks for the insights, guys - any others out there (like suggested builds and so on)?

Thanks for the insights, guys - any others out there (like suggested builds and so on)?

Well, I haven't had a chance to play her yet, but I spec'ed out the PF iconic Lini as a Lvl. 4 Beast Master ranger multiclassed w/ druid to get wild shape. The idea being that ranger and companion become more like mated predators than master and sidekick.

The idea being that ranger and companion become more like mated predators than master and sidekick.

Very nice take! I think the RP potential here is awesome.

I think the Beastmaster has a lot of potential.
Let's just forget for a moment how much or little damage it does...
It is an extra creature in combat, that does not earn (eat up) xp but that can flank and absorb damage. It moves for free when you move, so even if you don't ever attack with it, it works!