Larian Studios Forums Baldur's Gate III Baldur's Gate III - Suggestions & Feedback Ranger Companions unbalanced and I know why

As far as I can tell Larian has lifted the Ranger companion from 5e directly, but they've messed up the correct creatures. The second problem is the challenge rating (CR) levels, higher numbers are better. I think CR 1/2 is meant to be the max for this level Ranger and some creatures have accidentally/temporarily been added, meaning the Ranger companion sub-class has access to creatures it shouldn't be able to access at these early levels.

The creatures available in EA:

Wolf is CR 1/4

Boar is CR 1/4

Raven is CR 0

Bear (has Black Bear stats) CR 1/2

Giant Spider CR 1

I think someone might have confused the Giant Spider (CR1) with the Giant Wolf Spider (CR 1/4). And the Raven probably should have same stats as a Blood Hawk CR 1/4 to make it useful (or even be replaced by).

Also if anyone from Larian is reading other interesting options not in-game include the Giant Frog, Giant Poisonous Snake, Giant Crab or Flying Snake.

Sources:
https://5e.tools/bestiary.html
https://rpgbot.net/dnd5/characters/classes/ranger/subclasses.html

I couldn't figure out why the Raven has such low hp? 1 hp? Really? it's pointless.

I found the relevant passage relating to the Ranger Companion:

"You gain a beast companion that accompanies you on your adventures and is trained to fight alongside you. Choose a beast that is no larger than Medium and that has a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower. Add your proficiency bonus to the beast's AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills it is proficient in. Its hit point maximum equals its normal maximum or four times your ranger level, whichever is higher. Like any creature, the beast can spend Hit Dice during a short rest."

So at a glance problems are:

1) CR too high for (Black) bear and Giant Spider
2) Proficiency bonus from character is not being added to any companion rolls (haven't tested this myself)
3) Hit points are definitely not normal maximum or 4x your level (so Raven should be 12hp minimum at level 3)

That said the Bear feels balanced against the other CR 1/4 so I see no reason it should go. The rules have to be adapted for BG3 after all.