So I always loved Beastmaster Ranger and the bond they have with their animal companions. I have a black cat in real life, so a panther was my go-to animal companion in d&d and in games like Neverwinter Nights. In Baldur's Gate 2 the animal summoning spells always had me hopeful for a panther summon, and it made me happy when they would appear because it was the idea of having a fluffy battle/murder kitty in game that reminded me of my own black cat that hit things off. I like the armor for beast companions and the advancement system in Baldur's gate 3 a lot, but I think having more beast companion options would improve upon the class and make it more interesting. Here's some ideas I had for the panther and some other suggested beast companions:
Panther Beast Companion
- The panther model and abilities already exist for druids. So that makes adding it in for beastmaster rangers easier on that end.
- The panther for rangers could either start at a lower hit point with less capabilities (like the original panther in 5e) and work up to the one druids get at level 6, or it can be gained at a higher level to match the higher stats.
A) If starting at a lower capability level it could get the 13 Hit Points, Pounce attack, and Bite attack it gets from 5e d&d with the druidic enhanced jump. At the first upgrade (level 5) it can get the Prowl ability like the druidic version has. At the second upgrade (level 11) it can get the Jugular Bite attack like the druidic version has, and additionally could get something else like a upgrade to prowl where the ranger and the panther both benefit from the panther's prowl for stealthier rangers whenever the ranger is crouched.
B) If received at a higher level, it could be gained at level 5 considering the starting health it has for a level 6 druid. Then at level 11 it could get the upgrade to prowl like mentioned in the other option above. Though I would not give it additional abilities or attacks other then the enhanced prowl considering it already has quite a bit.
Deinonychus (Raptor) Beast Companion
-This would be a get in and deal damage then get out kind of companion. It would probably be feathered as well given what's been discovered about raptors in more recent years.
-Starting Stats
*AC 12, HP 9, Speed 9m
*Str 11, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 5
-Attacks/Abilities
*Level 3: Enhanced Jump, Bite, Pack Tactics
*Level 5: Serrated Bite (Bite has a chance to cause bleeding), Jump Back (jump back just out of attack-of-opportunity range without triggering as a bonus action)
*Level 11: Tail Whip (chance to knock target prone), Rush (bonus action to take dash action)
Giant Weasel Beast Companion
-I thought about what a improved version of the giant weasel might look like and I thought about something that burrowed and jumped out at enemies like the druidic badger form. I also thought about the 'war dances' ferrets do as well. I thought about how those 'war dances' could be used to buff the weasel and others.
-Starting Stats
*AC 13, HP 9, Speed 9m
*Str 11, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 5
-Attacks/Abilities
*Level 3: Burrow (works the same as with the druidic badger form), Bite, War Dance 1/day (lasts 1 round each time) (Options: Frenzied War Dance (action; the ferret dances with a frenzy and goes into a rage (not as powerful as barbarian rage though))
*Level 5: Latching Bite (the weasel latches onto the targets back or onto it and bites one additional time once per round (str check to latch on, dex check to stay on for successive turns)), War Dance 2/day (lasts 2 rounds each time) (Options: Frenzied War Dance, Distracting War Dance (action; the weasel dances playfully and excitedly, given itself and those within 3m of it advantage on attack rolls while distracting and causing disadvantage for enemy attacks (also causes enemies to focus the weasel)))
*Level 11: Drag (bonus action; drags the enemy 3m in the direction of the rangers choice and pins the enemy in place (str check to grab, str check to drag, and str check for enemy to break free on their turn; triggers attack-of-opportunity as warranted to the enemy if dragged past the enemy's enemies), War Dance 3/day (lasts 3 rounds each time) (Options: Frenzied War Dance, Distracting War Dance, Brave War Dance (The weasel looks undaunted and fearless towards its enemy--granting it and its ranger (while the ranger can still see the weasel) advantage against fear effects))
What do you all think? Any additional beast companions that would be cool to have?
