Are druids allowed to have animal companions 5E?
D&D 5e says Druids don’t have an animal companion. The rangers are the only ones who can do this.
Two “paths” or subclasses are available to Druids: more cast or more shape-shifty. It’s almost as if they forgot a third: to be more animal companions.
The druid rules do not include an animal companion. Only the Ranger can get one as a subclass option. Hilariously, both photos of druids depict them with animal companions. It’s not surprising that druids get an animal companion feature. This idea came straight from AD&D’s ‘Animal Friendship” spell.
Why do druids not get 5e Animal companions? Are designers able to comment on it?
Mike Mearls, in an interview about D&D Next (the game playtest that led to D&D 5e), made the following comment to answer a question about familiars during an early interview:
While some people like to feel that their companion animal is flesh and blood, there are many benefits to having it as a spirit or similar Companion.
This idea of a druid having a “spirit companion” has been reflected in the Unearthed Arcana supplement to Druids for Circle of the Shepherd (Spirit Bond) and Guardian Spirit.
The designers thought carefully about how to distinguish different types of animal companions. They initially gave none to the Druid but later allowed a Druid to have a spirit-type companion using the Unearthed Arcana update.
Animal Companion 5e
You will learn how to use magic to form strong bonds with animals of the natural world at the 2nd level. After 8 hours of hard work and 50 gp worth of rare herbs and food, you summon an animal from the wild to be your faithful Companion. Your DM may choose one of these animals based on the terrain, and what kinds of creatures might be found in the area.
Your animal companion will appear at the end of 8 hours and gain all the benefits from your Companion’s Bond ability. One animal companion can be allowed at a given time. You can return your animal companion to life if it is ever killed. You will need to spend 8 hours and 25 gp on rare herbs and good food. Then you can summon your Companion’s spirit and use magic to create a new body. Even if you don’t have any animal’s body, this method can bring your animal companion back to life.
You can use this ability to bring back an animal companion who died while you are still with the same animal companion. The restored Companion will replace your current Companion.
Companion’s Bond
While your animal companion is connected to you, it receives several benefits. If the animal companion has one, it loses its multi-attack ability. Your commands are followed as best as possible by the Companion. You decide its actions, decisions, and attitudes. The Companion rolls like any other creature. Your Companion will act on its own if you are unable to do so or are absent.
Your level determines part of your animal companion’s abilities and game statistics. Your Companion uses your proficiency bonus, not it is own. An animal companion can use its proficiency bonus in the same areas as its AC. Still, it also adds its proficiency to its AC and damage rolls. You can choose to make your animal companion proficient in one or more of the skills you select. It can also make all saving throws.
Your animal companion will gain an additional hit death for every level after the second. That will increase its hit points and give it an extra hit. Your Companion becomes proficient in the two skills you choose. It can also make all saving throws. Your Companion’s ability to improve with the Ability Score Improvement class feature is also enhanced. Your Companion can either increase one of your ability scores by two or increase two of your ability scores by 1. This feature is not allowed to be used by your Companion unless it specifies otherwise.
Master Of Beasts
You can cast the Druid spells Animal Friendship or Speak with Animals as first-level spells starting at the 6th level. You can also cast the Druid spell Animal messenger once as a second-level spell without spending a spell slot. You don’t need to prepare spells for casting spells with this ability. After casting these spells with this ability, you will need to take a long break before you can throw them again.
Share Spells
Your 10th level bond allows you to share magical power with your Animal Companion. Your Animal Companion can cast a spell using your spell list if you are not incapacitated. Your Attack Bonus and Save DC are used to cast the spell. Your next attack roll against the creature will have an advantage if your Animal Companion does it. However, this is only if the attack occurs before your Animal Companion’s next round.
Shared Concentration
At the 14th level of d&d 5e, your Animal Companion, and you can split your mind with it. You can transfer one concentration spell from you to your Companion as a bonus action. Your Companion can focus on the spell as long as it lasts as an action. If the spell is capable, your Companion may not move while you are concentrating on it. You can then cast another concentration spell and focus on that one. After you have used this ability, you will need to rest for a while before using it again.
What is the Work of Animal Companions in DnD 5E?
These methods are not permanent and will require more support from your DM to be successful.
Animal Friendship
Bards and Druids can use this 1st-level spell. This spell allows you to charm a beast until it or you and your friend harm it. It is a great way to calm wild animals and show them that you aren’t trying to harm them. This spell would cost you many spell slots, so using the charming period for strong roleplay (RP) is best. Strong roleplay will win hearts and not just convince minds. Warning: The animal must have intelligence less than 4, and the Wisdom saving throw must be failed. These saves are not always bad for some animals.
Handling animals and RP
It is far more difficult to recruit an animal companion with no feature or spell. Your DM might allow you to perform skill checks. (Animal Handling is appropriate here. However, a DM may ask you to use any skill or ability score you see fit to convince the animal to stay and possibly even train it. It may be easier to use a pre-trained animal such as a mastiff purchased to protect horses or mount.
Longer-lasting Spells
This spell is a popular 1st-level ritual. It’s available to Wizards and Pact of the Chain Warlocks, Druids (in the limited form via the TCoE optional rules), as well as everyone else through the Magic Initiate or Ritual Caster feats. You can summon a spirit in the form of any animal you choose (examples are provided in the spell text). That allows you to communicate telepathically, see through the senses and even cast through within a restricted range. It is a great way to get an owl or cat or a bat. If you want to have more exotic creatures with unique abilities, you can become a Pact of the Chain Warlock. You can choose from more exotic familiar forms such as a pseudodragon or imp and empower your familiar further with the help of invocations.
Steed
Only for Paladins, Find Steed, a 2nd-level spell, allows you to summon a spirit that can take the form of an elk or warhorse, pony, or camel. However, your DM may allow you to summon other spirits, possibly with the help of some sacrificial foods. Once summoned, the Steed has intelligence 6 (which is a significant improvement on any creature). It can communicate with you via telepathic communication within a mile. It can also share the benefits of spells that you cast, even if they are only targeting themselves. That is a great way for you to have a bigger companion or add a smarter dog to your computer for dungeon exploration. You can summon even more powerful creatures with the fourth-level version, Find Greater Steed.
Features
Beast Master Ranger
This subclass, which is probably the most obvious example of this subclass, is about taking your animal companion into battle. You can choose a CR1/4 creature to obey your commands. If your animal companion is killed in combat, you may summon another one using a ritual. TCoE introduced some new rules for the Ranger. These include a new set of Beast Master options. You can choose a template to summon the spirit and describe the Companion as you like. To keep your Companion competitive at higher levels, these new options include scaling based upon your Ranger level as well as your proficiency bonus.
Battle Smith Artificer
You don’t have to be a natural person. Why not make your Companion? The Battle Smith grants you the Steel Defender. This Companion can be any size and can be either bipedal or quadrupedal. The Steel Defender is an excellent companion for animal-ish creatures. It has built-in scaling, cantrip healing, and the Defensive Pounce ability. You? Why do I make mine look like a steel panther? It’s cool! Is there a band? You’ve never heard of them.
Homunculus Servant (Artificer Infusion 5e)
The Homunculus Servant can be obtained by all Artificers starting at the 2nd level (when they get their first infusions). The Homunculus Servant requires 100GP to get the heart of your friend. However, it is an excellent alternative to an owl-like creature. You can channel spells through your Homunculus just like a familiar. However, it has a lower HP formula than the Steel Defender.
Urchin Pet Mouse
Urchin Pet Mouse feature isn’t there, but Remy can be used as starting equipment. Although there is no mechanical connection or special ability, the Urchin background allows you to play the game with your pet mouse. These can be combined with the information at the top to increase the bond between your two ragtag adventurers.
Summary
Because of their connection with nature and its inhabitants, druids can transform into animals or other beasts. However, druids cannot summon familiars the same way wizards can in 5E. They also are not able to gain animal companions the same as rangers.
Although many Dungeons & Dragons fans love their animal companions, the fifth edition does not support the archetype adequately. Certain character types only have access to pets. It is often difficult to create a companion for a character that works well with others. The Beast Master ranger is the most criticized of all the class archetypes in the game. Players must make smart choices to make beast masters more capable of holding their own. You’ll find more information at the end.
Your preference for what your animal companion should do is the best way to go. Your options are limited the more skilled your pet is. While a friendly mascot is a great addition to your adventuring party, a dnd 5e pet that can fight alongside a higher-level character will limit your options.
Ask yourself what you desire from your pet. This article will help you find the perfect Animal Companion for your pet in dnd and understand, druids unlike rangers dont get one.
Are druids allowed to have animal companions 5E?
D&D 5e says Druids don’t have an animal companion. The rangers are the only ones who can do this.
Two “paths” or subclasses are available to Druids: more cast or more shape-shifty. It’s almost as if they forgot a third: to be more animal companions.
The druid rules do not include an animal companion. Only the Ranger can get one as a subclass option. Hilariously, both photos of druids depict them with animal companions. It’s not surprising that druids get an animal companion feature. This idea came straight from AD&D’s ‘Animal Friendship” spell.
Why do druids not get 5e Animal companions? Are designers able to comment on it?
Mike Mearls, in an interview about D&D Next (the game playtest that led to D&D 5e), made the following comment to answer a question about familiars during an early interview:
While some people like to feel that their companion animal is flesh and blood, there are many benefits to having it as a spirit or similar Companion.
This idea of a druid having a “spirit companion” has been reflected in the Unearthed Arcana supplement to Druids for Circle of the Shepherd (Spirit Bond) and Guardian Spirit.
The designers thought carefully about how to distinguish different types of animal companions. They initially gave none to the Druid but later allowed a Druid to have a spirit-type companion using the Unearthed Arcana update.
Animal Companion 5e
You will learn how to use magic to form strong bonds with animals of the natural world at the 2nd level. After 8 hours of hard work and 50 gp worth of rare herbs and food, you summon an animal from the wild to be your faithful Companion. Your DM may choose one of these animals based on the terrain, and what kinds of creatures might be found in the area.
Your animal companion will appear at the end of 8 hours and gain all the benefits from your Companion’s Bond ability. One animal companion can be allowed at a given time. You can return your animal companion to life if it is ever killed. You will need to spend 8 hours and 25 gp on rare herbs and good food. Then you can summon your Companion’s spirit and use magic to create a new body. Even if you don’t have any animal’s body, this method can bring your animal companion back to life.
You can use this ability to bring back an animal companion who died while you are still with the same animal companion. The restored Companion will replace your current Companion.
Companion’s Bond
While your animal companion is connected to you, it receives several benefits. If the animal companion has one, it loses its multi-attack ability. Your commands are followed as best as possible by the Companion. You decide its actions, decisions, and attitudes. The Companion rolls like any other creature. Your Companion will act on its own if you are unable to do so or are absent.
Your level determines part of your animal companion’s abilities and game statistics. Your Companion uses your proficiency bonus, not it is own. An animal companion can use its proficiency bonus in the same areas as its AC. Still, it also adds its proficiency to its AC and damage rolls. You can choose to make your animal companion proficient in one or more of the skills you select. It can also make all saving throws.
Your animal companion will gain an additional hit death for every level after the second. That will increase its hit points and give it an extra hit. Your Companion becomes proficient in the two skills you choose. It can also make all saving throws. Your Companion’s ability to improve with the Ability Score Improvement class feature is also enhanced. Your Companion can either increase one of your ability scores by two or increase two of your ability scores by 1. This feature is not allowed to be used by your Companion unless it specifies otherwise.
Master Of Beasts
You can cast the Druid spells Animal Friendship or Speak with Animals as first-level spells starting at the 6th level. You can also cast the Druid spell Animal messenger once as a second-level spell without spending a spell slot. You don’t need to prepare spells for casting spells with this ability. After casting these spells with this ability, you will need to take a long break before you can throw them again.
Share Spells
Your 10th level bond allows you to share magical power with your Animal Companion. Your Animal Companion can cast a spell using your spell list if you are not incapacitated. Your Attack Bonus and Save DC are used to cast the spell. Your next attack roll against the creature will have an advantage if your Animal Companion does it. However, this is only if the attack occurs before your Animal Companion’s next round.
Shared Concentration
At the 14th level of d&d 5e, your Animal Companion, and you can split your mind with it. You can transfer one concentration spell from you to your Companion as a bonus action. Your Companion can focus on the spell as long as it lasts as an action. If the spell is capable, your Companion may not move while you are concentrating on it. You can then cast another concentration spell and focus on that one. After you have used this ability, you will need to rest for a while before using it again.
What is the Work of Animal Companions in DnD 5E?
These methods are not permanent and will require more support from your DM to be successful.
Animal Friendship
Bards and Druids can use this 1st-level spell. This spell allows you to charm a beast until it or you and your friend harm it. It is a great way to calm wild animals and show them that you aren’t trying to harm them. This spell would cost you many spell slots, so using the charming period for strong roleplay (RP) is best. Strong roleplay will win hearts and not just convince minds. Warning: The animal must have intelligence less than 4, and the Wisdom saving throw must be failed. These saves are not always bad for some animals.
Handling animals and RP
It is far more difficult to recruit an animal companion with no feature or spell. Your DM might allow you to perform skill checks. (Animal Handling is appropriate here. However, a DM may ask you to use any skill or ability score you see fit to convince the animal to stay and possibly even train it. It may be easier to use a pre-trained animal such as a mastiff purchased to protect horses or mount.
Longer-lasting Spells
This spell is a popular 1st-level ritual. It’s available to Wizards and Pact of the Chain Warlocks, Druids (in the limited form via the TCoE optional rules), as well as everyone else through the Magic Initiate or Ritual Caster feats. You can summon a spirit in the form of any animal you choose (examples are provided in the spell text). That allows you to communicate telepathically, see through the senses and even cast through within a restricted range. It is a great way to get an owl or cat or a bat. If you want to have more exotic creatures with unique abilities, you can become a Pact of the Chain Warlock. You can choose from more exotic familiar forms such as a pseudodragon or imp and empower your familiar further with the help of invocations.
Steed
Only for Paladins, Find Steed, a 2nd-level spell, allows you to summon a spirit that can take the form of an elk or warhorse, pony, or camel. However, your DM may allow you to summon other spirits, possibly with the help of some sacrificial foods. Once summoned, the Steed has intelligence 6 (which is a significant improvement on any creature). It can communicate with you via telepathic communication within a mile. It can also share the benefits of spells that you cast, even if they are only targeting themselves. That is a great way for you to have a bigger companion or add a smarter dog to your computer for dungeon exploration. You can summon even more powerful creatures with the fourth-level version, Find Greater Steed.
Features
Beast Master Ranger
This subclass, which is probably the most obvious example of this subclass, is about taking your animal companion into battle. You can choose a CR1/4 creature to obey your commands. If your animal companion is killed in combat, you may summon another one using a ritual. TCoE introduced some new rules for the Ranger. These include a new set of Beast Master options. You can choose a template to summon the spirit and describe the Companion as you like. To keep your Companion competitive at higher levels, these new options include scaling based upon your Ranger level as well as your proficiency bonus.
Battle Smith Artificer
You don’t have to be a natural person. Why not make your Companion? The Battle Smith grants you the Steel Defender. This Companion can be any size and can be either bipedal or quadrupedal. The Steel Defender is an excellent companion for animal-ish creatures. It has built-in scaling, cantrip healing, and the Defensive Pounce ability. You? Why do I make mine look like a steel panther? It’s cool! Is there a band? You’ve never heard of them.
Homunculus Servant (Artificer Infusion 5e)
The Homunculus Servant can be obtained by all Artificers starting at the 2nd level (when they get their first infusions). The Homunculus Servant requires 100GP to get the heart of your friend. However, it is an excellent alternative to an owl-like creature. You can channel spells through your Homunculus just like a familiar. However, it has a lower HP formula than the Steel Defender.
Urchin Pet Mouse
Urchin Pet Mouse feature isn’t there, but Remy can be used as starting equipment. Although there is no mechanical connection or special ability, the Urchin background allows you to play the game with your pet mouse. These can be combined with the information at the top to increase the bond between your two ragtag adventurers.
Summary
Because of their connection with nature and its inhabitants, druids can transform into animals or other beasts. However, druids cannot summon familiars the same way wizards can in 5E. They also are not able to gain animal companions the same as rangers.
Although many Dungeons & Dragons fans love their animal companions, the fifth edition does not support the archetype adequately. Certain character types only have access to pets. It is often difficult to create a companion for a character that works well with others. The Beast Master ranger is the most criticized of all the class archetypes in the game. Players must make smart choices to make beast masters more capable of holding their own. You’ll find more information at the end.
Your preference for what your animal companion should do is the best way to go. Your options are limited the more skilled your pet is. While a friendly mascot is a great addition to your adventuring party, a dnd 5e pet that can fight alongside a higher-level character will limit your options.
Ask yourself what you desire from your pet. This article will help you find the perfect Animal Companion for your pet in dnd and understand, druids unlike rangers dont get one.
