CreamCloud0
One day, I hope to actually play DnD.
those aren't exacly characters i'd ever call rangers, and there are as many rangers who don't have companions as those who do.
D&D General Should ranger get a companion as its 'signature' feature?
- Thread starter Frozen_Heart
- Start date
Wolverine. Zeb Macahan. Aragorn. Robin Hood. Kraven. Crocodile Dundee. Katniss Everdeen. These are all characters that, at least in certain interpretations of them, are at least partially rangers, without having animal sidekicks.
I'm not saying wilderness folks can't have animal companions, but it's hardly a defining trait.
Marandahir
Crown-Forester (he/him)
It's a very common tale, but it's not the predominant Ranger story. It's maybe 1/3 of Ranger stories…
CreamCloud0
One day, I hope to actually play DnD.
there are more themes and things to be done with a companion class than those that can be done using the ranger, making the ranger THE companion class is a shackle to the concept.
Part of me thinks that the same way we see the road with mechanical traps we should see the Ranger with outdoor hazards and obstacles.
The issue is that there are very few natural and supernatural wild traps and obstacles in D&D to even use. And most DMs do not know how to create them
The same way a rogue might be taking picks to an arrow trap control panel a Ranger of might have been thought to be using salves and knowledge to placate an animate tree, charm a flame cat, or divert a rockalanche.
The issue is that there are very few natural and supernatural wild traps and obstacles in D&D to even use. And most DMs do not know how to create them
The same way a rogue might be taking picks to an arrow trap control panel a Ranger of might have been thought to be using salves and knowledge to placate an animate tree, charm a flame cat, or divert a rockalanche.
Bayushi_seikuro
Hero
Now, I like this.
I think I'm going to borrow it. I've been mulling the idea of a campaign where druids are the bad guys and their goal is to 'restore balance' ie let nature run wild. It starts small - villages being beset upon by wild forest animals who no longer fear humans (I live near Gatlinburg TN, where bears on the streets of a highly visited/overfull town is a common thing) but as you dig deeper, the higher end cult is working to awaken the Tarrasque - like in the Godzilla movie where the eco terrorists were awakening all the Titans to destroy humanity.
Blue
Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal
Responding to the original post, before my thoughts get swayed by the 10 pages of replies.
I think "Fighting Pet Owner", be it an animal companion, undead henchman, steel defender, holy mount, dragon mama, or whatever, should be a unified mechanic to be used by multiple classes.
So I don't think that should be owned by the ranger. Should the ranger have access to it? Sure. But, if it's not a signature of the ranger, I don't think all rangers should be required to take it. Many archetypes of the outdoorsman don't have such a companion. And some, like the Beastmaster (book or film, even though they are very different) have multiples, not all of who are combat-focused.
I think "Fighting Pet Owner", be it an animal companion, undead henchman, steel defender, holy mount, dragon mama, or whatever, should be a unified mechanic to be used by multiple classes.
So I don't think that should be owned by the ranger. Should the ranger have access to it? Sure. But, if it's not a signature of the ranger, I don't think all rangers should be required to take it. Many archetypes of the outdoorsman don't have such a companion. And some, like the Beastmaster (book or film, even though they are very different) have multiples, not all of who are combat-focused.
Marandahir
Crown-Forester (he/him)
This is the fundamental conflict between Rangers and Druids. Druids are Green-centered, and just as likely to be Green-Red or Green-Black as they are to be Green-White or Green-Blue. Rangers are fundamentally Green-White, even leaning White-Blue at times.
CreamCloud0
One day, I hope to actually play DnD.
translation for someone who doesn't speak MtG colour-alignment jargon please?
Clint_L
Legend
This has been the overwhelming reaction from my D&D Club, as well.
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