Which DND Class is Best with Animals?
For many fans of Dungeons and Dragons (DND), animals play a crucial role in their campaigns. Some classes excel at interacting with animals, whether it’s through taming them as companions, communicating with them, or even shape-shifting into various forms. In this article, we’ll explore the different classes in DND and see which ones are best with animals.
Direct Answer: The Ranger Class is Best with Animals
Without a doubt, the ranger class is the best for anyone interested in animals in DND. This is primarily due to the Favored Enemy and Fear class features. A ranger’s ability to set up an enemy for themselves or their allies and inflict fear on them gives them a significant advantage when faced with a beast.
In addition to this, a ranger’s animal companions can provide assistance on the battlefield and become reliable allies. Fang and Claw provides protection and increased combat ability when fighting alongside the animal.
The Other Options
While the ranger is an obvious choice, there are other classes that work well with animals:
• Druid: While primarily focused on the connection to nature, druids are capable of communicating with and shape-shifting into animals. This class provides some fascinating options for interacting with wildlife.
• Monk: As a subclass within the monk class, there is The Open Hand that includes martial artists who can summon elemental beasts to aid them.
• Rogue: Relying on cunning rather than brute strength, The Swashbuckler can entrap and control beasts through illusions and tricks.
Some Key Considerations
To make the most out of your animal-based builds in DND, remember a few essential things:
- Combat prowess: Understanding how your character contributes in combat will significantly influence which animals they are capable of working with.
- Role-playing: Incorporating your character’s relationships and interactions with animals in their backstory can enhance gameplay immersion.
- Combat efficiency: Select animals or familiars that excel at specific roles in your strategy, like melee combatants or scouts.
Why Choose a Ranger
Let’s look at why, in the eyes of our experts, the ranger remains the best choice when considering animals:
- In-built abilities: From tracking to summoning familiars, rangers excel at animal interaction right off the bat.
- Flexibility: While centered around hunting, a ranger’s versatility makes it the perfect choice for all levels of experience.
The bottom line: rangers come with built-in, finely-tuned animal-hacking abilities. However, those who focus on certain facets of their builds and game can successfully work with other classes, especially in cooperation with a skilled game master.
Ranger Feats
In Table below, you’ll see specific feats available to the Ranger class:
| Feature | Benefit | Ability/Level |
|---|---|---|
| Favored Enemy | +2 damage with finesse and non-lethal attacks against the targeted animal | Level 2/3/4 |
| Fear | Creatures have the frightened condition against you within 30 feet. Can be used to soften foes before engaging. | 1/day at will. |
| Animal Companion | Summon an animal familiar or companion that serves your role-playing purposes | Starting with the Wild Shape at Level 3 |
With regard to animal companion: You have two methods – Summoned Beasts (fears) and Animal Comp Companions – Each has different requirements:
Summons (Summoned) – Need the correct setting, resources, or expertise to do this:
- Forests
Companion Type – Needs level of knowledge, connection to their homeland, etc.
Fanged and Claw –
| Stat | Value |
| Hp | 20 (3/4x class HD+Con Mod) |
| Melee | Talons: +1 (1d8 piercing damage) |
| Languages | understands canoid |
To have a ranger who understands creatures, he/she may only be proficient in an art of some kind which leads to them knowing various knowledge about certain beasts: art of some type related art.