How to Train Your...: 3 Beast Master Ranger Archetypes

<div class='footnote'>CREATED BY STRAYCHOWCHOW</div>
<img src='https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/6d177423-613c-43b0-87eb-c146da9a3aa3/d923jho-f3062854-fc57-4230-bdc9-6011ba30b3ed.jpg/v1/fill/w_1024,h_1603,q_75,strp/falconer_by_lkivihall_d923jho-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTYwMyIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcLzZkMTc3NDIzLTYxM2MtNDNiMC04N2ViLWMxNDZkYTlhM2FhM1wvZDkyM2poby1mMzA2Mjg1NC1mYzU3LTQyMzAtYmRjOS02MDExYmEzMGIzZWQuanBnIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTEwMjQifV1dLCJhdWQiOlsidXJuOnNlcnZpY2U6aW1hZ2Uub3BlcmF0aW9ucyJdfQ.Dfnz4WhjiUNspXdnOahD8FXhg09C36bZqx0LLUlZxvE' style='position:absolute; top:-30px; left:0px; mix-blend-mode:multiply; width:450px;' />

## Falconer
Falconry is the ancient art that involves bonding with a bird of prey, training them to hunt for the master. Rangers who take the path of a falconer learn everything there is about these birds. It is a path that takes skill, finesse, dedication, and empathy to truly flourish with their companions, but the reward is a deadly and talented companion who strikes from the skies.

#### Falconer Magic
Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the
Falconer spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the number of ranger spells you know.

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##### Falconer Spells
| Ranger Level | Spell |
|:-:|:-------------|
| 3rd  | *feather fall* |
| 5th  | *gust of wind* |
| 9th | *fly* |
| 13th | *storm sphere^XGE^* |
| 17th | *control winds^XGE^* |

#### Bird of Prey
At 3rd level, you learn to use your magic to create a powerful bond with a bird of prey. With 8 hours of work and the expenditure of 50 gp worth of rare herbs and fine food, you call forth an animal from the wilderness to serve as your faithful companion. Your companion can take the form of any bird of prey or similar flying beast, but has the statistics for the Bird of Prey.

At the end of the 8 hours, your bird of prey appears. You can have only one bird of prey  at a time. If your bird of prey  is ever slain, the magical bond you share allows you to return it to life. With 8 hours of work and the expenditure of 25 gp worth of rare herbs and fine food, you call forth your bird’s spirit and use your magic to create a new body for it. You can return a bird of prey to life in this manner even if you do not possess any part of its body. If you use this ability to return a former bird to life while you have a current bird of prey , your bird of pre leaves you and is replaced by the restored bird.

The bird of prey obeys your commands as best it can. It takes its turn on your initiative. On your turn, you can verbally command the bird where to move (no action required by you). You can use your bonus action to verbally command it to take the Attack action. If you don't issue an Attack command, the bird can take one of the following actions: Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help (no action required by you). If you are incapacitated or absent, your bird of prey acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. It never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack. Once you have the Extra Attack feature, you can sacrifice one of your attacks to command your bird to attack, instead. You can do this in addition to using a bonus action to command it to attack.

#### Bird's Eye View
At 3rd level, you can cast the *beast sense* spell with this feature, without expending a spell slot, but only on your bird of prey. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

#### True Eye
When you reach 7th level, you and your bird of prey are immune to the blinded condition. Additionally, if your avian companion is not surprised, you cannot be surprised.

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<div class='footnote'>CREATED BY STRAYCHOWCHOW</div>

#### Swooping Swipe
At 11th level, your bird of prey can attempt to disarm creatures. You can use an action to command your bird to attempt to steal a weapon from a creature. The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your companion's Dexterity modifier). On a failure, your bird snatches the weapon out of the creature's hands. Your bird can use any movement it hasn't used yet to fly the weapon away from the creature, but it must drop it at the end of your turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a short rest.

#### Harry
At 14th level, when a creature you can see that is within 30 feet of your bird of prey targets you with an attack roll, your bird can use its reaction to fly to the target in a straight line and distract it, imposing disadvantage on the attack roll. You must use this feature before you know the outcome of the attack roll.

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___
> ## Avian Companion
>*Small beast, unaligned*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 12
> - **Hit Points** 10 (3d6)
> - **Speed** 10 ft., fly 60ft.
>___
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|6 (-2)|15 (+2)|10 (+0)|3 (-4)|14 (+2)|5 (-3)|
>___
> - **Saving Throws** Str +0, Dex +4, Wis +4
> - **Skills** Perception +4, Stealth +4
> - **Senses** darkvision 120ft., Passive Perception 14
> - **Languages** understands languages you speak
> - **Challenge** 1/8 (25 XP)
> ___
> ***Flyby.*** The avian companion doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.
>
> ***Keen Sight.*** The avian companion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
>
> ***Soul Bond.*** The following numbers increase by 1 when your proficiency bonus increases by 1: its AC, the hound’s skill and saving throw bonuses above, the bonus to hit of its Talons. When you gain a Ranger level, the hound gains one additional hit die and its hit points increase accordingly.
> ___
>
> ### Actions
>
> ***Talons.*** *Melee Weapon Attack*: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.

> ##### Art Credits
>
> [Falconer](https://www.deviantart.com/lkivihall/art/Falconer-547720044) by Ly Kivihall
>
> [Hawk](https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/hawk) from Basic Rules

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<div class='footnote'>CREATED BY STRAYCHOWCHOW</div>

## Houndmaster
Man and dog have evolved alongside each other for generations. Houndmasters are uniquely drawn to these companions, and with love, devotion, and affection, they develop an intense bond that can rarely be matched. Hounds and their masters fight almost as one, and their connection transcends into magic to protect each other.

#### Houndmaster Magic
Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the
Houndmaster spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the number of ranger spells you know.
##### Houndmaster Spells
| Ranger Level | Spell |
|:-:|:-------------|
| 3rd  | *heroism* |
| 5th  | *warding bond* |
| 9th | *haste* |
| 13th | *Mordenkainen's faithful hound* |
| 17th | *hold monster* |

#### Loyal Hound
At 3rd level, you learn to use your magic to create a powerful bond with a loyal hound. With 8 hours of work and the expenditure of 50 gp worth of rare herbs and fine food, you call forth an animal to serve as your faithful companion. Your loyal hound can take the form of any dog or similar beast such as a wolf or hyena, but has the statistics for the Canine Companion.

At the end of the 8 hours, your loyal hound appears. You can have only one loyal hound at a time. If your loyal hound is ever slain, the magical bond you share allows you to return it to life. With 8 hours of work and the expenditure of 25 gp worth of rare herbs and fine food, you call forth your hound’s spirit and use your magic to create a new body for it. You can return a loyal hound to life in this manner even if you do not possess any part of its body. If you use this ability to return a former hound to life while you have a current loyal hound, your loyal hound leaves you and is replaced by the restored hound.

The loyal hound obeys your commands as best it can. It takes its turn on your initiative. On your turn, you can verbally command the hound where to move (no action required by you). You can use your bonus action to verbally command it to take the Attack action. If you don't issue an Attack command, the hound can take one of the following actions: Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help (no action required by you). If you are incapacitated or absent, your loyal hound acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. It never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack. Once you have the Extra Attack feature, you can sacrifice one of your attacks to command your companion attack, instead. You can do this in addition to using a bonus action to command it to attack.

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<div class='footnote'>CREATED BY STRAYCHOWCHOW</div>

#### Tracking Hound
At 3rd level, as long as you and your hound work in tandem, when you make a Wisdom (Survival) check to track, you add your companion's Survival bonus to the roll, in addition to yours. If the check is based on smell or hearing, you have advantage on the check.

#### Unbreakable Bond
Starting at 7th level, your loyal hound can innately cast *warding bond* once without expending material components with you as the target. Once it does so, it can not cast the spell again until it finishes a short or long rest.

___
> ## Loyal Hound
>*Medium beast, unaligned*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 12
> - **Hit Points** 16 (3d8 + 3)
> - **Speed** 40 ft.
>___
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|12 (+1)|15 (+2)|12 (+1)|3 (-4)|12 (+1)|6 (-2)|
>___
> - **Saving Throws** Str +3, Dex +4, Con +3
> - **Skills** Perception +3, Survival +3
> - **Senses** passive perception 13
> - **Languages** understands languages you speak
> - **Challenge** 1/4 (50 XP)
> ___
> ***Keen Hearing and Smell.*** The loyal hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
>
> ***Pack Tactics.*** The loyal hound has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if you are within 5 feet of the creature and aren't incapacitated or if you have made an attack roll against the creature that turn.
>
> ***Soul Bond.*** The following numbers increase by 1 when your proficiency bonus increases by 1: its AC, the hound’s skill and saving throw bonuses above, the bonus to hit of its Bite. When you gain a Ranger level, the hound gains one additional hit die and its hit points increase accordingly.
>
> ___
>
> ### Actions
>
> ***Bite.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 4 (1d6 + 1) piercing damage.

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#### Takedown Tackle
At 11th level, your loyal hound learns how to knock creatures off their feet with its bite attack. If your loyal hound has advantage on a bite attack and hits, the creature must make a Strength saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your companion's Strength modifier) or be knocked prone. If your hound is making an opportunity attack with its bite, it does not need advantage to attempt to knock the creature prone.

#### Interception
At 14th level, when a target within range of your loyal hound targets you with an attack roll, your loyal hound can use its reaction to make a bite attack against the target. This bite attack is made immediately before the target makes the attack roll. If the bite attack hits, the attack targeting you automatically misses, in addition to the attack's normal effects.

>##### Art Credits
>
> Hero and Dog Concept Art from Fable 2 (Artist Unknown)
>
>[Mastiff](https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/mastiff) from Basic Rules

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<div class='footnote'>CREATED BY STRAYCHOWCHOW</div>

## Wild Rider
Some Rangers just need to feel the wind in their hair and the gallop beneath their feet. Wild Riders are enthralled by the majesty and speed of their mounts. They bond and learn to ride these beasts, becoming one with their mount. A wild rider and his companion are unmatched in speed and mobility. A target soon learns to never run from a wild rider.

#### Wild Rider Magic
Starting at 3rd level, you learn an additional spell when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the
Rider spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you, but it doesn't count against the number of ranger spells you know.
##### Wild Rider Spells
| Ranger Level | Spell |
|:-:|:-------------|
| 3rd  | *grease* |
| 5th  | *spider climb* |
| 9th | *haste* |
| 13th | *find greater steed^XGE^* |
| 17th | *far step^XGE^*
\columnbreak

#### Trusty Steed
At 3rd level, you learn to use your magic to create a powerful bond with a mount. With 8 hours of work and the expenditure of 50 gp worth of rare herbs and fine food, you call forth an animal from the wilderness to serve as your faithful mount. Your mount takes the form of a beast appropriate for riding, such as a horse, camel, or elk, but has the statistics for the Mount Companion.

At the end of the 8 hours, your trusty steed appears. You can have only one  mount at a time. If your mount is ever slain, the magical bond you share allows you to return it to life. With 8 hours of work and the expenditure of 25 gp worth of rare herbs and fine food, you call forth your trusty steed’s spirit and use your magic to 
create a new body for it. You can return a mount to life in this manner even if you do not possess any part of its body. If you use this ability to return a former mount to life while you have a current mount, your current trusty steed leaves you and is replaced by the restored mount.

The trusty steed is friendly to you and your companions and obeys your commands. It takes its turn on your initiative. On your turn, you can verbally command the mount where to move (no action required by you). You can use your bonus action to command it to take the Attack or Trample actions. If you don't issue an Attack command, the mount can take one of the following actions: Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help (no action required by you). While mounted on your steed, it moves as you direct it, and it has only four action options: Dash, Disengage, Dodge, and Trample. Additionally while mounted on your steed, you can make any spell you cast that targets only you also target the mount, as if you were one unit. If you dismount, the spell's effect on your steed instantly ends. If you are incapacitated or absent, your mount acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself.

#### Spirit of the Saddle
Also at 3rd level, you learn how to bind your trusty steed's spirit to its saddle. During a short or long rest, you can perform a ritual to give your mount an incorporeal form. In this form, the saddle remains corporeal, taking up a 5-foot by 5-foot space, while your mount itself can phase through objects or creatures and takes up no additional space. You can mount the saddle as usual and are treated as if you were mounted.

While in this form, your mount cannot take the Trample action or otherwise interact with creatures and objects who aren't you, but the saddle can be the target of attacks and takes damage normally. If you are dismounted, or your spirit mount reaches 0 hit points, the spirit retreats into the saddle and the saddle drops to the floor. You can spend one minute communing with your mount's saddle to coax the spirit back out, resummoning its spirit form.

#### Born to the Saddle
At 7th level, while mounted on your mount, when your mount takes the Dodge action, you gain a +1 bonus to AC and if your mount succeeds a Dexterity saving throw you are also subjected to, you automatically succeed on the save. These benefits last until the start of your next turn or until you dismount.

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<div class='footnote'>CREATED BY STRAYCHOWCHOW</div>

Additionally, you gain advantage on all saving throws and ability checks made to remain mounted and all Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks to control your mount. It only takes you 5 feet of movement to mount or dismount a creature.

#### Drive-by Strike
Starting at 11th level, when you're mounted and move at least 20 feet towards a target and your mount has at least 5 feet of movement remaining, you can choose to Attack with a weapon that lacks the heavy property while moving, using the momentum and speed of your mount to deliver a devastating strike. You have disadvantage on the weapon attack roll, but if you hit with the attack you roll the weapon's damage die again and add it to the result.

#### Master Rider
Finally, at 14th level, 
<div style='margin-top:300px;'></div>

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___
> ## Mount Companion
>*Large beast, unaligned*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 10 
> - **Hit Points** 19 (3d10 + 3)
> - **Speed** 60 ft.
>___
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|16 (+3)|10 (+0)|12 (+1)|3 (-4)|11 (+0)|7 (-2)|
>___
> - **Saving Throws** Str +5, Dex +2, Con +3  
> - **Skills** Athletics +5
> - **Senses** passive perception 10
> - **Languages** understands languages you speak
> - **Challenge** 1/4 (50 XP)
> ___
> ***Soul Bond.*** The following numbers increase by 1 when your proficiency bonus increases by 1: its AC, the companion’s skill and saving throw bonuses above, the bonus to hit of its Stomp, and the DC of its Trample. When you gain a Ranger level, the companion gains one additional hit die and its hit points increase accordingly.
>
> ***Trained Mount.*** The companion is trained to accept a rider.
> ___
>
> ### Actions (requires your bonus action)
>
> ***Stomp.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 5 (1d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
>
> ***Trample.***  If the mount companion moves at least 20 ft. toward a creature, it can attempt to enter the target's space. That target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength or Dexterity saving throw (its choice) or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the mount can make an attack with its stomp against it. This action is usable while mounted.

> ##### Art Credits
>
> [Qadrin Horse Lord](https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo5lg0i?Who-Doesnt-Like-A-Little-Conflict) by Kim Sokol for Paizo Publishing
>
> [Riding Horse](https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/riding-horse) from Basic Rules