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As a Dungeon Master, role-playing a vital component of a character’s backstory can be intimidating. This is especially true when a player has an animal companion they bring to theDungeons & Dragonstable. Even if you have a good understanding of how to bring life to your NPCs, animals can be very different.
How do you convey deep emotions and thoughts without them being able to speak? How does their personality differ from other beasts? If you’re worried about making an impact with a player’s or the party’s animal companion, this guide will set you up for success.
What Is An Animal Companion?
You can rightly assume an animal companion isan animal that works with or is loyal to your party of players.
The most typical situation that will introduce anyone to an animal companion is whena Ranger chooses to become a Beast Master for their subclass selection.
At third level, this unlocks a feature called Ranger’s Companion, which details what kind of creatures the player can pick from. To simplify it:
To read about Rangers and Beast Masters, you may find the rules in their entirety in theDungeons & Dragons Player’s Handbook on page 93.
Even though that is most likely going to be the situation that introduces you to an animal companion,there are many different scenarios that can ariseor that you’re able to cultivate as the DM.
But, no matter how the animal companion ends up with the group, it is ultimatelya creature that travels, battles, and stays with the party.
Can Other Classes Use An Animal Companion?
The short answer isabsolutely. D&D is very open to players using the rules they like and altering or disregarding the rules they don’t.
If you have a player who doesn’t have any interestin being a Rangerbut would still like an animal companion,there’s no reason, as the DM, you’re able to’t explore that option with them.
For animal companions,you can rework the class to make room for a featsimilar to Ranger’s Companion.
Or, you could let them adopt, save, or bring an animal along on the journey, knowing thatthe player may not be able to have full command over what this creature does.
How To Introduce An Animal Companion
There are two ways to introduce a beast-based best friend to a player or a whole group of them. This is if the player has the companionbefore the campaign startsorafter the campaign has already started.
After Campaign Start
The player includes an animal companion
in their backstory. If this happens, you can hash out all of the details before.
A player or the party comes across an
animal they want to turn into a companion. If this happens, you can set the rules before or as you go.
Once you know some of the technical aspects of how the animal companion came to be in the party, you’re able to then better introduce them to the players and act as this new friend.
If it is before the campaign starts, the player will already know the companion. So, you may then focus solely on what the first impression would be for the rest of the party.
If one of their traits is that this animal companion has been spoiled by the player they start with, thenthey can show off some attitude. If they are nervous,they can hide behind their humanoid companion.
Consider the following questions when you have a player starting the campaign with an animal companion:
If it isafter the campaign starts, you will need tocreate a scenario for the players to see the animaland be introduced to them.
A popular way to open this option for your party is tohave a Bestiary or Pet Shopwhere your players can visit and adopt a new ally.
Or, as your party is out on their adventures, they may come acrossan injured or captured animal they want to helpor set free.
Consider the following questions when introducing an animal companion after the campaign has begun:
How To Act Out An Animal Companion
There are endless ways you can decide to inhabit an animal companion. But having endless options can be daunting, to say the least.
Here are things to keep in mindthat will aid you in deciding how you want to bring this pal to life.
Knowing The Character Before The Campaign Starts
If you’re acting out an animal companion that has known the character, or even the party, before the campaign starts because of a backstory,consider that this creature could be played with a lot of trustin whoever they are traveling with.
They will have an easier time following commands.Maybe even to a fault. you may have them cuddle with the party at night, pick up on social cues or changes in mood easier. They may even know ways to lift the spirits of their humanoid companion(s).
Do they act spoiled? Get into trouble because they know they can get away with it? Do they copy the mannerisms of their allies? You canplay with deep facets of this animal character.
Meeting The Character After The Campaign Starts
On the flip side of that same coin, if an animal companion joins the party after the adventure starts,you’re able to lean into that a great deal.
They can sleep off to the side alone, they might not understand the moods and musings of these humanoids they are traveling with. If food is provided to them, they still go off and hunt.
Are they aloof? Do they wander off on their own? Do they detest humanoid food? Get nervous in big crowds or when entering cities?You can have this be a time of growing painsfor the animal companion until they begin to trust the party members more.
Being The Companion Of A Beast Master
If this animal companion is working beside a Ranger who is multiclassed into a Beast Master, there are different ways you can approach this andgive special meaning to that relationship.
One way is to make thisa working relationship. There can be a time whenthe animal is “on duty” and “off duty"where they are focused on whatever the day’s goals are until their armor is removed for the night and the animal knows they can be more playful. Or maybe they are more serious all the time.
Do they have a clear and deep respect for the Ranger, butrefuse to listen to the other party members? Do they raid the party’s supplies and health potions to give to their Ranger?It doesn’t always have to stay this way, but it can certainly start like this.
Stat Blocks
Use an animal’s stat block to guide you in how the animal companion will behave.If the animal has a low intelligence modifier, they won’t make the best decisions.
They can keep fighting even if they are surrounded or in danger. They can forget that certain types of enemies resist the damage the animal companion deals.
High-intelligence animals can make more tactical decisions.They would know when to fleeor where they would be safe.They can learn how to weaken an enemyor give your players advantage.
Loyalty
Loyalty is an optional rule in D&D, but it’s just a concept as well. Just like with NPCs,you can use loyaltyto determine how an animal companion will interact with the party.
The optional loyalty rule is onpage 93 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
You can track loyalty with numbers,as the optional rule stats.Each time the party or player does something that helpsthe companion or makes them happy, you can give them a loyalty point.
If the party or player does something that puts the companion in harm’s wayor does something the companion doesn’t like, then you may remove a loyalty point.
Quirks And Traits
Much like with NPCs,you can give the animal companion different quirks or traitsto make them feel more real.
Is the animal companionfascinated by shiny things? you’re able to make them distracted when they see something that catches their eye.Do they hate water? They can refuse to enter water, even if commanded to in combat.
Animal Companions In Combat
While an animal companion is in combat,you have to make similar decisions informed by the enemy, the party, and how you want them to behavewhen the swords are drawn.
you’re able to use all of the above tips to help make this both realistic and dynamic in terms of how the animal companion feels about the party.
For knowing a character beforehand, you’re able to make it so that the player doesn’t even have to issue commands. They know each other so well that the animal companion picks up on what their ally is doing and follows suit.
For joining the party afterward, the animal companion can prioritize themselves or their safety. They may even find situations they decide not to fight in, not knowing what side is best.
If they are the companion of a Beast Master, they can be methodical or very dutiful. Unlike a loyal companion that may break from a command to provide aid, they can stay on task even when their ally is in grave danger.
With stat blocks, you can see what the animal’s strengths are and have them use those attacks or actions. You can also have their different stats tell you if they would fight smarter or fight harder.
For loyalty, if they feel a great deal of loyalty to the player or the party, they can defend them fiercely. If they are lacking trust and loyalty, then they can ignore commands and flee.
For quirks and traits, you can make them stop and play with shiny things. Or they can refuse to follow certain commands altogether.
Additional Tips And Homebrew Rules
With the day-to-day roleplay figured out and combat sorted,you canadd any additional homebrew rulesor situationsthat fill out the animal companion. The beauty of D&D is it can be anything you want it to be.
Here are some homebrew rules to get you started with your animal companion:
Level up companion with the party
you may give the animal companionincreased stats or healthwhen the party levels up.
Have companion find items/help with searching
The animal companion can find items that the players either wouldn’t or missed. They can walk away and dig up something to bring back.
They can alsogive players advantage with perception and investigation checks.
Night watch
If the players are sleeping in shifts to avoid being surprised on the road,the animal companion can take one of the shifts, either giving players some time to focus on other things or rest longer.
Pack Tactics
While fighting with the party, you can give the animal companionPack Tactics, similar toWolves' feature. This will give the animal companion advantage when they are fighting in close quarters with the party.
Alternatively, you can have the animal companion convince like-beasts to aid the party while in battle.
