Beastmaster (Alternative)

Beastmasters are the tag team duo of the wilds. Using their primordial magics to create a lifelong bond with a faithful animal companion, beastmasters will hunt, track, swim, climb, and thrive together. If a poacher finds themselves attacked by a wolf or hawk, they should keep an eye out for their master knocking an arrow in the brush.

Faithful Friend At 3rd level, you gain a faithful animal companion that is trained to fight alongside you. Choose a size Medium or smaller Beast with a challenge rating of 1⁄4 or lower. The beast’s hit points are equal to the hit points listed in its stack block or 5 times your Ranger Level plus the beast's constitution modifier and your wisdom modifier. As your Faithful Friend, you add your proficiency bonus to the beast’s AC and attack rolls. Your beast also gains proficiency in Strength and Dexterity saving throws. When your beast completes a short rest, it regains all of its hitpoints. If reduced to zero hit points in combat, the beast rolls death saving throws as a player character normally would. If your Faithful Friend dies, you can obtain a new companion by magically bonding with a beast that isn’t hostile to you and that meets the size and challenge rating requirements over the course of a long rest.

Animal Combat Training While in combat, your faithful friend shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It can move and use its reaction on its own, but the only action it takes on its turn is the Dodge action, unless you take a bonus action on your turn to command it to take one of the actions in its stat block or the Dash, Disengage, or Help action. If you are incapacitated or absent, the beast acts on its own, focusing on protecting you and itself. The beast never requires your command to use its reaction, such as when making an opportunity attack.