One of the best parts ofDungeons and Dragonsis being able to create an original character. Players can choose everything – race, gender, class, subclass, even their entire backstory. However, despite all the quirks a player character can receive, sometimes a little more is needed. A character may need something a little extra to fully round them out or emphasize specific qualities.
One of the best ways to do that is to have an animal that can accompany players on adventures. Animals can serve many different functions within a party and can add a variety of options that would otherwise be unavailable. Plus they can become fun characters in their own right.
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InDungeons and Dragons,there are two main categories when it comes to animals that join the players. They can have ananimal companionor afamiliar. These concepts are easy for a new player to confuse, but there are some major differences between them.
Animal Companion
As the term implies,animal companions are basically animals that accompany one of the party members on their quests. The animal in question can be anything, within reason. Dragons and beholders may be off-limits, at least during lower levels, but that still leaves a good selection of creatures to choose from:birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insectsare all valid choices.
An animal companion can be a great way to develop a character. A brash, fire-tempered character known for their foul mouth might have a softer side that becomes clearer from the affection they show their animal companion. They can also be a good way to provide comic relief during social encounters.
Animal companions do not have to be purely aesthetic, asthey can also have a variety of practical uses. For example, a small bird or squirrel can get into small spaces or higher levels that might be inaccessible to the rest of the party. They can watch enemies without drawing attention, especially in a setting where their species is commonly found, making them easy to dismiss even if they are seen.
On the other hand, a large bear can provide valuable backup in a difficult fight.Some larger animals can also act as mounts, allowing party members to move more quickly.
There are a lot of possibilities when it comes to how to use an animal companion. Another fun feature of animal companions is they often act as secondary player characters. They can be fully controlled by the same player as their owner, allowing them to freely interact with the world around them.
Animal Companions & Rangers
While any class can have an animal companion,rangersare particularly well-suited to them. There is even a subclass,beastmater, that is built around taking on an animal companion. A ranger who takes this class gets to choose a creature to accompany them at level 3.
They are, of course, limited to creatures of medium size or under, and having to wait until level 3 can seem a bit underwhelming next to other classes being able to have animal companions from the start. The upside is that animals can get bonuses based on the ranger’s stats.
Creating an Animal Companion
First, ensure to run any ideas for animal companionsby the Dungeon Master. Depending on the creature, the DM might need to work out a statblock. While there are official stats for a variety of possible creatures, the developers are only human and obviously could not anticipate every possible species players might choose. Additionally, it should also be confirmed that the DM is willing to permit the animal companion and that it fits with the game they are running. A good DM is usually flexible in this regard, but there may be limitations.
Additionally,it is a good idea to consider what type of setting the game uses. While many DMs are flexible, there are instances where a particular creature may not work due to the environment.
For instance, a fish is probably not the best companion for a game set in a desert, but it might make a good companion for a seafaring campaign where players occasionally have to go underwater. A frog or turtle might be harder to manage if most of the game takes place in a frozen tundra but might make great companions for an adventure in a swamp or tropical forest.
The tone and aesthetic of the campaign may also be worth considering – an African elephant might seem out of place in a setting based on Medieval Europe.
Familiar
Whileany classcan have an animal companion,familiarsare limited tospellcasters, especially wizards. At first glance, they may be indistinguishable from an animal companion, but familiars are a bit more complicated. They are actually celestials, fiends, or fey entities thattake the form of an animal chosen by the player.
While an animal companion might follow the party out of loyalty, love, or a sense of obligation,familiars are magically paired with a specific person.They can be called and dismissed as needed, and will usually obey their wizard’s commands. This gives them some unique abilities not present with an animal companion. A wizard with a familiar can communicate with it telepathically and use an action to see through its eyes. When not in use, a wizard can also send their familiar into a pocket dimension where it waits until it is needed again.
Creating a Familiar
Familiars are most commonly associated with wizards, who can summon one using the spellFind Familiar, which is available from level 1.Warlockscan only get the same spell if they select thePact of the Chainat level 3, but they do get the perk of having options for more fantastical creatures to act as their familiars.
A wizard’s familiar may take the appearance of a real-life animal like an owl or a frog. A warlock’s familiar can be a very small dragon (pseudodragon)or a fairy(sprite).
Using a Familiar
Depending on the form it takes, familiars can have a wide range of uses. A bird, for example, would be great for scouting – the ability to see through its eyes and communicate telepathically would easily allow its user to see into places that would otherwise be obscured. Conversely, a larger, more aggressive creature could be good for providing backup in a difficult situation.
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Familiars can actually roll initiative and get their own turn in combat, so a creature that can offer something in a difficult fight can be quite valuable. Some forms might be good for multiple functions. A raptor like a hawk or an owl can be great for scouting, but could also provide support during a rough combat encounter.
Additionally,familiars can be a way of counteracting the user’s limitations. For instance, not all races have darkvision. While an elf or dwarf can see in the dark, a human cannot. However, if that human has an owl familiar they can use the owl’s darkvision to get around the problem. If a situation occurs in which it is necessary to go underwater, and the party has a conspicuous lack oftritons, locathah, or grung, then a frog familiar may come in handy.
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