Beast Master, Variant (3.5e Class)

Beast Master

Beast Masters form bonds with animals, and hones them into different roles with various abilities.

Making a Beast Master

Abilities: Wisdom and Charisma are the most important stats to a Beast Master.

Races: Beast Masters are usually more primal or wild races, such as a Half-orc.

Alignment: Beast Masters can be any form of chaotic. The only laws they follow are the laws of the jungle, so to speak.

Starting Gold: 4d4 x10 gp

Starting Age: Moderate.

Table: The Beast Master

Hit Die: d8

Level	BAB	Saving Throws
		Fort	Ref	Will
1st	+1	+2	+0	+0	Animal Companion, Friend's Request, Track
2nd	+2	+2	+0	+0	Alertness, War Trained
3rd	+3	+3	+1	+1	Pack Tactics [1], Speak with Animals
4th	+4	+4	+1	+1	2nd Animal Companion, War Trained
5th	+5	+4	+1	+1	Pack Tactics [2], Bestiary Codex
6th	+6/+1	+5	+2	+2	Bestial Rage [1], War Trained
7th	+7/+2	+5	+2	+2	Pack Tactics [3]
8th	+8/+3	+6	+2	+2	War Trained, Friend's Request [2]
9th	+9/+4	+6	+3	+3	Pack Tactics [4]
10th	+10/+5	+7	+3	+3	War Trained, Bestial Rage [2]
11th	+11/+6/+1	+7	+3	+3	Pack Tactics [5]
12th	+12/+7/+2	+8	+4	+4	War Trained
13th	+13/+8/+3	+8	+4	+4	Pack Tactics [6]
14th	+14/+9/+4	+9	+4	+4	War Trained, Bestial Rage [3]
15th	+15/+10/+5	+9	+5	+5	Rabid Panache
16th	+16/+11/+6/+1	+10	+5	+5	War Trained
17th	+17/+12/+7/+2	+10	+5	+5
18th	+18/+13/+8/+3	+11	+6	+6	War Trained, Bestial Rage [4]
19th	+19/+14/+9/+4	+11	+6	+6
20th	+20/+15/+10/+5	+12	+6	+6	War Trained, Bestial Fury
Class Skills 6 + Int modifier per level, ×4 at 1st level) Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge Dungeoneering (Int), Knowledge Geography (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Ride (Dex), Spot (Wis) Survival (Wis), Swim (Str), Use Rope (Dex)

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Beast Master is proficient with light armor, medium armor, bucklers, simple weapons, and 1 martial weapon.

Animal Companion (Ex:) A Beast Master may begin play with an animal companion selected from the following list: badger, camel, dire rat, dog, riding dog, eagle, hawk, horse (light or heavy), owl, pony, snake (Small or Medium viper), or wolf. If the campaign takes place wholly or partly in an aquatic environment, the following creatures are also available: porpoise, Medium shark, and squid. This animal is a loyal companion that accompanies the druid on her adventures as appropriate for its kind.

A 1st-level Beast Master’s companion is completely typical for its kind except as noted below. As a Beast Master advances in level, the animal’s power increases as shown on the table. If a druid releases her companion from service, she may gain a new one by performing a ceremony requiring 24 uninterrupted hours of prayer. This ceremony can also replace an animal companion that has perished.

A Beast Master of 4th level or higher may select from alternative lists of animals. Should she select an animal companion from one of these alternative lists, the creature gains abilities as if the character’s Beast Master level were lower than it actually is. Subtract the value indicated in the appropriate list header from the character’s Beast Master level and compare the result with the Beast Master level entry on the table to determine the animal companion’s powers. (If this adjustment would reduce the Beast Master’s effective level to 0 or lower, she can’t have that animal as a companion.)

Bestial Fury (Ex): All animal companions gain the Warbeast Template (http://www.realmshelps.net/monsters/templates/warbeast.shtml) without any additional special training and attacks lower any fast healing or regeneration effects by Wisdom Modifier for the rest of the encounter. Fast Healing and Regeneration effects cannot go below 1 per round.

Bestial Rage (Ex): Once per day, increasing by 1 every 4 levels, the Beast Master can increase the base attributes of any animal companions within 20 feet by 1/2 of his Class level + Charisma Modifier.

Bestiary Codex (Ex): A Beast Master can roll a Survival check with double his wisdom modifier to gain knowledge of 1 attack or weakness (chosen by beast tamer) of an animal type

Extra Animal Companion (Ex): At 4th level, Beast Master gains a 2nd animal companion from the list. Can choose one from the alternative companion list.

At 7th level, Beast Master gains a 3rd animal companion from the list. Can choose one from the alternative companion list.

At 10th level, Beast Master gains a 4th animal companion from the list. Can choose one from the alternative companion list.

Friend’s Request (Ex): Beast Master’s companions gains a +2 bonus to Intellect. Beast Master can teach a companion 3 special commands per Intellect modifier. These are listed here http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/handleAnimal.htm. All taught commands have a DC of 10 instead of 25.

At level 8, companions instinctively know what command their master wants (don’t have to roll handle animal checks for taught commands.)

Pack Tactics (Su): Starting at 3rd Level, gains Reflexes of One effect, and gains next tier ability every other level.

Reflexes of One: Recieves a +5 to Reflex Saves when within 5 feet of another companion or Beast Master.

Fortitude of One: Recieves a +5 to Fortitude Saves when within 5 feet of another companion or Beast Master.

Will of One: Recieves a +5 to Will Saves when within 5 feet of another companion or Beast Master.

Weapons of One: Attacks go up 1 die size when within 10 feet of another companion or Beast Master.

Speed of One: Add together Dexterity Modifier when rolling for Dexterity based checks, within 5 feet of another companion or Beast Master.

Strength of One: Add together Strength Modifier when rolling for Strength based checks, within 5 feet of another companion or Beast Master.

Rabid Panache (Ex): Beast Master and all companions gain the ability to heal 1 hp for every 5 damage dealt to an enemy.

Speak with Animals (Su): Starting at 3rd level, a Beast Master can speak with animals once a day + Charisma Modifier, gaining another static use every 3 levels.

War Trained (Ex): Now, and every 2 levels, each animal companion gains a +1 bonus to any base attribute, stacks with bonus animal companion stats, and decided by the Beast Tamer.

Wild Empathy (Ex): A Beast Master can soothe agitated or aggressive animals with a Handle Animal check. DC 1d20 + Cha + Level against their Will Save.

Ex-Beast Master

Ex-Beast Masters lose all skills empowering animals.

Half-Orc Beast Master Starting Package

Weapons: (A) Hand Axe and 20 Javelins or (B) Shortsword and Light Crossbow with 20 Quarrels.

Skill Selection: Pick a number of skills equal to 6 + Int modifier.

Skill	Ranks	Ability	Armor Check Penalty
Handle Animal	4	Charisma	-
Survival	4	Wisdom	-
Use Rope	4	Dexterity	-
Spot	4	Wisdom	-
Listen	4	Wisdom	-

Feat: Totem Animal [Animal Companion].

Gear: Leather Armor, Buckler, Dungeoneer's Pack

Gold: 4d4 x10 gold.

Campaign Information

Playing a Beast Master

Religion: Any religion that holds animals or nature highly.

Other Classes: The Beast Master usually does not approve of magic and ranged characters. He respects front line fighters, and eagerly shows it.

Combat: The role highly depends on your party comp. Usually a Beast Master will pick an animal that fulfills a certain role: A bird to scout, a bear to tank, a wolf to damage, etc.

Advancement: Similar to Combat role, a Beast Master will try to fill in the gaps of his party comp with his animals.

Beast Masters in the World

“	Frightened by the howls? Do not fear them, for they fear me.	”
—Turthai, Human Beast Master

Can be found in rural societies or living alone in the wild.

Daily Life: Hunting with and training his animal companions.

NPC Reactions: NPCs commonly mistrust them, but fear their companions.

Beast Master Lore

Characters with ranks in Handle Animal can research Beast Masters to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

<-the appropriate skills->

DC	Result
5	Surround themselves with animals.
10	Animals are stronger than normal.
15	They get stronger when around their animals.
20	Beast Masters turn normal animals into deadly monsters.

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