D&D (2024) Companions, Familiars and Summons

[Kobold Avenger]

I think the Beastmaster is going to get the update from Tasha's Cauldron, in that it uses it's own statblock, instead "go pick one from the Monster Manual".

I also think that the Conjure Spells and Animate Dead are mostly getting replaced by their equivalents from Tashas.

Replacing Animate Dead might change the Necromancer subclass of the Wizard in some ways. Or maybe Animate Dead becomes a swarm of undead.

Could other classes like Druid get a companion? It would likely be a new subclass though, and dependent on wildshape uses to manifest a spirit beast.

I think there needs to be more choices for Familiars, I never felt any of the options actually fit the Pact of the Chain, Great Old One Warlock. Can they at least try bringing back the Eyeball (Mini-beholder).

 

[Kobold Stew]

I think the Beastmaster is going to get the update from Tasha's Cauldron, in that it uses it's own statblock, instead "go pick one from the Monster Manual".

Hope so.

I also think that the Conjure Spells and Animate Dead are mostly getting replaced by their equivalents from Tashas.

Hope so.

Replacing Animate Dead might change the Necromancer subclass of the Wizard in some ways. Or maybe Animate Dead becomes a swarm of undead.

No strong feelings; I haven't seen this as a spell PCs cast.

Could other classes like Druid get a companion? It would likely be a new subclass though, and dependent on wildshape uses to manifest a spirit beast.

That's in Tasha's (familiar for (druid levels/2) hours; also the Circle of Wildfire)

I think there needs to be more choices for Familiars, I never felt any of the options actually fit the Pact of the Chain, Great Old One Warlock. Can they at least try bringing back the Eyeball (Mini-beholder).

I would like to see familiars that are more balanced with each other, so that Owl isn't always chosen.

 

[Mephista]

Could other classes like Druid get a companion?

Paladins got mounts, technically. Warlocks got Chain pact familiars. Artificers got their constructs.

All the "half" caster types, really. I'd like to see all four really get fleshed out.

Casters like druid will probably be stuck with Tasha Summons. Or the things from Circle of Fire / Wizard Scholar.

That's my guess

 

[CleverNickName]

I think you're right; I think animal companions will look a lot like they do in Tasha's. The "Giant Options: Unearthed Arcana playtest also leans heavily in that direction.

Giant Options | Unearthed Arcana | Dungeons & Dragons

Explore character options related to the magic and majesty of giants! This playtest document presents new subclasses for the barbarian, druid, and wizard, and a collection of new feats, all for use in Dungeons & Dragons.

dnd.wizards.com

But maybe it's all wishful thinking on my part. I'm crossing my fingers in the hopes that most of the changes in "Tasha's Cauldron of Everything" make it into the revised edition.

 

[Gorck]

Could other classes like Druid get a companion?

They already get Wild Shape - They're their own companions

 

[Yaarel]

Add clarification about Animal Handling skill checks to befriend a nonmagical animal, and even to communicate with an animal to some degree.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I hope they replace the "summon 16 CR 1/8 minions" spells with "summon 1 swarm" spells where the swarm gets bigger if you use a higher-level spell. Who really ever needed one dretch or lemure anyway?

I would also like them to expand who gets access to planar ally (possibly even adding a nature's ally spell). You summon something that is more-or-less aligned with you, and there is no action economy problem or spotlight problem because the DM runs the ally. Also since the planar/nature ally isn't just a blob of magic reshaped into a creature, it probably knows stuff (good source of exposition).

 

[Henadic Theologian]

I hope they replace the "summon 16 CR 1/8 minions" spells with "summon 1 swarm" spells where the swarm gets bigger if you use a higher-level spell. Who really ever needed one dretch or lemure anyway?

I would also like them to expand who gets access to planar ally (possibly even adding a nature's ally spell). You summon something that is more-or-less aligned with you, and there is no action economy problem or spotlight problem because the DM runs the ally. Also since the planar/nature ally isn't just a blob of magic reshaped into a creature, it probably knows stuff (good source of exposition).

Given the deal making nature of Planar Ally it made more sense for Warlocks.

But one high level Summon spell for Clerics I want to see is one more universally thematically applicable then Summon Celestial no matter the particular God/Religion of the cleric, Summon Avatar/Aspect as a high level spell with upcasting.

Maybe you choose the damage type & creature type from fiend/celestial/fey, and they each come with different attributes.

 

[tetrasodium]

I'd like to see familiars have a real risk involved with using them to scout or whatever again. As a GM it's almost obnoxious having players constantly send them out like expendable drone scouts. I'd also like to see some of the better ones bumped from tiny to size small because it's maddening needing to constantly point out "no your tiny spider can not crawl under the door because size tiny is like "1-2 feet tall & at least as big as your head

edit: diminutive or fine are probably closer to a normal rat/spider than the tiny familiar but those don't seem to be in 5e.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Given the deal making nature of Planar Ally it made more sense for Warlocks.

But one high level Summon spell for Clerics I want to see is one more universally thematically applicable then Summon Celestial no matter the particular God/Religion of the cleric, Summon Avatar/Aspect as a high level spell with upcasting.

Maybe you choose the damage type & creature type from fiend/celestial/fey, and they each come with different attributes.

I was surprised when I read Planar Ally and saw that it wasn't on the warlock's mystic arcanum list and managed to stay off it when they updated what spells where on class lists (one of the first things I homebrewed was to add it to the warlock's list). If they had at least made it a ritual (it takes 10 minutes to cast, so it halfway there anyway), then the tomelock could have gotten it (although I think it would be good for any warlock)