D&D 5E ranger with panther companion as mount

[PnPgamer]

So this idea came to me of a small sized race that mounts his/her panther companion at level 3
What are is the total amount of actions, movement and bonus actions Available?
To my understanding, rider can use action to make the panther, attack. Lets assume it succeeds on everything, can it make bonus action to attack with its bite? Then we can continue back to ranger, using bonus action to attack with his offhand weapon?

Mainly ive been worrying about contradicting mount rules on phb.

Also can the panther use its bite attack anytime an opponent is prone, or is it only during its pounce?

 

[TrippyHippy]

Sounds cool. In fact, it’s a shame that the Beast master path is restricted to ‘medium’ animals, as a ‘horse-master’ Ranger would make a good character. But the (small) Halfling on a (medium) Panther works!

The rules seem to indicate that the extra attack comes at 5th level - which can be used as the Rangers attack after the Pather is commanded (first action). A Panther can pounce on it’s first attack which is a claw attack. If the recipient fails a saving throw and becomes prone, it can the bite as a bonus action. As such, a combined attack could make up to three attacks.

 

[Paraxis]

The ranger uses his action to command the companion to attack. The panther only gets one attack either bite or claw.
Neither the ranger or the panther gets a bonus action to make another attack.

At 5th level when you command your companion to attack you get to make one attack yourself, since this is not an attack action you don't get multiple attacks and it doesn't trigger bonus action attacks from having an off hand weapon or feats like polearm master.

At 11th level when the ranger uses his action to command the animal companion to attack it can attack twice either two bites, two claws, or one of each.

When the animal attacks the ranger doesn't get a bonus action to make an off hand attack just wanted to clarify that there seemed to be some confusion.

The panther can bite anytime it can make an attack, and unless the panther is pouncing it is obviously the attack of choice.

The companion doesn't work like a normal mount, it doesn't have it's own actions. If you want it to dodge, disengage, or dash you have to use your action to command it to do so, at 7th level you can do that as a bonus action.

 

[Anth]

Is there any game balance problem if you just allow the ranger to have a large companion?
You still have the limitation of CR 1/4, so bears, lions and warhorses are still not available.

 

[TrippyHippy]

Well, obviously the larger beast is more combat worthy I guess. I just think that the simple combination of a horse-bound Ranger is so obvious. The bear and the lion may be more of a hard sell.

 

[damnbul]

At 5th level ranger you can have your panther attack, and you can make an attack with a weapon in one round. But I would say no on bonus action for your companion even if it triggers. But in my game as a DM I might rule as long as it uses up your bonus action. But then that is up to your DM.

 

[ExploderWizard]

So this idea came to me of a small sized race that mounts his/her panther companion at level 3

Man, I read this first line and nearly spit coffee all over my monitor!! I suppose by level 3, out there in the woods all alone the little fella would be kinda randy.

 

[sidonunspa]

The ranger uses his action to command the companion to attack. The panther only gets one attack either bite or claw.
Neither the ranger or the panther gets a bonus action to make another attack.

At 5th level when you command your companion to attack you get to make one attack yourself, since this is not an attack action you don't get multiple attacks and it doesn't trigger bonus action attacks from having an off hand weapon or feats like polearm master.

At 11th level when the ranger uses his action to command the animal companion to attack it can attack twice either two bites, two claws, or one of each.

When the animal attacks the ranger doesn't get a bonus action to make an off hand attack just wanted to clarify that there seemed to be some confusion.

The panther can bite anytime it can make an attack, and unless the panther is pouncing it is obviously the attack of choice.

The companion doesn't work like a normal mount, it doesn't have it's own actions. If you want it to dodge, disengage, or dash you have to use your action to command it to do so, at 7th level you can do that as a bonus action.

kind of sad that a fighter or hunter ranger on horse back is a better beast master then the beast master :/

 

[Rune]

I'm envisioning a halfling-sized He-Man.

 

[Jester David]

I don't see a problem with an animal companion using a bonus action. The animal is balanced around that, to do otherwise would weaken the animal compared to animals with more reliable max damage.
But I'd still limit the player to one bonus action per turn, either their PC's action or the animal's. I wouldn't allow both.