The Ultimate Guide to Pets and Familiars in Dungeons & Dragons

As an experienced D&D player andDungeon Master of over 10 years, I‘m often asked by newbies and veterans alike: what class should I pick if I want an animal companion in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition?

It‘s a great question, because who wouldn‘t want a loyal pet or fantastic beast fighting alongside them on their heroic adventures? From noble steeds to cunning familiars, animal allies offer many powerful benefits.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll cover the pet and familiar options available for each D&D class, along with tips for choosing, building and roleplaying your perfect animal companion. Let‘s dive in!

Overview of Pet and Familiar Options in D&D

Here‘s a quick reference table summarizing the pet and familiar access granted to each D&D class:

Class	Can Have Pet	Details
Barbarian	No	Lack innate pet abilities
Bard	Limited	Access via Magical Secrets
Cleric	No	Domain spells may grant familiars
Druid	Yes	Wild shape, summoning spells
Fighter	No	Some subclasses like Cavalier get mounts
Monk	No	Lack innate pet abilities
Paladin	Limited	Access via oath spells
Ranger	Yes	Animal companion class feature
Rogue	Limited	Arcane Trickster gets Find Familiar
Sorcerer	No	Lack innate pet abilities
Warlock	Limited	Chain pact grants familiar
Wizard	Yes	Find Familiar spell

As we can see, the classes that get full animal companion capabilities innate to their core class features are the Ranger, Druid, and Wizard. Let‘s explore their pet options in more detail.

The Pet Classes

The Beast Master Ranger

The Ranger‘s Animal Companion is perhaps the quintessential D&D pet. By level 3, all Rangers gain the ability to summon a loyal beast as their lifelong friend and ally.

As a Beast Master Ranger myself in many campaigns, I can attest to the massive benefits an animal companion provides. With the Tasha‘s Cauldron of Everything rules, any CR 1/4 beast can be selected, offering tons of thematic variety.

Popular choices are wolves, panthers, and black bears for melee Rangers, while eagles, owlbears, and elks work well for archers. I‘ve played alongside all of them! The Ranger‘s synergy with the animal is fantastic – buffing its attacks and sharing spells like Cure Wounds. It really feels like you‘re fighting as a cohesive unit.

One downside is the action economy – commanding the beast takes your bonus action each turn. This can limit other abilities like Two Weapon Fighting. Overall though, the Ranger‘s companion is extremely powerful in combat and roleplay.

The Circle of the Shepherd Druid

Druids get access to a broad menagerie of animal allies thanks to their Wild Shape and conjuration abilities. But the Circle of the Shepherd Druid takes it to the next level.

At level 2 they learn the iconic Unicorn Spirit feature, allowing them to summon fey spirit animals like hawks, wolves, and giant owls to fight on their behalf. When wild shaped themselves, this makes the Druid a fantastic pet "caster" class.

They also learn the mighty Conjure Animals spell at level 5, summoning up to 8 beast allies at once! Some of my favorite Conjure picks are:

• Wolves – Pack tactics grants advantage to the wolf and its allies on attack rolls
• Elk/Deer – Fast mounts to ride and charge enemies
• Giant Poisonous Snakes – Reach and poison to harass foes
• Swarms of Ravens/Bats – Blind and harry targets everywhere

Similar to the Beast Master however, managing so many pets can slow combat down. But the utility they provide is hard to match!

The School of Conjuration Wizard

While any Wizard can take Find Familiar, Conjuration Wizards specialize in summoning allies to the battlefield. These scholars of teleportation magic can call creatures from the farthest planes to fight on their behalf.

The Conjuration Wizard‘s level 10 ability Benign Transportation allows any creature they summon to teleport to their side when conjured. This makes beast summoning exceptionally smooth.

Some of my favorite Conjuration Wizard pet picks are:

• Wolves – Pack tactics grants advantage on attack rolls
• Giant Poisonous Snakes – Reach and poison harass enemies
• Flying Snakes – Mobility lets them flank and escape melee
• Raven/Owl Familiars – Advantage on perception checks to spy ahead

With options like Planar Binding to make a creature a permanent pet, the Conjuration Wizard is a fantastic pet class.

Classes with Familiar Options

Other classes beyond the main pet classes can gain animal allies through limited means:

Bards

Bards gain access to Find Familiar through the Magical Secrets class feature at level 6. Their familiar options are more limited compared to Wizards, but having arcane eyes and ears remains very useful. Owl familiars are a common choice to enable scouting and flyby attacks.

Paladins

At level 9, Paladins can access Find Familiar through their oath spells. Though slower than other pet classes, they still benefit greatly from an allied scout. My favorite paladin familiar is the dire wolf for its combat prowess and ability to knock targets prone.

Warlocks

Through the Pact of the Chain boon, warlocks can form a deep bond with an unusual familiar. These familiars are more exotic than a wizard‘s, including imps, quasits, and pseudodragons. An imp or quasit familiar is perfect thematically for a fiendish warlock.

Arcane Trickster Rogues

At level 3, Arcane Tricksters gain access to Find Familiar like a limited wizard. They make excellent scouts for infiltrating and reconnaissance. Owls, ravens, cats, and other sneaky animals suit them well.

Pet Companion Optimization & Tactics

While animal allies provide great utility, they can be fragile if you don‘t optimize their builds and tactics. Here are some of my best tips:

For Beast Master Rangers:

• Pick beasts with pack tactics like wolves for easy advantage
• Use Guardian of Nature to give your companion advantage on attacks
• Cast Enlarge on your companion to grapple huge targets
• Invest in its Constitution saving throws for concentration
• Always keep it at max hit points with Goodberry feeding

For Druids:

• Focus on summoning spells instead of wild shape past level 10
• Conjure Animals is extremely action efficient – 8 beasts for 1 spell!
• Summon flying snakes or bugs to harass enemies from range
• Keep summons between you and enemies to absorb blows
• Re-summon new allies each round as old ones drop

For Wizards:

• Pick a familiar that matches your combat style
• Give it magic items like rings of protection to boost AC and saves
• Have it use Help actions in combat grant you advantage
• Invest in rituals like Phantom Steed for free mount summons

Following these tips will keep your pet alive and maximize its battlefield impact.

The Roleplay Potential of Animal Allies

While pets offer tactical advantages, they also provide amazing roleplay opportunities. During my years as a Beast Master Ranger, my timber wolf Rune became an inseparable companion.

Having an animal familiar opens up great moments of characterization. Describe your pet‘s endearing mannerisms and quirks at the table. Give it a distinctive personality players will remember.

I recommend choosing a pet that fits your character background and goals. A coastal druid‘s crab mirrors their environment, while a raven suits a mysterious wizard.

Let your pet be your alley, scout, and roleplay sounding board. Its perspective can create memorable game moments. This emotional investment makes victory sweeter and tragedy more impactful if your pet falls in battle.

In summary, an animal companion‘s companionship and combat support makes pet classes some of the most memorable and enjoyable to play. If you‘ve never adventured with a loyal beast before, I highly recommend it!

Evaluating Pets for Different Campaigns

While pets excel in combat and exploration situations, their usefulness varies based on your campaign style. Here are some factors to consider:

Intrigue and Mystery Focused Games

Pets stand out and may hinder stealthy infiltration. A conspicuous bear or loud owl familiar can also distract during tense social situations. Leaving them behind may be wise.

Dungeon Crawls

The confined quarters of dungeons and tunnels limit the maneuverability of larger pets. Small, nimble animals excel in these confined spaces.

Urban Adventures

Pets are harder to care for and house in cities without access to the wilderness. Mundane animals also stand out more than familiars disguising as common critters.

Horror and Survival Campaigns

If resources are scarce, a pet‘s mouths to feed becomes a liability. The GM may put them at risk to heighten the drama and threat.

Epic Planar and Realm Travel

Bringing pets along to other planes or realms can expose them to strange energies and environments. Consider their role carefully when traversing to new dimensions.

In all cases, speak with your Game Master to ensure your pet fits the campaign style and table expectations. The story potential they provide can add richness to any setting.

Caring for Your Animal Ally

Having an animal companion is a big responsibility – they rely on you for their wellbeing and survival. Here are some tips on properly caring for your pet:

Feeding

• Carry rations and feed for them when exploring
• Account for their cost at taverns and inns
• Spells like Goodberry and Create Food can provide sustenance
• Familiars don‘t require food, but beasts do

Housing

• Rent them space and board at pet-friendly inns
• Cast Tiny Hut or Magnificent Mansion to give them shelter
• Build/buy them a habitat if settling down
• Druid groves and Rangers lodges may host them

Grooming

• Purchase pet supplies like brushes, blankets, toys
• Use downtime between quests for grooming and bonding
• Keep their fur and beaks trimmed and clean
• Monster companions may require specialized magical care

Veterinary Care

• Heal, treat, and bandage their wounds after battle
• Seek out priests, vets, druids, potions to heal them
• Some healing spells restore twice as many HP to beasts
• Make medicine checks to diagnose and assist recovery

With proper care, your pet can be a healthy, happy companion both during adventures and periods of downtime.

Budgeting for Pet Supplies

Caring for an animal ally isn‘t free – make sure to budget for these pet supplies and services:

Collar + Leash – 5-20 gp

Pet Brush – 5-15 gp

Saddle Bags – 10-20 gp

Dog Bed – 10-40 gp

Pet Food (per day) – 3-5 cp

Grooming (per session) – 2-5 gp

Animal Healing Potions – 25-500 gp

Veterinarian (per visit) – 5-20 gp

Stabling (per day) – 5-15 cp

As you can see, daily costs like food and housing can add up. Magic items like Bags of Holding can haul bulk supplies easily. Take care of your pet‘s needs and they‘ll take care of you in return!

Responding to Common Pet Concerns

Some players new to animal allies may have reservations. Here are some common concerns and how to address them:

Action Economy Inefficiency – This only applies to a Ranger‘s companion requiring your bonus action to command. All other pets act independently and don‘t consume your action economy.

Pet Fragility – Use their superior mobility to avoid damage. Invest in their AC, saves, and HP. Keep them at full health with healing.

Social Hindrance – In delicate social situations, have your pet wait outside or conceal it. Familiars can hide in your pocket or bag. Use good judgement.

Difficult Logistics – Acquiring pet supplies and housing can be hand-waved or resolved with background story resources established with the DM. Most groups don‘t count copper pieces for pets.

Slowed Combat – Have their actions planned ahead of time so you can resolve them quickly when their turn comes up. Get to know their abilities inside and out.

With smart tactics, roleplay consideration, and some experience, the benefits of an animal ally vastly outweigh the costs. Don‘t be afraid to try it out!

Conclusion

I hope this guide has given you insight into the options, tactics, and roleplay potential of pet classes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Whether you‘re a Ranger bonding with your trusty beast or a Druid commanding a menagerie of wild creatures, an animal companion provides invaluable support both in and out of combat.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to me via owl familiar! I‘m always happy to share pet tips and stories. Most importantly, approach your pet with creativity and care – this ally can lead to some of your most memorable adventures. Now go unleash the bonds between man and beast!