The size of your animal companion depends on several factors, including your race, level, and ability score. Animals are considered medium to large by default. A barbarian can choose any of the following: triceratops, bear, leopard, mastodon, or horse. Once you have chosen an animal, you can select the companion’s skill in the action bar. Medium animals can be increased by level four or seven. The horse, by default, is large.
Table of Contents
Depending on your level
If you’ve made a decision to play a barbarian, you’ll want to consider a companion animal. This animal will accompany you on your adventures and trigger when you’re raging. The companion must be at least Medium size and have a challenge rating of 1/4 or lower. The PHB lists statistics for different kinds of companions, including the wolf, panther, and hawk. When your barbarian uses his companion animal, he gains its proficiency bonus to AC and attack rolls and saves. The creature has a maximum hit point equal to four times your barbarian’s level, and it can spend Hit Dice on short rests.
The best companions for a barbarian are Halflings and Half-Orcs. Halflings and Half-Orcs give Barbarians a +2 ability score bonus. Halflings are a good choice for pure Barbarians, but they do have a Strength penalty. The Human is a natural choice, since its +1 ability bonus is balanced by its Dexterity buff.
Depending on your race
There are several classes that allow a barbarian to have an animal companion. Some of them can even use this companion as a mount. Other races allow a barbarian to have two animal companions. These pets are useful for both combat and utility. For example, a human barbarian can use a dog companion to increase their damage. Half-Orcs can use wolves to make their attacks more powerful. The only downside is that their attacks do not deal damage while they are Raging.
A barbarian can have two animal companions: a wolf and a bear. While these animals share some similarities, each has different advantages. Wolf is easier to manage and is a good choice for a barbarian with a low Attack Speed. But a bear has its own strengths. A wolf is easier to handle than a badger. It can also be a good choice for a barbarian if you have no idea what to get.
Depending on your climate
The climatic requirements for the choice of an animal companion are dependent on the race of the barbarian. There are several options, including a dog, a cat, or an animal. The choice is entirely up to the GM. The climate and type of the companion will also influence the animal’s abilities. The climate of the barbarian’s homeland should be taken into consideration.
The animals that live in barbarian areas are just as varied as the people. These creatures are divided into three types: Northmen, Jungle Savages, and Plainsmen. Northmen are the archetypal barbarians, with their fierce temperament and harsh appearance. Jungle Savages, on the other hand, are a more palatable, tame species.
Depending on your ability score
Animal Companions offer a variety of benefits to a barbarian. Some are more advantageous than others, based on the Barbarian’s ability score. Nimble companions benefit from higher Dexterity and Unarmored Defense, and are less damaging with Unarmed Strikes. Savage companions increase in size and gain more Strength and a flat bonus to Unarmed Strike damage. While Nimble companions are ideal for a barbarian, Savage companions are better suited for a medium character who wants a pet other than the Horse. The disadvantage of Savage companions is that they don’t advance Unarmored Defense proficiency, so a barbarian must rely on barding to increase their AC.
A barbarian can have a beast companion, but the benefits are limited. Because barbarians are so naturally drawn to animals, they often adopt an animal totem. However, there are also barbarians who believe that man and nature should be separate. This makes a barbarian the ideal pack leader, encouraging his animal companions to work with him. The best companion for a barbarian is one who is not afraid of the wild.