Hey Nerdimmersion, i was curious about something. I was just creating a character sheet for a Beastmaster Ranger, and was about to use the Primal Companion feature, but a thought popped into my head. The standard Ranger's Companion must be a beast that is CR 1/4 or lower. Does that mean that, in theory, you could turn your Ranger's Companion into a Sidekick? And if so, which is better, a Primal Companion or a Ranger's Companion that is also a Sidekick?
Getting a thug expert would be nuts since they could share the love and give party members advantage as a bonus action. Not to mention the skills they’d have. If nobody in the party wanted to be a rogue they’d make a pretty decent stand-in and they’d be tankier than most rogues too
I would like to note that pixies CAN get weapons that are of their size. If you look at Sprites, they get a longsword and a shortbow. Granted they only do 1 point of damage, but they can still get weapons.
I wasn't worried about size, but they don't have any weapon proficiencies in their stat block and the sidekick types that grant weapon proficiencies say you need to be humanoid not fey.
@@NerdImmersion Eh, seems like a really weird restriction given what the creature is. I'd personally call a DM fiat and just allow the pixie to be proficient. They're tiny bidal human looking people with hands. I mean again look at sprites, they have a CR 1/4 same as the pixie, and they get a longsword and shortbow.
@@michaelsellers4788 Personally, I'd rule that if say they were able to manipulate objects, I might allow it. Might be a bit leery allowing Apes to use weapons, but they use rocks in their stat block, and don't get me started on skeletons. I mean you could rule that they need a minimum of 6 in both Intelligence and Wisdom, and manipulative hands, in order to use weapons and shields.
I love this, because it also would allow players who aren’t interested in playing any of the millions of pc options they have to play something really weird and unconventional without making the dm home brew a brand new race/class combo. Love the content Ted!
I’m currently playing a Kobold Beast Master who has a giant owl in Icewind Dale. It’s super fun to fly above the ground and get the jump on things trying to get the jump on the party.
a cleric owl bound to Auril sounds like a very interesting character to bring to a certain icewind dale campaign... the opportunity for conflict and resolution would be great.
Shadow as a sidekick has so much potential as a warrior with the strength drain ability especially if you're playing as a shadow sorcerer or something along those lines in an evil campaign
Yeah if you're DM is allowing you to have a chaotic evil undead creature as a sidekick, than sure. I guess you could go the Peter Pan route and have it not be evil, but I feel the abilities would need to be changed up a bit
@@NerdImmersion I actually made a homebrew warlock patron for my friend (a cabal of shadowy beings from another realm, who are actually all of the sylvans that have been banished from the Feywild by one of the two queens). The first feature it gives you is the ability to control your own shadow by giving it telepathic instructions. The way I handled it was giving the shadow all the same states, feats, and skills as the character, but with different abilities. It can’t attack, but it can interact with the living and objects by interacting with their shadows. (My player took the grappler feat and now usually uses his shadow to pin incredibly confused enemies, though he occasionally does do things like push enemies off cliffs or carry his friends to safety.) The shadow can only be harmed by silvered weapons and radiant damage, but only has as much health as the character’s level.
@@gusg6197 this is one of the best homebrew concepts ive seen. Id love to see the write up for this patron. Im.. displeased with the current way the Shadowfell is used. Banished Fey beings make a lot of sense.
From what I've read, the Warrior Sidekicks get proficiency with Simple and Martial weapons, providing that that are humanoid or have a weapon in their stat block. Also, humanoid or otherwise, they get access to *all* armor. This means that, depending on the creature's strength, they could wear plate armor if they have a 15 strength stat for 18 ac, or rather Splint as that tends to be cheaper for 17 ac. Likewise, if they have at least a 14 in their Dexterity, they could wear Half-Plate for a max of 17 ac, or use Scale Mail, which is cheaper, for a max of 16 ac. This Armor proficiency would be useful for those with normally a lower ac. Also, no rule says that Sidekicks can't use magic weapons or armor. Granted, it might be difficult for a normal non-magical beast (like wolves and warhorses) to use magical weapons, but that can be modified, using say the Monk's Ki-Powered Strikes or the Beastmaster's Exceptional Training as inspiration, to say that the beast's attacks count as magical for the purposes of overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks, that or give Fang some Magic Claws and Thunder some Magic Horseshoes that allow them to do magic damage.
I'm playing a Paladin/Fighter in a LOTR world campaign and I'm a knight that goes round fighting in competitions for a living, and my DM saw these rules and let me get a (slightly lower level than us) Dragonborn Warrior sidekick as my squire and it's pretty damn cool. I really like these rules!
My wife is currently running a game for our daughter and some of her friends where everyone is a Sidekick and a Fey of some type. There is a Mist Dog (Blink Dog), Faun (Satyr), Sprite Fey Cat, and a Pixie. So far the girls are really enjoying it.
Fun campaign ideas: You’re a monster trainer (a commoner/scout with good animal handling), and you’ve become an adventurer with the help of your pets/summons. You’re the summons to a summoner (works as your group patron), and your job is to keep them safe, in exchange you get gifts and other stuff.
Personally, I like the idea of giving horses Warrior levels. I mean, imagine if a party of murderhobos, or that thief, decides to rob some poor shopkeeper, and said party is at level 10. Normally, a guard with a draft horse mount stands no chance. But, what if the guard took 10 levels in Warrior training with the Attacker Fighting Style, and lets say he rode in on a draft horse who also had 10 levels of Warrior training with the Defender Fighting Style, and let's imagine 5 more guard/draft horse pairs show up, and lets say that our guards are using magic weapons, shields, and armor, with the horses wearing magic armor and, very importantly, magic horseshoes that do the effect of some magic weapon. I'd say it's time for the party to redefine cr 1/8 and 1/4, and 1/2, and possibly 0 even.
@@lockwoan01 Interesting (and fun) that you decided to use the sidekick levels on enemies instead of as party members. Give the warrior levels to a group of bugbears, along with said magical equipment, making them into a terrifying force of elite raiders wreaking havoc on the small settlements nearby. Seeing the look on your party's faces when they learn that a black dragon scale mailed, magical halberd wielding bugbear has polearm mastery and sentinel.
@@MrDavidKord Sadly, rules as written, bugbears have a CR of 1 - too high to use sidekick levels on. But, take a group of generic NPCs with CRs 1/2 and lower - like Bandits and Scouts - and add the Player Bugbear traits, and then add the Warrior stuff to it. (Similar situation exists for Minotaurs, Centaurs, Yuan-Ti Purebloods, and a few others - generic ones are too high to add sidekick levels to, so the player version traits would need to be added to generic NPCs).
@@lockwoan01 Good point, RAW you'd have to do a little more work in the way you described. I was more talking from the DM side using this as a way to add more than hit dice to a monster. Even giving Warrior levels to a Tarrasque would up the challenge a lot and give some cool story ideas behind it without just saying "it has 10 more hit dice and I gave it a feat."
Polymorph uses the target’s level/CR, not the caster level. Great video overall and some great ideas. I’m going to be looking at adding a sidekick or two to my groups now.
I like the idea of monster specific languages given the sidekicks wrinkle. Now you have to know that difficult, niche language to get that sidekick instead of knowing Elvish out something. You better believe that's how I'm going to run that.
Some other ideas that I was a bit surprised weren't on the list include is a Skulk, which can only go Warrior because it can't actually speak. It is chaotic neutral, it basically has Expertise in Stealth, as it has +8 Stealth with only a 19 Dex, but would be perfect as a child/former child's "imaginary friend". It is permanently invisible and can only be seen by children and is only vaguely visible under other very rare circumstances. Its claw attack only does 1d4+4, but adds another +2d6 necrotic damage if they have advantage, say from being invisible. The Scout would make an interesting Expert to be a master of many skills. They have Nature +4, Perception +5, Stealth +6, Survival +5, which when looking at their stats means those are basically Expertise as well. They get Multiattack for two melee or ranged attacks which makes Warrior less attractive for them. Stats aren't anything to write home about, but they do have advantage on Sight and Hearing based Perception checks like the Giant Owl. By 15th level they can have 8 skills with "expertise" if going Expert.
For my evil wizard seeking lichdom I’m considering a shadow. Getting multiple attacks with its strength draining powers makes it even more deadly. Then it’s resistances make the extra health it gets while leveling up longer lasting.
Been having too much fun putting together possible sidekicks. Turns out a CR 1/4 Tabaxi Minstrel can make a pretty good spellcaster with its base 16 Charisma and multiattack. Also rather fond of the idea of Dolgrim and Rubblebelt Stalker sidekicks; 3 attacks with multiattack and some interesting sidequest possibilities.
As I looked at one list, there's like 356 creatures with a cr of 1/2 or lower - excluding UA, Planeshift, and other non-book supplemental items (379 with), as well as Adventure NPCs (137 of those) - after which, one might go "Um, so which ones are simply reskinned/altered versions of pre-existing creatures/NPCs?" (there's like 90 of those, but some are pretty cool - those animated weapons for one, Awakened Animals for another) and that leaves us with 266. Still, that's a lot of choices. After that, its a question of which class of sidekick fits best the creature/npc, depending on the need of the party/opposition, as some can fit multiple classes, or subclasses. Lots of fun making those choices. My only thing is, if you make an Awakened Animal Spellcaster, you're going to need to bend the rules to allow spells from all lists, as it's hard to find a decent selection that's "hands-free" that uses just the list rules given. Still, even that can be fun. No one expects the mule to cast Vicious Mockery - imagine the insults. "You shovel my mess!"
The Frontline Medic from Ravnica is a good Warrior option. Reason is not only do they show up wearing plate armor and shield for 20ac (which they might lose if an Expert or Spellcaster), they also have access to some cleric spells (4 first level slots, 2 second level slots), including Cure Wounds (which they'd lose if they went Spellcaster unless they went the Healer route or took it from the bard list), meaning it's like having someone akin to a Life Domain cleric with them, who can not only heal, but can also do decent at tanking duty.
@nerd immersion For the pixie going invisible snd staying until it loses concentration. It says it stays invisible “as if concentrating on a spell”. Wouldn’t you play that just like the rules when concentrating on a spell, like if it takes damage it rolls a check and if it does anything else that requires concentration? I would imagine if it took damage or something broke it’s concentration, it has to make a save no?
correct, I thought I explained that in the video. Yeah if you cast another concentration spell it would end or if you take enough damage to knock them out of concentration. It is NOT however, limited duration like the Invisibility spell
The Sidekick rules state: "If the creature already has the Spellcasting trait, this fea- ture replaces that trait." So some of those spells you discussed in their stat blocks will go if you choose Spellcaster. So no Polymorph for a level 1 Pixie Sidekick.
I think it might still have it as it doesn't have the Spellcasting trait. It has the Innate Spellcasting trait. Something like the Barovian Witch would have the Spellcasting trait along with other npc casters
Innate Spellcasting like the Pixie's is not the same as the Spellcasting trait. The Spellcasting trait will list the spellcasting level and give spell slots. Pixie's do not lose their Innate Spellcasting.
The interesting thing about the Anvilwrought Raptor, at least by the DMG monster creation rules, is that this bird is actually a CR 1, not a 1/2. I have a video coming out in March for this bird that shows the offensive rating for it that is a lot higher than expected with an offensive CR of 2 while it's defenses are a dismal defensive CR of 1/8. Combine and average those two ratings out and you get a CR 1 birb.
Look at the Giant Stone Statue from Storm King's Thunder with a Cr of 0 - 195hp, 17 AC, 20 Con, immunity to non-magical attacks that ain't made with Adamantine weapons, advantage on saving throws against magic. I mean, all it has are its fists which do 7 damage (1+6strength), and have a +8 (2 pb and 6str) to hit, but they count as magical. Given all this, its at least a cr10 creature.
@@lockwoan01 Yeah, that's really silly and if we add in the 7 dmg and +8 to Hit then it's a CR 11 Huge Construct. Since I'm not seeing any actual attack, unless it changes stats if provoked somehow, then it's a CR 10, minimum.
@@DDCRExposed Well, the one site I checked basically states that its offensive capabilities are 1/2 cr, with its defensive ones being 20, and the math it uses gives something with similar stats a cr of 10 .... but still. It ain't a CR 1/2 at any rate.
@@DDCRExposed Yeah, even without the various resistances and immunities, it's still a cr 5. You would need to drop the hp to 3d12 to make the defense 1/2 (effective hp looks something like 2d12+10, possibly up to 3d12+15 at most, initially), and with the offensive stuff from punching (figured out my math issue there - forgot to calculate the strength modifier in the to hit thing), you'd need to reduce the strength to 18, just to make the offensive cr 1/2. He's still a big dude with quite the punch and a decent amount of hp mind you. (Heck, for him to keep the resistances and such, he'd have to go down to 1d12, and only have 3 hp to have an "effective" hp of 6 (1d12+5), but that's not going to happen, on average rolls).
Me trying to figure out how to convince my DM to let me turn my familiar owl into a sidekick giant owl. I'm playing a wizard who's had his God Saint Cuthburt start taking an interest in him. As a result my Wizards spells are becoming more divine in appearance. My familiar Little Hoot is basically a dove now and I was able to get the idea that Little Hoot was always a divine gift. My party doesn't have a dedicated healer as it is (we're an Abjurer, bard, 3 rogues and a druid.) This video has me pumped for the idea my familiar enters the fray as a giant divine owl (or you know, angel) capable of healing those who enforce the will of the Saint. Aces.
@@NerdImmersion Who needs stronger self polymorph or weapon proficiencies when your pixie knows eldritch blast and vicious mockery while near permanently invisible? Doesn't "concentrate as if on a spell" not mean it competes for concentration with spells in 5E? Pixie is already the number one best sidekick, so it'd just be transforming into a not number one best sidekick (until higher levels, of course).
@@ameliafeyparsons4816 I imagine it's difficult because of how situational the choice is, Small vs Medium PC size and how to acquire them. Would either be a really long comprehensive video or it could feed a few top 10s I think.
Magewrights seem like great Experts or Warriors since they get some unique spellcasting and additional proficiencies. Also you can add any humanoid race to it for additional stats. So a Dwarf Lamplighter or Dragonborn Mediator.
My Ghostwise Halfling Wildfire Druid has a unique sidekick, her own Shadow. Having a creature which can reduce the STR of the enemy 1d4 each round, and also has a crapload of resistances, is epic.
so when the sidekick rules say you get their "stat block" that also includes the skills and proficiencies, as well as the actions. Then you give them more stuff based on their sidekick class, right? Magic user sidekicks are tough to find. The only magic using NPC I could find with a challenge 1/2 is the Acolyte.... besides the pixie... I want regular humanoids if possible.
If they have "Spellcasting" and you choose to make them a spellcaster sidekick, their original spellcasting is replaced. If they have innate Spellcasting (like a pixie) that stays regardless
So I’m my campaign my DM let the B team get ambush drakes as mounts. My character is a Kobold Cavalier fighter. So this is amazing. But how would that work? A mount that is also a side kick??
a mount and sidekick sounds pretty reasonable to me. Paladins used to have warhorses i think. Though i haven't played earlier versions of D&D for a long long time.
Sprite(was mentioned in passing at the end) is not a bad option either as you could go pact of the chain warlock and then ask your DM if they are willing to make it a sidekick, so a guaranteed sidekick at LVL 3
Hadn't really thought about it but pixie expert would make an incredible rogue-like character for out of combat, and during combat the "Hide while invisible" option seems good that said I'm really surprised modrons(rogue or otherwise) didn't make the list, 120ft truesight and 3 javelin attacks(for tridrone) at level one seems pretty good
Something worth pointing out, since you mentioned a Pixie Rogue - high DEX means high sleight of hand... which also means invisible lockpicking and pickpocketing machine with a Stealth of "eff you, I'm not here".
Hey Ted, great video, ive been loving your content lately keep it up. Im currently running 2 low level campaigns and i think itd be really cool if you joined as a guest at some point with your giant owl sidekick
Curious, would you allow the Sentient Gray Ooze? It's stat block says; "Languages: can understand basic communication in Common" - It doesn't say "but cannot speak" like many creatures do...
I looked at the spellcaster sidekick and prodigy and healer both get access to *not only* the single spell list of a class, but *both* (key word being "and" between the two classes in the listing). Just to keep the wizard caster from having a leg up compared to the other two in terms of spell access
About a year ago I ran a one shot where my players chose CR 0 to CR 1/2 creatures for a "pet show", they wound up playing DND homeward bound. It was an absolute blast and by far the Cow carried the team in combat. That cow (and his handler) are a recurring NPC in my current campaign (set in the same world). It would be a pretty nasty warrior.
Warhorses and Skeleton Warhorses can make unusually durable Warriors due to starting with several d10 hit dice, and adding more as they level up. You could mount them too, though then you're subject to slightly awkward mounting rules
How pheasible is it to replace the rangers companion with a sidekick? If you were to get it at lvl 3 when you initially multiclass, would putting it at lvl 1 keep it in line? What's all your takes?
If you put thorn whip on the giant owl, if it is flying above the target, it also would take bludgeoning damage from the fall back down, so that could be a really cool combo
I would want a chwinga (especially from Rime of the Frost Maiden) as my sidekick. Their charms would extremely helpful. I wouldn't fight with them, however.
In a game I'm playing as a battle smith artificer I gave my steel defender a head band of intellect and the dm allowed it to become a sidekick. It was his way of creating life.
I realize this is probably at DM discretion, but would a spellcaster sidekick that didn't have humanoid hands (like the owl for instance) be able to perform the somatic or material components of their spells?
Funny enough, as I look at the Skills that a number of CR 1/2 (or lower) creatures have, one thing that comes to mind is this - is it just me, or do a bunch of them have Expertise in one of their skills? I mean, it looks like the Giant Owl has Expertise in Perception.
I had a giant owl companion (via Ranger Beastmaster). It got the nickname "Murder vimto mach five death owl" after just wrecking shop, but specifically killing someone by divebombing behind them, pulling up at the last second, and bursting through their torso. That was a fun game.
Am I wrong in thinking that unless you give the pixie some form of attack through class features that it can't? I'm not seeing any actual melee abilities in its stat block...
It can still take the Attack Action but it won't have any proficiencies, which means no proficiency bonus to attack rolls unless it spends a feat. Going Spellcaster: Prodigy is a great choice on a Pixie though, so it can spam Eldritch Blasts like a Warlock.
Non-humanoid sidekicks can indeed wear armor, they just don't get the weapons, unless weapons are mentioned in the statblock. Besides, look at Barding in the PHB, page 157 - clearly there's armor for animals.
Wait..... What if a Beast, or a Plant, had the Awakened Spell placed on them, would that qualify them for Expert or Spellcaster? That would be a funny one. Granted, a beast spellcaster probably couldn't do any spell that required gestures, but there's a number of other spells that don't require such things. Granted, the options aren't that great, but it is doable (although one might need to borrow from the other spell-lists to get a full list, but that could be homebrewed, or the somatic part could be homebrewed out). Next thing you know, Snakes are casting Suggestion, Mules are casting Vicious Mockery, and cats are casting Healing Word.
@@Dennis-vh8tz The sword is doable, as per the flying sword being cr 1/4, but the armor would need a modification - reduce the hp to at most 17, or less, and it might qualify as cr 1/2, as per the DMG rules on CR calculation.
@@Dennis-vh8tz Based upon checking a regular Tortle from Mordonkien's Tome of Foes, which has a natural ac of 17, and 22 health, lowering the Animated Armor's hit dice to 4d8s, and giving it around 20 hp should help lower the challenge rating to just enough.
Hobgoblin could make a fun Wizard Sidekick that focuses on hitting with Booming Blade and takes mostly buffing or supporting spells. 18 with plate, a longsword, and Martial Advantage can really go far.
Giant Owls are like the Hsiao of the old Mystara setting. They are actually a playable race under the "Tall Tales of the Wee Folk" Creature Crucible rules. They have their own language, and cast clerical magic. Their are something I would like to see added to 5e, along with Phanatons and some other Mystara races.
Okay, I have a question. What if a creature of viable cr has spellcasting already, like the Strahd Witches. Are they still eligible for sidekicking, ignore lore stuff.
Probably would. I mean, it's in the Warhorse statblock, and it's also included under equipment in the phb, page 157. I see no issues giving beasts and the like "customized" armor. Probably make it pricier though, like 2-4x the normal price of regular armor.
Top 10 D&D 5e Sidekicks
10. Ambush Drake 05:30
9. Blink Dog 07:57
8. Anvilwrought Raptor 10:19
7. Magma Mephit 13:20
6. Satyr (variant) 15:26
5. Valenar Hound 18:02
4. Zorbo 20:50
3. Svirfneblin 23:36
2. Giant Owl 26:47
1. Pixie 30:07
I appreciate the time stamps
Hey Nerdimmersion, i was curious about something.
I was just creating a character sheet for a Beastmaster Ranger, and was about to use the Primal Companion feature, but a thought popped into my head.
The standard Ranger's Companion must be a beast that is CR 1/4 or lower. Does that mean that, in theory, you could turn your Ranger's Companion into a Sidekick?
And if so, which is better, a Primal Companion or a Ranger's Companion that is also a Sidekick?
I got the bad news that AL will not be allowing sidekicks😢. Would you allow a Wing Kobold Scout as a Warrior or Magic User?
I was going to have the sidekick warrior for a Bronze Draconic sorcerer. A magic user sidekick for a Psi Warrior.
T
Jeremy Crawford has stated that telepathy is a language that you can use for being expert or spellcaster. He stated this on Dragon Talk on TH-cam.
Ah, well that answers that then
Whether that spellcaster sidekick could cast spells with verbal components is another issue entirely :P
@@MrDavidKord well, they'd be speaking the words, just psychically
I considered it as if they can communicate they can be expert or spellcaster.
This is how someone can play as 3 kobolds in a trenchcoat. One PC and 2 sidekicks
Thug starts with 5d8 hit dice, pack tactics and multiattack. Also can be any humanoid race so in theory can benefit from that race traits too
Getting a thug expert would be nuts since they could share the love and give party members advantage as a bonus action. Not to mention the skills they’d have. If nobody in the party wanted to be a rogue they’d make a pretty decent stand-in and they’d be tankier than most rogues too
The also OP tanks
Thug is insanely durable for a Sidekick. Just made a "Healer" Thug that focuses more on hitting things good and keeping up bless.
Aaracocra thug 😆
If Valener Hound knocks and enemy prone and has multi attack, it can attack again with advantage
Wolf can do the same. Pretty sweet.
Second attack can be a grapple attempt. Prone + grappled is nice.
Had a fun time with a dwarf cavalier who rode his giant goat into battle.Later on we got him armor since he's a mount so it fell under barding.
My Kobold Oath of Conquest DEX Paladin has an Ambush Drake as his Find Steed, it's good times :-D
I would like to note that pixies CAN get weapons that are of their size. If you look at Sprites, they get a longsword and a shortbow. Granted they only do 1 point of damage, but they can still get weapons.
I wasn't worried about size, but they don't have any weapon proficiencies in their stat block and the sidekick types that grant weapon proficiencies say you need to be humanoid not fey.
@@NerdImmersion that, or any creatures with a weapon in their stat block. A Sprite would be better, though I'm not sure about it's CR
@@NerdImmersion Eh, seems like a really weird restriction given what the creature is. I'd personally call a DM fiat and just allow the pixie to be proficient. They're tiny bidal human looking people with hands. I mean again look at sprites, they have a CR 1/4 same as the pixie, and they get a longsword and shortbow.
@@michaelsellers4788 Personally, I'd rule that if say they were able to manipulate objects, I might allow it. Might be a bit leery allowing Apes to use weapons, but they use rocks in their stat block, and don't get me started on skeletons. I mean you could rule that they need a minimum of 6 in both Intelligence and Wisdom, and manipulative hands, in order to use weapons and shields.
@@lockwoan01 i'd say 6 in int and dex rather than wisdom
I love this, because it also would allow players who aren’t interested in playing any of the millions of pc options they have to play something really weird and unconventional without making the dm home brew a brand new race/class combo. Love the content Ted!
giant owls could also be used as mounts because they are large beasts
I’m currently playing a Kobold Beast Master who has a giant owl in Icewind Dale. It’s super fun to fly above the ground and get the jump on things trying to get the jump on the party.
Yes I love long videos! Keep up the great work, you’re doing great
a cleric owl bound to Auril sounds like a very interesting character to bring to a certain icewind dale campaign... the opportunity for conflict and resolution would be great.
A warg for a goblin character is the best option for pretty much anything. Well, it wouldnt be a great spellcaster, but at least it can be one.
Shadow as a sidekick has so much potential as a warrior with the strength drain ability especially if you're playing as a shadow sorcerer or something along those lines in an evil campaign
Yeah if you're DM is allowing you to have a chaotic evil undead creature as a sidekick, than sure. I guess you could go the Peter Pan route and have it not be evil, but I feel the abilities would need to be changed up a bit
@@NerdImmersion I actually made a homebrew warlock patron for my friend (a cabal of shadowy beings from another realm, who are actually all of the sylvans that have been banished from the Feywild by one of the two queens). The first feature it gives you is the ability to control your own shadow by giving it telepathic instructions. The way I handled it was giving the shadow all the same states, feats, and skills as the character, but with different abilities. It can’t attack, but it can interact with the living and objects by interacting with their shadows. (My player took the grappler feat and now usually uses his shadow to pin incredibly confused enemies, though he occasionally does do things like push enemies off cliffs or carry his friends to safety.) The shadow can only be harmed by silvered weapons and radiant damage, but only has as much health as the character’s level.
@@gusg6197 this is one of the best homebrew concepts ive seen. Id love to see the write up for this patron. Im.. displeased with the current way the Shadowfell is used. Banished Fey beings make a lot of sense.
I'm a DM who allows just about anything, and even I wouldn't allow a Shadow as a Sidekick be a use of the incredibly powerful drain Strength
@@gusg6197 nice
For 'Blink Dog', I wonder if I am a small PC and using the blink dog as a mount if I would count as "any equipment".....
I would say yes
when mounted you are basically the creature's hat.
Long, proud tradition.. of halfling cavalry on Blink Dogs.. lol
21:30 the meta thing to do with this creature is to get it metal sandals so it'd always have it's max ac bonus
From what I've read, the Warrior Sidekicks get proficiency with Simple and Martial weapons, providing that that are humanoid or have a weapon in their stat block. Also, humanoid or otherwise, they get access to *all* armor. This means that, depending on the creature's strength, they could wear plate armor if they have a 15 strength stat for 18 ac, or rather Splint as that tends to be cheaper for 17 ac. Likewise, if they have at least a 14 in their Dexterity, they could wear Half-Plate for a max of 17 ac, or use Scale Mail, which is cheaper, for a max of 16 ac. This Armor proficiency would be useful for those with normally a lower ac. Also, no rule says that Sidekicks can't use magic weapons or armor. Granted, it might be difficult for a normal non-magical beast (like wolves and warhorses) to use magical weapons, but that can be modified, using say the Monk's Ki-Powered Strikes or the Beastmaster's Exceptional Training as inspiration, to say that the beast's attacks count as magical for the purposes of overcoming resistance and immunity to non-magical attacks, that or give Fang some Magic Claws and Thunder some Magic Horseshoes that allow them to do magic damage.
I'm playing a Paladin/Fighter in a LOTR world campaign and I'm a knight that goes round fighting in competitions for a living, and my DM saw these rules and let me get a (slightly lower level than us) Dragonborn Warrior sidekick as my squire and it's pretty damn cool. I really like these rules!
My wife is currently running a game for our daughter and some of her friends where everyone is a Sidekick and a Fey of some type. There is a Mist Dog (Blink Dog), Faun (Satyr), Sprite Fey Cat, and a Pixie. So far the girls are really enjoying it.
Great video you helped me a lot, most more recent videos didn't go into this level of detail for players so thanks again!
Fun campaign ideas:
You’re a monster trainer (a commoner/scout with good animal handling), and you’ve become an adventurer with the help of your pets/summons.
You’re the summons to a summoner (works as your group patron), and your job is to keep them safe, in exchange you get gifts and other stuff.
I really like some of the animal options, too. I know it seems basic, but I'd love to get a panther figurine with warrior sidekick levels.
Personally, I like the idea of giving horses Warrior levels. I mean, imagine if a party of murderhobos, or that thief, decides to rob some poor shopkeeper, and said party is at level 10. Normally, a guard with a draft horse mount stands no chance. But, what if the guard took 10 levels in Warrior training with the Attacker Fighting Style, and lets say he rode in on a draft horse who also had 10 levels of Warrior training with the Defender Fighting Style, and let's imagine 5 more guard/draft horse pairs show up, and lets say that our guards are using magic weapons, shields, and armor, with the horses wearing magic armor and, very importantly, magic horseshoes that do the effect of some magic weapon.
I'd say it's time for the party to redefine cr 1/8 and 1/4, and 1/2, and possibly 0 even.
@@lockwoan01 Interesting (and fun) that you decided to use the sidekick levels on enemies instead of as party members. Give the warrior levels to a group of bugbears, along with said magical equipment, making them into a terrifying force of elite raiders wreaking havoc on the small settlements nearby. Seeing the look on your party's faces when they learn that a black dragon scale mailed, magical halberd wielding bugbear has polearm mastery and sentinel.
@@MrDavidKord Sadly, rules as written, bugbears have a CR of 1 - too high to use sidekick levels on. But, take a group of generic NPCs with CRs 1/2 and lower - like Bandits and Scouts - and add the Player Bugbear traits, and then add the Warrior stuff to it. (Similar situation exists for Minotaurs, Centaurs, Yuan-Ti Purebloods, and a few others - generic ones are too high to add sidekick levels to, so the player version traits would need to be added to generic NPCs).
@@lockwoan01 Good point, RAW you'd have to do a little more work in the way you described. I was more talking from the DM side using this as a way to add more than hit dice to a monster. Even giving Warrior levels to a Tarrasque would up the challenge a lot and give some cool story ideas behind it without just saying "it has 10 more hit dice and I gave it a feat."
@@MrDavidKord Of course, the DMG has Monsters with Classes on Page 283.
Polymorph uses the target’s level/CR, not the caster level. Great video overall and some great ideas. I’m going to be looking at adding a sidekick or two to my groups now.
I like the idea of monster specific languages given the sidekicks wrinkle. Now you have to know that difficult, niche language to get that sidekick instead of knowing Elvish out something. You better believe that's how I'm going to run that.
I love the sidekick idea, please do more sidekicks videos.
The jackalwere is CR 1/2 and it already has immunity to bludgeoning piercing and slashing so it would make a great warrior
jackalwere is CR 2 bro
It most certainly is not. It is a CR 1/2 monster from the monster manual
It is on page 193 between the invisible stalker and the kenku
Not to mention Pack Tactics, which is powerful enough to warrant another creature bring added to this list.
Some other ideas that I was a bit surprised weren't on the list include is a Skulk, which can only go Warrior because it can't actually speak. It is chaotic neutral, it basically has Expertise in Stealth, as it has +8 Stealth with only a 19 Dex, but would be perfect as a child/former child's "imaginary friend". It is permanently invisible and can only be seen by children and is only vaguely visible under other very rare circumstances. Its claw attack only does 1d4+4, but adds another +2d6 necrotic damage if they have advantage, say from being invisible.
The Scout would make an interesting Expert to be a master of many skills. They have Nature +4, Perception +5, Stealth +6, Survival +5, which when looking at their stats means those are basically Expertise as well. They get Multiattack for two melee or ranged attacks which makes Warrior less attractive for them. Stats aren't anything to write home about, but they do have advantage on Sight and Hearing based Perception checks like the Giant Owl. By 15th level they can have 8 skills with "expertise" if going Expert.
Awesome! I love sidekicks!
For my evil wizard seeking lichdom I’m considering a shadow.
Getting multiple attacks with its strength draining powers makes it even more deadly. Then it’s resistances make the extra health it gets while leveling up longer lasting.
Been having too much fun putting together possible sidekicks. Turns out a CR 1/4 Tabaxi Minstrel can make a pretty good spellcaster with its base 16 Charisma and multiattack. Also rather fond of the idea of Dolgrim and Rubblebelt Stalker sidekicks; 3 attacks with multiattack and some interesting sidequest possibilities.
As I looked at one list, there's like 356 creatures with a cr of 1/2 or lower - excluding UA, Planeshift, and other non-book supplemental items (379 with), as well as Adventure NPCs (137 of those) - after which, one might go "Um, so which ones are simply reskinned/altered versions of pre-existing creatures/NPCs?" (there's like 90 of those, but some are pretty cool - those animated weapons for one, Awakened Animals for another) and that leaves us with 266. Still, that's a lot of choices. After that, its a question of which class of sidekick fits best the creature/npc, depending on the need of the party/opposition, as some can fit multiple classes, or subclasses. Lots of fun making those choices.
My only thing is, if you make an Awakened Animal Spellcaster, you're going to need to bend the rules to allow spells from all lists, as it's hard to find a decent selection that's "hands-free" that uses just the list rules given. Still, even that can be fun. No one expects the mule to cast Vicious Mockery - imagine the insults. "You shovel my mess!"
The Frontline Medic from Ravnica is a good Warrior option. Reason is not only do they show up wearing plate armor and shield for 20ac (which they might lose if an Expert or Spellcaster), they also have access to some cleric spells (4 first level slots, 2 second level slots), including Cure Wounds (which they'd lose if they went Spellcaster unless they went the Healer route or took it from the bard list), meaning it's like having someone akin to a Life Domain cleric with them, who can not only heal, but can also do decent at tanking duty.
I was watching the whole video thinking "why does nobody talk about the pixie as a sidekick?". I feel validated now haha
I did my own search while watching, found Pixie around midway, also spent the rest of the vid going "Ok NOW he's gonna say Pixie" :P
I dig that hat bro; it gives you a fresh look. Sidekicks are good for creating distance, but I prefer the instep kick or calf slicer most of the time.
@nerd immersion For the pixie going invisible snd staying until it loses concentration. It says it stays invisible “as if concentrating on a spell”. Wouldn’t you play that just like the rules when concentrating on a spell, like if it takes damage it rolls a check and if it does anything else that requires concentration? I would imagine if it took damage or something broke it’s concentration, it has to make a save no?
correct, I thought I explained that in the video. Yeah if you cast another concentration spell it would end or if you take enough damage to knock them out of concentration. It is NOT however, limited duration like the Invisibility spell
@@NerdImmersion Ah okay, maybe you did and I missed that part of the explanation.
Glad Giant Owls made the list. They are my personal favorite sidekick choice.
Because of how it defines armor, could you give ,for instance your ambushing drake, armor so long as it met all other prerequisites
Yeah, though I'd consider it more like barding. But I guess if it has armor proficiency it wouldn't have the extra cost associated with barding
The Sidekick rules state: "If the creature already has the Spellcasting trait, this fea- ture replaces that trait." So some of those spells you discussed in their stat blocks will go if you choose Spellcaster. So no Polymorph for a level 1 Pixie Sidekick.
I think it might still have it as it doesn't have the Spellcasting trait. It has the Innate Spellcasting trait. Something like the Barovian Witch would have the Spellcasting trait along with other npc casters
@@NerdImmersion Hmmm.... that's definitely something to think about.
I think you're right. I did some digging on Sage Advice, and Jeremy Crawford hinted at the same thing. This changes things for my table!
Even if that were true (which I doubt for reasons others have stated above), a Pixie Expert or Warrior could still cast Polymorph.
Innate Spellcasting like the Pixie's is not the same as the Spellcasting trait. The Spellcasting trait will list the spellcasting level and give spell slots. Pixie's do not lose their Innate Spellcasting.
The interesting thing about the Anvilwrought Raptor, at least by the DMG monster creation rules, is that this bird is actually a CR 1, not a 1/2. I have a video coming out in March for this bird that shows the offensive rating for it that is a lot higher than expected with an offensive CR of 2 while it's defenses are a dismal defensive CR of 1/8. Combine and average those two ratings out and you get a CR 1 birb.
Look at the Giant Stone Statue from Storm King's Thunder with a Cr of 0 - 195hp, 17 AC, 20 Con, immunity to non-magical attacks that ain't made with Adamantine weapons, advantage on saving throws against magic. I mean, all it has are its fists which do 7 damage (1+6strength), and have a +8 (2 pb and 6str) to hit, but they count as magical. Given all this, its at least a cr10 creature.
@@lockwoan01 Yeah, that's really silly and if we add in the 7 dmg and +8 to Hit then it's a CR 11 Huge Construct. Since I'm not seeing any actual attack, unless it changes stats if provoked somehow, then it's a CR 10, minimum.
@@DDCRExposed Well, the one site I checked basically states that its offensive capabilities are 1/2 cr, with its defensive ones being 20, and the math it uses gives something with similar stats a cr of 10 .... but still. It ain't a CR 1/2 at any rate.
@@lockwoan01 Oh that's for sure! Lol
@@DDCRExposed Yeah, even without the various resistances and immunities, it's still a cr 5. You would need to drop the hp to 3d12 to make the defense 1/2 (effective hp looks something like 2d12+10, possibly up to 3d12+15 at most, initially), and with the offensive stuff from punching (figured out my math issue there - forgot to calculate the strength modifier in the to hit thing), you'd need to reduce the strength to 18, just to make the offensive cr 1/2. He's still a big dude with quite the punch and a decent amount of hp mind you. (Heck, for him to keep the resistances and such, he'd have to go down to 1d12, and only have 3 hp to have an "effective" hp of 6 (1d12+5), but that's not going to happen, on average rolls).
Me trying to figure out how to convince my DM to let me turn my familiar owl into a sidekick giant owl.
I'm playing a wizard who's had his God Saint Cuthburt start taking an interest in him. As a result my Wizards spells are becoming more divine in appearance. My familiar Little Hoot is basically a dove now and I was able to get the idea that Little Hoot was always a divine gift.
My party doesn't have a dedicated healer as it is (we're an Abjurer, bard, 3 rogues and a druid.)
This video has me pumped for the idea my familiar enters the fray as a giant divine owl (or you know, angel) capable of healing those who enforce the will of the Saint.
Aces.
Remember that any innate spellcasting the creatures have are wiped away if they become a spellcaster sidekick!
Nope that's actually confirmed not true! Only creatures with "spellcasting" are wiped, not "Innate Spellcasting"
@@NerdImmersion Who needs stronger self polymorph or weapon proficiencies when your pixie knows eldritch blast and vicious mockery while near permanently invisible?
Doesn't "concentrate as if on a spell" not mean it competes for concentration with spells in 5E? Pixie is already the number one best sidekick, so it'd just be transforming into a not number one best sidekick (until higher levels, of course).
Could you give the Zorbo metal sandals so they are a a constant AC of 19? Sandals would probably still allow climbing if strapped on correctly
I took a look through your old videos and nothing came up, but would you do a Top 10 Mounts? Maybe at various CRs (Find Steed/Greater)
GhettoAstrnaut man Id love to see that
@@ameliafeyparsons4816 I imagine it's difficult because of how situational the choice is, Small vs Medium PC size and how to acquire them. Would either be a really long comprehensive video or it could feed a few top 10s I think.
Magewrights seem like great Experts or Warriors since they get some unique spellcasting and additional proficiencies. Also you can add any humanoid race to it for additional stats. So a Dwarf Lamplighter or Dragonborn Mediator.
My Ghostwise Halfling Wildfire Druid has a unique sidekick, her own Shadow. Having a creature which can reduce the STR of the enemy 1d4 each round, and also has a crapload of resistances, is epic.
question, if you give the zorbo shoes, does that count as standing on the material/object? if so, maybe give your zorbo some metal shoes/slippers
I feel like the gray render is perfect because lorewise that is what they desire.
so when the sidekick rules say you get their "stat block" that also includes the skills and proficiencies, as well as the actions. Then you give them more stuff based on their sidekick class, right? Magic user sidekicks are tough to find. The only magic using NPC I could find with a challenge 1/2 is the Acolyte.... besides the pixie... I want regular humanoids if possible.
If they have "Spellcasting" and you choose to make them a spellcaster sidekick, their original spellcasting is replaced.
If they have innate Spellcasting (like a pixie) that stays regardless
@@NerdImmersion Thanks for the clarification. I thought the section could have been written a bit clearer.
So I’m my campaign my DM let the B team get ambush drakes as mounts. My character is a Kobold Cavalier fighter. So this is amazing. But how would that work? A mount that is also a side kick??
a mount and sidekick sounds pretty reasonable to me. Paladins used to have warhorses i think. Though i haven't played earlier versions of D&D for a long long time.
Sprite(was mentioned in passing at the end) is not a bad option either as you could go pact of the chain warlock and then ask your DM if they are willing to make it a sidekick, so a guaranteed sidekick at LVL 3
Hadn't really thought about it but pixie expert would make an incredible rogue-like character for out of combat, and during combat the "Hide while invisible" option seems good
that said I'm really surprised modrons(rogue or otherwise) didn't make the list, 120ft truesight and 3 javelin attacks(for tridrone) at level one seems pretty good
Something worth pointing out, since you mentioned a Pixie Rogue - high DEX means high sleight of hand... which also means invisible lockpicking and pickpocketing machine with a Stealth of "eff you, I'm not here".
I use a Mastiff as a sidekick/mount for my Halfling Bard. However, I hare learned that Polymorph can be a fun combination with a sidekick mount.
I've had pixie sidekick since the UA, my own personal 'tinkerbell' to my green clad bard/rogue. My favourite is we don't understand each other. 😅
Can sidekicks gain a background? That could add a whole other layer.
Not by the rules, but the DM could allow it
Hey Ted, great video, ive been loving your content lately keep it up. Im currently running 2 low level campaigns and i think itd be really cool if you joined as a guest at some point with your giant owl sidekick
A couple on the list for language does say "but can't speak" like the owl and blink dog. So wouldn't be able to do casters right?
Curious, would you allow the Sentient Gray Ooze? It's stat block says; "Languages: can understand basic communication in Common" - It doesn't say "but cannot speak" like many creatures do...
Well it really doesn't even have a mouth, so I'd argue no.
I looked at the spellcaster sidekick and prodigy and healer both get access to *not only* the single spell list of a class, but *both* (key word being "and" between the two classes in the listing). Just to keep the wizard caster from having a leg up compared to the other two in terms of spell access
About a year ago I ran a one shot where my players chose CR 0 to CR 1/2 creatures for a "pet show", they wound up playing DND homeward bound. It was an absolute blast and by far the Cow carried the team in combat.
That cow (and his handler) are a recurring NPC in my current campaign (set in the same world). It would be a pretty nasty warrior.
Warhorses and Skeleton Warhorses can make unusually durable Warriors due to starting with several d10 hit dice, and adding more as they level up. You could mount them too, though then you're subject to slightly awkward mounting rules
the idea of a giant owl flying by whacking people with shillelagh is great
How pheasible is it to replace the rangers companion with a sidekick? If you were to get it at lvl 3 when you initially multiclass, would putting it at lvl 1 keep it in line? What's all your takes?
Great video... About to run a solo game for the wife, and this is right on time
Hey guys, if you have time of beasts two, the giant honey bee is technically allowed to be a caster sidekick because it speaks bee dance
I can't help but laugh at the idea of dancing to cast fireball
@Owen Keenan: A dance isn't verbal, so I can't understand how it could be used to do spellcasting that requires verbal components. 🤔
@@pablohammerly448 well it might not be able to cast those spells, but it can still bee a spellcaster
So the rule say the spellcaster sidekick replace the spellcaster feat of the base creature but it seems that innate spellcasting ?
I just can’t stop snickering at the idea of Tinkerbell, the pixie 🧚♀️ being invisible and helping the party dropping heals . (Just makes me laugh 😂)
Giant Crab Sidekick Warrior
@@SodaPopBarbecue Crabical
If you put thorn whip on the giant owl, if it is flying above the target, it also would take bludgeoning damage from the fall back down, so that could be a really cool combo
Wow I was just wondering what the best companion or sidekick would be
Thanks
I would want a chwinga (especially from Rime of the Frost Maiden) as my sidekick. Their charms would extremely helpful. I wouldn't fight with them, however.
What about Kobold Inventor?
Spurt has entered the chat
I love that the svirfneblin doesn't start with common. I know things like that are variable but I wouldn't.
Then it just turns out that you where simply your sidekicks interpreter the whole time.
@@williamings773 it does require that you speak gnome or undercommon. Which I appreciate.
@@williamings773 were* (not where) 🙄
In a game I'm playing as a battle smith artificer I gave my steel defender a head band of intellect and the dm allowed it to become a sidekick. It was his way of creating life.
Can your pixie lock go path on the chain and have her own familiar?
Couldn't you awaken any of these to make it eligible for the other side classes
Yes but that means you need to have access to 5th level spells before you could get a sidekick
@@NerdImmersion and that's why you make the informative videos and I don't lol
(25:40) It increases?! I’ve heard around that it doesn’t, so I’m not sure who to believe
can a Paladin have their steed be also their sidekick?
If the DM allows it
Why not have both?
Could a giant owl carry a small pc, perhaps spellcaster or sniper?
I realize this is probably at DM discretion, but would a spellcaster sidekick that didn't have humanoid hands (like the owl for instance) be able to perform the somatic or material components of their spells?
Good point! At least the owl has claws for holding ingredients.
Funny enough, as I look at the Skills that a number of CR 1/2 (or lower) creatures have, one thing that comes to mind is this - is it just me, or do a bunch of them have Expertise in one of their skills? I mean, it looks like the Giant Owl has Expertise in Perception.
Yes.
Satyr (variant) has expertise in performance and Goblin in stealth among others.
It isn't really addressed in the book.
@@Lucky13Ravens Noticed. Still, since they already have the skills and such, probably ought to keep them in.
Now I actually had considered if sidekicks could get a feat instead of a ability score improvement like a normal player character could.
Can I as a sidecikick a swarm of beetles? It's cr 1/2 and oh my it would be cool to have one as a swarm keeper ranger
Any thoughts on the Jackalwere? Complete immunity to nonmagical physical damage seems fairly busted.
I had a giant owl companion (via Ranger Beastmaster). It got the nickname "Murder vimto mach five death owl" after just wrecking shop, but specifically killing someone by divebombing behind them, pulling up at the last second, and bursting through their torso. That was a fun game.
Am I wrong in thinking that unless you give the pixie some form of attack through class features that it can't? I'm not seeing any actual melee abilities in its stat block...
It can still take the Attack Action but it won't have any proficiencies, which means no proficiency bonus to attack rolls unless it spends a feat.
Going Spellcaster: Prodigy is a great choice on a Pixie though, so it can spam Eldritch Blasts like a Warlock.
Can sidekicks multiclass? I can see an argument for it as it would have to be the starting class.
Not by the rules defining them, though you could allow it if you wanted
If you have time of beasts 2 , I think a gorao ka kami is the best expert you could get
Non-humanoid sidekicks can indeed wear armor, they just don't get the weapons, unless weapons are mentioned in the statblock. Besides, look at Barding in the PHB, page 157 - clearly there's armor for animals.
Wait..... What if a Beast, or a Plant, had the Awakened Spell placed on them, would that qualify them for Expert or Spellcaster? That would be a funny one. Granted, a beast spellcaster probably couldn't do any spell that required gestures, but there's a number of other spells that don't require such things. Granted, the options aren't that great, but it is doable (although one might need to borrow from the other spell-lists to get a full list, but that could be homebrewed, or the somatic part could be homebrewed out). Next thing you know, Snakes are casting Suggestion, Mules are casting Vicious Mockery, and cats are casting Healing Word.
How about an animated sword or plate armour as a Warrior side kick?
@@Dennis-vh8tz The sword is doable, as per the flying sword being cr 1/4, but the armor would need a modification - reduce the hp to at most 17, or less, and it might qualify as cr 1/2, as per the DMG rules on CR calculation.
@@Dennis-vh8tz Based upon checking a regular Tortle from Mordonkien's Tome of Foes, which has a natural ac of 17, and 22 health, lowering the Animated Armor's hit dice to 4d8s, and giving it around 20 hp should help lower the challenge rating to just enough.
Oh, come on, no gnome squidling ? no shadow, vegepygmy, cockatrice, giant frog, boggle or chwinga ?
Nope
The Boggle looks awesome and it didn’t make the Top 10
What about Shadow as a Warrior? Multiattack Strength Drain is nuts
Hobgoblin could make a fun Wizard Sidekick that focuses on hitting with Booming Blade and takes mostly buffing or supporting spells. 18 with plate, a longsword, and Martial Advantage can really go far.
Giant Owls are like the Hsiao of the old Mystara setting. They are actually a playable race under the "Tall Tales of the Wee Folk" Creature Crucible rules. They have their own language, and cast clerical magic. Their are something I would like to see added to 5e, along with Phanatons and some other Mystara races.
Okay, I have a question. What if a creature of viable cr has spellcasting already, like the Strahd Witches. Are they still eligible for sidekicking, ignore lore stuff.
I’m imagining the Blink Dog talking like Scooby-doo now.
Ruh-roh!
That Valenar Hound trait makes me think of Lying Cat from Saga.
Tiny sized weapons are typically -2 30:00
Clockwork Soul sorcerer with a Tridrone Expert sidekick. 120 ft true sight and three attacks. Probably a bit broken, but it'd be fun
love the list, would barding work for companions?
Probably would. I mean, it's in the Warhorse statblock, and it's also included under equipment in the phb, page 157. I see no issues giving beasts and the like "customized" armor. Probably make it pricier though, like 2-4x the normal price of regular armor.
A juvenile mimic to function as a spellbook for a wizard. (Think of Harry Potter. You must stroke its binding to appease it.)