[RPG] Does the Beast Conclave ranger’s animal companion get a boost when you get it at 3rd level

animal-companionsdnd-5eranger

In the Ranger Unearthed Arcana, I have chosen the Beast Conclave at level 3.

Does my animal companion start with the stats from the monster manual or does it immediately gain my +2 proficiency bonus to its armor class? Maybe some extra HP?

I chose a Giant Weasel as my first companion, but it seems a little weak.

Best Answer

It gets the benefits immediately

You get the Companion's Bond feature at 3rd level, at the same time as you gain the Animal Companion feature.

The Companion's Bond feature says:

In addition to the areas where it normally uses its proficiency bonus, an animal
companion also adds its proficiency bonus to its AC and to its damage rolls.

This applies from 3rd level and onwards, so it gets a +2 to its attack rolls, ability and skill checks, saves, AC and damage, and loses Multiattack if it had it.

Once you reach 4th level, and every level beyond that, it gets an extra hit die:

For each level you gain after 3rd, your animal
companion gains an additional hit die and increases its hit points accordingly.

This means that your giant weasel's stats look like this:

Giant Weasel

Medium beast, unaligned

Armor Class 15 (13 +2 proficiency)

Hit Points 9 (2d8)

Speed 40 ft.

Ability Scores
(+2 proficiency to all saves)
STR 11 (+0)
DEX 16 (+3)
CON 10 (+0)
INT 4 (-3)
WIS 12 (+1)
CHA 5 (-3)

Skills Perception +5, Stealth +7

Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13

Languages —

Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)

Keen Hearing and Smell: The weasel has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Actions

Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit (+3 +2 proficiency), reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 3 + 2 proficiency) piercing damage.

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