For some, the lure of high-tech gadgetry, mechanized limbs, and shiny chrome is too much to avoid. Drones are part of most modern corporate security systems, and for good reason. The Drone Master is a ranger who specializes in using drones to assist in combat and utility roles.
Tool Proficiency
At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with tinker’s tools. If you already have this proficiency, you gain proficiency with one other type of artisan's tools of your choice.
Drone Master Magic
At 3rd level, you learn additional spells when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the Drone Master Spells table. The spell counts as a ranger spell for you but doesn’t count against the number of ranger spells you know.
Drone Master Spells
| Ranger Level | Spells |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Catapult |
| 5th | Heat Metal |
| 9th | Fly |
| 13th | Fabricate |
| 17th | Animate Objects |
Chimera Drone
At 3rd level, you have engineered a robot (Chimera Drone) with synthetic materials and machine parts, then magically infused it with life and sentience. It is friendly to you and your companions, obeying your commands. You determine the build and style of the drone (legs, wheels, or treads; your choice has no effect on its game statistics).
In combat, the chimera drone shares your initiative count and takes its turn immediately after yours. If it has died within the last hour, you can use your tinker's tools as an action to revive it, provided you are within 5 feet of it and expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. The drone returns to life after 1 minute with all its hit points restored.
At the end of a long rest, you can create a new chimera drone if you have your tinker’s tools with you. If you already have a drone from this feature, the first one immediately perishes.
Loadout
By 3rd level, you have developed combat and utility attachments for your drone. Choose two of the following attachments:
- Hacker-Bot: The drone gains proficiency with electrician’s tools and hacking tools. It can launch a built-in universal cable up to 30 feet to connect to a port it can see.
- Primed Shot: The drone can make a ranged weapon attack.
- Razor Claws: The drone can make a melee weapon attack with razor claws.
- Serum Shot: As a bonus action, you can cause a creature within 30 feet of the drone to regain hit points equal to 1d6 + your Wisdom modifier.
- Shock Prod: The drone can make a melee weapon attack with an electrical shock.
Orchestrated Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action. Alternatively, you can forgo one or two of your attacks to have your drone use its reaction to attack.
Upgrade
At 7th level, your engineering improves your drone’s attachments. Each attachment gains an additional ability or effect (e.g., Hacker-Bot gains an EMP ability, Primed Shot adds fire damage over time).
Cyberdemon
At 11th level, your drone reaches technological superiority. You can add one advanced attachment, such as Anti-Grav Boosters (grants flying), Hijack Module (cast commandeer vehicle), or Mobile Unit (your drone becomes a Medium-size sentient vehicle).
Master’s Call
At 15th level, when a creature attacks you, you can use your reaction to have your drone move up to half its movement speed. If the drone reaches you, it can force the attack to target it instead.
