Hmm, we used to call them henchmen. The rules it seems are optional, and I am not sure I am ready for this, as I need to learn to play my classes better than I do.
Links
- Sidekicks from Unearthed Arcana, by WOTC, a .pdf, they have thethe same level as the party, levels up with the party and can be a warrior, spell caster or expert. The start from a CR 1/2 monster stat block.
- Sidekicks from Wikidot, very simple to understand
- A commentary on warrior sidekicks, bit more detail on the special abilities.
- 5e, a guide to sidekicks, at Abicus Archives, a commentary but ends with some ideas, emphasises the thug, see below and hints at the PIxie. The author recommends not using highly magical creatures as spellcaster sidekicks because the sidekick category overwrites the magic using ability
- 3 sidekicks to recruit to your ragtag party at DnD beyond, suggests a Locathah, a Pixie, and a Kobold. The latter interestingly has weapon invention & pack tactics from the Kobold inventor and it is suggested one runs him as a warrior.
Comments
They start from a monster manual stat block, I have found, the thug, maybe the best, it has pack tactics although I am not clear if when using the stat block, special abilities apply, or a drow, although sunlight sensitivity might be a problem, and its stats are weaker than the thug or a scout which maybe better as an expert. Or Lizardfolk, thick but strong. Or Hobgoblin, at Roll20, or at DnD Beyond another with Packtactics and not unacceptable lore in 5e.
Character Sheets
- Sidekicks, a PDF by hornbook1776 at reddit, not yet tried it with adobe, and so don’t know how easy this is to use as a doc. It seems easier to read, than the spreadsheet below.
- An untitled google spreadsheet for representing Sidekicks a spreadsheet from Darth Credence at Giants in the Playground. This has the advantage that it can be on a google drive and accessed at the table top.
WOTC’s take
There are several other interpretations of sidekicks/hirelings & henchmen. I found or was pointed at these,
All three at DnD Beyond.
The image is taken from GW2, but not made by me. It is used for the usual reasons.