It’s an impressive feat to not only overcome the terrors of nature but to conquer and use nature as an ally. Truly nothing can be greater than being one with our beastly, furry friends, especially if they have the acid spit of a Skag, the robotic claws of a Glinthawk, or the mighty claws of a bear.
Many characters have become one with nature, and animals have been tamed willingly, or not so much. Beastmasters are characters in video games who use creatures to fight other creatures or other humans, and video games are in no shortage of this character type.
10 The Tarnished – Elden Ring
The Tarnished is the player-created protagonist of Elden Ring. These characters are individual beings that lost the Grace of the Erdtree and became banished from the Lands Between by Queen Marika the Eternal. With the breaking of the Elden Ring, the Tarnished were beckoned to return.
What makes the Tarnished a great beastmaster is the ability to play the game in any way the player wants. Players can receive the Spirit Calling Bell, which allows them to bring forth an ally of the world to help against dangerous foes. These allies can be found across the map, and include many beasts and creatures, such as bears and jellyfish.
9 Takkar – Far Cry Primal
As the protagonist of Far Cry Primal, Takkar was a hunter from the Wenja tribe, dating as far back as 10,000 BCE. Takkar became the last survivor of his hunting group and soon found that to survive in Oros, he would need to hone his abilities as a beast master, defeat those that threaten his existence, and lead his tribe to victory.
Takkar is a great character, with many skills and abilities to boast about. His skills as a beast master develop over time, with the player’s help of course. It makes Takkar a great Far Cry protagonist and a great beastmaster. Controlling sabretooth tigers has never been so cool.
8 The Looper – Fortnite
Wildlife in Fortnite has been brimming as of late with boars and wolves. In Chapter 2, Season 6, these animals were able to be tamed as long as they were bribed with fresh fruits, vegetables, or meat. Since Chapter 3, Season 3, players now can jump on the backs of their beastly friends and make them allies of war, and a trusty steed to ride into battle with.
Fortnite is no stranger to bizarre concepts. Part of what keeps the game so fresh is its ability to evolve and change the format with each season. Being able to tame animals is just the latest and greatest of what Fortnite has to offer. Who doesn’t want to see Batman riding a wolf?
7 Rexxar – The Warcraft Series
Regarded as Champion of the Horde, Rexxar is a half-ogre, half-orc beastmaster of the Mok’Nathal clan. He is a towering, muscular warrior with two large axes. His skill and ferocity make for a character that players wouldn’t want to mess with. It’s always nice to see this character paired with his faithful and loyal companion, the bear called Misha.
What makes Rexxar a great beastmaster isn’t just his ability to tame the most dangerous of beasts like bears, but the fact that he is such a cunning and capable warrior without them. Rexxar has had a long history in the Warcraft franchise.
6 Karroch – Dota 2
Karroch’s entire character in Dota 2 revolves around his abilities as a beastmaster. Karroch can summon beasts to aid his hunt, and learned this ability from a young age in the royal menagerie of Slom. Karroch has an impressive roster of beasts to utilize in battle.
From the poison-spitting boar to the scouting hawk. These talented beasts are great allies to Karroch and his skillset in Dota 2. Not only can Karroch rely on his skills as a beastmaster, but he can also use his wild axes in battle, as well as his piercing primal roar.
5 Yuna – Final Fantasy 10
Yuna is a playable protagonist introduced in Final Fantasy X and the central protagonist for Final Fantasy X-2. This character follows in the abilities of her father and becomes a summoner. Part of her abilities as a summoner involves the summoning of Aeon.
Aeon is summoned beast in the Final Fantasy series. Aeons can be obtained as part of the story and by completing the Cloisters of Trials at the Spira’s temples. These Aeons can be directly controlled once summoned, making for an effective beastmaster since Yuna can control their every move.
4 Captain Olimar – Pikmin
Perhaps the least terrifying entry to beastmasters, Captain Olimar is certainly no joke. Olimar is the protagonist of the Pikmin series and hails from the planet Hocotate. Whilst on a mission for his employers, Hocotate Freight, Olimar discovers PNF-404 and an abundance of strange and colorful Pikmin.
Olimar discovered that the Red Pikmin could reproduce more Pikmin with his help. Olimar used the Pikmin to help him repair his ship, and along the way, discovered that the Pikmin followed him loyally. Whether that was carrying parts of his ship, or helping him in battle. They may not be scary beasts, but that doesn’t stop their usefulness.
3 FL4K – Borderlands 3
With the latest entry into the mainline of the Borderlands series, Borderlands 3 introduced players to FL4K, whose specialty class was as a beastmaster. FL4K was a robot who gained self-awareness and a desire for murder. What made FL4K this way is one of Borderlands’ many mysteries, but part of the charm, much like Tiny Tina's explosive personality.
However, what FL4K does have, other than a great sense and desire for murder, is the communion and understanding with animals. FL4K always has a pet companion on hand and can command them to do their bidding. FL4K is a fun character who can have a Jabber, a Spiderant, a Skag, or an ION Loader.
2 Aloy – Horizon: Zero Dawn
As the protagonist of Horizon: Zero Dawn and the newly released Horizon: Forbidden West, Aloy spent her childhood in exile, with no one being allowed to speak to her. This was due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding her birth, and her strange connection to the metal beasts that roam the dangerous lands of the year 3000.
Aloy can override these machines, which allows the player to tame robotic creatures. These creatures mimic organic animals, like horses, birds, and bulls. Some can be ridden, and all can be used to assist Aloy in battle. It's a great character in an even greater offline PlayStation game.
1 Pokemon Trainer
Since 1996, Pokemon has been a staple of gaming, trading cards, and anime. Pokemon video games have a great life cycle, and constantly introduce new mechanics and brand new and innovative Pokemon to the different regions. This all began with Pokemon Red and Blue, two titles that featured either Charizard or Blastoise.
As the Pokemon Trainer, the player has to catch them all. Them, referring to all the Pokemon in the game, so that they can fulfill their Pokedex and satisfy their quest for research, knowledge, and the brimming world of Pokemon, which is one filled with friends, and mysterious Legendary Pokemon along the way. As a Trainer, the player can use their Pokemon to fight other Pokemon in friendly battles.