The player of the ranger in my group asked me the other day if I could make her a snapping turtle for an animal companion (she is using the UA Revised Ranger, Beast Conclave). After looking in the Monster Manual and online, I didn't find anything that really worked for me.
I made the following statblock for a possible snapping turtle animal companion:
Snapping Turtle
Medium beast, any alignment
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 30 (4d8 + 12)
Speed 15 ft., swim 30 ft.
\begin{array}{cccccc} \text{STR}&\text{DEX}&\text{CON}&\text{INT}&\text{WIS}&\text{CHA}\\ 16\;(+3)&8\;(-1)&16\;(+3)&2\;(-4)&12\;(+1)&6\;(-2) \end{array}
Saving Throws Str +5
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Hold Breath. The snapping turtle can hold its breath for 1 hour.
Actions
Snap. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Headbutt. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage. Deals 2 (1d4) recoil damage to turtle. Critical failure results in 5 (2d4) damage to turtle.
Shell Defense. The snapping turtle can withdraw into its shell as an action. Until it emerges, it gains a +4 bonus to AC, and has advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While in its shell, the turtle is prone, its speed is 0 and can't increase, it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws, and it can't take reactions. The only action it can take is a bonus action to emerge from its shell.
Is this homebrew Snapping Turtle balanced as an animal companion for the UA Revised Ranger (Beast Conclave)?