Foregoing ranger spells!

[dragonis111]

My friends at school started a dnd club, the first meeting is in the next 2 days, we are creating characters with ECL 3, so I am creating a Draconic (+1 LA) Goliath (+1 LA) Ranger lvl 1, he will be focused on giant killing and archery, and will eventually prestige into goliath liberator(races of stone prestige class), I am just thinking of not messing with spells with this character, so I am asking how I should design him, and no I am not trading my spells for anything else as my dm wont allow it, except maybe being more tied to animals and having a better companion.

[the_orc_within]

I don't really have any design suggestions, but FYI there's a non-spellcasting Ranger variant in "Complete Warrior" that your DM might let you use - so maybe you don't have to just lose your spells for no reason
It's described in the "Classes-Base" file at Crystal Keep.

[StreamOfTheSky]

You might want to keep your spells.

In Spell Compendium, there is a level 1 Ranger spell called Arrow Mind. It lasts for minute/level and lets you fire in melee without provoking attacks of opportunity. I think it even lets you shoot arrows as an AoO against adjacent foes that provoke one from you, though I may be mistaken. Really, as an archer, having the ability to both cast that and purchase items of it (scrolls and/or wand) to use is just immeasurably useful.

And that's just one spell. Hunter's Mercy is another great level 1 Ranger spell in Spell Compendium. Find the Gap is a level 3 spell in that book, lasts round/level, and lets you attack TOUCH AC on one attack/round. There are many more great ranger spells out there. If you're limited to just the Player's Handbook for some reason (if it matters, many of these spells are also in Complete Adventurer), then it may be worth giing up spells for an alternate feature, because sadly Ranger spellcasting in core kinda sucks, and it wasn't until later on in 3E that the designers realized it and gave them good spells.

[dragonis111]

I have all the books, it is just I want to focus on combat and role playing instead of messing around with spells. that variant in complete warrior looks promising.

[Voadam]

Use wisdom as a dump stat. 10 wis = can't cast 1st level spells.

You can still use wands but not scrolls or prepare your own.

This allows you to focus your build on the other parts of being a ranger, strength for composite bow path, dex for ac and bowmanship, int for skills, con for hp and generally being tough, charisma for wild empathy.

[Trance-Zg]

I have few ideas for that:

1st. lose spells but gain druid power animal companion.

2nd. lose spells, gain bonus feat at 4,7,10,13,16,19 level

[Hawken]

This thread kind of depends on what you mean by "not messing with spells". Not messing with as in no spells, or not having to search through half a dozen sources for something.

If your DM will let you swap out for animal stuff, then ask for this:

Level 1 Ranger spells swap for Level bonus of +3 to Ranger class for purposes of Animal Companion only.

Level 2 Ranger spells swap for +3 bonus to Wild Empathy, Handle Animal and Ride checks.

Level 3 Ranger spells swap for Level bonus of +3 to Ranger class for purposes of Animal Companion only.

Level 4 Ranger spells swap for Empathic Link and Speak with Master familiar abilities for Animal Companion.


Or, if you want to keep spells simple, just select ones from the PHB.

Delay Poison, Entangle, Jump, Longstrider, Magic Fang and Resist Energy are all useful spells for a Ranger.

[Thanael]

Goliath Liberator is accessible at CL7. A Ranger 7 has 1 spell of first level (plus perhaps a bonus spell due to high wisdom). I wouldn't exactly call that "messing around with spells".

But if you want to have no spells, you could just multiclass early, before getting any Ranger spells or use WIS as a dump stat. Multiclass into Fighter for feats or into Barbarian (a Goliath's favoured class) for speed, toughness and rage. Ftr4/Rgr3, Ftr2/Brb2/Rgr3 or Brb4/Rgr3 are all entries to Goliath Liberator. Iirc you can still shoot a bow while raging.

Or go for another PrC before Goliath Liberator: Goliath Rgr3/Stoneblessed[dwarf]3/DwarvenFighter2/GoliathLiberatorX is an interesting build but you loose one point of BAB. The same goes for Goliath Rgr2/Stoneblessed[gnome]3/GnomeGiantSlayer(CompleteWarrior)3/GoliathLiberatorX. (A goliath tumbling around a giant like a gnome, hehe)

Other options would be GoliathBrb2/Rgr3/DarkHunter(CompleteWarrior)2/GoliathLiberatorX for a stalker or Rgr3/Ftr2/Order of the Bow Initiate(CompleteWarrior)2/GoliathLiberatorX for more archery goodness.

Definately check out the Cragtop Archer PrC later on for synergies.

And have a look at the alternate class features/racial substitution levels in RoS for Goliaths and Dwarves:

Goliath Barbarian Substitution Levels (RS, p 150): add knowledge: nature to class list
1st level: Mountain Rage (extra size/strength while raging), replaces normal rage
5th level: Fortification (25% chance to prevent crits and such), lose uncanny dodge
8th level: Skin of Stone (x/adamantine damage reduction instead of normal)

Dwarf Fighter Substitution Levels (RS, p 146): d12 hitdice, gain knowledge: dungeoneering
1st level: Axe Focus (+1 attack with axes), lose feat
2nd level: Racial Foes (+2 damage vs orcs, goblins, and giants), lose feat
8th level: Heavy Armor Expertise (+1 AC in heavy armor), lose a feat