Yet another variant Ranger class...

Pants · Nov 5, 2004

Here I try my hand at cooking up a variant Ranger-type class, called simply, the scout. No spellcasting, no combat styles, no none of that. The class is uploaded in a .pdf.

Critiques? Comments?

Li Shenron · Nov 5, 2004

Compared to a Fighter, your Scout gives up:

d10 exchanged for d8
medium/heavy armor and tower shield prof
4 bonus feats
possible access to Fighter bonus feats

In exchange, he gains the following:

4 more skill points per level
much larger skill list
good Reflex saves
5 favored terrains
Fast movement
bonus Track feat
Trapfinding as a Rogue
Trap Sense up to +6
Uncanny Dodge and Improved Uncanny Dodge
Woodland Stride
Swift Tracker
Camouflage
Hide in Plain Sight

I think it's still slightly too good, too many special abilities some of which are worth more than a feat (yes I noticed that you swapped Ranger abilities with other classes', but I think this specific swap resulted in an advantage). If the aim is to get rid of spellcasting, it was suggested in some campaign sourcebook to grant a bonus feat at each level the Ranger would otherwise gain access to a new spell level (that makes 4 bonus feats at all). Allowing to swap combat styles for an equivalent number of feats is generally quite ok as well, but definitely an improvement. But at the very list I would NOT grant him Fast Movement, Uncanny Dodge and the trap abilities all at once, or otherwise remove something else... depending on the wanted style for the class obviously. What about giving him bad Fort saves? That's basically a refuse from the 3.0 version of front-line role but doesn't necessarily fit with a class based on stealth and speed.

Pants · Nov 5, 2004

Li Shenron said:
Trapfinding as a Rogue

Note though, the scout does not have the ability to find any magical traps. This is to reflect his ability to find pitfalls, snares, or any other traps.

Trap Sense up to +6

I could definitely retard the progression of TS and cap it out at +5 maybe...

Uncanny Dodge and Improved Uncanny Dodge

He gains IUD at a fairly late level compared to the rogue and the barbarian.

Allowing to swap combat styles for an equivalent number of feats is generally quite ok as well, but definitely an improvement.

Remember that compared to the combat styles, the bonus feat prerequisites MUST be met. It's a small difference, but a difference none the less.

But at the very list I would NOT grant him Fast Movement, Uncanny Dodge and the trap abilities all at once, or otherwise remove something else... depending on the wanted style for the class obviously. What about giving him bad Fort saves? That's basically a refuse from the 3.0 version of front-line role but doesn't necessarily fit with a class based on stealth and speed.

I could very definitely drop the good Fort saves and I think Fast Movement could go as well

I think it might be important to look at what the Ranger gives up and gains in this class:

Gives up:
Spells
Wild Empathy
Animal Companion
Favored Enemy
Combat Styles
Free Endurance feat
Evasion

Gains:
A few more class skills
Bonus Feats (more diversified than Combat Styles)
Trap Sense
Trapfinding
Favored Terrain
Uncanny Dodge and Improved Uncanny Dodge

I could definitely see Good Fort going and possibly a reduction in the number of bonus feats from 7 to 5.

Ferret · Nov 6, 2004

I lkike the class and agree with most things said, apart from dropping the fast movement, maybe delay it, or split it into two 5ft bonus. But for a scout to loose a bonus to movement.....

Also what about an urban terrain?