ScuroNotte
Explorer
Thank you Let me know what you think and any suggestions you have.
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[FONT=&]They eventually learn Thieves' Tools. The reason is as per Xanathar's Guide, to disable traps such as Bear Traps and Trip Wires (trap types you would find set up in natural environments), you need Thieves' Tools.
I'm not bothered by the number of features in Natural Explorer. Swimming and climbing at normal speed are quite potent, though. Maybe save those for a higher level?
An alternative for "Scout" could be simply that you have double proficiency (or Advantage?) on Perception whenever it involves spotting hidden enemies. So, effectively, Rangers are really good at spotting ambushes. That seems Rangerly to me. And a very useful skill.
"Cover of Darkness" rubs me wrong. Sure, Rangers might travel in murky forest and/or by moonlight, but not so archetypically in the pitch black of underground. So Darkvision doesn't make sense to me. Also, that is only a benefit for a few races. Maybe change it so that Dim Light is treated as Bright Light, but Darkness is still Dark? (Or borrow from Skulker feat and simply say that Perception is not reduced by Dim Light. Or they could just take that feat...)
Improved Scout: I saw your comment about the Thieves' Tools, but it still feels out of place. Seems to me a Ranger would be good at spotting traps, but would be just as likely to simply go around it as to disarm it. So maybe they would get double proficiency or advantage for spotting traps, or perhaps just "large" traps (pit traps, bear traps, etc., but not poison needles in locks and stuff like that).
Greater Scout: I'm not a fan of a universal "you get to go first" ability. The Ranger could always take the Alert feat if they don't want to be surprised.
So my training with thieves tools represents a high Wis, proficiency in perception/investigation, some common sense (just don't step on it/go around it), &....a 10' pole?
My advice is to make the climb and swim speeds 20 ft at level 4, and then 30 at level 8, if the character has a relevant speed already (such as from a racial ability, they instead get a +10/+15 bonus to that speed).