I'm an archer: why shouldn't I be a beast master ranger?

[Lab_Monkey]

So I play an archer build elf ranger. Martial power arrived today and I couldn't believe how there is very little disincentive to playing a beast master ranger.

I can keep all the same powers and remain a totally amazing archer.

I lose:
-Defensive Mobility as a feat
-Access to the Battlefield Archer Paragon Path

I gain an animal companion that can:
-Make attacks and benefit from hunters quarry
-Set up flanks with the rogue or other melee combatants
-Stay by me and take opportunity attacks if anyone comes close
I also gain access to a bunch of new exploits that key off of the beast. More options for powers and more options for attacks in combat sounds good to me.

In the past, the loss of Battlefield Archer was too much of a sacrifice. But now, there are several good paragon paths, such as Sylvan Archer, that don't require archer fighting style! I haven't read the char ops threads about these PPs but they seem just as good or better than Battlefield Archer to me.

Granted, most of the time I'll still hang back and fire my bow. But I don't see a good reason to go archer fighting style anymore.

Don't like an animal friend? Well then go two weapon fighting style and gain a better feat and the ability to use two bastard swords when in melee. You're a more well-rounded character and no less of an archer for it.

 

[Kordeth]

Don't forget you also lose Prime Shot. Not a huge deal, but a further disincentive.

I agree though that the archer ranger fighting style is the weakest of the three: you get a single feat...and that's it. Two-Blade style gets you a feat and a unique ability, and beastmaster of course gives you a beast companion (but costs you Prime Shot).

 

[RefinedBean]

I'm an archer who doesn't want some animal following me around. I'm a sniper, a loner, and I prefer it that way.

That's why an archer ranger wouldn't want to be beastmaster. (shrug)

 

[Rechan]

None of the Beastmaster powers (At Will, Encounter or Daily) say "Ranged") when they let you make an attack. They're all Str vs. AC, and all Melee keyworded.

If your DM lets you change that to Ranged, then sure. But, it doesn't work RAW.

 

[half-dragon dragon]

I have to agree that I was kinda disappointed to find that none of the beast master powers work at range. Of course you can just pick a mix of the archer and beast master powers, but its still a bit of a let down. I guess I just kinda like the imagery of an archer having his hawk companion harry his opponents, leaving them open to a barrage of arrows.

In regards to there not being much incentive to picking the archery style, I seriously thinking of houseruling it so that only the archery path gains prime shot. Not sure if that unbalances anything though, but at least would make the archery style a little more appealing.

 

[RefinedBean]

In regards to there not being much incentive to picking the archery style, I seriously thinking of houseruling it so that only the archery path gains prime shot. Not sure if that unbalances anything though, but at least would make the archery style a little more appealing.

I could get behind that, merely because I hate Prime Shot with the fury of a thousand suns. The least seen of Prime Shot, the better!

 

[Rechan]

I was actually disappointed with the lack of archer feats in the book.

because I hate Prime Shot with the fury of a thousand suns. The least seen of Prime Shot, the better!

This I agree with. However, Prime Strike (the feat that lets you use Prime Shot for melee) I approve of. Namely because it's easier to frickin' track, especially given that the TWF ranger is likely going to be the closest one if he's leaping into combat.

 

[Lab_Monkey]

None of the Beastmaster powers (At Will, Encounter or Daily) say "Ranged") when they let you make an attack. They're all Str vs. AC, and all Melee keyworded.

If your DM lets you change that to Ranged, then sure. But, it doesn't work RAW.

You can still order the beast to make a basic attack, with hunters quarry, without taking any Beast Master Powers.

My point was that this opens up options without making you give up much of anything. I intend to build this character as I would any archer, but give him an animal companion instead of defensive mobility. Seems like a pretty good trade.

 

[Lab_Monkey]

Don't forget you also lose Prime Shot. Not a huge deal, but a further disincentive.

Prime Shot doesn't key of the archery fighting style so you don't have to give that up.

 

[Lab_Monkey]

I'm an archer who doesn't want some animal following me around. I'm a sniper, a loner, and I prefer it that way.

That's why an archer ranger wouldn't want to be beastmaster. (shrug)

I agree, but... there's really no reason to not take twf then. Toughness + wielding two big weapons > Defensive Mobility. The big difference is having good Paragon Paths for archers that don't require the archery fighting style.