Single melee weapon ranger

[Mercurius]

I have a 12th level ranger that I started at 11th level--I DMed the group up to 11th and am going to alternate DMing with someone from now on. We have a general rule that you can fiddle about with a new character for the first level or so as you get used to it, especially at higher levels, so I'm trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with the melee aspect of my game as I still haven't needed to fight melee.

The ranger is mainly focused on using his greatbow (a +3 moonbow), but has solid melee capabilities and Two-Blade Fighting Style; I suppose you could say that he's a 70/30 ranged/melee build. Originally I had envisioned him as wielding two short swords and then I switched to a paired bastard sword.

To be honest, I'm a bit tired of the two-weapon ranger cliche and I'm much more drawn to being a single melee weapon ranger - either a fullblade, great sword, or bastard sword (I've even dabbled with the idea of being a ranger-avenger hybrid with a greatbow and fullblade; hmm...). But I'm wondering, can I build a 70/30 ranged/melee ranger with a single weapon and still be as effective? Obviously I lose the effectiveness of Twin Strike with the melee weapon, but I also could swap Two-Blade for Hunter Fighting Style. I could even wield a greatsword and spend that feat elsewhere.

So my question is basically, how do I go about building a ranger that is good at fighting with a single weapon (one of the big swords)? How would you do it? Or what if I wanted to go the ranger-avenger route?

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

There is a 'bleeder' build that focuses on doing ongoing damage. Not really exactly sure how it works, but it is based around using a single weapon as I understand it. I'm sure you can find something in the build guides on the community wiki. I think the concept was originally intended as an alternative way to build with beast master, but it doesn't depend on having a beast. Of course BM IS an option, and works OK for mixed range/melee builds.

 

[Destil]

Get a farbond fullblade, assuming your DM will let you twin-strike with a returning weapon at range.

 

[Mercurius]

The image I have in mind is a kind of schizo ranger/avenger that stays out of range and attacks with his greatbow while cool-headed, but then gets pissed off and jumps into melee with a big sword, avenger style. The character doesn't have to be a hybrid - I'm looking into either a straight-up ranger or a ranger/avenger hybrid. But as far as a thrown weapon, I'd like to stick to the bow as the ranged attack and the sword as melee only.

 

[aurance]

A lot of the beast ranger powers work better with a big two-hander instead of two weapons. And of course they can take ranged powers like any other ranger. If you're not opposed to keeping a critter.

 

[The Human Target]

As much as I sometimes loathe it, I'm sure the WotC boards could be helpful.

To me, single weapon rangers are very doable.

Hunter and Beast Master can both do it fine.

Now being really good at ranged and then also decent at melee with one weapon?

Thats a lot harder.

 

[Dice4Hire]

One advantage is the MPII dex attacks with melee weapons. Some of those are nice and do not require a pair of weapons.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

...I have in mind is a kind of schizo ranger/avenger...

Then why not do just that via multiclassing or hybridizing? I did something like this with a hybrid Seeker/Avenger. OK, maybe your combo isn't as Stat synergistic, but you should be able to make something that DOES work.

 

[Zaphling]

Try this for size for a single weapon ranger. I'm using a greatsword on this.

I used Marauder's Rush since it is the only way you can deal extra damage since you will be giving up an extra weapon. Lastly, I chose Hit and Run for situations where you have to back-out. Other powers are just replaceable.
====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
level 11
Half-Orc, Ranger, Bloodfury Savage
Fighting Style: Hunter Fighting Style
Ranger: Running Attack
Unbound Assault: Unbound Assault Strength

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 23, Con 11, Dex 17, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 9.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 18, Con 10, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 8.


AC: 23 Fort: 24 Reflex: 21 Will: 19
HP: 73 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 18

TRAINED SKILLS
Dungeoneering +12, Stealth +12, Athletics +15, Nature +12, Perception +12

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +7, Arcana +5, Bluff +4, Diplomacy +4, Endurance +6, Heal +7, History +5, Insight +7, Intimidate +15, Religion +5, Streetwise +4, Thievery +7

FEATS
Level 1: Thirst for Battle
Level 2: Strong-Arm Tactics
Level 4: Agile Running Attack
Level 6: Flank on the Run
Level 8: Lethal Hunter
Level 10: Blade Opportunist
Level 11: Eyes in the Back of Your Head

POWERS
Ranger at-will 1: Marauder's Rush
Ranger at-will 1: Hit and Run
Ranger encounter 1: Evasive Strike
Ranger daily 1: Boar Assault
Ranger utility 2: Begin the Hunt
Ranger encounter 3: Avenging Charge
Ranger daily 5: Snarling Wolf Stance
Ranger utility 6: Death Threat
Ranger encounter 7: Toppling Rush
Ranger daily 9: Marked for Death
Ranger utility 10: Spot Weakness

ITEMS
Hide Armor, Greatsword
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

If you chose the Hunter Fighting Style which gives you Quick Draw and sheathing your weapon as a free action, you can actually exploit this when you use Throw and Stab. Just hold 2 throwing weapons, then make the first attack. When you get to the effect line where it says you have to move and make a melee basic attack, you can sheathe your throwing weapon and quickdraw a greatsword and attack. right? ;D

 

[WalterKovacs]

One advantage is the MPII dex attacks with melee weapons. Some of those are nice and do not require a pair of weapons.

This is true.

I was just happening to go through the builder making up a hunter build, and I noticed a lot of the Dex based melee attacks don't have two-weapon restrictions which, along with the at-will attack that can be used in both melee and ranged (and works as an MBA for OA's), you can go without having to max out strength and still being able to get a good mix of attacks. You'll mostly be ranged, but you'll have a few nice Dex based melee attacks. Since technically the only free actions you can use out of turn are triggered, you have a sort of fighting style where you put your weapon away at the end of each turn, and draw the weapon as part of any attacks (including OA's and interupts) you may have. That build could probably make some good use out of prime shot and the paragon feat that let's you prime shot in melee, along with other prime shot support, as you can afford to get into close combat with the melee options and bonuses against OAs.

EDIT:

I should add, I multiclassed into Ossassin, mostly to get Ki Focus and thus not need a magic melee weapon and a magic bow, and since Master At Arms isn't very helpful since you have quick draw and weapon stowing for free anyway, it means that Ki Focus Expertise can be taken instead. If going down that route, power swap feats get opened up and thus more melee attack options are available, without having to pump up a secondary stat. Since you don't need Str to use the Dex based melee powers, pumping up Wisdom as a secondary and poaching from the Avenger can also be nice (although you do miss out on the 'savings' from ki focus proficiency).