What's an "Aragorn Style" ranger?

[Rechan]

I've seen "Aragorn style ranger" tossed around a little and I don't really understand what it means. What specifically did Aragorn do that's different?

I only saw the movies, and didn't really see anything that struck me as ranger-y (aside from dual wielding the sword and torch against the ringwraiths).

 

[Remathilis]

I've seen "Aragorn style ranger" tossed around a little and I don't really understand what it means. What specifically did Aragorn do that's different?

I only saw the movies, and there wasn't really much in the way that implied any sort of ranger-y action (aside from dual wielding the sword and torch against the ringwraiths).

Didn't dual-wield or use a bow
Could go toe-to-toe with orcs in melee
Could scry with a crystal ball
Track
Heal via herbcraft
Become King.

 

[Rechan]

Could go toe-to-toe with orcs in melee
Become King.

How are these ranger related?

 

[GSHamster]

I've seen "Aragorn style ranger" tossed around a little and I don't really understand what it means. What specifically did Aragorn do that's different?

I only saw the movies, and there wasn't really much in the way that implied any sort of ranger-y action (aside from dual wielding the sword and torch against the ringwraiths).

It's a ranger that does not dual-wield magical scimitars. Nor does he have a magical panther. Also lower on the angst scale (but still some angst, mostly relating to romantic situations instead of heritage).

Whether all "Aragon-style" rangers need to be heirs to an ancient bloodline, romantically involved with elves and/or shield-maidens of Rohan, and carry a broken sword, is left to the discerning player (who is certainly not the type of player who would play the "other" ranger). Old-school greybeards recommend at least one of the three qualities be met.

 

[Remathilis]

How are these ranger related?

Beats me. Ask Tolkien.

 

[Gort]

An "Aragorn-style" ranger is a warrior-woodsman. He can track, fight, and knows herb-lore. That's it.

Note that you don't have to start specifying what weapons he uses, or his fighting style. In my experience the worst-written characters are the ones whose writers begin their descriptions with, "Marty Stu is a warrior who fights with his two home-made elven bread-katanas!"

 

[Rechan]

It's a ranger that does not dual-wield magical scimitars. Nor does he have a magical panther. Also lower on the angst scale (but still some angst, mostly relating to romantic situations instead of heritage).

Whether all "Aragon-style" rangers need to be heirs to an ancient bloodline, romantically involved with elves and/or shield-maidens of Rohan, and carry a broken sword, is left to the discerning player (who is certainly not the type of player who would play the "other" ranger). Old-school greybeards recommend at least one of the three qualities be met.

The only context I've ever seen the phrase used in is class design, not character traits. It's being discussed over in the 5e forums, and I'm pretty sure no one using it means romantic elements or kingly parentage in the class's abilities.

Unless they mean
Level 2 Class Feature: Romantic Tension
Level 8 Class Feaure: Broken Sword
Level 15 Class Feature: Hail to the King

An "Aragorn-style" ranger is a warrior-woodsman. He can track, fight, and knows herb-lore. That's it.

So... all rangers.

 

[Reynard]

The one that is in the 1st Edition AD&D PHB.

 

[Rechan]

The one that is in the 1st Edition AD&D PHB.

OK, so what do they do and how are they different from rangers of later editions?

 

[Aldarc]

You sit around a campfire smoking a pipe and fantasize about elven maidens.