D&D 5E It's official, WOTC hates Rangers (Tasha's version of Favored Foe is GARBAGE)

[cbwjm]

I'm hoping with these alternate features that they DnDBeyond will start allowing us to create alternate class features. I really like what they've done with the ranger in Baldur's Gate 3 and want to include those as options in the character builder.

 

[billd91]

The whole two-weapon high-dex thing comes from Drizz't and people (for some unfathomable reason) wantign to play Drizz't.

The designers say this isn’t true and the publication dates are too close for the 2e PH to really have anything contingent on the popularity of a character meant to be a sidekick in a brand new trilogy. So while it looks suspicious, I don’t think it’s true.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

The concept of the ranger is popular. The execution of it in 5e up to this point isn't.

Well, not quite. The class gets played a lot, so it is popular, not just the concept.

It also ranks low in satisfaction from player surveys, which is why they try to fix it.

 

[Eltab]

In-play experience, the Monster Slayer's Ire is pretty much what I thought Favored Enemy should do in combat: some extra damage to foes of that description.

The new version sounds like a clunkier way to get the same result.

 

[Minigiant]

And Barbarian! The other wilderness fighterey guy that also has to worry about colonialism problems.

The design space for ranger is significantly smaller than it used to be.

All of those existed back when Rangers were first made.
The issue is that WOTC got imaginative after the PHB. When they were force due to needing subclasses for Xanatars and now Tasha's.

Gloom Stalker, Horizon Walker, Monster Slayer, Swarm Keeper, and Fey Warden. Ideas after PHB.

The design space is massive

1. Subclasses based on enemies (Hunter, Monster Slayer, Bounty Hunter, Giant Killer,)
2. subclasses based on terrains (Gloom Stalker, Horizon Walker, Arctic/Desert/Forest/Plains Runner, Mountain Man)
3. Subclasses based on the ranger's alliances (Fey Warden, Drakewarden, Seeker, Ranger Lord)
4. Subclasses based on companions (Swarmkeeper, Falconer, Houndmaster, Liontamer, Drakewarden)

Plenty of design space untouched.

 

[Sir Brennen]

The only thing I don't understand is why it requires concentration.

Likely because then using it with Hunters Mark would be the optimal usage of it, and would defeat the purpose.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

So 1d4 damage. On only one hit per round. Requires your concentration even though it's not a spell. And you can only use it proficiency bonus times per day.

It also doesn't use a bonus action which allows it to fit more seamlessly with two-weapon fighting rangers. I was thinking it was more for a boss fight, I'd like it to be a little more useable though. Might houserule it to short rests.

I just can’t see it being worth taking, ever, unless I’m in a game where languages and stuff like knowing about dragons or undead just never matter, because Hunters Mark is so much better.

I’d rather keep just not using HM on low-hp targets, saving it for brutes and bosses, than use this option. It’s just...bad.

 

[Minigiant]

BG3's take on Favored Enemy actually makes that feature much less dependent on how many enemies of a given type you're going to meet.

BG3 is also a combat heavy game with little exploration mechanics.

If BG3 was like a Darkest Dungeon like game, Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer would be overpowered and require a nerf.

 

[Don Durito]

Likely because then using it with Hunters Mark would be the optimal usage of it, and would defeat the purpose.

So why not just stick with it how it was in the playtest document when it was Hunter's Mark and didn't require concentration?

Personally: if it's not supposed to be used with Hunter's Mark I'd just rule that it doesn't and not have the player making Con saves.

 

[Gladius Legis]

BG3 is also a combat heavy game with little exploration mechanics.

If BG3 was like a Darkest Dungeon like game, Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer would be overpowered and require a nerf.

So, like most D&D games ever.

Which also hits on a very significant problem with the PHB Favored Enemy and Natural Explorer. When they don't work, they don't work at all. The few times they do work, they work "too well" by allowing you to skip their pillar of play altogether.