D&D (2024) Ranger 2024 is a bigger joke than Ranger 2014:

[Minigiant]

It's also interesting that no one complains about the always prepared divine smite spell and free cast of it that paladins get now

Because it always comes down to combat power.

People are mad about Divine Smite becoming a spell because it they can't spam it anymore.

2024 Favored Enemy was an attempt to separate Ranger's Combat Magic and Exploration magic at low levels. They were going to have to make at least a choice for you if they did not create new spells.

The only way they could have allowed for a choice in favorite enemy is for them too have the 13th level ability have different bonuses depending on which spell you chose. However this would still have to limit their spells down to a select few because there's no way they're going to give a bonus for all 13 plus first level ranger spells.

 

[Horwath]

It's also interesting that no one complains about the always prepared divine smite spell and free cast of it that paladins get now

not a concentration spell.

even if not so good an ability, you will most probably crit once per day so it's just a +4d8 damage on that attack so no brainer.

Also the same as the Paladin's faithful steed ability which gives a free cast of find steed and makes it always prepared...

not a concentration spell.
also it would be nice to be paired with magic weapon or some other utility spell as a choice.

 

[FrogReaver]

not a concentration spell.

even if not so good an ability, you will most probably crit once per day so it's just a +4d8 damage on that attack so no brainer.

not a concentration spell.
also it would be nice to be paired with magic weapon or some other utility spell as a choice.

Oh, so if rangers got free casts of a single non-concentration spell that would be fine? Maybe that's your take, but that's not the vibe i'm getting from others.

 

[Minigiant]

not a concentration spell.

even if not so good an ability, you will most probably crit once per day so it's just a +4d8 damage on that attack so no brainer.

not a concentration spell.
also it would be nice to be paired with magic weapon or some other utility spell as a choice.

I repeat

"Why does it matter that it's a concentration spell?"

Ranger is at half caster. Ranger does not have the number of spell slots to consistently concentrate on two spells for all of the combat they have in 7 combat encounter adventure day along with exploration challenges until level 10 or so.

If your desire is play the game not the way the designers intended it Then you might need to make adjustments.

You desire to Hunter's mark in spite growth every combat encounter. But the game was not designed for the ranger to do that.

This goes back to the other thread that groups play too few combat encounters that it throws off balance.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Oh, so if rangers got free casts of a single non-concentration spell that would be fine?

Personally, I'd take free casts of just Goodberry over HM, just because at least a Beastmaster / Horizon Walker could actually use that spell, instead of HM which hogs up the bonus actions their subclass demands.

(it's not like you can even cast Hunter's Mark sneakily before combat starts or when you're tailing someone discreetly, as it still has Verbal components)

 

[Minigiant]

Personally, I'd take free casts of just Goodberry over HM, just because at least a Beastmaster / Horizon Walker could actually use that spell, instead of HM which hogs up the bonus actions their subclass demands.

(it's not like you can even cast Hunter's Mark sneakily before combat starts or when you're tailing someone discreetly, as it still has Verbal components)

The problem is there is no single way to boost Goodberry for those who want that and Hunter's Mark for those who want.

And if someone wants Speak with Animals....

 

[ECMO3]

That's not hindered by hunter's mark either.

If you compare it to the TCE Ranger it absolutely is hindered.

2024 Ranger Features breakdown (non hunter's mark enhancements).

Favored foe is now free casts of hunter's mark - I like this change much better than previous favored foe style abilities

I hate this change. it is a lot less usable and weaker on the Rangers I play.

This is not really the issue though as FF was not something I used a lot.

Nature's Veil is bonus action invisible till end of next turn wis mod times per long rest

FOUR levels later which means never on a lot of tables and never even on a lot of tables that do go to 20 if you multiclass.

And where is Primal Awareness?

 

[ECMO3]

It's also interesting that no one complains about the always prepared divine smite spell and free cast of it that paladins get now
\

Plenty of people are complaining about the new Paladin, although I am not one of them.

For my playstyle Favored Foe was just plain better than Hunter's Mark and I had more uses than you get free uses of HM.

 

[ECMO3]

Oh, so if rangers got free casts of a single non-concentration spell that would be fine? Maybe that's your take, but that's not the vibe i'm getting from others.

If Rangers got Primal Awareness, Nature's Viel at 10th level and free casts of something (really anything) that did not require a Bonus action or action to cast and 3 different class features instead of their HM focused abilities I would be pretty happy.

That said a free Goodberry would be better than two free Hunter's Marks IMO, it would be more flavorful and more thematic too!

 

[ECMO3]

What if you don't want arcane recovery on your wizard?

Arcane Recovery can be used to cast ANY spell you have prepared. It is essentially one or more free castings of any spells.

That would be AWESOME if Rangers had an ability that works like Arcane Recovery and works on any spell they have prepared. Heck just trade the current Favored Enemy for Arcane Recovery as is and it would be a pretty good improvement. I don't think anyone would complain about a "Favored Enemy" that let you regain level/2 spell slots back on a short rest .... and at 3rd level you could even use them for two more Hunter's Marks per day if that is what you wanted

You would still have 3 more abilities tied to Hunter's Mark which would need to be fixed, but at least you would have a cool 1st level ability!