D&D (2024) Ranger playtest discussion

Horwath said:

Horrible. nothing lost here

Even worse

This was actually somewhat useful, and about 6 or 7 levels too late.

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Gladius Legis said:

Natural Explorer, you mean that ability that, if it came into play at all, dealt with the exploration pillar by ... skipping it entirely?

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Gladius Legis said:

Primeval Awareness, you mean that ability that was literally less precise in your favored terrains than out of it? And that you only ever used at all when you had spell slots left over for the day? And didn't tell you anything beyond what a few skill checks could?

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Charlaquin said:

It did no such thing. It allowed you to stay alert to danger while performing another exploration task, and gave you an extra benefit to the tracking and foraging tasks. It also prevented you from getting lost in your favored terrain(s) which is far from the only exploration hazard.

Not the strongest ability, probably should have let you know more details about your quarry. But hey, at least it gave you something actually ranger-y to spend all those stupid spell slots on. And, if that was deemed not good enough? Fine, but at least bring back Primal Awareness from Tasha’s then.

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FireLance said:

In my somewhat jaded, looking back at 4E perspective, rangers need to have spells because there's a vocal contingent who is going to be upset at any powerful ability from any class that's explicitly called out as non-magical. I recall the most common answer to the question, at what level should a ranger be able to non-magically create the effects of Leomund's tiny hut was effectively "never".

So, it seems to me that the best way to get around it is to make the spell-less ranger a subclass and give them ways to expend spell slots to create effects that are flavored as non-magical (including the ability to create a non-magical equivalent of Leomund's tiny hut when they can cast third-level spells).

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Charlaquin said:

It did no such thing. It allowed you to stay alert to danger while performing another exploration task, and gave you an extra benefit to the tracking and foraging tasks. It also prevented you from getting lost in your favored terrain(s) which is far from the only exploration hazard.

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And, if that was deemed not good enough? Fine, but at least bring back Primal Awareness from Tasha’s then.

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Horwath said:

Natural explorer should have been global ability (not being 100% dependent on DM charity) that gives you:

You can always stay alert to danger while doing other tasks,
You have advantage on Survival checks
You can use stealth while moving at normal pace, and with disadvantage while moving at fast pace.


Then if you just need to have favored terrains, all terrains should give global benefit that is most useful in that terrain.

Arctic:
cold resistance and advantage on saves vs cold.
Advantage on acrobatics to retain balance.

Desert:
fire resistance and advantage on saves vs heat/fire
You can survive twice the time without food and/or water

Urban:
gain proficiency in 2 skills from:
History, Insight, Deception, Intimidation, Persuation
Learn 2 languages

Underdark:
Gain or improve darkvision by 60ft
You can Hide as Bonus action

Plains:
improve base speed by 10ft
you can Dash as Bonus action

Swamp:
resistance and advantage vs poisons
immunity do diseases(non magical)

Aquatic:
breathe water
swim speed

Forest:
Climb speed
proficiency in athletics or expertise

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