3.5 Urban Ranger Variant from Masters of the Wild?

[Li Shenron]

Here is the gist of it:

-Swap Knowledge (geography) for Knowledge (local)
-Swap Knowledge (nature) for Gather Information
-Exchange the Track feat for the Stealthy feat
-Choose an organization or culture rather than a creature type for your favoured enemy.
-Swap a few ranger spells for bard spells of equal level, for example dectect thoughts instead of speak with plants.

The rest of the article is flavour.

It makes very sense, but what about the wilderness-outdoor features Woodland Stride, Camouflage and Hide in Plain Sight? They should be replaced or modified for an urban ranger.

If he doesn't get Track, what does he get in place of Swift Tracker?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

My recommendations: change Woodland Stride to Trackless step (urban environments only); apply Camouflage and Hide in Plain Sight to urban backgrounds instead of natural backgrounds. Give the Track feat in place of Swift Tracker -- there's still a need/use for the urban ranger to track, but we'll push it back to higher level.

We've got two 3.5 rangers in the campaign right now (one archer ranger, one TWF ranger/rogue). They're working out great -- a much better combination than the previous class.

 

[Li Shenron]

My recommendations: change Woodland Stride to Trackless step (urban environments only); apply Camouflage and Hide in Plain Sight to urban backgrounds instead of natural backgrounds. Give the Track feat in place of Swift Tracker -- there's still a need/use for the urban ranger to track, but we'll push it back to higher level.

Good suggestions. I only disagree with giving Track later. Not because it isn't good, not because it's not appropriate, but because it's 8th level and if you want to be a tracking ranger you have to choose (1) to wait 7 levels without being able to track or (2) take it as a normal feat and waste the free one.

I am usually not very fond of free feats unless they are given within 1-2 levels or unless you have at least 2-3 alternatives.

 

[Robbert Raets]

What I find silly about the 'Urban Ranger' changes proposed in MotW and the Warrior-update from Dragon, is that he gets to keep his 'wild empathy' abilities, even though he's only very likely to run into rats or dogs in the city.

 

[Spatula]

What I find silly about the 'Urban Ranger' changes proposed in MotW and the Warrior-update from Dragon, is that he gets to keep his 'wild empathy' abilities, even though he's only very likely to run into rats or dogs in the city.

Plus cats, birds, horses, oxen, giant sewer-dwelling crocodiles...