A non-spellcasting ranger

[candidus_cogitens]

I just don't like the idea of rangers casting spells. Maybe you do, but I'd like to present a slightly altered ranger for my players. What do you think?

Ranger (non-spellcasting)
In place of spells, add bonus feats at levels 5, 10, 15, and 20. These feats must be selected from among the following: Toughness, Lightning Reflexes, Iron Will, Great Fortitude, or Skill Focus.

Is this underpowered? It sort of seems powerful until you consider the corresponding powers of some of those ranger spells. But the comparison is difficult. (The reason I did not include a bonus feat prior to level 5 is because spells did not start until level 4 and I didn't want to front-load the class. I thought every five levels was a nice round number.)

Here's why I designated that selection of feats: First of all, even though I like the new 3.5 ranger in general, I regret the loss of the d10 hit die. So, the toughness and saving throw feats help to restore the sturdiness of the ranger. I added Skill Focus because I like the idea of the 3.5 ranger having a a powerful array of skills. I thought I'd give the player the option of staying with that emphasis rather than boosting hit points and saves.

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Bump

So . . . what else should I add, to compensate for the loss of spells?

 

[comrade raoul]

Well, when this issue was discussed earlier, I suggested that the (non-spellcasting) ranger's hit die simply be bumped back up to d10. This is nice because it's simple, elegant, and (I think, at least) quite balanced.

But it doesn't give players more options, which is one thing I like about your selection of bonus feats. But I'm not sure I'd be happy with the list if I were playing such a character -- it just seems vaguely limited. Perhaps it might help to add other feats related to the ranger combat styles (and perhaps the dodge chain), some of the +2/+2 skill feats, and so forth.

I should also put a good word in for the horizon walker prestige class, which has "mid-to-high level ranger" written all over it*. It's a perfectly competent skills-and-combat class, and just the thing for the ranger who thinks the class starts to get boring abilities after 10th level and who's not especially interested in spells.

*If you don't believe me, just glance at the requirements. 8 ranks in a ranger class skill, and a feat that rangers get for free at 3rd level.

 

[Technik4]

Ranger Threads come and go....

a few of these were actually started by you candidus, I'm not sure how much more discussion you expect to get by throwing out "I'm taking away spells, what should I add?" every few weeks...

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58119

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58245

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=55533 -cc

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=54322 -cc

http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50451

 

[candidus_cogitens]

I should have realized that the people who are likely to read and respond to this thread are likely to be the same people who responded to the other threads. I tend to over-estimate the numbers of people who peruse the House Rules boards.

With that apology . . . the reason I started a new thread is that I had a new idea. Before I was leaning towards more complicated alterations, but (since my campaign STILL hasn't started) I'm toying with the idea of a simple substitute of feats for spells.

I thank you Comrade for the suggestions, and Technik4 for the links to the other threads which I had lost.

 

[DonAdam]

If that's all I was changing, I would give a full strength animal companion. That way the ability is actually useful.