ALT Combat styles for Rangers

[Judas]

A friend of mine and myself were discussing how not all rangers would use the two-weapon or archery combat styles, so it's basically wasted on those who wanted to use a different wepaon combo. We came up with a few alternative combat styles (Pulling some ideas from from the old 2nd Ed. combat styles) for the ranger.

Two Hander Style:
2nd Level: Cleave
6th Level: Weapon Specialization
11th Level: Great Cleave

Single Weapon:
2nd Level: Dodge
6th Level: Improved Combat Expertise*
11th Level: Whirlwind Attack

Weapon + Shield:
2nd Level: Improved Shield Bash
6th Level: Shield Charge*
11th Level: Shield Slam*

Crossbow:
2nd Level: Rapid Reload
6th Level: Sharp Shooting*
11th Level: Improved Precise Shot

*Indicates New feat located in Complete Warrior.

My friend wanted to add the crossbow since the Archery style wouldn't work with crossbows. We tried to follow what was already done with the other two combat styles, meaning the ranger gets to bypass requirements for the combat style feats, as long as he is in light or no armor.

 

[Crothian]

THoise don't look bad. I'm not sure I'd give weapon specialization since that only applies to one weapon and not to the style.

THere is a good book called Wildscape by FFG that has s ome great aternatives for the Ranger. It is currently on sale for 5 bucks on their website. It is normally a 25 dollar book.

 

[Judas]

Hmm.. yeah. We were looking for something to do more damage, to help with the possibilty of cleaving. I guess this would work then:

Two Hander Style:
2nd Level: Cleave
6th Level: Power Critical*
11th Level: Great Cleave

 

[Angel Tarragon]

BEAST WRESTLING STYLE
Combat Style (2nd): Improved Unarmed Strike
Improved Combat Style (6th): Improved Grapple
Combat Style Mastery (11th): Stunning Fist

MOUNTED-COMBAT STYLE
Combat Style (2nd): Ride-By Attack
Improved Combat Style (6th): Spirited Charge
Combat Style Mastery (11th): Trample

PISCATOR STYLE
Combat Style (2nd): Exotic Weapon Proficiency (net)
Improved Combat Style (6th): Improved Trip
Combat Style Mastery (11th): Improved Critical

STRONG-ARM STYLE
Combat Style (2nd): Power Attack
Improved Combat Style (6th): Improved Sunder
Combat Style Mastery (11th): Great Cleave

THROWING STYLE
Combat Style (2nd): Quick Draw
Improved Combat Style (6th): Point Blank Shot
Combat Style Mastery (11th): Far Shot

BTW, these were in last months issue of Dragon Magazine! Just another reason to subscribe, you'll never know what is going to show up next!

 

[AeroDm]

An important thing to remember when offering alternate paths to characters is making sure that what you offer is hard to get. With the paths posted by Frukathka, offering point-blank shot at 6th level is almost a penalty because if the character is a 'throwing ranger' they would want this feat ASAP.

We offered Mobility, Spring Attack, Whirlwind as one route which was pretty well recieved. Another route was 1d6, 2d6, 3d6 sneak attack, but that seemed to be a little too powerful.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Hey, I was just posting what I saw in Dragon Magazine 326.

 

[Staffan]

An important thing to remember when offering alternate paths to characters is making sure that what you offer is hard to get.

Ditto. I was considering creating a Mounted path for the ranger, when I realized that (a) the other paths provide feats with high stat and BAB prerequisites, and (b) all the mounted feats in the PHB are available to first level characters without special stats. So it would be sort of a waste of the specialness of the ranger bonus feats.

 

[Nifft]

Hey, I was just posting what I saw in Dragon Magazine 326.

Clearly that's no badge of quality.


I agree that the Ranger's paths need to be "good" feats -- ones with pre-reqs that are non-trivial.

Here's my Mounted Archer path:
2: Mounted Archery
6: Manyshot
11: Improved Precise Shot

It's built around the idea that, as a rider, you're going to be guiding your mount as a move-action most of the time -- so Rapid Shot will be useless for you. Manyshot will be useful. Mounted Archery at level 2 means you won't have to waste a feat on Mounted Combat, so you can take Point-Blank Shot at 1 and Far Shot at 3 if you want... or ignore them altogether.

For a Skirmisher, I've been wanting a BAB 11+ Feat that fits the end of this:
2: Ride-By Attack
6: Spirited Charge
11: ???

-- N

 

[AeroDm]

Hey, I was just posting what I saw in Dragon Magazine 326.

No worries, mate. Didn't intend to single you out for any sort of attack, just offering reference for the sake of clarity.

 

[FireLance]

For a Skirmisher, I've been wanting a BAB 11+ Feat that fits the end of this:
2: Ride-By Attack
6: Spirited Charge
11: ???

-- N

How about something like this:

FULL CHARGE (General)
You may make multiple attacks while charging.
Prerequisites: BAB +6, Ride 1 rank, Mounted Combat, Ride-by Attack
Benefit: When you are mounted and use the charge action, you may move and attack as with a standard charge and then move and attack again, continuing the straight line of the charge. For every five points of base attack bonus you have above +6, you may move and attack another time, to a maximum of four attacks at a base attack bonus of +16, but each attack after the first is made at a cumulative -5 penalty, as if you had made a full attack, and all your movement for the round must be in a straight line. You must move at least 5 feet between each attack. If you move at least 10 feet before attacking an opponent, and you could not have made a melee attack against that opponent at an earlier point in your move, your attack against that opponent is treated as if it was a charge (if you could have made an attack against an opponent at an earlier point in your move but were unable to because he had total cover, your attack is not treated as if it was a charge). Your total movement for the round cannot exceed double your mounted speed. You and your mount do not provoke attacks of opportunity from the opponents that you attack.