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Message: <blockquote data-quote="LightPhoenix" data-source="post: 1626" data-attributes="member: 115">I disagree, I don't believe this is a House Rules post.  He's not proposing any new Ranger variants yet, just looking analyzing all of them.  Geez, it'll take forever just to get through all of the alt.rangers.No, this definitely belongs either here or possibly in DnD Rules, but not in House Rules.As for the actual topic...Well, at first glance the Ranger is top-heavy.  However, individual analysis of each ability might provide more information.A Ranger's spells are a nice addition, until you realize that almost every spell is able to be cast by a Wizard or Druid of lesser level.  Even Polymorph Self, which I consider to be the Ranger's most useful spell, is able to be used by a Wizard at 7th level.  (And oddly, as an aside, Rangers get PS, but not Druids... even though Druids get Shapechange).  A Ranger's spell do little but to complement their fighting prowess... a similar effect could be obtained by a Fighter/Druid or Fighter/Sorcerer.Skills - perhaps the best part of being a Ranger.  Four skill points is more than Fighter and Paladin, and the sheer number of class skills (20 by my count) allows them much more flexibility than the Barbarian.  Only the Monk comes close to this sort of variety for a combat-oriented class.  However, unless you're planning on completely ignoring the free Track feat, you lose one of those points to keeping Wilderness Lore maxed.Track - A nice little bonus, but nothing special per se - Fighters get a free feat at first level, and they get to choose what it is.  However Fighters don't have WL as a class skill, making Track a less desirable feat.  Barbarians and Druids both have WL as a class skill, but both have to spend a valuable feat on Track.Virtual Feats - Getting these feats near free makes the Ranger without a doubt the best two-weapon fighter early in the game.  If Rangers are going to be sneaking about, they're not going to want to be in heavy armor, so in essence these are free.  The problem is that they're both gained at first level, making it really tempting to take a level just for them (and would solve the problem of a Barb/Druid needing to spend a feat on Track).  However, once your Fighter gets a few levels on him, he turns into a much more efficient two-weapon fighter.  Additionally, Rangers can't use double weapons with their virtual feats (especially the quarterstaff, which I find ludicrous).  Fighters can.Favored Enemy is a good solid ability - name any other ability that allows for a +5 to damage, as well as five different skills.  There are three major problems I find (read: opinion) with this however.   - First, while a +4 or +5 is great, the +1 you get for your fifth favored enemy is quite underpowered for a 20th level ability.  The counter arguement is that you actually get +5 - +1 to five different groups.  My problem with this, and YMMV, is while you do gain more as you go up in levels, everything is contingent on that first selection you made way back at level 1.  You're locked into whatever you chose, and if you want to choose to focus on dragons when you reach 15th level, you're stuck with only a +2 bonus, even if dragons have become the bane of your existence. - Second, there are a number of creature types for whom the damage bonus and skills won't work against - try Bluffing an ooze, or sensing the motives of a construct.  This ties into... - Lastly, this ability is completely dependant on the DM throwing these types of creatures at you.  Unlike most other skills, you can be completely screwed if you don't face any of your Favored Enemies.  A spellcaster can pick and choose what spells to throw, and many aren't contingent on what you're facing.  A paladin always can Lay on Hands, and always gets their Divine Grace.  A Fighter can always depend on his bonus feats.  A Ranger can say no such thing about his Favored Enemy.I think that about covers it for the Core Ranger.  Looking forward to people's opinions.LightPhoenix</blockquote>

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