Alternate ranger abilities?

[RigaMortus2]

Whoops, sorry, I thought you were trying to get a quote for FE damaging undead.

LOL, ok... I thought that was a strange reply...

 

[AbeTheGnome]

+1d6 of skirmish damage for every level the Ranger would gain FE bonuses may not be too overpowered, but with the speed increases, it definitely is. Alternately, I think you could safely provide Fast Movement, Uncanny Dodge, and Improved Uncanny Dodge as replacements. Perhaps at levels 1, 5, and 10, respectively.

 

[VonRichthofen]

+1d6 of skirmish damage for every level the Ranger would gain FE bonuses may not be too overpowered, but with the speed increases, it definitely is. Alternately, I think you could safely provide Fast Movement, Uncanny Dodge, and Improved Uncanny Dodge as replacements. Perhaps at levels 1, 5, and 10, respectively.

One word: Frontloading.

Btw: PHB, on ranger FE: "... he gets a +2 bonus on weapon damage rolls against such creatures."

Nowhere does it say it's precision damage. In 3.5, undead/ elementals/ oozes/ constructs/ plants ARE subject to FE bonus damage.

 

[AbeTheGnome]

One word: Frontloading.

One word: What?

I hear this term get tossed around a lot, but I'm not really sure what it means. Does is mean a class that gets a lot of abilities in the first few levels? If so, the variations on the Ranger that I suggested are no more front-loaded than the standard Ranger, as the abilities are only granted on levels where they would get others (FE).

 

[VonRichthofen]

One word: What?

I hear this term get tossed around a lot, but I'm not really sure what it means. Does is mean a class that gets a lot of abilities in the first few levels? If so, the variations on the Ranger that I suggested are no more front-loaded than the standard Ranger, as the abilities are only granted on levels where they would get others (FE).

No. Granting 2d6 Skirmish damage by level 5: Who would play a scout? You'd get a progression nigh as fast as the scout and steal his primary combat move. Apart from a few movement-related abilities, uncanny dodge & a few skill points, you'd lose nothing.

You'd get all the ranger goodies in return, especially a full BAB progression.

Skirmish can be used against every opponent not immune to crits, while FE is completely under the DM's control - it's but a few creature types he can opt to stage or not.
FE is the epitome of a very situational ability.
Skirmish is not - an archer ranger with skirmish is deadly, look at the Complete Scoundrel scout 3/ranger 17 build - with Swift Hunter, it's a nightmare. (28d6 Skirmish bonus damage/round) You'd constitute this nightmare as the norm.

Give it Sudden Strike instead of Skirmish, and you'll be fine.

 

[Nifft]

Favored Terrain looks good.

For more extensive rules revisions, you could ask in House Rules.

Cheers, -- N

 

[javcs]

Favored Terrain looks good.

For more extensive rules revisions, you could ask in House Rules.

Cheers, -- N

I did earlier.

VonRichten, Where are you pulling 28d6 from? Improved/Greater Manyshot? Or a full attack while flanking?

Favored Enemy bonuses are generally, IME, chosen to match up against commonly found foes, or, as according to your statements, chosen to match up against foes that the party doesn't want to face.