Alternative for Ranger´s Animal Companion

[sfedi]

Alternative for Ranger´s Animal Companion

Is there any alternative class feature that trades the Ranger´s Animal Companion for another thing?

 

[FunkBGR]

PHB2 -

Any time the Ranger hits a target, the target is then considered flanked until the next time it's attacked.

Used it, it's great. Ranger becomes the party Rogue's best friend.

 

[Emongnome]

Is there any alternative class feature that trades the Ranger´s Animal Companion for another thing?

Distracting Attack from PHBII, pg. 55. Briefly, it makes a creature "flanked" by you when you hit it and stays that way until an ally attacks the creature (gaining the benefits of flanking) or the start of your next turn, whichever comes first.

EDIT: Should've known I'd get beat to the punch!

 

[Plane Sailing]

I thought it was an awful suggested alternate ability! It is of no help to the ranger, only to friends that he is with. Since the ranger is the quintessential loner, it seemed a surprising choice.

I would have thought it more reasonable if the effect were reversed, allowing the ranger to treat a foe as flanked if anyone has hit it since your last turn.

 

[sfedi]

There´s also a huge difference in having this ability in a party where there´s a rogue than a party where there isn´t one.

Hardly a well-designed class feature.

 

[bestone]

PHB2 -

Any time the Ranger hits a target, the target is then considered flanked until the next time it's attacked.

Used it, it's great. Ranger becomes the party Rogue's best friend.

Totally agreed, Thats an amazing feat. My parties ranger uses double light repeating x-bows and another character is an unseen seer, they just make a nasty combo. ITs nice and flavourfull, the ranger pins them down from range, while the rogue sneaks up to put em down.

There´s also a huge difference in having this ability in a party where there´s a rogue than a party where there isn´t one.

Hardly a well-designed class feature.

And whats wrong with having options that allow you to work well with others?

Sure ony our own it might not be great, without a rogue its still good (i play a knight and i have some flanking abilities out of phb2, +4 on flanking for one) But with a rogue its amazing

I dont see a problem with that tho? Infact there are lots of feat combinations/tactics that make two classes work well togeather.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Hardly a well-designed class feature.

It's not a fixed feature, though. If you've got a rogue, take Distracting Attack. If you haven't, take Animal Companion...

The ability is only situationally useful... but someone in the wrong situation isn't forced to take the ability.

-Hyp.

 

[Darklone]

Now if that shot would make people lose their Dex bonus to AC...

 

[SlagMortar]

It could be pretty nice too for a ranger/rogue, ranger/blackguard or ranger/assassin.

 

[FunkBGR]

Being "flanked" is a great ability that's just better with a rogue.

I don't have the book in front of me, but I seem to recall that the creature is considered flanked for the next attack - regardless of what it is.

+2 to that wizard's ray spell

+2 to the fighter, who can now power attack for 2 more

It also affects any number of targets. I can shoot everyone. They're all flanked, so have some fun and get some more hits in. Much better team-player ability.