Best of the Best - TWF Ranger.

[Kzach]

After a well deserved hiatus from the boards donated kindly by ever vigilant master of ceremonies here at EN World, I give you, the people, the final poll in the series!

Although the TWF and the Archer ranger fought tooth and nail for top spot, the TWF always maintained an ever so slight margin over it's sibling. So TWF ranger it is!

 

[Obryn]

I'll go with Longtooth Shifter because there are a lot of good synergies with Shifter and Ranger, feat-wise. Also, the stat mods line up.

Half-orcs would be another good choice, particularly if you're using blades of some kind.

I'm tempted to put Dwarf in there somewhere, too. A TWF Dwarven Waraxe Ranger could rock... No strength mod, sure, but extra Constitution never hurt anyone. And the Wisdom modifier is still good.

-O

 

[Squizzle]

Human, human, human. +1 to all non-AC defenses is great for a front-line striker, and the feat support for staying active--especially the saving throw bonuses--means that you're less likely to get caught, pants down and status effects up, unable to do anything but take beatings for multiple turns. Loads of multi-attack powers make Action Surge even more indispensible than it is for other classes and builds. Sure, the extra at-will is almost useless, but that's more than compensated by the rest of the human advantages.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I prefer the Half-Orc.
It's the best way to boost both attacks and two important defenses for a Melee Fighter.
I think Wisdom is not quite that important for the Ranger, despite some of his powers taking advantage of that. An added benefit is that you might be able to keep Dex and Strength very high, giving you a better opportunity to switch to ranged combat if required or sensible.

 

[Kzach]

Although the Longtooth is a nice choice, I think the half-orc wins on too many other fronts to be pipped. With two perfect stats, a racial power that adds damage, swift charge, half-orc resilience, and access to human feats as well as the awesome half-orc feats that increase DPR, it's almost a no-brainer.

 

[Obryn]

I don't think half-orcs get access to the human feats.

I think that's strictly a half-elf thing.

(Edit: Yeah, I just confirmed it in PHB2. Half-orcs do not get human feats.)

-O

 

[Herschel]

Where's the Genasi in the list of choices? Int vs. Dex only loses initiative and gives some nice multiclas opportunities (Thunderwave to get out of trouble anyone? A little Warlord fun, etc.) plus the racial powers are really nice. Also, you can get a nice HP boost if using backgrounds without having to spend build points in CON.

Maybe not quite the best but certainly one of the more viable choices.

 

[Mentat55]

I am leaning towards half-orc. Str and Dex are two huge stats for a TWF ranger, and Furious Assault is just more striker goodness. A half-orc swinging two waraxes is just too tasty.

 

[Klaus]

Longtooth Shifter.

With a feat you can go chainmail and leave Dex at 14 or lower.
Encounter power gives regeneration, plus feat-based benefits.
High Str hits more often and high Wis helps with rider effects and some of the ranger's additional damage powers.

 

[Kzach]

Isn't a high dex better than a high wis?

Rider effects for wis aren't that valuable given that there are plenty of powers that don't need it. Dex is valuable for AC and initative and stealth. The half orc has the better racial feats. Plus you get to change it up with ranged attacks when necessary.