D&D 5E (2014) Convince me that the Ranger is a necessary Class.

[Micah Sweet]

Another topic brought me back here.

Why do we need the Ranger?
Why do we need any class?

Well they are exaggerations or realizations of the character backgrounds for PCS.

In a Feudal Society

1. Royals - (Depends of what the culture respected)
2. Nobles - (Depends of what the culture respected)
3. Priests - Clerics/Druids/Warlocks
4. Mages - Wizard/Sorcerer/Warlocks
5. Knights - Fighter/Ranger
6. Peasants - Rogue/Barbarian
7. Outcasts/Barbarians- Barbarian

In which Rangers would be part of the military elite who either protect owned wilds or act as everpresent scouts and lookouts in the borders for the military

If each Background was a class​

• Acolyte- Cleric
• Artisan - Smith (Nonexistent)
• Charlatan - Rogue
• Criminal - Rogue
• Entertainer - Bard
• Farmer - Barbarian
• Guard - Fighter
• Guide - Ranger
• Hermit - Cleric
• Merchant - Any
• Noble - Any
• Sage - Wizard
• Sailor - Monk
• Scribe - ???
• Soldier - Fighter
• Wayfarer - Rogue

Notice Fighter and Rogue multiple times. And missing classes.

Because within the narrative of D&D, there will likely be a need for guides to travel the wilderness of D&D. And they would have to be tough and have nature skills. Toughness is Warrior. Nature skills is Nature magic.

Be the narrative, it is Rangers who are most tied to Nature magic. Druids exist to teach rangers. But so could Fey or Elementals. Or Nature clerics. Or it could be taught tricks passed down from master to apprentice.

Ironically this just make me want an official dabbler class for Nobles and an official noncriminal Scholar/Artisan class.

Both exist for A5e. No need for WotC to get involved.

 

[Corinnguard]

Be the narrative, it is Rangers who are most tied to Nature magic. Druids exist to teach rangers. But so could Fey or Elementals. Or Nature clerics. Or it could be taught tricks passed down from master to apprentice

Or all of the above. However, since the 2024 Guide background seems to be the go-to Ranger background, it would appear to be the first option. Druids taught Rangers how to use Nature Magic (another name for 4e's Primal Magic?). That said, why give the Ranger class their own spell list when the Druid spell list could be so much better for them?

 

[Minigiant]

Or all of the above. However, since the 2024 Guide background seems to be the go-to Ranger background, it would appear to be the first option. Druids taught Rangers how to use Nature Magic (another name for 4e's Primal Magic?). That said, why give the Ranger class their own spell list when the Druid spell list could be so much better for them?

Because Rangers also learn from Wizards to get divination for tracking

Since no one wants to use tracking rules.

 

[Corinnguard]

Because Rangers also learn from Wizards to get divination for tracking

Since no one wants to use tracking rules.

Thankfully the Wildborn Ranger in A5e gets their spells from the Druid spell list.

As for Tracking, we've got the Survival skill for the purposes of tracking something without the aid of magic.

 

[Minigiant]

Thankfully the Wildborn Ranger in A5e gets their spells from the Druid spell list.

As for Tracking, we've got the Survival skill for the purposes of tracking something without the aid of magic.

Well that's hoping your get a lenient DM on tracking. Most quests don't have fresh tracks.

and Rangers get Arrow and Blade spells from Wizards. Classic is flame arrow and blade thirst in AD&D.

Ensnaring strike, lightning Arrow, steel wind strike in 5e.

 

[Corinnguard]

Well that's hoping your get a lenient DM on tracking. Most quests don't have fresh tracks.

So far, I have had my Ranger character use the Survival skill for all of his tracking without any problem. It made for some interesting moments for my Ranger character. True, most quests probably won't have fresh tracks for the Ranger to follow. But a Ranger can still track an old set of tracks while still making Perception, Insight, Investigation and Survival checks. Again, without magic.

and Rangers get Arrow and Blade spells from Wizards. Classic is flame arrow and blade thirst in AD&D.

Ensnaring strike, lightning Arrow, steel wind strike in 5e.

This is what happens when D&D draws outside the lines.

 

[Minigiant]

This is what happens when D&D draws outside the lines

Nah.

It's because Druids didn't exist in first edition so Rangers had to get wizard spells to get some of their desired effects and then Rangers became associated with elemental and nature weapon buffing magic because they were the best ones at using them.

 

[James Gasik]

Nah.

It's because Druids didn't exist in first edition so Rangers had to get wizard spells to get some of their desired effects and then Rangers became associated with elemental and nature weapon buffing magic because they were the best ones at using them.

Wait, what? Druids didn't exist in 1st edition? The heck is this, then?

 

[Corinnguard]

Wait, what? Druids didn't exist in 1st edition? The heck is this, then?

View attachment 417978

A successful History check.

so Rangers had to get wizard spells to get some of their desired effects and then Rangers became associated with elemental and nature weapon buffing magic because they were the best ones at using them.

Wouldn't this have made the Ranger into arcane half-casters rather divine half-casters?

You said this earlier:

But so could Fey or Elementals. Or Nature clerics. Or it could be taught tricks passed down from master to apprentice.

Why turn toward a wizard when they just as easily could have turned to a Fey, an Elemental, or another and much older Ranger?

 

[Minigiant]

Wait, what? Druids didn't exist in 1st edition? The heck is this, then?

View attachment 417978

I meaned "the" first edition. 0e. When rangers had wizard spells and cleric spells.

Why turn toward a wizard when they just as easily could have turned to a Fey, an Elemental, or another and much older Ranger?

They would.

Point was rangers ended up tied to Arcane spells early.