Dragon #308 previews new ranger and barbarian!

[thalmin]

Hmm, yummy.

(Is it just me, or have other subscribers not yet gotten their copies of this issue?)

This issue just arrived at the store today. I haven't received my subscription copy yet.

 

[Nightfall]

Don't suppose you could outline the differences for each class? (Save ranger, since you already did that.)

 

[Buddha the DM]

Hmm, yummy.

(Is it just me, or have other subscribers not yet gotten their copies of this issue?)

I don't know if I have gotten mine or not yet. I left the house before the mail came today.

What issue was the DM screen supposed to be in?

 

[Remathilis]

The ranger Class Philosophy says he is no longer a lightly armored fighter, he is a skill-using hunter.

Notable changes to the ranger:
Skill points changed to 6
Hit die changed to d8
Favored enemy bonus now gives +2
New favored enemy at levels 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 with graduated increases
Wild Empathy ability at level 1 (replaces the skill)
Gain a 2-weapon OR archery feat at levels 2, 6 and 11
Endurance at level 3
Animal Companion at level 4
Woodland stride at level 7
Swift tracker at level 8 (move normal speed while tracking)
Evasion at level 9
Camouflage at level 13 (hide in any terrain even without cover or concealment)
Hide in plain sight at level 17

(edit to add)

There also will be some changes to his spell list.
He gains charm animal as a 1st level spell choice, a better barkskin as 2nd, darkvision at 3rd, and animal growth at 4th.
His spell casting levels are unchanged.

Wow. From Suckatude to Major Overhaul!

Kinda Sad to see Animal Empathy go... Nah. No one used it!
I like the Endurance and bonus path feats. In addition to track, a ranger gets 5 bonus feats.
Woodland Stride + Camoflague = Nice.
Hide in Plain Sight a rogue bonus skill in 3.5? I think so...
Evasion doesn't seem to fit though. Not with a poor reflex save. UCD would be better.

I'm lost as to how favored enemies now work though. Can someone with the issue explain?

 

[thalmin]

Don't suppose you could outline the differences for each class? (Save ranger, since you already did that.)

Almost nothing new for the fighter. Intimidate is now a class skill, and the list of Bonus Feats has been expanded to incoporate new feats, including Improved Precise Shot, Greater Weapon Focus and Greater Weapon Specialization.

The Barbarian gets some added or adjusted class abilities.
Trap sense at level 3 (bonus to reflex saves vs traps)
Trap sense improves by +1 every 3rd level
DR 1/- at level 7
DR improves by 1 at levels 10, 13, 16 and 19
Greater Rage at level 11
Indomitable Will at level 14 (+4 to Will saves vs enchantments)
Tireless Rage at level 17
Mighty Rage at level 20 (Rage bonus increases to +8 Str, +8 Con, +4 Will)

 

[Psion]

Hmmm... I was a little dubious at first, but this doesn't sound too bad.

I am torn though... I still prefer the feat progression of the BoHM ranger to the weapon oriented virtual feats.

 

[thalmin]

I don't know if I have gotten mine or not yet. I left the house before the mail came today.

What issue was the DM screen supposed to be in?

Issue #310.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I think that's a Ranger I can support!

I'm happy. The virtual feats are still a little silly, but *shrug* the whole packaghe is pretty good.

 

[The_Gneech]

I'm likin' it! I particularly like the return of the animal companion.

-The Gneech

 

[Branduil]

Could anyone elaborate on the changes to Favored Enemy? Also, do you know what exact feats the ranger will get for his combat paths?