Even the 3.5 ranger is a wimp

[dontpunkme]

One thing I've noticed in several campaigns is that the party ranger seems to be marked for death. Since we've converted to 3.5 every ranger has proceeded to get killed by 8th level. These rangers all to the two-weapon style and were smoked with no problem. Between the light armor and the low-hit points these guys seem to be giant bullseyes for monsters. For my next campaign I'm seriously considering bumping their hit die up to a d10 cause I really don't think they compare to the paladin or the barbarian.
Is this a common problem?
Should I change that

 

[Thanee]

It's only a common problem with players who think their ranger is as much a front-line warrior as a barbarian, fighter or paladin.

I mean, look at what else they get... skills almost as good as a bard or rogue, two good saves, various pretty nice abilities. There has to be some drawback.

Maybe you should try an archery based ranger?

TWF really is not the best fighting style in 3.5, especially when you have to compare with power attacking two-handed weapon wielding barbarians.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Zaruthustran]

One thing I've noticed in several campaigns is that the party ranger seems to be marked for death. Since we've converted to 3.5 every ranger has proceeded to get killed by 8th level. These rangers all to the two-weapon style and were smoked with no problem. Between the light armor and the low-hit points these guys seem to be giant bullseyes for monsters. For my next campaign I'm seriously considering bumping their hit die up to a d10 cause I really don't think they compare to the paladin or the barbarian.
Is this a common problem?
Should I change that

Rangers aren't toe-to-toe fighters. They need to use hit and run tactics. That's what those ranger spells Expeditious Retreat and Longstrider are for. Not to mention Cure Wounds.

To be effective, a ranger must ambush and attack in the surprise round, trade attacks with a full attack (to get his TWF benefit), then make a choice. If he's doing pretty good damage then he should stick around. If not, he should take off--covering his retreat with Entangle (slows enemies even if they save) and his animal friends.

Ideally, your ranger should pick up the weapon enhancement that causes wounds to bleed for 1hp/rd until healed. These weapons favor the hit-and-run style of combat.

Hope this helps,

-z

 

[Brisk-sg]

This has not been a problem for me. It sounds to me like the Rangers in your game are being treated like front line fighters. If you give them d10 hit dice, will that make them die less often? It depends on why they die so much. If it is the playstyle of the person(s) playing the ranger it might make little difference. If the ranger player is always leading the charge into combat, then he will die more often then someone who does not have a tendency to do this. Also, what is the standard make up of the group? Are there several other front line fighters? Or is the ranger filling in for that spot?

The difference between d8 and d10 isn't very large, so not sure how big of a difference that will make. Also, how will this impact the players of other classes in the group? Will someone be less likely to play a fighter because a ranger has been given d10 hd instead of d8? Thus the only thing the fighter has going for it in comparison is more feats, and he can wear heavy armor. The ranger on the other hand gets same BAB, same HD, 4 more sp a lvl, 2 good saves, and good class abilities almost every level (more often then a fighter gets feats).

Now if this wont cause any grief for the players, and you think it would solve the problem, go for it. But in my experience, I don't think its the class thats the cause of the death.

 

[Crothian]

My Ranger had to be towed down a little cause I out did the Monk, Fighter, and Wizard.....this was at 11th lewvel, straight Ranger.

 

[dontpunkme]

The rangers used hit and run tactics and seam to get cleanup bad news on the AOA. Eventually most the rangers get stuck in front line roles because the parties tend to have one barbarian and too many spellcasters.

If I do bump up the ranger hit dice I'll probably change the fighter to get a free feat at every level after 10th.

 

[wizardneedsfood]

The rangers used hit and run tactics and seam to get cleanup bad news on the AOA. Eventually most the rangers get stuck in front line roles because the parties tend to have one barbarian and too many spellcasters.

If I do bump up the ranger hit dice I'll probably change the fighter to get a free feat at every level after 10th.

And what would the Paladin and Barbarian then get?

 

[Mystery Man]

It's only a common problem with players who think their ranger is as much a front-line warrior as a barbarian, fighter or paladin.

I mean, look at what else they get... skills almost as good as a bard or rogue, two good saves, various pretty nice abilities. There has to be some drawback.

Maybe you should try an archery based ranger?

TWF really is not the best fighting style in 3.5, especially when you have to compare with power attacking two-handed weapon wielding barbarians.

Bye
Thanee

The ranger IMC is a handful with a bow.

 

[Thanee]

You are not addressing the problem (your party), you are only moving it somewhere else!

Bye
Thanee

P.S. Crothian is overpowered!

 

[Thanee]

The ranger IMC is a handful with a bow.

Is that good or bad? (this is actually a serious question. )

Bye
Thanee