Even the 3.5 ranger is a wimp

[Calico_Jack73]

Wildlander is a very weak class, though a Wildlander/Channeler in our campaign is pretty awesome, power-wise.

See, I think it is a very well balanced class that fits in very well with the others. Differences of opinion I suppose.

 

[TracerBullet42]

No problem. Hunter's Mercy is a spell, found in the Player's Guide to Faerun (though it's also been printed in other places before that; I just can't remember where atm). It's a 1st level ranger spell, that's basically Ranger True Strike. It makes your next attack with a ranged weapon automatically threaten a critical hit, which you have to confirm as normal.

Thanks Sejs!

 

[orangefruitbat]

Aragorn is a multiclassed ranger/paladin...healing hands of a king, inspiring leader in battle (surely some ranks in diplomacy and the resist fear effect).

Legolas is multiclassed ranger/fighter for uber-bow fighting goodness (at least in the movie version)

Gimili, now he's pure fighter.

Strider is of course the archetypal Ranger.

 

[Endur]

Archery!

TWF is for wimps.

Archery is the way to go.

3.5 Ranger with the Archery feat tree is awesome.

As an archer, light armor is not a problem (for melee, light armor is a problem).

Ranger Bonus Feats: Track, Endurance, Rapid Shot, Many Shot, Improved Precise Shot. Nearly as many bonus feats as a fighter gets by 10th level.

6 skill points per level vs. 2 skill points for a fighter.

Favored Enemy +2 damage per hit at 1st level, +4 damage per hit at level 5, +6 damage per hit at level 10, +8 damage at level 15, +10 damage at level 20. In a typical human-centric campaign, max out your bonuses against humans. In an enemy campaign (i.e. in Lord of the Rings, Orcs are the primary enemy), max out your ranks against the main enemy. Unlike 3.0, there is no prohibition on selecting your own race, or on using damage at range. Favored Enemy is an awesome, battle deciding ability.

Good Reflex save and Evasion.

All sorts of hiding special abilities.

Fast Tracking, Animal Empathy, Animal Companion, Spell casting, and a host of other abilities.

For animal companion, pick something useful. A horse or a dog are probably the most useful companions. A horse companion for a Ranger won't be as powerful as a Paladin's warhorse, but will be better than the usual run of the mill warhorse.

 

[Lamoni]

This would probably be a good topic for a poll.
I play a ranger in my campaign and...
()I chose TWF and my character stinks
()I chose TWF and my character does fine
()I chose archery and my character stinks
()I chose archery and my character does fine.

I would guess that there would be a lot more stinky characters from the TWF build than with the archery build. TWF takes several feats to be on par with a Two handed weapon with no feats. Next edition should combine greater TWF, ITWF, and GTWF feats into one feat. Then it might be an acceptable path to take for rangers... but maybe too good for rogues.

 

[mikebr99]

This would probably be a good topic for a poll.
I play a ranger in my campaign and...
()I chose TWF and my character stinks
()I chose TWF and my character does fine

I'll pick this one... I do fine w/TWF

()I chose archery and my character stinks
()I chose archery and my character does fine.

I would guess that there would be a lot more stinky characters from the TWF build than with the archery build. TWF takes several feats to be on par with a Two handed weapon with no feats. Next edition should combine greater TWF, ITWF, and GTWF feats into one feat. Then it might be an acceptable path to take for rangers... but maybe too good for rogues.

My 11th level Dwarven Ranger, TWF w/Dwarven waraxe & L. spiked shield, gets 3 attacks with each... (+13/+8/+3 & +13/+8/+3 repectively) AC 22.

the other TWF in the party is a Human Ftr 2/Rog 9, fighting w/2 Rapiers... he'l only getting 2 attacks with each... (+10/+5 & +9/+4 respectively) AC 20.


I don't seem to have a problem with this "inferior" fighting Style... YMMV.


Mike

 

[Lamoni]

I don't seem to have a problem with this "inferior" fighting Style... YMMV.

Since I have never actually played with TWF, but have only observed a fellow player and looked at the numbers, maybe I am in error and TWF is very balanced as it is.

On the other hand, maybe your characters are an exception to the rule and most people who choose TWF are playing inferior characters. A poll would help determine it, but I am too lazy to try and figure out how to post one since I''ve never done it before.

Oh, I do believe that TWF is a great option for rogues because it compliments their sneak attack very well. It is just less good for every other class.

 

[tenkar]

I'll pick this one... I do fine w/TWF
My 11th level Dwarven Ranger, TWF w/Dwarven waraxe & L. spiked shield, gets 3 attacks with each... (+13/+8/+3 & +13/+8/+3 repectively) AC 22.

the other TWF in the party is a Human Ftr 2/Rog 9, fighting w/2 Rapiers... he'l only getting 2 attacks with each... (+10/+5 & +9/+4 respectively) AC 20.


I don't seem to have a problem with this "inferior" fighting Style... YMMV.


Mike

Its been a while since I have used anyone who dual-wielded, but i thought the extra hand just added 1 attack no matter the number of attack in your primary hand.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Its been a while since I have used anyone who dual-wielded, but i thought the extra hand just added 1 attack no matter the number of attack in your primary hand.

Depends on the feats.

Two-Weapon Fighting only grants one.

Improved TWF adds two.

Greater TWF adds three.

 

[tenkar]

Depends on the feats.

Two-Weapon Fighting only grants one.

Improved TWF adds two.

Greater TWF adds three.

Heh, rangers may not be tanks anymore, but they certainly can dish out the damage. Thanks for the info.