Three_Haligonians
First Post
Well,
The favoured enemy ability states "Due to his extensive study of his chosen type of foe and training in the proper techniques for combating such creatures, the ranger gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type."
That's a little ambiguous. Let's start with the damage bonus since it is a little easier.
What does "proper techniques" entail? Has the ranger studied his favoured enemy's anatomy so he knows where the weak spots are? Or has he studied their fighting style, and so knows how best to exploit its weaknesses? Is it both? or does it depend on the creature? I mean, knowing the anatomy of fey is all well and good, but what about an ooze? Isn't it the point that they don't have an anatomy per se? For that matter, what kind of fighting style does an ooze have anyway? What about the third option, RangerWickett's, which is that the ranger just hates that kind of enemy so much he puts a little extra "oomph" in each swing.
As for skills, Bluff and Sense Motive seem to suggest the ranger knows a little bit about the creature's ecology, habits, and even culture (if it has one). He knows what qualities they respect, or fear, or hate. The other skills could be based that way too - you know the war crys and other signals for Listen, rangers know about their style of dress and decoration for Spot, and how they move for Survival. But of course, those could all be physically based - rangers know what sounds they make, what they look like, and what kind of tracks they leave.
So, the first question you have to answer is which way do you want to play it? Where do these bonuses come from? Is it the same for all rangers, or does each ranger get to pick how he gets his bonus - which of course leads us to theoriginal question.
The problem arrises in situations where one method applies, but the other doesn't. A human who was raised entirely within an Orcish tribe thinks, acts, and fights in all ways like an orc so does a ranger with favoured enemy Orc get his bonus? maybe only some of it? depending on the choice of the ranger?
Personally, I rule that the skill bonus is based on culture and the damage bonus based on anatomy. That's my base stance and I adjust accordingly depending on the situation.
Lastly, Dragon Magazine #334 has a Ranger Class Act article that talks about this very issue. It suggests a secret spot check to see if the Ranger can identify his favoured enemy (it has a side table listing the various DC's). It says unless the Ranger knows he's facing his favoured enemy he doesn't get his bonuses.
Hope that helps
J from Three Haligonians
The favoured enemy ability states "Due to his extensive study of his chosen type of foe and training in the proper techniques for combating such creatures, the ranger gains a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot and Survival checks when using these skills against creatures of this type."
That's a little ambiguous. Let's start with the damage bonus since it is a little easier.
What does "proper techniques" entail? Has the ranger studied his favoured enemy's anatomy so he knows where the weak spots are? Or has he studied their fighting style, and so knows how best to exploit its weaknesses? Is it both? or does it depend on the creature? I mean, knowing the anatomy of fey is all well and good, but what about an ooze? Isn't it the point that they don't have an anatomy per se? For that matter, what kind of fighting style does an ooze have anyway? What about the third option, RangerWickett's, which is that the ranger just hates that kind of enemy so much he puts a little extra "oomph" in each swing.
As for skills, Bluff and Sense Motive seem to suggest the ranger knows a little bit about the creature's ecology, habits, and even culture (if it has one). He knows what qualities they respect, or fear, or hate. The other skills could be based that way too - you know the war crys and other signals for Listen, rangers know about their style of dress and decoration for Spot, and how they move for Survival. But of course, those could all be physically based - rangers know what sounds they make, what they look like, and what kind of tracks they leave.
So, the first question you have to answer is which way do you want to play it? Where do these bonuses come from? Is it the same for all rangers, or does each ranger get to pick how he gets his bonus - which of course leads us to theoriginal question.
The problem arrises in situations where one method applies, but the other doesn't. A human who was raised entirely within an Orcish tribe thinks, acts, and fights in all ways like an orc so does a ranger with favoured enemy Orc get his bonus? maybe only some of it? depending on the choice of the ranger?
Personally, I rule that the skill bonus is based on culture and the damage bonus based on anatomy. That's my base stance and I adjust accordingly depending on the situation.
Lastly, Dragon Magazine #334 has a Ranger Class Act article that talks about this very issue. It suggests a secret spot check to see if the Ranger can identify his favoured enemy (it has a side table listing the various DC's). It says unless the Ranger knows he's facing his favoured enemy he doesn't get his bonuses.
Hope that helps
J from Three Haligonians
