Generating Opportunity Attacks (BM Ranger)

[chorolus]

Ranger Combat Style is a hybrid talent option -- including Beastmaster. Take the feat.

Ah, I see said the blind man. Thanks for pointing that out ^^

 

[Zaphling]

Also, you don't have to wield to weapons if you're a beastmaster. Having a two-handed weapon is much better. At least you don't have to spend feats in two-weapon fighting and defense.
I have a dwarf ranger carrying a halberd, together with his pet pig. Pretty good character.

 

[Jhaelen]

As a programmer I am curious why this is hard to find.... I mean when you choose your class is when you need to be chosing to be a hybrid. Where else would it be?

Yes, but to know that you need to have read the hybrid rules.

Before getting PHB3 I assumed it would be feat-based just like the standard multiclassing, i.e. something you could also choose later in your career.

I'm pretty sure there are many Character Builder users that no longer bother to pick up/buy/read the books.

 

[chorolus]

Go Sharpshooter, take Beast Protector, MC Shaman, get Sudden Call. Use your beast and the Shaman spirit as a wall. Either they go around to attack you, and if you're an Elf you will be faster then most monsters. Free action resummon the Shaman Spirit every round to block the monster, move your beast to block, repeat. Not attacking your beast or the spirit they just get plinked to death. Attack and provoke OAs.

Also, you don't have to wield to weapons if you're a beastmaster. Having a two-handed weapon is much better. At least you don't have to spend feats in two-weapon fighting and defense.
I have a dwarf ranger carrying a halberd, together with his pet pig. Pretty good character.

I rather like that MC Shaman suggestion...having two 'pets' to move around as blockers could be quite beneficial. I'm leaning more toward melee atm, but still deciding...haven't found a game yet anyways, so no rush. I may pick a build that has better synergy with the group then what I want to do personally as well.

And I've thought about two-handed weapons as well, was leaning toward either a Halberd or the Heavy Blade polearm...I forget the name. Too bad I can't simply get a Khopesh and stick it on the end of a spear handle and call it a Polarm... xD

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

I rather like that MC Shaman suggestion...having two 'pets' to move around as blockers could be quite beneficial. I'm leaning more toward melee atm, but still deciding...haven't found a game yet anyways, so no rush. I may pick a build that has better synergy with the group then what I want to do personally as well.

And I've thought about two-handed weapons as well, was leaning toward either a Halberd or the Heavy Blade polearm...I forget the name. Too bad I can't simply get a Khopesh and stick it on the end of a spear handle and call it a Polarm... xD

Polearm might not be bad with fighting behind a front line of beast and SC. Don't kid yourself though, loosing out on Twin Strike is always a pretty large dent in damage output. The other consideration is possible use of some of the MP2 stuff allowing you to toss heavy thrown weapons around, which COULD be interesting.

The whole polearm thing though does sound pretty fun. HBO and Polearm Momentum could be fun with your two blockers. There are a few beast powers that let you shift yourself or the beast around too as part of an attack that could be cute. I could see making it nearly impossible for the enemy to get past your little front line unless you want them to. hehe. Could drive some DMs batty with that.

 

[chorolus]

My thoughts exactly... Nimble Strike, Twin Strike, and Circling Strike have feats that increase their movement bonuses considerably. If my gm let's me use a zulaat as a reach weapon, I'll be able to Twin Strike from behind my blockers as well, since it's a double weapon ^^

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

My thoughts exactly... Nimble Strike, Twin Strike, and Circling Strike have feats that increase their movement bonuses considerably. If my gm let's me use a zulaat as a reach weapon, I'll be able to Twin Strike from behind my blockers as well, since it's a double weapon ^^

Yup. The other way to get there is using Spiked Chain Training since that then becomes a reach 2 double weapon as well. Plus you get the option to take other feats in that series which could be interesting. From what I've seen the spiked chain path is pretty popular for non-TBF melee ranger builds. Also avoids the eternal question of whether or not the zulaat exists in a particular campaign.

 

[chorolus]

I've thought of using a spiked chain as well...and the related feats are quite nice looking.

Another idea for the 'minion-master' build: he could take the feat to gain a familiar as well and would then have 3 'pets' helping him to block/corner foes. Now, if only the Beast Protector worked for the spirit/familiar as well...

---

I also had another interesting idea today for a (somewhat) ranged crit-focused Ranger/Rogue combo...might not exactly be the most optimal build, but could be quite fun to experiment with. I'm not 100% sure if the concept would completely work within DnD's game mechanics though...

He would start as a Ranger/Rogue Hybrid and MC to Swordmage for the Improved Swordbond feat, and focus on using Twin Strike with throwing daggers. After each Twin Strike, Improved Swordbond could be used to 'boomerang' your weapons back to your hands...seems very Krull-like and reeks of pure awesomeness!!

Stat-wise he would focus heavily on Str/Dex, and would definitely take the Daggermaster PP. The best Hybrid Talent to take would probably be Rogue -> Brutal Scoundrel to add Str to sneak attacks. Could also wield Wraithblade daggers and watch the Sneak Attacks fly, literally

What do you guys think? I'm not too sure about the Powers/feats I chose, I only gave them a brief look-through for now.

Character Summary: [sblock]

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
Utherian, level 11
Human, Ranger|Rogue, Daggermaster
Hybrid Talent: Rogue Tactics (Hybrid)
Hybrid Ranger: Hybrid Ranger Fortitude
Rogue Tactics (Hybrid): Brutal Scoundrel (Hybrid)
Background: Born Under a Bad Sign (Born Under a Bad Sign Benefit)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 21, Con 11, Dex 19, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 9.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 10, Dex 16, Int 13, Wis 11, Cha 8.


AC: 22 Fort: 22 Reflex: 22 Will: 17
HP: 83 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 20

TRAINED SKILLS
Endurance +10, Stealth +14, Acrobatics +14, Thievery +14, Nature +11, Athletics +15, Perception +11, Arcana +12

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Bluff +4, Diplomacy +4, Dungeoneering +6, Heal +6, History +7, Insight +6, Intimidate +4, Religion +7, Streetwise +4

FEATS
Human: Hybrid Talent
Level 1: Blade Initiate
Level 2: Improved Swordbond
Level 4: Backstabber
Level 6: Far Throw
Level 8: Two-Weapon Fighting
Level 10: Two-Weapon Defense
Level 11: Overwhelming Critical

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Twin Strike
Hybrid at-will 1: Duelist's Flurry
Hybrid at-will 1: Predator Strike
Hybrid encounter 1: Skirmish Shot
Hybrid daily 1: Commanding Confrontation
Hybrid utility 2: Switcheroo
Hybrid encounter 3: Maneuvering Strike
Hybrid daily 5: Bloodbath
Hybrid utility 6: Fast Hands
Hybrid encounter 7: Toppling Rush
Hybrid daily 9: Rogue's Recovery
Hybrid utility 10: Drop and Roll

ITEMS
Leather Armor, Wraithblade Dagger +2 (2)
[/sblock]