D&D 3E/3.5 Help me with my 3.5 ranger

[Storminator]

Mmm. Dwarven TWF ranger with Quick Draw, Point Blank Shot, Dwarven Waraxe, and lots of throwing axes ...

Don't forget to add in the buckler. Then you can chose between twf, thrown weapons, axe and shield, or 2H axe style.

PS

 

[d12]

I agree. That way you can use your two-weapon fighting feats with ranged weapons, and get your strength bonus to damage without having to pay for an expensive mighty bow. But don't use daggers. Use throwing axes, javelins, or spears.

You'll want a Quiver of Ehlonna to pull this off. That way you can carry throwing weapons, bows, arrows, and even a spare quarterstaff or two without becoming encumbered.

You definitely also want to have your a and someone with the Craft Magical Arms and Armor feat collaborate on permanently enchanting your staff with the Shillelagh spell.

Well I already have a quiver of Ehlonna - found it randomly, believe it or not.

Enchanting the quarterstaff with Shillelagh is an awesome idea. How much would that cost? Would you consider that to be a +1 or +2 modifier to cost? It seems comprable to a flaming or icy weapon - maybe a little better in some ways and a little worse in others, but I like the idea. I'd be doing 2d6 damage with both ends. Also, I'd get to keep the quarterstaff - which is a cool visual.

 

[d12]

monday bump

more advice please.....

 

[The Souljourner]

Take extra favored enemy from MotW. You can take it at 6th and 9th and have another +4 to damage against humans..... +10 in all at 10th level.... how awesome is that?! Plus you'll have 4 other favored enemies at +2. That's awfully good... you can get a lot of different types with that - evil outsiders, magical beasts, undead, and aberrations is probably a good selection if you're going to be fighting more or less random enemies.

I'd definitely go with the buckler idea... it's only one less AC than the best you can get from a non-magical shield, and you can still use the arm with a weapon if you don't need the shield, and there's no penalty to using it with a bow. How cool is that?

I really like straight ranger, actually. I haven't seen any PrCs that I would take with my ranger, except maybe a couple levels of Horizon Walker, but even that is iffy.

-The Souljourner

 

[Nail]

Enchanting the quarterstaff with Shillelagh is an awesome idea. How much would that cost? Would you consider that to be a +1 or +2 modifier to cost?

As always: It depends.

If I were you, I'd price it as an unslotted wonderous magic item with a 1st level, continuous spell. Of course, that could be expensive.

1st level spell * 1st level caster * 2000gp * factor for spell duration

I've forgotten what the factor is for spell duration. It's different for durations of rounds, minutes, etc.

 

[Terraism]

1st level spell * 1st level caster * 2000gp * factor for spell duration

I've forgotten what the factor is for spell duration. It's different for durations of rounds, minutes, etc.

The factor for spells with a duration of 1/min/level, like Shillelagh, is x2. So enchanting it as such would - by the rules - cost 4000 gp. Maybe 8000, if you assume it counts as an unslotted item - I'd argue that it isn't, but I think that 8000 gp is a more reasonable price for doubling it's average damage anyway.

 

[Zaruthustran]

monday bump

more advice please.....

Recommendation 1:
If you're set on mixing ranged feats with twf feats, then I too recommend you go with thrown weapons--especially given your high strength. So pick up Quickdraw as soon as you can (6th level unless you multi into Fighter).

Rangers have cruddy AC and not so hot hit points, so fight with a reach weapon. If you put your 4th level stat bump into Str you'll do +6 damage with a two-handed weapon (like a glaive, for 1d10 +6 before buffs and magic). Store the glaive in your Quiver of Ehlonna (it'll accept staff/spear sized weapons) along with your javelins. If you go this route pick up Power Attack as well (double benefit for two-handed weapons). Wear spiked armor and spiked gauntlets so you can TWF when you want to, and carry two backup one-handed weapons suitable for TWF and a shield for when the glaive is impractical.

Remember that the TWF feat gives you one extra attack, and that attack can be melee OR ranged. With Rapid Shot and Quickdraw you can get 4 attacks at 6th level (two for BAB, one for Rapid Shot, one for TWF). Of course, all attacks will be at -4 to-hit.

Or you could arm yourself with two javelins. Stand off 20 feet from a foe, chuck your two javelins at the foe (full attack TWF), quickdraw and chuck another javelin (Rapid Shot), quickdraw your glaive, and get a free attack of opportunity from your glaive if he closes with you. Not bad. (check out the FAQ though, this might not be legal).

Build to 6th level:
Ranger 3 (current feats)
Fighter 1 (Quickdraw) (+1 Str bump)
Ranger 4 (animal)
Ranger 5 Power Attack

Attacks at 6th level:
Four javelins (1d6 +4, 1d6 +4, 1d6 +2, 1d6 +2) at +4/+4/-1/-1 (+6/+1 BAB, +2 Dex, -2 Rapid Shot, -2 TWF).
Or
Glaive (at 10', followed by 5' to close) plus armor spikes (1d10 +6, 1d6 +2, 1d6+2) at +8/+8/+3 (+6/+1 BAB, +4 Str, -2 TWF).


Recommendation 2:
You have a high Strength and a high Int. That means you can take Combat Expertise and Improved Trip. As a ranger with TWF you could conceivably wield two whips for two trip attempts per round, each at +8 (+4 from Str, +4 from Imp Trip). Add in a wolf companion and you'll be a tripping nightmare. If you trip the guy with the first attack drop your whips, step to 10' away, quickdraw your glaive, and hit him while he's down (and get an AoO when he tries to stand or crawl away).

Or fight with a whip and a throwing weapon: first quickdraw and throw two javelins with your right hand (rapid shot, each at +4 dam from Str) then send the guy to the ground with a trip (TWF). The trip is a touch attack, so the -4 to attack won't be a big deal.

Build to 6th level:
Ranger 3 (current feats)
Fighter 1 (Quickdraw) (+1 Str bump)
Fighter 2 (Combat Expertise)
Ranger 4 (animal), Improved Trip

For both recommendations I'd stick with Ranger after level 6. Most prestige classes aren't worth it if you've already invested 3 levels in the Ranger class.

-z