Help with a Fighter/Ranger

[RBolyar2]

I've been roleplaying online for the better part of the last decade and have recently found a local group playing D&D 3.5. I've grown quite comfortable with my character idea, and have had a hard time getting him to come alive on a character sheet, especially when it comes to planning on how to develop him later on.

Without boring you with my characters past he starts as a human fighter, with my plan to multi class him to a ranger either next round, or wait until I've had 2 levels of fighter to do it.

His abilities are:
STR: 11
DEX: 16
CON: 12
INT: 18
WIS: 14
CHA: 10

Obviously not ideal for a fighter, but it's based of the idea I have of the character, not optimizing him generally speaking. So these are my questions:

1.) When should I begin taking levels of ranger (and once I begin, I plan on continuing JUST taking levels of ranger)?

2.) Suggestions on skill... ?

3.) I was planning on taking Improved initiative, two weapon fighting, and two weapon defense to begin with, but persuing the archery tree once I've multiclassed to Ranger... What benefits would I gain from this vs. persuing bow skills as a fighter, and then learning two weapon fighting as a ranger.... ?

4.) Any suggestions on what feats I should persue from that point forward?

I do apologize for the newbie questions, but I'm excited to get my character concept up and running! Thanks in advance...

 

[Dandu]

Rearrange your stats thusly:
STR: 14
DEX: 18
CON: 16
INT: 12
WIS: 11
CHA: 10

This allows you to deal more damage, hit more accurately, and take more damage.

You should take levels in ranger first to get more skill points.

See if you can trade Ride for Tumble as per Cityscape rules on trading in class skills.

Two Weapon Defense sucks the big one.

Read The Ranger Handbook for more info.

 

[RBolyar2]

Rearrange your stats thusly:
STR: 14
DEX: 18
CON: 16
INT: 12
WIS: 11
CHA: 10

Again, I like my stats as is, because they match the character I want to create even if it doesn't make the better character.

You should take levels in ranger first to get more skill points.

I'm either doing a level (or two) of fighter first, or just going straight Ranger the whole way.

See if you can trade Ride for Tumble as per Cityscape rules on trading in class skills.

What will tumble help accomplish?

Two Weapon Defense sucks the big one.

How so?

 

[Dandu]

What will tumble help accomplish?

More useful than Ride, since it allows you to get past people without provoking AoOs.

How so?

Spend a feat to get +1 AC when using two weapons. Alternatively, you can spend a feat on Improved Buckler Defense and have a buckler while wielding two weapons. You can then enchant the buckler with AC and abilities.

 

[RBolyar2]

Spend a feat to get +1 AC when using two weapons. Alternatively, you can spend a feat on Improved Buckler Defense and have a buckler while wielding two weapons. You can then enchant the buckler with AC and abilities.

Could I not have both?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Two Weapon Defense is a shield bonus to AC, so while you could have both, they wouldn't stack.

 

[RBolyar2]

Weak sauce. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[RBolyar2]

Anyone have suggestions on what I should do with skills aside from the trading ride for tumble?

 

[Dandu]

Max Hide, Move Silent, Spot, Listen, Tumble. 5 ranks in Balance, 5 ranks in Jump.

 

[RBolyar2]

Max Hide, Move Silent, Spot, Listen, Tumble. 5 ranks in Balance, 5 ranks in Jump.

Hmmm... with these, what are you thoughts at dungeon crawling as well as approaching combat?