Help with a friends build.

[xigbar]

So, im dming for a few friends of mine, and one of them is play a LG Ranger. He said he wants the twf combat style, but he wants to have some sort of traumatic experience that shatters his world view, and he becomes a blackguard. Im willing to provide the situation, but his build could easily fall behind the other 2, a cleric and an artificer. How can i help make him more efective, and still a ranger blackguard? He has cleave and tje darkstalker feat at the moment. Also, ideas for his life changing experience?

 

[Empirate]

If he's into the "defend nature" thing, his trauma could stem from seeing huge destruction of wildlife that he's powerless to stop. This might lead to a "ends justify the means" mindset: defend nature by destroying its despoilers. As a Blackguard, he'd try and stop exploitation of natural resources, pollution etc., by going and outright killing the offenders - even if it's just Luke the Logger, his wife and his children.

Mechanics: Rangers come in many variants - have you considered Wildshape Ranger and Mystic Ranger (some Dragon issue)? Both provide a nice upgrade over just regular Ranger, and some interesting abilities. A Wildshape Ranger qualifies for Master of Many Forms at 6th, and a few levels of that can really bring it home where melee power and general flexibility are concerned. MoMF requires Alertness - consider giving the LG Ranger a Celestial Bloodline to provide the feat for free, as well as some other goodies. This just adds to the drama of falling to become a Blackguard later.

Mystic Ranger, OTOH, can qualify for any number of arcane PrCs, including the very good Abjurant Champion, and is generally considered quite powerful.

Another thing you want to keep in mind is that Clerics and Artificers are very good at buffing. With those two guys to back him up, even a simple boring single-class standard Ranger can mix it up - so make sure those two don't play the egoist game.


EDIT: Also, w00t for seven-seven-seven posts, and level seven!

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

What about Blackguard specifically appeals to him? It has no relation to Ranger at all, is an absolutely godawful PrC normally, and especially so when it has no advancement for your ranger abilities and requires feats like Power Attack and Sunder that are basically worthless to TWF.

See if he's willing to just be an evil ranger. Just cause you're really evil doesn't mean you go Blackguard. If ranger isn't enough, look into some sort of acquired (one you don't have to be born with) template that his character could have gained mid career to signify his darker, edgier persona.

As for build advice, I advise Scout/Ranger/Lion Totem Barb 1 with Swift Hunter, of course. TWF needs a bonus damage source, which skirmish provides, and the ability to full attack, which pounce provides.

 

[xigbar]

Well, my friends are a bit weird. He has favored enemy human, except he doesn't realize he's most adept at killing people. I was thinking of making something with a the Swift Hunter Build, and taking him to Assasin instead. I'm thinking of telling him to take the archery feats instead, and focus on a 2 handed weapon for melee instead. Maybe a 2 level swrodsage dip for assasin's stance as well?

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

IF he wants a PrC that fits the fallen-Hero-turned-twisted theme, might I suggest adjusting Blighter from Complete Divine to fit a Ranger?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

He could also be a Kensai.

Prereqs:
Alignment: Any lawful.
Base Attack Bonus: +5.
Skills: Concentration 5 ranks, Diplomacy 5 ranks, Ride 5 ranks.
Feats: Combat Expertise, Weapon Focus (any weapon).

Key Benefits:
Signature Weapon: enhance your chosen weapons with magical power
Power Surge: potentially reusable untyped Str bonus of +8 based on DC 15 Concentration check, duration is one half your class level in rounds

The tricky one for him is Diplomacy.

Signature weapon can be used with natural weapons, too, so it could work with a Wildshape Ranger...cheaply, too.

A fierce, fearsome eco-warrior...

 

[xigbar]

Well, the thing is, he's playing with a Paladin mentality, but was justifiably scared off by the "lose everything if you stray from your alignment," thing. I was thinking of recommending assasin instead. Off the top of my head, I thought Ranger 6/Swordsage2/ Assasin 8/ Bloodclaw Master (might have it confused with something else) could be nice, since he really shouldn't do TWFing with Power Attack.

 

[kitcik]

Choose a PrC with abilities that are good / fun to use / whatever your personal criteria are, and adjust the fluff to fit.

Choosing a PrC by fluff will likely lead to disappointment unless the campaign is pure RP.