How many classes can use ranged weapons effectively?

[Thyrwyn]

The Mulan scene is supported: the prisoners were minions.

 

[Harshax]

And Van Helsing is definitely a ranger. [I wonder if ranger abilities are specifically tied to the bow, if so, I'd likely allow players to swap bow for crossbow to support character concepts for the same reasons I stated above]

 

[D'karr]

Riardon in his Whitney Houston voice sings:

I'm every ranger, it's all in me
Anything you want shot, baby
I'll do it naturally
I'm every ranger, its all in me
I can read your thoughts right now,
My bow is mighty keen.

 

[Bishmon]

Be fair; the 4E thief is 100% ninja, just like Garrett. But for the life of me, I can't see why sniping with a bow -- as opposed to a crossbow -- is something so vital to the character concept. Big deal if he uses a crossbow instead.

Because I like the shortbow, and I don't like the crossbow. Much in the same way that I likes swords, but I don't like flails. There's just some weapons I like more than others.

The reason I play D&D, almost the entire reason, is to play the characters that I like. If I wanted to be forced to choose from a set of pre-chosen archetypes, I could just play video games.

If 4E is taking away some choice from me in playing what I want to play, that's a big deal. And again, I don't think I'm being unreasonable here. I can understand the game not supporting an effective, dancing, liquor-hurling fighter. But a shortbow wielding sneaky thief type? It looks like I'm gonna have to make some house rules to play that character at a solid level of effectiveness. Hopefully that's the exception, and not the tip of the iceberg.

 

[frankthedm]

There is also movie Van Helsing, where Helsing seemed to be pretty darn good with the crossbow.

I kinda liked that movie and what i remember was VH spraying auto-crossbow bolts left and right not hitting much of anything for a good chunk of that scene.

 

[D'karr]

I kinda liked that movie and what i remember was VH spraying auto-crossbow bolts left and right not hitting much of anything for a good chunk of that scene.

All I remember about that movie is Kate Beckinsale, rowr!!

 

[Thyrwyn]

Pretty much what D'karr said. . .

 

[Darth Cyric]

Fighters can Mark enemies with ranged weapon attacks (nowhere under the Combat Challenge heading did it say Marking was limited to melee). No, they won't hit with the consistency or damage potential of the Ranger, but those penalties the Fighter's inflicting on his target for that target attacking others can't exactly be ignored.

Rogues can Sneak Attack with crossbows and slings if they get Combat Advantage. Probably with other ranged weapons, too, with some feats (which have been alluded to).

The Rangers may get all the advanced tricks, but other classes will definitely get use out of them, too.

 

[keterys]

It's probably worth noting that rangers _can_ be ranged specialists, but half of them dual wield or whatever.

Same with clerics - they can be ranged spellcasters, but half of them mix it up in melee (or whatever)

The Warlord might have ranged options - we just don't know. I'd be willing to believe he has them, though - especially given the concept behind Feather Me Yon Oaf.

 

[hong]

Because I like the shortbow, and I don't like the crossbow. Much in the same way that I likes swords, but I don't like flails. There's just some weapons I like more than others.

This is your problem, not D&D's.