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<blockquote data-quote="ECMO3" data-source="post: 9485628" data-attributes="member: 7030563">The way I generally play a Ranger Favored Foe is more useful than Hunter's Mark.&nbsp;&nbsp; Part of this though is both the action economy and resource cost.Comparing the two and their application RAW:1. Hunter's Mark is not typically a spell I would get on a Ranger.&nbsp; I would pick a better spell.&nbsp; Favored Foe is something I would typically get on a 2014 post-Tasha Ranger.&nbsp; Even though it is weak it is generally better than 2014 Favored Enemy, which is what I was giving up to get it.&nbsp; If I had to give up a 1st level spell I would not get FF either.&nbsp; If comparing to the 2024 rules these are the same as HM is always prepared so you are not giving up a spell preparation.2. Hunter's Mark uses a spell slot to cast (2014).&nbsp; FF used a free use.&nbsp; If comparing to the 2024 HM rules these are the same.3. Action Economy:&nbsp; This heavily favors FF (excuse the pun).&nbsp; No bonus action to cast.4. Damage:&nbsp; I will call this a wash as it is situational and specific to both the PC and the enemies.&nbsp; FF allows for spamming multiple enemies, has higher peak damage at high level.&nbsp; HM has better sustained damage over time, especially at low level but uses up bonus actions which can lower overall damage.I am playing a 2024 Fey Wanderer 3/Monk 1 right now and it is rare that Hunter's Mark is a good damage boost.&nbsp; Even if I am attacking, I am going to go with Hand Axe/Nick-dagger and then an unarmed strike.&nbsp; Using HM instead of the unarmed strike is going to be the same damage on the round you use it even if both attacks go to the same enemy and if you hit them most enemies are not going to be around the next round to use it again, meaning you lose it again to move it.&nbsp; So I am finding it difficult to really use HM effectively and even when I am concentrating on it, it often is not even on an enemy. Mostly I am using HM when I start the fight with ranged attacks and when I am in melee I usually don't even use it even if I am still concentrating on it.&nbsp; The old Favored Foe would be a lot easier/better.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="ECMO3, post: 9485628, member: 7030563"] The way I generally play a Ranger Favored Foe is more useful than Hunter's Mark. Part of this though is both the action economy and resource cost. Comparing the two and their application RAW: 1. Hunter's Mark is not typically a spell I would get on a Ranger. I would pick a better spell. Favored Foe is something I would typically get on a 2014 post-Tasha Ranger. Even though it is weak it is generally better than 2014 Favored Enemy, which is what I was giving up to get it. If I had to give up a 1st level spell I would not get FF either. If comparing to the 2024 rules these are the same as HM is always prepared so you are not giving up a spell preparation. 2. Hunter's Mark uses a spell slot to cast (2014). FF used a free use. If comparing to the 2024 HM rules these are the same. 3. Action Economy: This heavily favors FF (excuse the pun). No bonus action to cast. 4. Damage: I will call this a wash as it is situational and specific to both the PC and the enemies. FF allows for spamming multiple enemies, has higher peak damage at high level. HM has better sustained damage over time, especially at low level but uses up bonus actions which can lower overall damage. I am playing a 2024 Fey Wanderer 3/Monk 1 right now and it is rare that Hunter's Mark is a good damage boost. Even if I am attacking, I am going to go with Hand Axe/Nick-dagger and then an unarmed strike. Using HM instead of the unarmed strike is going to be the same damage on the round you use it even if both attacks go to the same enemy and if you hit them most enemies are not going to be around the next round to use it again, meaning you lose it again to move it. So I am finding it difficult to really use HM effectively and even when I am concentrating on it, it often is not even on an enemy. Mostly I am using HM when I start the fight with ranged attacks and when I am in melee I usually don't even use it even if I am still concentrating on it. The old Favored Foe would be a lot easier/better. [/QUOTE]

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