I've got the 3.5 PHB in front of me

[Felon]

4) Combat styles= I'm just proud I created a ranger with a mechanic just like this a while back (or very embarrased if it turns out to be a bad mechanic

It's not a GREAT mechanic, that's for sure. It looks like the combat paths simply assume that a character doesn't have a certain feat by the time he reaches a certain level. If a character mult-classes into into ranger from another class (especially fighter) that may well not be the case. Providing a pick list would've worked better, and I suspect that will become a common house rule situation.

 

[Wolf72]

It's not a GREAT mechanic, that's for sure. It looks like the combat paths simply assume that a character doesn't have a certain feat by the time he reaches a certain level. If a character mult-classes into into ranger from another class (especially fighter) that may well not be the case. Providing a pick list would've worked better, and I suspect that will become a common house rule situation.

maybe even a set of feat tree's the ranger can follow. Two examples given already are the archery and TWF ...

I can almost see allowing a PC to take the 1st archery at 2nd lvl and then the next time the upgrade comes around take the 1st TWF choice ...

come up with some other feat tree's that are ranger like to give the character some more options.

ps Thanks Roy!!!

 

[Olive]

That was asked on Andy Collins' board today. Everyone gets UMD as a crossclass skill...its not as bad as it sounds. The lowest DC to use anything is 20, and buying half ranks isn't going to get you anywhere fast, which will keep the Bard and Rogue doing just fine in the UMD area.

Except with that Cosmopolitan feat from FRCS... pretty exceptional circumstances tho.

 

[jasamcarl]

Re: Re: Re: Power Attack and Die Hard

As if there wasn't enough reason to make a two-handed Tank Fighter and/or ESPECIALLY Barbarian!! I mean really - give me a break - who thought that 2 handed tanks weren't doing enough damage?!!

Maybe...i've gotten the impression that, as DRs go down, ACs have gone up in 3.5. The cost in terms of 'hits' in giving up on an attack bonus might have become steeper.

 

[BryonD]

It's not a GREAT mechanic, that's for sure. It looks like the combat paths simply assume that a character doesn't have a certain feat by the time he reaches a certain level. If a character mult-classes into into ranger from another class (especially fighter) that may well not be the case. Providing a pick list would've worked better, and I suspect that will become a common house rule situation.

Maybe. But I do not think it is as bad as you say. The bonus feats tend to come much easier than they would if you "earned" them.

So a high level fighter complaining about the weak bonus feat he got from taking a ranger level would be akin to a high level fighter complaining about the weak 1d4+1 mm he got from taking a level of wizard.

 

[coyote6]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Power Attack and Die Hard

Maybe...i've gotten the impression that, as DRs go down, ACs have gone up in 3.5. The cost in terms of 'hits' in giving up on an attack bonus might have become steeper.

Maybe -- but why is two-handed use so favored? The cost increases for everyone, after all. While two-handed use has its costs -- notably, the lack of a shield, and thus lower ACs -- it also has benefits (notably, more damage, both base & through increased Str mod) that I think make up for the loss.

Say, I wonder if that means that wielding a weapon in two hands now gives 2x your Str bonus instead of 1.5x. I hope not.

<checks>
The stat blocks in Dungeon #100 appear to have x1.5 Str bonus, not x2.

In any case, it seems like too big of a bonus.

Oh well, they can tone it down in 3.75 or 4.0 or whatever is next.

 

[jasamcarl]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Power Attack and Die Hard

Maybe -- but why is two-handed use so favored? The cost increases for everyone, after all. While two-handed use has its costs -- notably, the lack of a shield, and thus lower ACs -- it also has benefits (notably, more damage, both base & through increased Str mod) that I think make up for the loss.

Say, I wonder if that means that wielding a weapon in two hands now gives 2x your Str bonus instead of 1.5x. I hope not.

<checks>
The stat blocks in Dungeon #100 appear to have x1.5 Str bonus, not x2.

In any case, it seems like too big of a bonus.

Oh well, they can tone it down in 3.75 or 4.0 or whatever is next.

Again, i'm also under the impression that Attack bonuses for monsters (especially at high levels) have also gone up. AC might also have a greater value.

 

[L0rd_Dark0n]

Does anyone know if 3.5 will be using Wound and Vitality points instead of just Hit Points? Oh, and thanks Roy for all the info!

 

[Gyoza Dog]

I'm more put out (if I'm reading it correctly) by the fact that you now can't power attack with a light weapon. A fighter with a light weapon can't convert their accuracy into increased damage now without also being a rogue. In fact you can't do much with your accuracy because light weapons are hopeless for disarming and other special maneuvers. The heavy weapon guys will be the ones with the tactical options.

 

[Droogie]

Re: ranger- Too bad virtual feats are still in the game, although Roy didn't mention anything about not being able to use the twf style with double weapons. It would be nice to use the quarterstaff like Little John finally.

As for spell scribing costs: its nice that spells take up less room, but I still feel 100 gp per page is still an unrealistic price. Spellbooks are mundane items--essentially a cookbook. What could possibly cost 100 gp per page!?! Even the waterproof ink from Dragon Magazine (#300?) was only 20 gp a vial. House ruled.

And from the sounds of it, those awful armor illustrations in the equipment chapter are still there. Rats.

Ah, well. Still can't wait to buy'em.

Thanks, Roy.