Magic-free Ranger-class

[Arravis]

I'm looking for a magic-free version of the ranger class that's tested and balanced. I understand that the Wheel of Time rulebook has one, but unfortunately I can't afford to buy it. Anyone have any other suggestions (or perhaps take pity on me and send me just that class)? I'm running a desert style world, which is more or less magic-free. I'm looking for classes that would fit in such an environment. Unfortunately ALOT of classes have magic, which doesn't fit with what I want at all. Well, any help would be greatly appreciated!

-Arravis
(pab_garcia@hotmail.com)

 

[Davelozzi]

I'm having a similar problem with Wheel of Time. At any rate, I don't have it, but I read the class description in the store, and while I don't have all the details, here's what I can remember. He gets a +2 bonus to Move Silently and Hide when in the forest, he gets Improved Initiative as a bonus feat when wearing light armor, and he gets to take a bonus feats once in a while. Bonus feat list includes ambidexterity, two weapon fighting, most of the archery feats, and some others. There is also a defense bonus progression but I I'm not sure how WoT does defense so I can't help you too much there.

 

[kenjib]

Sovereign Stone also has one, but that won't help you any better than the WoT one will. You do, however, have the advantage of not having to worry about the WoT defense bonus mechanic, which is not compatible with core D&D. It seems to me like it would be hard to find something like this that is tested without paying for it. If you want to try something untested, there are variants in the House Rules forum. I have one there - the Hunter class - but it's not tested and likely not balanced as a result. There is also some feedback and possible changes to take into consideration.

If you dig around in that forum there are others there as well - all of equally dubious quality.

This one's mine just in case you are interested, but I understand that you're looking for something that has been tested (and this hasn't): http://www.enworld.org/messageboards/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4669

 

[mmadsen]

If you want something almost playtested, use a variant Rogue with the Ranger's skill list and armor/weapon proficiencies.

 

[Pazu]

Hi Arravis --

The Rokugan d20 sourcebook offers a non-magical ranger option, which simply suggests giving the ranger a bonus feat every time he or she would gain a new spell level. Seems simple enough to me (plus it's easy to remember from having perused the book twice at the store!

-- Pazu

 

[Sodalis]

fighter with psywar feat progression (1,2,5,8,11,14,17,20) and ranger skill list

 

[Arravis]

Hmm..

No Psi either, should have mentioned that, hehe. Anyway, I do like the ranger idea, that one spell level=feat, might use that. thanks .

 

[oliverhenshaw]

The Primal Codex has a quite good hunter class. It's a $5 pdf that you can buy from wherever sells pdfs (I forget where I got it).

It may work quite well for a desert hunter. level dependent abilities include having a favoured terrain type idea, a favoured weapon, a good way to handle the favoured enemy thing using a knowledge skill, some bonuses to track and a couple more things.

I used it for a woodsman character, replacing the trap bonuses with a (probably slightly too fast) bonus feat progression. It does seem quite adaptable, and a strong mundane ranger class.

PC also has a witch doctor class which I haven't read thru but have heard is nice, and a really pretty looking shaman class with spirit magic.

Poisons/diseases and maybe one or two good monsters out of the several new ones are probably worthwhile as well.

 

[Gargoyle]

I created a 15-level prestige class called the master huntsman specifically for rangers that don't want to rely on spells. It has not been playtested yet. But it has gotten a lot of peer review and the price is right ... it's free:

http://www.chainmailbikini.com/freestuff.html

If nothing else, perhaps it will spark some ideas.

I'm also working on a non-spellcasting ranger variant (hey everyone else has one) that will take what I think are the best ideas from all the ranger-esque classes out there. I don't know when I'll get that done though.

 

[Desdichado]

I don't think the WoT Woodsman is really what you want. The Woodsman picks favored terrain instead of favored enemy, and he gets to make three or four selections over the course of his career. That kind of ability isn't really appropriate for a campaign that has a really strong terrain theme like you describe.