Military prestige classes, feedback please

[FraserRonald]

Hi Bobitron

First off, I didn't really read everything, so this may not be helpful to you. I like the flavour text. I think it would really help those individuals not familiar with the units to understand the purpose and profile of the unit. However, I am wondering about the class features/talents. Perhaps the chart wasn't reproduced? I'm looking at the Ranger and Army Special Forces classes, and it looks like the characters will get all these great abilities at first level. The prerequisites for the classes are low, but if one is running an extremely low powered game (as in the general population are 1st/2nd level and only the truly exceptional rise to 5th), I don't see a problem with this. The abilities of the classes, though--as I believe may have been said--should mirror this.

In any case, great work. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Take care!

 

[Bobitron]

Hi Bobitron

First off, I didn't really read everything, so this may not be helpful to you. I like the flavour text. I think it would really help those individuals not familiar with the units to understand the purpose and profile of the unit. However, I am wondering about the class features/talents. Perhaps the chart wasn't reproduced? I'm looking at the Ranger and Army Special Forces classes, and it looks like the characters will get all these great abilities at first level. The prerequisites for the classes are low, but if one is running an extremely low powered game (as in the general population are 1st/2nd level and only the truly exceptional rise to 5th), I don't see a problem with this. The abilities of the classes, though--as I believe may have been said--should mirror this.

In any case, great work. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Take care!

Thanks for the reply. Like I mentioned, I can only take partial credit for the flavor, it is mostly from the GURPS Special Ops book and specialoperations.com.

I think that the prerquisites are rather low, like you said. The only reason I made the classes so accessable is so that I can get players into these admittedly power prestige classes without needing to wait until 10th level. All players in the campaign will use one of these classes, so I'm not to worried about balance.

Thanks again!

 

[Storyteller01]

I'd recommend Marine Recon, Force Recon, Sniper, and Naval Corpsman PrC's, if only for completeness. The last may not be a Special unit, but they see action as part of most units. Their skills tend to be difficult to cross-train.

 

[oeverloos]

Can someone help me out here please, I thought that Ranger training was something you could do without ending up in a Ranger unit. And that is was meant for small unit leaders, and that you learned survival, creative leadership, endurance, ... during that course.
Is that correct, or did I miss the train?

 

[FraserRonald]

I think that the prerquisites are rather low, like you said. The only reason I made the classes so accessable is so that I can get players into these admittedly power prestige classes without needing to wait until 10th level. All players in the campaign will use one of these classes, so I'm not to worried about balance.

And depending on the flavour your are looking for, you likely don't need to worry about balance. I think lowering the prereqs so that you can get characters of the level you want is a good idea. I've done this myself, getting PCs into spec ops character classes at 6th and 7th level, just because we weren't interested in a higher level campaign.

I think, considering the work you've put into this, your campaign should be a success.

Thanks for posting! Take care and have fun.

 

[FraserRonald]

Can someone help me out here please, I thought that Ranger training was something you could do without ending up in a Ranger unit. And that is was meant for small unit leaders, and that you learned survival, creative leadership, endurance, ... during that course.
Is that correct, or did I miss the train?

As far as I know, that is correct. One can complete the Ranger course without being a Ranger. In fact, Canadian light infantry regularly undergo the training as well, so one doesn't even need to be part of the US military for the training.

So--and someone correct me if I'm wrong--one could have a Ranger tab and not be in the Rangers per se.

Take care all.

 

[Bobitron]

I'd recommend Marine Recon, Force Recon, Sniper, and Naval Corpsman PrC's, if only for completeness. The last may not be a Special unit, but they see action as part of most units. Their skills tend to be difficult to cross-train.

To be entirely honest, I was considering not doing a prestige class for the Rangers or Force Recon, as they really fill a role of light infantry more and more, and not so much a special forces role. Both of these units deploy at the Battalion level moreso than small teams, and I'm looking to portray a small, more independent unit. The other ones you mentioned might work, but I'm just about to finish up the last US one (the CIA SAD operative) and I'm excited get on to some international ones. I'm running out of unique abilities, so I may end up shortening my list to keep the classes fresh and unrepetitive. Maybe once I'm done with these, I'll add some others.

I can't find any solid info about the question of Ranger training, so I have an email out that should provide me an answer soon.

Thanks for your input, everyone! Any comments are much appreciated.

 

[Widowmaker]

Here is a run down on Ranger's and Ranger training. This is going to be the simplfied version. I will try not to get to much in the military jargon.

Almost anyone can attend Ranger school, no females. If you pass ranger school you will recieve your Ranger Tab. You then go back to your original unit. The intention of this program is to have these individuals go back to there units and bring some good training back. Hence raising the level of training and experience in a unit.

A few apply to join the 75th Ranger Regiment (3 battalions). Those that join have to complete Ranger school within a year. Those that do, gain the 75th Ranger tab (battalion specific).

While IMO Rangers are specialized infantry. They are better trained and go through hell. There orgins are from WWII and the British SAS (IMO the best SF in the world). They usually deploy as a large group - but it is kind of hard to do long range recon with a lot of men. Hence they can deploy down to the squad level and often do. And why the training emphasizes squad level tactics.

IMO do not get grid of Force Recon or the Rangers. They are Special Operations Forces.

 

[Bobitron]

Here is a run down on Ranger's and Ranger training. This is going to be the simplfied version. I will try not to get to much in the military jargon.

IMO do not get grid of Force Recon or the Rangers. They are Special Operations Forces.

Thanks, Widowmaker. That helps clarify things.

Well, the Ranger one is done, but I'm not sure what I can do with Force Recon to make them feel 'special' compared to some of the other classes. Maybe once I have finished some of the international units, I will make a prestige class based on C Company, Recon Battalion, which seems to be the unit within Force Recon that is the most elite. They are all jump and dive trained, and are well trained in CQB and counterterrorism.

 

[oeverloos]

Thanks,
I guess i'll make a BnG advanced training feat "Ranger Training", that will give you something like a feat: forced march (or endurance), and give you as permanent class skills: survival, rope use, climb, ...; a permanent promotion bonus +1, and you may wear the Ranger tab. This is based on my experiences in the belgian army, I guess it will be almost the same for Ranger training.