Need feedback on modified Ranger & Monk

[Dr. Zoom]

I had nothing better to do tonight, so I made an Expert/Fighter with an eye to be a ranger type with no spells. This is what I came up with. What do you think?


Martin, Kron Hills Scout, male human Ftr6/Exp4: CR 9; ECL 10; Medium-size Humanoid (human); HD 4d6+6d10+20; hp 82; Init +8; Spd 30 ft; AC 22 (+4 Dex, +6 Bracers, +2 Ring); Melee +2 Greatsword, Icy Burst +15/+10 (2d6+8+1d6 cold/crit 19-20, +1d10 cold); Ranged +2 Mighty Composite Longbow [+4] +16/+11, +14/+14/+9 with Rapid Shot (1d8+8/crit 19-20, x3); AL NG; SV Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +10; Str 18, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 12.

Skills and Feats: Animal Empathy +6, Balance +11, Climb +10, Handle Animal +7, Heal +8, Hide +21, Intuit Direction +6, Jump +10, Knowledge (nature) +4, Listen +10, Move Silently +21, Ride +10, Spot +8, Tumble +8, Wilderness Lore +11; Foe Hunter (giants), Improved Critical (composite longbow), Improved Initiative, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Track, Weapon Focus (composite longbow), Weapon Specialization (composite longbow).

Equipment: +2 Greatsword, Icy Burst, +2 Mighty Composite Longbow [+4], Bracers of Armor +6, Ring of Protection +2, Cloak of Elvenkind, Boots of Elvenkind, Goggles of the Night, Ring of Evasion, Gloves of Dexterity +2, Belt of Giant Strength +4.

 

[UofMDude]

It certainly would be possible to make a "ranger" or "scout" type character by multiclassing fighter with rogue or expert. But I am a supporter of lots of classes and neither possibility really fit what I wanted to do.

I did want a ranger to have fighter BAB. They can spend alot of time training for combat (or hunting) if they want - they just don't spend as much time on heavy armor or learning special styles.

At this point my ranger isn't TOO much different from fighter. But I do like the multiclass restriction (penalty for class levels) and I do see ranger as a single "career choice" therefore I would like to keep it a single class.

The best view of my ranger would be the guy named Chase in Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. A wilderness guide who is an excellent tracker and carries more weapons than Mad Max (in thunderdome) - and knows how to use them.

UofMDude

ps. Dr Zoom if that's the kind of equipment you get by level 10 I'd like to be in your campaign

 

[Skywalker]

I liked the ranger concept. I have modified Monte's ranger concept too as I considered it good but over powered.

Rather than just taking out the spells I made it an option to drop spell casting ability to get 2 extra Skill Points.

Everyone in our game agrees that the modified revised ranger is balanced. Modifications from Monte's as follows:

1. 4 Skill points per level. Player can elect to give up Spell Casting Ability for an extra 2 Skill points per level.
2. Loose the Shield Proficiency.

3. Reduce Bonus Feats from one every 3 levels (1/4/7/10/13/16/19) to one every 4 levels (i.e. 1/4/8/12/16/20).

4. Add Sense Motive to Class Skill list

5. Favoured Enemy changed so that at first and every 2 levels after (1st, 3rd, 5th etc) that the Ranger gets a point of Favored Enemy. Points of Favored Enemy may be spent on creature types from Table 3-14 to gain or upgrade bonuses against those creatures. A maximum of five points can be placed in any one creature type.

5. Altered Feat list - delete Exotic Weapon Proficiency, Whirlwind Attack, Spirited Charge and Weapon Finesse and add Alertness, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Run, Skill Emphasis: Wilderness Lore, Toughness.

Some comparisons -

Fighter - Ranger gets less hit points, less armour capability and 4 less bonus feats which are less combat oriented. The Ranger has more skills, better reflex save and favoured enemy (and a wider feat range + track free). Fighters have advantage in 3 main combat areas and remain combat kings

Rogue - Ranger has more hit points, better fortitude, better combat abilities (higher attack bonus, more combat feat access and better weapon/armour access) and track. The Ranger has less skill points, missing some fundamental skills (Pick Locks, Disarm Traps, Use Magic Device) and no sneaky rogue abilities (sneak attack, evasion, uncanny dodge and super rogue abilities). Again the Ranger is a better fighter than a Rogue but Ranger lack the most defining of Rogue abilities.

Druid - Ranger is more combat oriented (better to hit, better weapon/armour access and feats), better reflexes, has more skill points (unless they keep their inferior spell ability) and a better range of skills. However a Druid has better Will Saves, their funky Druid outdoor abilities and their magic.