NWN: new to D&D..what about Rangers

[Twist]

Hey Icebear, (Gollum from GG forums)
As you can see I'm spreading my "Ranger" questions evenly over the WWW..lol

I see you're in Toronto..........I'm a hour up the 400 in Barrie.
Maybe I can jump in one of your NWN sessions....????

 

[Aaron L]

OK, I am under an NDA, so I'm going to guess that in a computer game the computer is good about maintaining darkness where as a human DM might fudge it a bit. I'm also going to guess that a bonus to spot might be nice to avoid traps in the middle of hallways.

But I'm just guessing.

Be an elf.

[ok, ok, I'm prejudiced against half-elves.]

 

[IceBear]

Hey Icebear, (Gollum from GG forums)
As you can see I'm spreading my "Ranger" questions evenly over the WWW..lol

I see you're in Toronto..........I'm a hour up the 400 in Barrie.
Maybe I can jump in one of your NWN sessions....????

Yeah, I figured it was you as you were the thread starter

This is probably the best place in the world to have your 3E questions answered - I hang out here and GG while I pretend to work.

Sure, if I get enough time to run a game I'll let you (and Monk who's from Toronto too) know. Trying to broaden my network

IceBear

 

[Plane Sailing]

Still, it would have been nice if they had split up his abilities somewhat so that there is a reason to take more than one level.

IceBear

I would argue not so much for splitting abilites over more than one level, but giving them a decent extra ability at 2nd level, to encourage that extra level to be taken.

Lots of classes have great abilities if you take one level of them... but most of them have a really good reason for taking a 2nd level too - the ranger has none.

Cheers

 

[Christian]

That last is my biggest beef with the ranger as a class. I don't think it's at all underpowered, and the lack of customizability is a minor issue (and one easily remedied on a 'rule zero' basis). But there's nothing interesting at second or third level for the class. So-if you were thinking about a ranger/fighter for a woodsman/combat specialist, or a ranger/rogue for a woodsman/sneaking specialist, or a ranger/druid to make a warlike druid-well, the only reasonable choice (mechanically speaking) is to take one level of ranger and then leave it behind forever ...
(edited to add a missing word)

 

[Wolfen Priest]

My fix to the ranger class is very simple, but works effectively, IMO.

I simply give the class the option of weapon specialization (bow only) at fifth level. Note that a single-classed ranger won't be able to spend a feat on it until level-six.

Now, what to do for the bard... I'm cautiously considering giving it 6 skill points per level...

 

[Ruvion]

Whenever the ranger is mentioned, there are intense discussions regarding the validity of the class past the 1st level...

I'm also one of those that thinks there is nothing interesting on 2nd and 3rd level (and dual wielding does not fit my concept of ranger) and so IMC we take away TWF and Ambi and give 'em ranger flavoured feats spread over 8 levels. It has worked well so far...