D&D (2024) Ranger 2024 is a bigger joke than Ranger 2014:

[Minigiant]

this would only fly if HM added +1d6 damage per spell level upcast.

then you can add +5d6 per attack as 5th level spell. and +5d12 with your version of capstone.
also your "free" casting of HM are 2nd level at 11th ranger level and 3rd level at 17th ranger level.

then at 13th level you get +2d6 extra damage from "free" HM and that maybe enough to not wonder why are you not concentrating on some 4th or 3d level ranger spell at the time.

and as this "free" HM scales with Ranger levels, there is no danger of MC cheese dips.

HM cannot add extra damage per slot level.
Hunters Mark can be snagged by other classes via feats as it's a 1st level spell.

I already explained this.

 

[Horwath]

HM cannot add extra damage per slot level.
Hunters Mark can be snagged by other classes via feats as it's a 1st level spell.

I already explained this.

then make it ranger only class feature that buffs HM.

 

[Minigiant]

then make it ranger only class feature that buffs HM.

Again

Hunter's Mark has to be a spell
Hunter's Mark has to be a 1st level spell.
Hunter's Mark has to be available to every class and subclass and monster who has it in 2014.

2024 has to be backwards compatible to 2014.

 

[Horwath]

Again

Hunter's Mark has to be a spell
Hunter's Mark has to be a 1st level spell.
Hunter's Mark has to be available to every class and subclass and monster who has it in 2014.

2024 has to be backwards compatible to 2014.

and it will be.

But new ranger class features:
5th level:
when you cast HM as 2nd level spell, damage bonus is +2d6
9th level:
when you cast HM as 3rd level spell, damage bonus is +3d6
13th level:
when you cast HM as 4th level spell, damage bonus is +4d6
17th level:
when you cast HM as 5th level spell, damage bonus is +5d6

there;
everyone else that manages to get HM from whatever features will use it as normal.
High(er) level rangers have increased benefits from upcasting it.

 

[Minigiant]

and it will be.

But new ranger class features:
5th level:
when you cast HM as 2nd level spell, damage bonus is +2d6
9th level:
when you cast HM as 3rd level spell, damage bonus is +3d6
13th level:
when you cast HM as 4th level spell, damage bonus is +4d6
17th level:
when you cast HM as 5th level spell, damage bonus is +5d6

there;
everyone else that manages to get HM from whatever features will use it as normal.
High(er) level rangers have increased benefits from upcasting it.

So let me get this straight

You complained about three class features that pertain to hunters mark.

And your suggestion instead is to replace that with four class features that pertain to Hunters mark.

So this is all about damage then.

 

[Horwath]

So let me get this straight

You complained about three class features that pertain to hunters mark.

And your suggestion instead is to replace that with four class features that pertain to Hunters mark.

So this is all about damage then.

well, if we are replacing Ranger class with Hunter's Mark class, then let's make Hunter's Mark class completely dependent on HM, so no other spell is even remotely close to be useful as HM to the class.

 

[AnotherGuy]

Might as well give them Sneak Attack and call it Smite

 

[Horwath]

Might as well give them Sneak Attack and call it Smite

guess it will be like in 2014 before Gloomstalker, fighter/rogue multiclass and call yourself "ranger".

 

[Minigiant]

well, if we are replacing Ranger class with Hunter's Mark class, then let's make Hunter's Mark class completely dependent on HM, so no other spell is even remotely close to be useful as HM to the class.

But it's not Hunter's Mark the class.

Hunter's Mark is just Iconic to Ranger. But Hunter's Mark sucks past level 11.

So for Rangers get to buff Hunter's Mark.

The 2024 Ranger should be running

1. Magic Weapon + Elemental Weapon/Flame Arrow
2. Lightning Arrow
3. Magic Weapon + Swift Quiver
4. Upcasted Magic Weapon
5. Guardian of Nature
6. Steel Wind Strike
7. Conjure Barrage/Volley
8. Conjure Animals
9. Conjure WB
10. Summon Fey
11. Ashardalon Stride

Relentless Hunter and Precise Hunter just adds Hunter's Mark to the list.

The issue is this list of tricks is too narrow

 

[UngeheuerLich]

guess it will be like in 2014 before Gloomstalker, fighter/rogue multiclass and call yourself "ranger".

Once again clear. It is not about the abilities at higher level, but damage.

So it is not about flavor or anything. It is just that you don't think a ranger got buffed enough.

And I do agre with @Minigiant , the ranger did not need numerical buffs.
The ranger has always been fine up to 10th level or so. Except for the very restricted class list. Mostly useless ribbon features. And of course bonus action collisions.

Those problems are mostly gone.
If you are fighting enemies where you have to constantly reapply hunter's mark, because the died, you did not need hunter's mark in the first place.

Did I wish there were a few more changes (fighter and ranger swapping dex and con saving throw proficiencies, a better capstone feature), of course. But overall the 2024 ranger seems very solid.