Ranger (Archer) interesting feat choices?

[Nemesis Destiny]

Also, the Battle Caster Defense is better than Defensive Mobility, if one's concern is defending against OAs provoked by ranged attacks specifically.

Good call! I will mention that to him when we get back to that game. I believe we are about to hit level 4, so he will have a feat and a retrain available.

The only nice thing about Defensive Mobility is that it applies to moves as well. Though admittedly, a +2 is kind of small potatoes when all you have is Dex mod and hide.

 

[bargle0]

Good call! I will mention that to him when we get back to that game. I believe we are about to hit level 4, so he will have a feat and a retrain available.

The only nice thing about Defensive Mobility is that it applies to moves as well. Though admittedly, a +2 is kind of small potatoes when all you have is Dex mod and hide.

If you're nigh-unhittable when making ranged attacks, then you don't typically need to provoke by moving. Also, Battle Caster Defense and Defensive Mobility stack. Your friend could be rolling around with a +10 vs. OAs provoked by shooting. At that point, one can safely taunt the DM by provoking from creatures that can have marks or defender auras enforced on them.

On the other hand, these class features and feats do nothing about creatures who have MBAs that target NADs.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Did you read the rest of my post, where I talked about "more interesting feats"? My specific point about the tax feats is that they should be taken first. Actually, if the OP decides to go with an Essentials Hunter, then there's no real need to go after Weapon Focus until much later, if at all.

you don´t have to take all feat tax feats first... the only feat i believe to be necessary may be the bow expertise... and you are perfectly fine taking them later on... so if he is starting at level 1, clever shot is a much better choice than +1 to damage...
i have seen elite brutes doing 0 damage, because the hunter kept them locked to the ground...

 

[bargle0]

you don´t have to take all feat tax feats first... the only feat i believe to be necessary may be the bow expertise... and you are perfectly fine taking them later on... so if he is starting at level 1, clever shot is a much better choice than +1 to damage...
i have seen elite brutes doing 0 damage, because the hunter kept them locked to the ground...

If the ranger is a striker and has Twin Strike, then Clever Strike is a waste of a standard action. Doing things like making the elite brute prone is fun and all, but using it to lockdown is a situational ability at best. Anyway, being prone isn't a big problem if the monster is not also dazed, slowed, or immobilized. If one wants to make creatures prone and slow while still striking, I think one is better off taking Hobbling Strike and World Serpent's Grasp.

Also, the OP should seriously consider taking Superior Will. A ranger will likely have the necessary Wisdom to do so, particularly by level 4. Being Dazed and Stunned really, really sucks.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

If you're nigh-unhittable when making ranged attacks, then you don't typically need to provoke by moving.

This is fine, considering the habits of this player.

Also, Battle Caster Defense and Defensive Mobility stack. Your friend could be rolling around with a +10 vs. OAs provoked by shooting.

I had been wondering if they did. I didn't check as it isn't immediately relevant, but I suspected they did. Good to know!

At that point, one can safely taunt the DM by provoking from creatures that can have marks or defender auras enforced on them.

Heh, yeah it can be fun to safely taunt the DM, unless she happens to be your wife! I wouldn't want her to catch wind that I've been aiding and abetting other players find ways around being challenged in her encounters

On the other hand, these class features and feats do nothing about creatures who have MBAs that target NADs.

Yeah, I recall that from when I first set this combo up for him. Everything has to have a weakness. In any case, if the DM starts complaining that he is hard to hit, I can always point that out to her. Being a double-agent is fun!

 

[bargle0]

Yeah, I recall that from when I first set this combo up for him. Everything has to have a weakness. In any case, if the DM starts complaining that he is hard to hit, I can always point that out to her. Being a double-agent is fun!

That should be a nasty surprise. I always like to run with people who can consistently make monster knowledge checks, to increase the likelihood of finding out something has an MBA that targets a NAD before I find out the hard way.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

If the ranger is a striker and has Twin Strike, then Clever Strike is a waste of a standard action. Doing things like making the elite brute prone is fun and all, but using it to lockdown is a situational ability at best. Anyway, being prone isn't a big problem if the monster is not also dazed, slowed, or immobilized. If one wants to make creatures prone and slow while still striking, I think one is better off taking Hobbling Strike and World Serpent's Grasp.

Also, the OP should seriously consider taking Superior Will. A ranger will likely have the necessary Wisdom to do so, particularly by level 4. Being Dazed and Stunned really, really sucks.

The two feat combo is not so bad, but clever shot is great too... sometimes damage is not everything... and your combo needs two hits...

Weapon fokus is good for a twin striking ranger is good, yes... but neceessary, no!!