Ranger At-Wills, no choice?

[JesperKT]

Actually no, since you get Eldrich Blast automatically and are given a second that is dependent upon your Pact. You choose the Pact, not the power. If you have something that gives you an additional power, like being human, that's about the only way that you'd get a "choice."

I realize your pact power is locked to your pact, but I didn't know you was forced to take Eldrict Blast. Are you sure about this?

 

[Ryujin]

I realize your pact power is locked to your pact, but I didn't know you was forced to take Eldrict Blast. Are you sure about this?

Positive. All Pacts get Eldritch Blast (choose between CHA and CON for attack), then another power as dictated by their Pact.

 

[JesperKT]

Positive. All Pacts get Eldritch Blast (choose between CHA and CON for attack), then another power as dictated by their Pact.

Ok that sucks, the warlock will not be "saved" by Arcane Power then :-( I can se the average lock has no more choices than the ranger then.

Still, a human lock can take a somewhat useful power as his 3rd At-Will, while an human ranger Archer just looses his third at will.

 

[Iron Sky]

I've played a TWF ranger from 1-13 (1 session from 14). I think I've used something other than Twin-Strike about three times in 13 levels. I've even retrained it a couple times to see if the others would be more useful.

Nope.

In my estimation, Twin-Strike is probably the most powerful at-will in the game. Even at Paragon, for easier fights I find myself not even bothering to use encounters (except the ones that are basically Twin-Strike++ like Armor Splinter).

 

[JesperKT]

I've played a TWF ranger from 1-13 (1 session from 14). I think I've used something other than Twin-Strike about three times in 13 levels...

My archer ranger finds Nimble Strike useful from time to time, but Twin Strike is the damage dealer, no questions asked.

 

[Shroomy]

I've actually gotten (silently) angry at our ranger for not using twin strike; he's not the most familiar with 4e rules, but it usage seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I would have thought a human archer ranger would be grateful to have 'Hit and Run' alongside twin strike and nimble strike.

Why?

Well, what if someone is right up in your grill, and if you just shift 1 and shoot it will continue smacking you next round? In those situations minor action (draw weapon), Hit and Run to smack the creature and then move to move your full movement away without drawing an OA from it looks quite attractive.

I don't see it as a problem, really.

 

[JesperKT]

Well, what if someone is right up in your grill, and if you just shift 1 and shoot it will continue smacking you next round? In those situations minor action (draw weapon), Hit and Run to smack the creature and then move to move your full movement away without drawing an OA from it looks quite attractive.

Hit and Run text: "... leaving the FIRST square adjacent to the target does not provoke an opportunity attack from THAT TARGET".
In effect, Hit and Run converts your first square of movement into a shift, that only prevents opportunity attacks from one target.

It would always be smarter to Nimble Strike one square backward, shot, and then move your full speed away.

Advantages Nimble Strike:
- You move 7 squares total instead of 6.
- The first square of movement prevents opportunity attack from ALL opponents, not only your target.
- You can make a ranged attack instead of a melee attack, which will be much more effective.
- You do not need to switch weapons.

Advantages Hit and Run:
- None

So thats the problem: Hit and Run is worthless for an archer with Nimble Strike.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Also (although I am not sure where Plane Sailing's hypothetical PC is with his weps) unless you have 'quick draw' you have to drop what you have in your hands before you draw

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Maybe fix careful attack to be useful with one weapon in hand.

But if you don´t like a fix, use hit and run... there may be times, when you just have no bow in hand and you just want to hit someone with your sword and get away...

also: if your enemy is a fighter, it may be smarter to smack him with your fist and run, instead of trying to shift...