Ranger class question

[Taliseer]

Ok, let me preface, I'm new to 4th edition however not new to D&D but I had a question that one of my players, also new to 4th edition, had. She has always played a ranger through 3.5, wants to be an archer ranger and have a wolf companion; however the new 4th edition doesn’t seem to have any rules around this aside from being a beast master. Am I missing something or is there something else I should be looking at for her?

Thanks for the help!

-Taliseer

 

[Bold or Stupid]

Doable as a Beast Master Ranger just pick Ranged weapon powers and a few my beast attacks on its own type powers. Even without attacking the wolf can act as an excellent screen for the archer to hide behind or can move into to combat to provide flanking and allow freer targetting of the Rangers mark.

 

[mneme]

Er. What's wrong with being a beast master? That's how having a companion animal works!

Beast mastery doesn't limit your weapon choices much -- Beast masters who mostly attack using their beasts are underpowerd in 4e.

Instead, you've got melee beastmasters and ranged beast masters. Sounds like your player wants to be a ranged beastmaster. Works fine; have her look at Beast Protector and the Sharpshooter paragon path if you hit 11th.

 

[YourSwordIsMine]

Ok, let me preface, I'm new to 4th edition however not new to D&D but I had a question that one of my players, also new to 4th edition, had. She has always played a ranger through 3.5, wants to be an archer ranger and have a wolf companion; however the new 4th edition doesn’t seem to have any rules around this aside from being a beast master. Am I missing something or is there something else I should be looking at for her?

Thanks for the help!

-Taliseer

My newest character I start playing tonight is a ranged beast master Ranger. He has an owl (raptor) companion and all of his powers are ranged for his bow. All his owl does is help him choose targets for his Hunters Quarry. The main reason for this is I dont want to give up my standard action to have my pet attack. I think this style of Ranger is pretty beefy in its own right. I cant wait to play him tonight. It should be fun.

 

[Klaus]

Ok, let me preface, I'm new to 4th edition however not new to D&D but I had a question that one of my players, also new to 4th edition, had. She has always played a ranger through 3.5, wants to be an archer ranger and have a wolf companion; however the new 4th edition doesn’t seem to have any rules around this aside from being a beast master. Am I missing something or is there something else I should be looking at for her?

Thanks for the help!

-Taliseer

====== Created Using Wizards of the Coast D&D Character Builder ======
level 1
Human, Ranger
Build: Beastmaster Ranger
Fighting Style: Beast Mastery
Beast Companion Type: Wolf

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 10, Dex 19, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 10, Dex 17, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 8.


AC: 17 Fort: 14 Reflex: 16 Will: 13
HP: 22 Surges: 6 Surge Value: 5

TRAINED SKILLS
Perception +7, Nature +7, Stealth +8, Endurance +4, Acrobatics +8, Athletics +6

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Arcana, Bluff -1, Diplomacy -1, Dungeoneering +2, Heal +2, History, Insight +2, Intimidate -1, Religion, Streetwise -1, Thievery +3

FEATS
Human: Distant Advantage <--- your companion + 1 ally flaking = combat adv.
Level 1: Lethal Hunter

POWERS
Bonus At-Will Power: Twin Strike
Ranger at-will 1: Warning Shot <--- choose 1 square adj. to target, if ally (like companion) enters that square, you make an immediate attack against target.
Ranger at-will 1: Predator Strike <--- companion attacks
Ranger encounter 1: Skirmish Shot <--- move speed and shoot
Ranger daily 1: Guardian Arrow <--- choose ally (like companion), if target attacks that ally, you make immediate attack.

ITEMS
Hide Armor, Longbow, Short sword (2)
RITUALS
Raise Beast Companion
====== Copy to Clipboard and Press the Import Button on the Summary Tab ======

There ya go.

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Like others have said a ranged beastmaster is playable. You trade Prime Shot and Defensive Mobility for the beast companion. Not a bad trade-off for the benefits you can gain from your companion.

 

[Mengu]

Beastmaster is a perfectly viable option for an archer ranger. You never have to pick a single beast power (you shouldn't as a matter of fact). Use the companion to quarry what you need, and for distant advantage. Raptor works great.

 

[Mengu]

Ranger at-will 1: Warning Shot <--- choose 1 square adj. to target, if ally (like companion) enters that square, you make an immediate attack against target.

I don't think this works like you think it works. The attack is against the creature that entered the square, i.e. ally/companion in your case. Not something you want to do.

The typical elf archer ranger build will work fine, with maybe a few tweaks if you want to contribute a little extra to the party hit point pool, or pick a few utilities for your companion.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Yeah, its a totally playable option. Personally I think its arguable the strongest ranger build of all overall. At worst you lose a couple of options that are handy but not vital in return for a nice shield. Remember BCs can OA too, that's one of their nicer capabilities, most archers don't get a lot of chances to do that anyway.

Besides its fun

 

[Taliseer]

Thanks everyone, this clears things up and I think she will like this path better anyway.