Ranger Feats

[The Souljourner]

So, I'm building a ranger for an upcoming campaign (rangers rock!), and I'm having trouble picking feats.... even with the combat style, I'm still horribly short on feats.

Here's what I'm thinking - I want to be decent at archery, but not so focused on it that I exclude melee, thus I'm going to take the archery combat style. I love their choices for the archery style. I feel almost no need to get any other archery feat besides the free ones a ranger gets.

So... what I want is a lightly encumber, quick-moving skirmisher type guy.

That just screams the spring attack chain, and maybe shot on the run.

Related question - can you use many shot with shot on the run? It's a little unclear to me, though it seems like there's no reason why it shouldn't be allowed.

So.... here's my list of maybe feats... please give me suggestions about what I should take. The problem is, this is way too many feats. As a human ranger, I'll get 8 feats, this list is 10 long. *sigh* We'll probably end up going to epic levels eventually, gut we're starting at 3rd.

TWF
ITWF
Dodge
Mobility
Spring Attack
PBS
Shot on the Run
Precise Shot
Quickdraw (I want to be able to use throwing axes)
Weapon Finesse

So... any suggestions? I'm not sure about the two weapon fighting feats, it's a lot of feats for what you can basically duplicate with a two handed weapon. Unfortunately, I really don't see my lightly armed and armored ranger carrying around a greatsword... but what other options do I have?

-The Souljourner

 

[DarkMan]

You can use manyshot with shot on the run. manyshot is a standard action, so you still have a move action available.

i'd say that, unless you specialize in thrown weapons, to ditch shot on the run. if your using bows, you should be far enough away from the combat that moving before and after your attacks isn't that essential.

i'd also ditch weapon finesse, since it seems like you'll want to be fairly equal in strength and dexterity.

just some thoughts

 

[Andion Isurand]

Shot on the Run allows you to step out from behind cover, take a shot, and go back behind cover... or another source of cover else where. Archers can still use it pretty well.

 

[Crothian]

I don't think shot on the run works with many shot. At least in 3.0 Andy Collins specifically said they didn't.

 

[Hypersmurf]

You can use manyshot with shot on the run. manyshot is a standard action, so you still have a move action available.

Manyshot is a standard action. So is casting Lightning Bolt. So is a bull rush, or drinking a potion, or turning undead.

What none of the above actions are is "the attack action with a ranged weapon".

Andy Collins has repeatedly clarified that Manyshot cannot be used with Shot on the Run.

If Manyshot opened with "When taking the attack action, you may fire two arrows...", you would be correct.

It's the same reason that you can't use Expertise while Charging.

-Hyp.

 

[The Souljourner]

Well that's sucky. I was hoping that would work... Ahh well. May still take shot on the run... just wish I didn't have to take PBS to get it... I need every last feat, and +1 to hit and damage, while cool, is not really what I'm looking for in a feat.

-The Souljourner

 

[Kai Lord]

Don't waste a slot on Precise Shot, since you'll get Improved Precise Shot later on for free.

 

[The Souljourner]

The problem with improved precise shot is that it doesn't remove the -4 to hit you get when firing into melee (even though you have no chance of hitting your friends, since you never hit the cover... stupid, but true).

However, since I don't plan on shooting into melee very often, I do think I'll drop it. I plan to be melee when the situation calls for it, and just reserve my shooting for when guys are actually far away.

-The Souljourner

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Don't bother with TWF. You might want Weapon Finesse, depending on your stats. You may also find a buckler useful. If it's masterwork or magical, it won't interfere with your bow shooting. (You still can't use it and the bow during the same round.)

 

[Kai Lord]

The problem with improved precise shot is that it doesn't remove the -4 to hit you get when firing into melee (even though you have no chance of hitting your friends, since you never hit the cover... stupid, but true).

Interesting. I hadn't noticed that.