D&D (2024) Ranger playtest discussion

[Haplo781]

I didn't get that read from Jeremy, it read more as "this is a playtest, nothing is set in stone".

Assuming other prepared spellcasting classes will follow the same prepared spells = spell slots, it is amusing that the Ranger will have more spells available to it than its Druid cousin, since Rangers get 2 cantrips, 2 1st level spells and Hunter's Mark.

Druids will get free Healing Word tho

 

[Minigiant]

D

Because muh realism

More muh page space.

 

[DEFCON 1]

I mean, they really need to get rid of spellcasting.

It's not like most of the things the spells can do fit Rangers thematically or are at all interesting. The vast majority of people who actually play Rangers aren't going to miss them, I'd suggest.

You know what they actually need to do? Bring back Wardens. Spellcasting Rangers should become Wardens, the weird Druid-hybrid class. Spell-less Rangers become Katniss Everdeen and her ilk.

Shrug. Hey, people like what they like... but to me a spell-less Ranger that replaces spells with "Ranger features" results in the exact same thing-- a Ranger that does nature stuff. And to me... there is no actual difference between the game telling me that the Ranger PC healing someone via herbalism and herbs versus healing someone via Cure Wounds, or that the Ranger giving his party a bonus to stealth checks via some weird Ranger stealth feature versus casting Pass Without Trace. If the results are mechanically the same, I don't see the need for two different names and mechanical systems to represent it. But I know a lot of folks here on EN World get all bent out of shape about "too much magic" thing... so it is what it is. I just don't think the WotC designers have nearly the same problem with magic that the players here do, so everyone's kinda out of luck.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I didn't get that read from Jeremy, it read more as "this is a playtest, nothing is set in stone".

Assuming other prepared spellcasting classes will follow the same prepared spells = spell slots, it is amusing that the Ranger will have more spells available to it than its Druid cousin, since Rangers get 2 cantrips, 2 1st level spells and Hunter's Mark.

I guess real full casters (not bard) will get something to compensate. Wizard already has arcane recovery.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

I think Hex and Hunters mark should both be class features, and deal d6's equal to half your prof (so 1,2 or 3 d6)

Sounds like something that would fit, if we were to do a weird thing like group classes by role... Strikers?

 

[Neonchameleon]

I don't understand why it is a spell not just a multi attack feature.

Because the designers of original 5e decided to make just about everything that was even vaguely beyond the norm that wasn't hit points into a spell.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

I think it's fine to have a half-caster Druid in the game. Ranger just happens to be what that's called now.

WotC have no idea what else it could even be, so fighty-druidsy-petsy it is.

 

[TheSword]

I really like the changes to the class. Very good. I play a lot of rangers. Hunters mark change is substantial, being able to stack it with buff spells is excellent. I actually think Hunters mark is a very flavorful spell.

Obviously hunter is less powerful, but the. Again the abilities were often circumstantial in that subclass. I’m glad that hunter won’t become the only go to (I hope!

Cantrips are very nice, as is an extra expertise. It’s a straight upgrade for me. Bravo.

 

[Minigiant]

The thing for me is I felt the ranger is a monster hunter and wilderness escort. So it used the best tools available: weapons, skills, and magic. The ranger would sneak up on the orcs, shoot an arrow, and the arrow would blow the hell up after hitting the lead orc.

The 5e and playtest ranger boost the magic without boosting what the point of the magic is. Magic with the weapon and skill buff spells is royally missing the point to me. Sometimes it makes me think I'm the one playing rangers weird. This playtest ranger is a huge departure from the ranger fantasy for me and feels more than throwing crazy ideas at the wall.

 

[Charlaquin]

I hate this ranger. It’s a round-up half caster with all of the non-evocation primal spells, and lost all of its interesting exploration abilities. That’s exactly the opposite of the direction I want to see the ranger move in.