Ranger powers with "heavy thrown" weapon

[Mad Hamish]

yes that is a good point. Is it your thinking then that say range 10/20 with a javelin using STR doing 1d6 damage doesn't balance against range 20/40 with a long bow using DEX doing 1d10 damage?

In the above case the longbow does more damage at a greater range and is slightly easier to use as you can draw arrows as a free action where you would need to be wielding two javelins to have the two seperate attacks (as stated in the PHB).

the javelin does an average of 3.5/die on the attack, the longbow 5.5/die.
So with twin strike the javelin does 2 less damage on average (until level 21). not a big difference.

 

[deleteme123456]

the javelin does an average of 3.5/die on the attack, the longbow 5.5/die.
So with twin strike the javelin does 2 less damage on average (until level 21). not a big difference.

Until you consider that unless the ranger is using the javelin as his primary melee weapon, it's probably way behind on the enchantment curve. My Level 5 ranger just got his +2 double sword, and was able to just barely eek out enough cash around level 4 to pick up a +1 magic javelin for those times when I really do wish I had one. I have a 14 dex and that's not going up except at 11/21 (maybe at 18, I haven't decided whether to go for axes or swords in epic yet). I'm wearing chain but plan to pick up scale by paragon because I want my speed back.

So I've had to sacrifice 2 feats on armor proficiency, just to stay even with the archer ranger (if I continue using double weapons, technically I'm only out 1 because of the defensive property, but I don't want to keep that long-term, I'd lose a lot of power).

I'm not sure it'd be horrible if I was allowed to use twin strike to make ranged attacks... I'd only do it in extreme measures; I'm much better at melee than I ever will be at range, even with using str instead of dex.

And as pointed out, it's really not that hard for archer rangers to be good in melee too, because their AC is as-good, if not better, they can take defensive mobility and/or a beast companion, and if they really miss the HP we get from toughness, they can take that too.

A drow ranger could wield a hand crossbow as a 1d8 high crit weapon and use it from melee without provoking OAs, with the right feats.

 

[Smeelbo]

Axam the Dwarf Ranger does axes: a Paired Waraxe for melee, and Distance Handaxe for heavy thrown. Twin Strike really helps make up the difference for starting 16 STR/DEX.

When I created the character, I expected to be "flexible," switching between melee and ranged as needed. What I've found in practice is that I almost always melee, and use ranged primarily to debuff, e.g., Disruptive Strike and Splintering Strike, or for the odd attacks here and there.

Meleeing is simply more potent than thrown heavy weapons, in my experience, if just for the Waraxe D12 versus Handaxe d6 if nothing else. Combat advantage is harder to obtain at ranged, and the range isn't very great in any case.

I love the character, am having a great time playing him, and I hope to see paragon tier play at some point: Avalanche Hurler looks fun.

But I think the game rewards specialization over generalization.

Smeelbo