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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Kaldaen" data-source="post: 4299597" data-attributes="member: 69206">I don't think anyone was suggesting that a Ranger could have a bow and an off-hand melee weapon, regardless of his specialty.The point that people have been making is that at the Heroic tier, there's nothing about the Archery-focused Ranger that the Two-Weapon Fighting Ranger can't also have.  However, the TWF Ranger does have a feature that Archery Rangers can't get -- the ability to use a melee weapon in the off hand, even if it does not have the "off-hand" property.  This will allow them to dual-wield longswords, battleaxes, maces, scimitars, etc.  The TWF Ranger can get the Archer's special ability (Defensive Mobility) just by taking a feat.  The Archer can never gain the ability to dual-wield longswords, no matter what powers or feats he takes.  By wielding two longswords instead of one longsword and one short sword, the TWF Ranger can increase his average damage output in melee combat.  On the other hand, the Archery Ranger does not have an exclusive feature that makes him better at his niche.  To better balance the Archery combat style, a feature that benefits ranged combat would be appropriate -- something that Fighters, Rogues and TWF Rangers do not have access to.  There is already a precedent for this among the other martial classes.  Fighters get an extra +1 to attack with either one-handed or two-handed weapons, based on their choice at character creation.  Rogues get a +1 on dagger attacks.  Giving Archery Rangers a +1 on ranged attacks seems like it fits the theme nicely.  When you consider that bows and crossbows get a rather small proficiency bonus to attack, it makes sense to allow archers to have an edge over the other martial classes in ranged combat.</blockquote>

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