Ranger variant Ninjas

[jonexmachina]

The base 3.5 ranger class seems to be very close to what I would want in a ninja. (at least a basic one, a good point to branch off to prestige classes)

Ditching a few class abilities shouldn't underpower them too much, (wild empathy, woodland stride, and animal companion) the bonus feats at 2, 6 and 11 can be changed pretty easily to more thematic combat feats, and only a few class skills need swapping.

However, the spells that rangers get are completely unsuitible. I'm inclined to simply give them the assasin spell list, but I'm afraid that this would unbalance the class.

In my experience, ranger spells really suck, while Assasin ones can be gamebreakers. Plus, rangers aren't really in danger of being underpowered, especially with Favored Power Attack being available.

 

[Thanee]

Won't there be a Ninja class in Complete Adventurer?

Bye
Thanee

 

[Trainz]

Won't there be a Ninja class in Complete Adventurer?

Bye
Thanee

Absolutely, but I understand where he's coming from.

I, too, would like the Ranger to, while remaining somewhat close to stereotype, become an interesting class that someone would like to play.

When playing a Paladin:"I can't wait to add my Charisma on my saves... I can't wait to add my level on my damage 3 times par day..."

When playing a Sorceror:"I can't wait to get fireball... I can't wait to be 11th level and cause 18d6 with my empowered scorching ray..."

When playing a Barbarian:"I can't wait to get that DR... I can't wait to get greater rage and smack my foes down..."

...

When playing a Ranger:"I can't wait... to die so I can roll something else."

The Ranger is devoid of cool class features. It doesn't shine at all, there's nothing making it worthwile to play. With the advent of 3.5, WotC had an awesome opportunity to remedy that and... missed.

Oh well.

We gave up on the ranger IMC, it's just some kind of NPC that is a very good guide, that the players sometimes have to deal with.

Or, it's a great foe when the DM's gives it Human as choosen enemy, but that's about it. A DM tool, forever to be shuned by players.

 

[Ranger REG]

It would be helpful to know what cool feature(s) you want a ranger to have?

 

[Trainz]

It would be helpful to know what cool feature(s) you want a ranger to have?

Like I said, we gave up on the ranger, but I'll humor you.

Most classes have a schtick that makes them good in a combat encounter. The ranger's species enemy is too situational (depending on the DM's will to introduce said enemy in his campaign), and doesn't make a ranger a combat worthy class. You have to give him something the other classes don't have, but make him fun to fight with. Like I said...

Barbarians have DR and Rage.
Fighters have a ton of feats and specialization.
Arcanists have god-fearing spells.
Rogues have sneak attacks and cool defensive abilities.
Monks... well they don't damage the oponent that much, but are very hard to bring down... they're the most defense oriented class.
Druids transform into kick-arse critters and have a few potent spells.
Paladins bring the smack down on evil critters.
Clerics... well clerics are the best class according to many on these boards.

Bards and Rangers... not so good in a fight.

So you need to come up with a way to make the ranger a potent combatant in fights without his choosen enemies. There could be any number of ways to achieve this. I don't know...

Play on the nature theme. Allow the ranger to gain animal statistics one round per level per day. Thus a 10th level ranger could call on these for 10 rounds per day (not necessarily consecutive):

Hawk's eye: gain a temporary +4 to hit and damage with missile attacks.
Wolverine's ferocity: gain a temporary +4 to hit and damage with melee attacks.
Boar's resiliency: gain a +3 on saves as an immediate action.

That's just top of my head. The ranger could be an attractive class, it just ain't.

 

[Ranger REG]

Well, I do miss the good ole 1e days, when I can inflict +1 damage bonus per ranger level against so-called "giant class" opponents ... and that list is pretty big. That and double weapons specialization on bows.

But I do like this version of the ranger, which is more of a stalking hunter than some militant eco-terrorist. So far, I've been able to hold my own, mainly as one of the frontline fighters in the party.

 

[Trainz]

Well, I do miss the good ole 1e days, when I can inflict +1 damage bonus per ranger level against so-called "giant class" opponents ... and that list is pretty big. That and double weapons specialization on bows.

But I do like this version of the ranger, which is more of a stalking hunter than some militant eco-terrorist. So far, I've been able to hold my own, mainly as one of the frontline fighters in the party.

Well you know wat ? I bow my head to you, if you managed to play your ranger up to par. I really do.

 

[Sejs]

jonexmachina - give the Urban Ranger variant a look in Unearthed Arcana. One of the things it does it trade out a number of the more naturey spells for things that sound more in line with what you're looking for. Such as invisibility, detect thoughts, message, and knock.

 

[Sejs]

With the advent of 3.5, WotC had an awesome opportunity to remedy that and... missed.

I disagree. I've had good experiences with the 3.5 ranger and enjoy the class quite a bit.

 

[Klaus]

In my 3-PC party, the ranger doubles as both tank (dealing ungodly ammounts of damage with his twin longswords and having decent AC with his darkleaf breastplate) and scout. At 11th level.