Ranger with Lycanthrope as Foe

[kengar]

Does a ranger get their "Favored Foe" bonus v. shapechangers when they are in "human" (or elf or halfling or whatever) form?

 

[Henry]

Absolutely! Their type does not change, unless I am mistaken. Since their type does not change in the human form, then the ranger would get their bonuses.

 

[kengar]

I questioned it because, if -for instance- a werewolf were in human form, how would the ranger know it was a lycanthrope and know to apply their special knowledge of this foe to their attacks? I could see a ranger using their Spot or Wilderness Lore or some such to notice "were-traits"; but if they thought they were just fighting a human being, why would the bonuses apply?

 

[Henry]

I think that's more of a DM's call. I can certainly see the rationale that, if the Ranger doesn't KNOW he's fighting his quarry of choice, then he wouldn't get the bonuses.

 

[maddman75]

Agree with Henry - though I'd certainly allow a Sense Motive roll to tell if the person they were talking to was a lycanthrope or not. They are hit studied foe after all.

Note - the way I generally use SM supports this. It is active, not passive. The ranger would have to tell me he wanted a sense motive roll. The possibly results would be 'You don't think he's a werewolf' to 'you are almost 100% certain he's a werewolf.' Never tell them one way or the other.

 

[drnuncheon]

I think that's more of a DM's call. I can certainly see the rationale that, if the Ranger doesn't KNOW he's fighting his quarry of choice, then he wouldn't get the bonuses.

I think that would lead the ranger to try using his 'anti-shifter tactics' against all foes, "just in case".

J

 

[Dingleberry]

As a DM, I'd apply the bonuses even if the ranger doesn't know he's dealing with his favored enemy - though I might not tell the player I'm doing it.

I can easily picture a ranger as having developed certain tricks and cues that he uses all the time, but against certain opponents (i.e., favored enemies) they're particularly effective (i.e., favored enemy bonus applied). In the example given, that guy may look human, and the ranger may think he's human - but he acts/fights like a shapechanger, and the ranger's methods are particularly effective against shapechangers.

Of course, I also view rogues as always aiming for the vital spot, but under certain circumstances (e.g., denied Dex bonus) that targeting is particularly effective (i.e., sneak attack damage applied).