Ranger without spells: what compensation?

[Turanil]

Well, for my next low-magic setting (Warhammer based), I have decided that the ranger won't have spells at all. I won't use the variant found in one of the many books I don't have. I just want something simple in compensation for the ranger losing spellcasting ability. Maybe d10 instead of d8? Or is it really necessary to give him something in exchange (ranger seems powerful enough to me)?

Suggestions welcome.

 

[deleteaccount]

Give some abilities that increase his existing abilities. Like better movement in rough terrain to make him more ranger-y. Ignore cover or concealment with ranged weapons in forests (for ranged weapon style, maybe something else for two-weapon style).

Variant in CW gives Fast Movement at 6th lvl and some Su or Sp abilities that are equal to spells in later levels which is boring.

 

[dpmcalister]

Although I haven't received my copy yet, I believe that Swashbuckling Adventures has a ranger variant that doesn't get spells.

 

[S'mon]

See my suggested variant in another thread. I agree d10 hd is a good start.

 

[whydirt]

A simple change is to give the Ranger a bonus feat at every level he'd receive a new level of spells.

 

[Turanil]

What about getting a +1 Dodge bonus to AC (efective only when wearing light or no armor) at each level where he should normally get a new spell level? After all, they are supposed to be warriors, but to remain unencumbered and fast.

 

[Terath Ninir]

An AC bonus might be okay. Or a movement bonus. Something minor, and something that doesn't kick in until at least 4th level, so a higher HD is right out. In 3.0, I saw a lot of characters with 1 level of ranger. Now I see a lot with 2 or 3 levels, who intentionally cut out before the animal companion and spells kick in. Players don't need even more reason to cherry pick the class.

Heck, with an AC or movement bonus, they might even stick with the ranger longer!

 

[Turanil]

Well, it's also what I do: I love to add ranger levels to fighter levels. So with what you say, I am tempted to think that maybe there is no need to add something else to the class? However, the problem would be that players would complain if doing so.

(What I am doing: prepare a Grim Tales sourcebook for playing in a low-magic grim Warhammer setting. Since I like lot of classes, I have added many D&D non-spellcasting classes, including AU classes such as Unfettered or Totem Warrior. However, when I compare the Unfettered to the Ranger, the latter seems to be more poweful, and thus I don't want to add a Dodge bonus since Unfettered has something like that and it would become even less interesting thereafter. On the other hand, the speed increase somewhat like a monk seems to fit well.)

 

[Li Shenron]

A simple change is to give the Ranger a bonus feat at every level he'd receive a new level of spells.

The oriental books suggested this as the simplest possibility, restricting the feats to the Fighter bonus feat list (but except Weapon Spec). With a little more work, you could instead write a Ranger list.