Ranger's Archery Combat Style too restrictive?

[Li Shenron]

I guess that Precise Shot would have been a more logical inclusion given that a Ranger receives Improved Precise Shot as the bonus virtual feat at 11th level with Combat Style Mastery.

The reason why it's not one of the bonus feats is that Precise Shot is such a basic (and good!) feat that if you plan to take it you typically take it very early in the game. Giving it for free at 11th would mean to force the Ranger to either 1) play 10 levels without it, or 2) take it earlier and waste the bonus feat.

The Ranger's "virtual feats" have still the disadvantage of being usable only in Light Armor, but they have the advantage that you don't need to meet the prerequisites (although BAB is built-in since you get them at 6th and 11th which is exactly when you meet the required BAB anyway).

 

[Kemrain]

The Ranger's "virtual feats" have still the disadvantage of being usable only in Light Armor, but they have the advantage that you don't need to meet the prerequisites (although BAB is built-in since you get them at 6th and 11th which is exactly when you meet the required BAB anyway).

Improved Rapid Shot requires Manyshot, and it's a decent feat unto itsself. So that Virtual Manyshot is good for meeting that prereq, especially if you've less than a 17 Dexterity.

- KemraintheRapid.

 

[Li Shenron]

Improved Rapid Shot requires Manyshot, and it's a decent feat unto itsself. So that Virtual Manyshot is good for meeting that prereq, especially if you've less than a 17 Dexterity.

If IRS requires Dex17, it still requires the same even if you have its own other requisites...

 

[Darklone]

Do you really think any archer ranger would have less than Dex 17 by level 11?

 

[Shadowdweller]

This has become a problem for me as a game designer, because I'm trying to avoid monkeying with the core classes too much, but I've got a Large race of greatclub-wielding tree-huggers who produce more than a few Rangers. I don't seem them as TWF types, and they don't use bows, but javelins and throwing sticks. If anyone has some good suggestions, I'd love to steal them.

It would seem a simple matter to simply allow (a variant) if you will whereby rangers are allowed to use manyshot with thrown weapons. It would seem no more unrealistic on a conceptual level than manyshot is anyway.

If you absolute must NOT tinker with the rules, the truth is that rangers still have plenty to offer thrower-types WITHOUT the use of Manyshot. Rapid Shot and Improved Precise shot are still very useful to those who would take the 'archery' combat style.