Rangers, the way I'm altering them [update 27th of Dec - wildnerness master]

[Destil]

The main problem I have with it is that the AC bonus from the cover bonus and the flat AC bonus granted from class levels seams a bit redundant. I think if, for instance, the cover bonus only applied to reflex saves or something it would be alright, as is +10 AC in tbe favored terrain is quite a bit much.

However, to compensate, perhaps making the favored terrain grow like favored enemy, each time the AC bonus increases also allowing them to take a new terrain at a point lower (I'd keep the same cover bonus across the board, just for ease of use / bookeeping).

 

[Plane Sailing]

Personally I think that the favoured enemy bonus should be applicable to all creatures, regardless of whether they are crittable or not. Reasons why? Strength damage bonus always applies. Point Blank Shot damage bonus applies. Weapon specialisation damage bonus applies. Bardic song moral bonus to damage always applies. All add a straight +x to damage.

The only thing that doesn't affect crit-resistant monsters is sneak attack and there are two observations there - firstly, it is lots of d6 damage rather than a few points (game balance issue) and secondly it is about striking at vital organs which are not there in these creatures (flavour issue).

I can't imagine why the D&D designers decided to arbitrarily weaken a restricted ability like favoured enemy (and for them to say "oozes are a suboptimal choice" seems as sensible to me as saying "the halfling outrider isn't supposed to have a BAB"!).

So that's why I think ranger favoured enemy should add to damage against *any* enemy type chosen. It's hardly going to break a game, and is it any worse than the fighter with point blank shot, bow specialisation and under bardic encouragement who gets +4 damage against every ooze, undead and construct he shoots at? Assuming they are vulnerable to piercing weapons of course!

Concealment/Cover
Regarding the concealment possibility: I'd got in mind Batman (I'm afraid) - the idea that this character is really elusive in his chosen terrain, hard to spot, he's always slipping sideways into the grass, hiding behind the scrubby bushes. The rogues find it difficult to sneak attack him on his own terrain but not because of uncanny dodgying, but because he always seems to be standing behind something that makes him that bit harder to target properly.

It is something that hasn't been seen as a class ability, and the fact that it is limited to a particular terrain means that it is not always cropping up (although it makes a better NPC ability in many ways).

In many ways I think it is better to allow additional terrains to be chosen as the character gains levels, because by the time you are 10th level you could be in very, very different places to where you started off and it seems strange to give class abilities which suddenly are not usable... everyone elses class abilities are really quite broad - even the druid, who is in other ways the most focussed of them all yet his trackless step is universally applicable.

Perhaps if you allowed him a favoured terrain from your schedule, and each terrain he gets, he has a 10% concealment/miss chance when being attacked as long as he is not denied his dex bonus?

Cheers

 

[thullgrim]

I love the concealment instead of cover in the favored terrain ability. When I rewrote my ranger the favored terrain bonus was to ac, init, and Spot, Listen, Search, and Wilderness Lore checks. but I think the concealement thing will work better for me as well. Is it a flat rate or progressive though? ie will my concealment bonus get better with levels or will it remain the frozen.?

 

[Liquide]

OK have added some more stuff and editted a few other so please have a look and evaluate my changes mates.

(edits are done in the original post, edits done are listed at the end of the first post)

 

[nHammer]

This may be the best Ranger I've seen so far.....Hope you don't mind if I use this class.

 

[Liquide]

This may be the best Ranger I've seen so far.....Hope you don't mind if I use this class.

I wouldn't mind at all, still it is not complete untill I have gotten more comments and people can agree on the balance and playability of this class.

 

[nHammer]

It's going to be awhile till I start a new game...but I just may replace the Ranger from PH with this one...

Looking over it again...I'm not sure about making Urban a terrain type...I always felt cities were for Rogues and the 'outdoor' places were for Rangers...Call it different sides to the same coin.

'Course with D&D 3e, the class are more flexible...I think I would remove Urban from the favored terrain list. I don't think it's a problem with your class, it's just my personal belief.

 

[Liquide]

It's going to be awhile till I start a new game...but I just may replace the Ranger from PH with this one...

Looking over it again...I'm not sure about making Urban a terrain type...I always felt cities were for Rogues and the 'outdoor' places were for Rangers...Call it different sides to the same coin.

'Course with D&D 3e, the class are more flexible...I think I would remove Urban from the favored terrain list. I don't think it's a problem with your class, it's just my personal belief.

Ooops is that still in there, I thought I didn't leave it there when I posted it *gone*.

Thanks for heads up.

 

[MissingDividends]

i think that the ammount of AC bonus with the favored terrain is unclear...

IMO, it should work like this (i love the idea btw)


Favored terrain(Ex): At 1st level, a ranger must select a type of terrain which he dedicates as his/hers natural habitat. Due to his extensive study and familiarity with this type of terrain, the ranger gets a +1 circumstance modifer to skill checks related to the terrain. He also gains a +1 bonus to AC when they are forced to battle within their natural habitat. In addition when fighting in there favored terrain they have such familiarity with it that they can benefit from every little area of growth and shifts in the ground and are considered to have one-tenths concelment (10%) as long as they are not denied they dexterity bonus to Armor Class (AC).

At 6th Level they are allowed to chose a second favored terrain that they have become familiar with and will be granted a +1 circumstance modifer to skill checks related to the terrain. He also gains a +1 bonus to AC. They also benefit from one-tenths concelment (10%) as long as they are not denied their dexterity bonus to AC.
In addition when fighting their within their first favored terrain they now benefit from a +2 circumstance modifier and two-tenths concealment (20%). along with a +2 modifier to AC

At 12th Level they are allowed to chose a third favored terrain that they have become familiar with and will be granted a +1 circumstance modifer to skill checks related to the terrain. He also gains a +1 bonus to AC. They also benefit from one-tenths concelment (10%) as long as they are not denied their dexterity bonus to AC.
In addition when fighting their within their second favored terrain they now benefit from a +2 circumstance modifier and two-tenths concealment (20%). along with a +2 modifier to AC
Also when fighting within their first favored terrain they now benefit from a +3 circumstance modifier and two-tenths concealment (30%). along with a +3 modifier to AC

At 18th Level they are allowed to chose a fourth favored terrain that they have become familiar with and will be granted a +1 circumstance modifer to skill checks related to the terrain. He also gains a +1 bonus to AC. They also benefit from one-tenths concelment (10%) as long as they are not denied their dexterity bonus to AC.
In addition when fighting their within their third favored terrain they now benefit from a +2 circumstance modifier and two-tenths concealment (20%). along with a +2 modifier to AC
In addition when fighting their within their second favored terrain they now benefit from a +3 circumstance modifier and two-tenths concealment (30%). along with a +3 modifier to AC
Also when fighting within their first favored terrain they now benefit from a +4 circumstance modifier and two-tenths concealment (40%). along with a +4 modifier to AC

there will also be a new penalty, A ranger must study an area for a cumulative month (for all bonuses past 1st level)...

Example:
1st level: ranger chooses forest.
6th Level: ranger chooses Marsh, has to study marsh and forest for a month each before respective bonuses take effect (can be done any time from 2nd level on)
12th Level: ranger chooses Plains, has to study marsh and forest and plains for a month each before respective bonuses take effect (can be done any time from 7th level on)
18th Level: ranger chooses Wetlands, has to study marsh and forest and plains and wetlands for a month each before respective bonuses take effect (can be done any time from 13th level on)

Ranger Favored Terrain
Type(examples)

Woodlands (Forests & Woods)
Plains (Grasslands)
Wetlands (Swamps & marshes)
Arid/Cold (Tundra)
Arid/Hot (Deserts)
Mountanous (Hills, Highlands and Mountains)

 

[Liquide]

Hmmm that is a better wording then I have done that I can agree with , now I jst have to revamp the bonus feat so the ranger doesn't get more then one benefit from each level of expertise he has