Rangers: Your Thoughts and Preferences

[Lanefan]

So, as the poll says, what is your preferred archetype for the Ranger class; and why?

Lan-"I'll post my own thoughts later"-efan

 

[Raduin711]

I like the ranger as a world-wise gritty warrior of the woods who knows how to make the best of his surroundings, and relies not just on strength but cunning as well. Usually this means archery (I hope you can chop down the tree I am sitting in with that greataxe before I fill your head full of arrows) but two weapon fighting is fine as well... It's admittedly a D&D conceit but I am fine with it.

 

[Kobold Stew]

As I described almost a year ago here, my dream would be to see three subclasses -- a spell caster, a beast master, and a horizon walker.

My preferred archetype is the horizon walker -- someone who focuses on the pillar of exploration more than any other class (to use the three pillars language for 5e). Hunting, tracking, crossing environments, and eventually crossing planes. A Dex-based fighter with options like these would put me over the moon. I'd find it much more compelling than the choice between archery and TWF.

 

[Mouseferatu]

I always thought of Robin as more of a nature-themed rogue (or scout, to use the optional 3.5 class that I would still love to see back).

So while I want archery to be an option, certainly, I'd definitely say more Aragon than anything else.

But then, I'd also still rather the ranger not have spells, so what do I know?

 

[Lanefan]

For my own part, I far prefer the Aragorn type to any others; the heavy fighter with woods skills who can beat you up with a sword then heal you with a herb and track you back to where you camped last night. Strong suits: Con and Wis.

Drizz't should be a Thief, not a Ranger; that whole two-weapon dance he does is just too urban for a person of the woods.

And Robin Hood - I'm not a big fan of archers overall but I can get behind this type of Dex-based Ranger far more than the Drizz't type. Yet he too could also be a Thief with extras, though a Thief with woods skills doesn't make much sense. Maybe a Thief-Druid? Strong suits: Dex and Cha.

Lan-"admittedly biased due to my first-ever character being a heavy Ranger"-efan

 

[Branduil]

A skirmisher-type warrior is really the only archetype that makes sense to me. Whether he uses archery, light weapons, or both isn't that important, but as a stealthy survivalist who defeats his enemy with cunning and knowledge of his surroundings, he fills a niche none of the other classes do. Wilderness Batman, basically.

 

[Zardnaar]

The Ranger to me is more or less the 1st ed one and simialr ones based off it like Castles and Crusades. The dual wielding thing from 2nd ed onwards doesn't really appeal to me.

 

[Blackwarder]

My preferred ranger is a woodsman, fighting style doesn't matter.

I'd like to be able to make an Aragorn like character, use a long sword, can take you anywhere and track everything with knowledge that other characters don't have.

Warder

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I voted "other" because there was no option for "all of the above, plus others".

 

[Li Shenron]

My preferred archetype is the horizon walker -- someone who focuses on the pillar of exploration more than any other class (to use the three pillars language for 5e). Hunting, tracking, crossing environments, and eventually crossing planes. A Dex-based fighter with options like these would put me over the moon. I'd find it much more compelling than the choice between archery and TWF.

This.

I prefer Ranger as "horizon walker" or "protector of the borders of civilization" over the woodsy stuff. It feels more special to me this way.

The woodsy/scout stuff might come off as a consequence in settings where most people live in cities and are unaccustomed to the forests, but in other settings where everyone uses the forested areas instead such skills wouldn't feel special at all.

Ah, and fighting style feels irrelevant to me, for all classes. I like each class to be open to all fighting styles.