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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Endur" data-source="post: 862656" data-attributes="member: 3346">AD&D Ranger = StriderThe AD&D Ranger was "Strider."  Yes, I know that GG emphatically denies any influence by LOTR on his work.  But somehow Strider snuck in and got himself a character class.The 2d8 at first level made the first level Strider much tougher than any of the Gondorian fighters or the Riders of Rohan.  The bonus to damage against "Giant class" enemies against orcs, ogres, trolls, evil Giants, etc. was definitely a bonus going back to the Lord of the Rings and the Ranger's expertise in warfare against the Servants of Sauron.The restriction to Good alignment was another part of the "war against the Servants of Sauron."  The spells were a way to give Aragorn the ability to cast cure light wounds (through herbs) and pass without trace and other minor magics.   Later on, 2nd edition and 3rd edition expanded the Ranger class to include other archtypes, losing the alignment restrictions, allowing any favored enemies instead of just humanoid/giantish servants of Sauron, etc. and 3.5 should be able to include Robin Hood with its emphasis on archery.Drizzt (in 1988 The Crystal Shard) is the most famous Ranger known for two weapon fighting.  But I can't remember whether AD&D 2e (which added two weapon fighting for Rangers) came out after the Crystal Shard, or whether it came out before the Crystal Shard.Tom</blockquote>