D&D 5E (2014) The 2024 Ranger is Actually Pretty Good (with numbers)

[CreamCloud0]

As much as people say they don't want Rangers focus on HM, no one wants to delete HM from the Ranger.

i mean i wouldn't be at all opposed...

 

[Minigiant]

i mean i wouldn't be at all opposed...

Would you remove Hunter's Mark as a spell to replace it as a class feature or replace Hunter's Mark with something else?

 

[ECMO3]

i mean i wouldn't be at all opposed...

Me either.

TBH I think the players who actually use HM extensively are the ones most unsatisfied with the class.

 

[ECMO3]

Would you remove Hunter's Mark as a spell to replace it as a class feature or replace Hunter's Mark with something else?

I would like to see more varied Ranger spells, especially Arcane-type spells but that is true whether they keep or delete Hunter's Mark.

If we removed Hunter's Mark from the game we would obviously need to replace or change the four class features that are specific to it, but I would not replace it with something similar that does extra damage or works like HM does.

If we are theory crafting here are some things we could do to replace those features:

1. Level 1: Replace Favored Enemy with the old Favored enemy and add another creature type at level 5/9/13/17. Also make Humanoid a single type instead of one kind of humanoid. Add a feature that a Ranger can use a bonus action to take the study action or Search action against a favored enemy.

2. Level 13: Misty Step is always prepared and a Ranger can cast it once a day without using a spell slot.

3. Level 17: Proficiency in Wisdom and Intelligence saving throws.

We would need a new capstone too, but the current one is pathetic.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Would you remove Hunter's Mark as a spell to replace it as a class feature or replace Hunter's Mark with something else?

I would just get rid of it and not replace it, as such.

The 2014 ranger was conceptually spot on whether you took HM or not, but just needed to be mechanically better. Give favored enemy the ability to gain advantage against a single target for a minute as a bonus action, with the ability to do so as no action if it’s a favored enemy, give NE the ability to quickly gain benefits in a new terrain, and fix the higher level features that suck. Done. The 2014 Range only needed fixes to its execution.

 

[CreamCloud0]

Would you remove Hunter's Mark as a spell to replace it as a class feature or replace Hunter's Mark with something else?

replace it with something else, i'm fine with it existing on their spell list and maybe even having a subclass dedicated to it (shunt all the current main class features that relate to it into that) but not it being built directly into the class.

i like what they did with the BG3 ranger with it's favoured foe and terrain features which is for each option you took (and you got a new one of each every 5~ levels) it gave them associated bonuses that were always active, like extra skill proficiencies, cantrips and damage resistances, though i do think there needs to be more options for DnD as the selection there was quite limited.

 

[Minigiant]

I would like to see more varied Ranger spells, especially Arcane-type spells but that is true whether they keep or delete Hunter's Mark.

If we removed Hunter's Mark from the game we would obviously need to replace or change the four class features that are specific to it, but I would not replace it with something similar that does extra damage or works like HM does.

I would just get rid of it and not replace it, as such.

The 2014 ranger was conceptually spot on whether you took HM or not, but just needed to be mechanically better. Give favored enemy the ability to gain advantage against a single target for a minute as a bonus action, with the ability to do so as no action if it’s a favored enemy, give NE the ability to quickly gain benefits in a new terrain, and fix the higher level features that suck. Done. The 2014 Range only needed fixes to its execution.

replace it with something else, i'm fine with it existing on their spell list and maybe even having a subclass dedicated to it (shunt all the current main class features that relate to it into that) but not it being built directly into the class.

i like what they did with the BG3 ranger with it's favoured foe and terrain features which is for each option you took it gave them associated bonuses that were always active, like extra skill proficiencies, cantrips and damage resistances, though i do think there needs to be more options for DnD as the selection there was quite limited

These 3 replies are exactly why the 2024 Ranger is Hunter's mark focused
Because everyone is okay with HM and okay with it being bonus damage and okay with a skill bonus.
But disagree on the implementation of everything else.

WotC took the easy route.
Really, WOTC should have just made more ranger combat spells and let Favored enemy cast one of those of your chosing of those X times per LR. Then the later class features affect whatever spell you choose.

 

[ECMO3]

These 3 replies are exactly why the 2024 Ranger is Hunter's mark focused
Because everyone is okay with HM and okay with it being bonus damage and okay with a skill bonus.
But disagree on the implementation of everything else.

I am not really "ok" with HM being a central part of the class and a specific class feature for four levels. The only thing that makes it "ok" is that the rest of the class and especially subclass abilities let you build a fun character despite that. You can basically ignore those features for the most part and still have a good. fun character.

I am ok with it existing as a spell for other players to take.

WotC took the easy route.
Really, WOTC should have just made more ranger combat spells and let Favored enemy cast one of those of your chosing of those X times per LR. Then the later class features affect whatever spell you choose.

This would be better that what we got.

 

[Minigiant]

I am not really "ok" with HM being a central part of the class and a specific class feature for four levels. The only thing that makes it "ok" is that the rest of the class and especially subclass abilities let you build a fun character despite that. You can basically ignore those features for the most part and still have a good. fun character.

I am ok with it existing as a spell for other players to take

Few people are okay with Hunter's Mark being a central aspect of the Ranger.

Hunter's Mark is just likely the only Rangery thing that has an approval rating over I would guess 80% amongst the community that people would allow being part of the base ranger and not a subclass feature.

This would be better that what we got

Level 1: Favored Enemy
You always have either the Ensnaring Strike, Hunter’s Mark, or Stalking Brand spell prepared. From now on this is your Favored spell. You can cast your favorite spell twice without expending a spell slot, and you regain all expended uses of this ability when you finish a Long Rest.

The number of times you can cast the spell without a spell slot increases when you reach certain Ranger levels.

Level 13: Relentless Hunter
Taking damage can’t break your Concentration on your Favored Spell.

Level 17: Precise Hunter
You have Advantage on attack rolls against the creature currently targeted or marked by your Favored spell.

Level 20: Foe Slayer
The damage die of your Favored spell is a d10 rather than a d6.

The damage dice of your Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow, and Conjure Volley are d12s rather than a d8s.

 

[Horwath]

As much as people say they don't want Rangers focus on HM, no one wants to delete HM from the Ranger.

I don't mind HM being in rangers arsenal for those who want to use it. it's an OK spell.

I would like to delete all Ranger features that rely on using HM.

HM as an option to use is OK, HM as a mandatory feature that sucks away class resource pool is awful.