D&D (2024) The Lackluster Ranger

[Rushbolt]

I have been watching several video reviews of the 2024 Ranger and I haven't found any that make the class look even decent when compared to the other martials and half-casters. Perhaps the most revealing video I watched was by a creator named DnD Unoptimized where he breaks down the 6 martial classes not only on damage capability but also mobility, durability, mental resistance, and control capability. While no system is perfect and he only focused on one build, the issues with the class started to become obvious. The Ranger is classically billed as the class that good at everything but not great at any one thing. The result of the numbers in this test indicated the Ranger was only middle of the road at damage and possibly mobility but was terrible at everything else. It lacked control, durability, and mental resistance to the point where it was last or second to last on all of them.

Maybe it was just the build he used, but this is exactly how I feel about the Ranger. It feels like a pushover that doesn't get a strong amount of defensive capability in exchange for being only average offensively. I will be selecting feats, spells, and subclasses for my Ranger builds that address those weaknesses to make the class more well-rounded. This explains to me why Wizards expressly did an article on DnD Beyond about the 12 best Ranger feats. They were basically giving suggestions on how to fix the holes that they left in the class. It's not ideal that the Ranger doesn't actually address the issues in the base features because this means I will need to plan and spend my precious few optional features on repairing a busted class. This is exactly why I do not think the class was designed well.

Maybe I am just seeing some bad apples ruining the whole bunch. If anyone finds any breakdown videos or articles showing that the Ranger is actually a pretty good martial class please let me know. If I am just being duped with biased reviews that are twisting the Ranger into looking worse than it is I would be happy to change my mind.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

If anyone finds any breakdown videos or articles showing that the Ranger is actually a pretty good martial class please let me know.

You aren't missing anything. Rangers are OK, they are totally playable, but they are easily the weakest class in the game. Not by a gigantic margin, but enough to make it feel bad for anyone who loves playing them.

 

[ECMO3]

A Fey Wanderer optimized for Control is amazing at control from level 7-16, amazing as a face from level 3+ and it is ok at damage and exploration at all levels, but you need to go all in with Wisdom and feats to do it. The best feats for this are things that cause charmed and frightened, specifically Magic Initiate as your Origin for Cause Fear and Friends and Shadow
Touched at level 4 for Wrathful Smite. Fey Touched for Dissonant Whispers is also a good add but probably not worth delaying Wisdom 20.

For race if you have 2014 species you want an Eladarin or Leonin or if you have both 2014 feats and species a Dragonborn (Dragonfear Feat). If you are stuck with 2024 species I think you want a celestial.

IMO if done this way it can be one of the strongest "Martial Classes" and probably the strongest martial class if you are looking across all 3 pillars, but it is not one of the strongest characters when it comes to martial combat.

 

[Minigiant]

HOT TAKE: The Ranger's chassis is not bad.
The Ranger suffers from the "Green fighter" problem.
Many people play the Ranger like a Fighter in Green. Raw Combat Power.

Think of it this what. The Fighter and Barbarian are both 85-90% combat classes.

So if the Ranger was very close to the Fighter or Barbarian is combat or exceeded Fighter in any one specific part of combat, it would be OP with its increased skills and resourceful magic.

I fear many people will listen to the zeitgiest and overly buff Ranger, and the tables with other warrior types will be overshadowed by their houseruled buffed Ranger.

The Ranger is OK. Overall it is missing something minor. A few key missing spells. but look at

Perhaps the most revealing video I watched was by a creator named DnD Unoptimized where he breaks down the 6 martial classes not only on damage capability but also mobility, durability, mental resistance, and control capability.

DND Unoptimized said a bow ranger had low mobility, durability, mental resistance, and control capability.

???
And his comment section roasted if for discounting range, mobility spells, and defense spells.

Because... he only tunnelled into "Hunter's Mark for Damage vs nondescript foe". He tested the Ranger... as a Fighter.

 

[Gorck]

The Ranger suffers from the "Green fighter" problem.
Many people play the Ranger like a Fighter in Green. Raw Combat Power.

I'm unfamiliar with this terminology. By "green" do you mean "environmentally friendly" or "inexperienced" or "envious" or "about to vomit" or something else?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I'm unfamiliar with this terminology. By "green" do you mean "environmentally friendly" or "inexperienced" or "envious" or "about to vomit" or something else?

No. Just wearing green stockings.

And to the point: remove concentration from HM at level 13 and the ranger immediately becomes a capable damage dealer and controler at all levels and the capstone stops looking terrible.

 

[Minigiant]

I'm unfamiliar with this terminology. By "green" do you mean "environmentally friendly" or "inexperienced" or "envious" or "about to vomit" or something else?

The color Green.

Many people want to Ranger like a Fighter in a green cloak

Just TWF or Archery with bonus damage

 

[Minigiant]

No. Just wearing green stockings.

And to the point: remove concentration from HM at level 13 and the ranger immediately becomes a capable damage dealer and controler at all levels and the capstone stops looking terrible.

That's just giving in to the high damage munchins.

Removing concentration just lets power gamers cast Summon Fey, CWB, Conjure Animals, or one of the other minor buffs.

Few actually want to use control, heal, or utility spells. Because if you do, the 2024 ranger does this well by letting you recast HM easy.

Most complainers just want to deal moor damage with a high Dex(Stealth) bonus

 

[Gorck]

The color Green.

Many people want to Ranger like a Fighter in a green cloak

Just TWF or Archery with bonus damage

Oh, I get you now. Like Robin Hood and his Band of Merry Men.

 

[Lidgar]

All my rangers be like