D&D (2024) The Lackluster Ranger

[Minigiant]

It kind of depends on what features of the Ranger class are its' primary class features and which are its' secondary class features. If the feature scales up as the character levels up, then it's a primary class feature. Ex. a Rogue's Sneak Attack. If it doesn't, then it's a secondary class feature.

The Ranger primary class features is Extra Attack 1 and Half Casting

A nonmagical one that doesn't just steal the Rogue or Fighters primary can never get agreed on outside of versions of the 4e Hunters Quarry which is OP in 5e.

 

[Corinnguard]

The Ranger primary class features is Extra Attack 1 and Half Casting

A nonmagical one that doesn't just steal the Rogue or Fighters primary can never get agreed on outside of versions of the 4e Hunters Quarry which is OP in 5e.

The 2024 Fighter's Primary class features are Second Wind, Action Surge, Extra I, II, and III, and Indomitable. Weapon Mastery I am guessing is its' only Secondary class feature. As for the 2024 Rogue, I think Sneak Attack is its' only Primary class feature. If I was designing a non-magical Ranger, I think I would pilfer some of their Secondary class features instead. Like the Rogue's Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Elusive and Steady Aim, just so the Ranger could be more like Legolas from LoTR.

 

[Minigiant]

Legolas is an elf DEX archery fighter

Legolas from LoTR

 

[Corinnguard]

Legolas is an elf DEX archery fighter

He's also very good with the Two-Weapon Fighting style. Maybe he's a Fighter/Ranger?

 

[Minigiant]

He's also very good with the Two-Weapon Fighting style. Maybe he's a Fighter/Ranger?

The Champion Fighter is literally the only class and subclass that gets 2 fighting styles, can boost 2 styles with feats, and is good at it without magic.

Legolas is literally the stereotypical Dex champion fighter whose out of combat stuff is just racial features.

Tons of high damage, never miss attacks with multiple weapons.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

It’s also not a non-spellcasting ranger. It’s a very lightly wilderness-themed rogue.

As was the core 4e ranger...

The essentials ranger however was quite thematic though.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

And yet, every time I ask people to define a non-magical ranger, they end up describing a wilderness themed fighter/ rogue.

By the same token, it's often the case that someone who favours spellcasting Rangers mentions the Scout as an option. If one considers the Scout to be what people picture when they think of a spell-less Ranger, they are quite wrong.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

He's also very good with the Two-Weapon Fighting style. Maybe he's a Fighter/Ranger?

Nope. High level champion. Has fighting style archery and TWF.

 

[Corinnguard]

So, a player can't pick up two different fighting styles by multiclassing as a Fighter/Ranger?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

So, a player can't pick up two different fighting styles by multiclassing as a Fighter/Ranger?

Of course they can. But as a champion they don't need to.
Legolas was never a ranger. So why should he?