The thing you did NOT like about the PHB Ranger

[Ruvion]

So vote for the class feature that you did not like about the ranger posted in the PHB. That is, why did you think the Ranger got SHAFTED (tm)? Or, for those of you that think that the Ranger is balanced, which feature did you find most annoying or inappropriate?! Vote for the feature you think is the single most absurd ability for the ranger to have.

C'mon this poll had to happen!

 

[MasterOfHeaven]

I think the Ranger works fine as far as balance goes. In fact, a high level Ranger with Polymorph Self will likely beat an equal level Fighter in combat. The only problem I have with the Ranger is a lack of interesting abilities at higher levels.

The Ranger does have his spells, but these are a bit too limited. I think the Ranger should get one or two bonus abilities that relate to being a wilderness survivor. No combat bonuses, since that's the Fighters purview, but maybe a free Endurance/Run feat or something similar. Still, it isn't vital, and I have no objection to running the Ranger as is in a campaign.

 

[Kichwas]

I don't think the concept for the class matches it's name.

For a ranger I would want what I found in the wheel of time Woodsman.

No spells and no two weapon fighting.


That said I have no problems with the class. Just with it being called 'ranger'.

 

[graydoom]

I just think that the PHB ranger is too specialized... it focuses too much on a very small idea of what the ranger should be like with no room for any other view.

A combination of the first 5 options in the poll, really.

 

[TBoarder]

This is a tough choice... mostly because some of the choices are very much inter-related with each other. I was going to go with the Drizz't clone choice, but ultimately decided on the low flexibility choice. I don't like the fact that a Ranger HAS to be a "Drizz't clone" when it comes to combat style. I'd expect a Ranger to follow more along the lines of an archer, if it would NEED to have a special ability hard-wired to it.

I love the concept of the favored enemy, but its mechanics are really weak!!!

 

[JacktheRabbit]

The ranger really needs more woodland focus and there should be a choice of missile weapon bonuses instead of the two weapon fighting.

 

[eXodus]

the one thing i disliked about the ranger was that it was frontloaded.

the ranger gets his virtual feats, some tracking, and a favored enemy. and then nothing except for more chosen enemies and a limited amount of spells later on in his career.

did the ranger get shafted? i am not too sure what that even means.

one is better off playing a rogue, a druid, or a fighter after picking up the initial power of the 1st level ranger.

 

[JacktheRabbit]

I consider the best use of the ranger class as a sub class. If you want some extra skills and some woodland skills then take a ranger level for every fighter level. My 5th figher / 5th ranger is very capable in a wide range of situations.

 

[Ruvion]

eXodus: If your serious about that...it means that they got cheated out of balance (a little weaker than the other PHB classes). OTOH, when you indicate that something is "Broken" you usually mean it to be very powerful (too powerful that it breaks the balance of the game).

DocMoriartty: I think I would have like the ranger with more wilderness focus rather than woodland focus. But YMMV.

 

[Jack Daniel]

Let's see: can't be two-weapon fighting, because a proficiency isn't an archetype, and it doesn't say "Race: Drow only" under ranger... nope. Sorta sad that this one is winning... shows how shallow people are. Same folks who think rangers are shoehorned by dual-wielding proficiency because they "have to use it" are the same ones who go right around and say it's mathematically inferior to a greatsword... I love pointing out hypocracy.

Favored Enemies? Well, seeing as that's what a ranger is for, yup, bounty hunting is supposed to be there. Wouldn't want to confuse rangers with woodsmen and bowmen, now would we?

Low skill points? Nuh-uh, again. Look a rogue's skill list compared what he would get for maxing everything out. The ratios are the same. Maybe bards, but not rangers.

No unique abilities: Could be a pet peeve, but then, what do paladins get after level 5?

Low flexibility: for a class that runs second only to the bard in terms of jack-of-all-tradieness, it can't be this one...

I guess it'd have to be a big, fat, harry OTHER: ever notice how Monte Cook said rangers stank because Favored Enemies only showed up when the DM said they did? That's it: rangers should be able to change their favored enemies, like the Star Wars bounty hunter did... ==SHAMELESS PLUG LINK==