Tweaking the Ranger Class

[LazerPointer]

I'm trying to do a homebrew, and I'm not satisfied with the Ranger class in the PH. I don't like how he has a choice between two specialties; when picturing a character slightly different, like using crossbows or one weapon, it suddenly becomes a worse class. I've been thinking about changing the feats awarded.

So, in what ways have you guys tweaked the Ranger?

 

[rkanodia]

A while back, there was a thread on alternate paths for the ranger; I'm pretty sure I contributed at least one or two. Unfortunately, I'm not a Community Supporter, so I can't search for it.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Well, I *am* a community supporter, and I think this is the thread you are referring to:

Alternative Ranger Combat Styles

Enjoy!

 

[Jack Daniel]

As this community's most avid hater of the 3.5 ranger, I can offer quite a number of alternatives to the current combat style system. The reason I hate combat styles is because they're the 3rd dumbest idea in the PHB (a close second is barbarian illiteracy... and #1 is monk and paladin multiclassing restrictions). A monk gets to choose his bonus feats, and may even use them in heavy armor, so there's no reason a ranger should be railroaded and stuck in light armor.

The best and most elegant solution is to simply replace the three combat style levels with bonus feats, build a small list that you think fits the ranger, and then not think too much more about it. I did think about it too much, and ended up constantly revising so often that I finally just had to say hell with it. And so I ended up going back to the 2nd edition style of "all rangers just fight with two weapons; if you don't like it, tough." I'm quite happy now, since my players can't argue with me, and I don't have to agonize over whether Stealthy and Animal Friend belong on the ranger's list of bonus combat feats.