Two-weapon Rangers really get the short end of the stick

[Geech]

I recently began fiddling with two-weapon rangers, and I have to say that I'm really underwhelmed by the build. In the game I play, there is a archer ranger and a two-weapon rogue, and both of these builds seem very effective. However, compared to those builds the 2W Ranger seems to suffer from a fairly major problem: separate skills for attack and defense.

Most of the classes that use light armor, and the other ranger build for that matter, use just one stat for attack and defense. The warlock is a notable exception, but even that class uses Intelligence heavily for bonuses on attacks, making it easy to justify purchasing. The two-weapon ranger, however, uses strength for attacking and dexterity for defense. This severely limits the build's effectiveness, requiring the ranger to either skimp in other important ranger stats, like Con or Wis, or have poor attack/defense compared with other classes.

Now, the immediately obvious solution to this problem is simply to purchase chainmail proficiency. However, I don't really like this solution because the two-weapon build is already very feat-heavy. Furthermore, the problem is only alleviated rather than solved, thanks the dexterity requirements for the two-weapon feats.

So, I'm considering house-ruling all of the Ranger melee attacks to use dexterity instead of strength. Again reiterating that I've never seen this build used in game, I think this would bring it in line with the other classes without overpowering it. Any thoughts? Does the original build have less obvious advantages that even things out? Has anyone tried a similar rule?

As it stands now, I simply can't imagine ever actually using the vanilla 2WR in game. The archer ranger is clearly the more effective ranger build while the rogue is the more effective two-weapon fighter.

 

[Geech]

Actually, after considering the issue some more, I think a far more reasonable response is to simply give Rangers chainmail proficiency. This goes a long way towards solving the problem while keeping the builds different from each other and it avoids such a preposterous degree of meddling in the class mechanics.

I rather like that solution.

 

[Llamas Notsheep]

Actually, the two weapon ranger is one of the most powerful builds in the game. While its defenses are less than spectacular, chances are you're going to pump your dex a decent amount. You'll want to keep a decent dex both for your ranged backup and for your defenses. It's also key for a number of paragon paths (esp. stormwarden).

There are very few characters out there that can stand up against the two weapon ranger in terms of damage output. That's their role: pure offense. They can take whatever feats they choose--hell, it's just one feat to get chain proficiency, if they make that their priority. The class definitely doesn't need any house-ruled adjustments making it stronger.

Also, remember all the excellent utility powers giving them mobility and keeping them safe.

 

[CapnZapp]

Also remember that if you don't get up and personal with your foes, chances are you'll not use perhaps the strongest ability of any character in the game: spending healing surges.