D&D General What is a Ranger? A miserable pile of secrets! (+)

[CreamCloud0]

But other than hunter's mark what makes them that much different from rogue scout?

In battle they’d get a bunch of special arrow abilities like hail of thorns, lightning arrow and conjuror barrage are currently and some that are more towards manoeuvres that can incapacitate in different ways, like shooting someone in the foot to prevent them moving and suchlike, but it’s more out of battle where they would have class abilities to forage for medicinal herbs and create potions and tinctures, having advantages to observe or research monsters and bestow that knowledge, with corresponding bonuses, to the rest of their party, abilities to forge new paths through environments that make it easier for their teammates to follow, or seeking out things, an oasis in the desert, a hidden temple in a jungle, the path through a complex cave system.

 

[Shardstone]

In battle they’d get a bunch of special arrow abilities like hail of thorns, lightning arrow and conjuror barrage are currently and some that are more towards manoeuvres that can incapacitate in different ways, like shooting someone in the foot to prevent them moving and suchlike, but it’s more out of battle where they would have class abilities to forage for medicinal herbs and create potions and tinctures, having advantages to observe or research monsters and bestow that knowledge, with corresponding bonuses, to the rest of their party, abilities to forge new paths through environments that make it easier for their teammates to follow, or seeking out things, an oasis in the desert, a hidden temple in a jungle, the path through a complex cave system.

Ah so like a wilder arcane ranger, eh?

 

[Tonguez]

stealthy in nature, wilderness survivalist with animal friends - Tarzan, Grizzly Adams, Mowgli

 

[SkidAce]

Pets are absolutely huge to attracting people to the class and to how a lot of people, especially outside TT RPGs, see this archetype. Unlike most D&D archetypes, this archetype does exist in the greater culture.

Are they absolutely essential? No. It's toss-up between them and Stealth, I'd say, but they're far more important than Magic (which is actively antithetical to the general archetype of Ranger) or Aragorn (who originated the concept, but doesn't really act very Ranger-y).

And of course, all my military friends and I consider them Forest Special Forces (i.e. rangers).

 

[James Gasik]

stealthy in nature, wilderness survivalist with animal friends - Tarzan, Grizzly Adams, Mowgli

Don't forget though, Lord Greystoke is basically Conan the Barbarian with animal companions!

 

[Shardstone]

Hmmm I think a "Warden" martial ranger is an interesting class idea now!

 

[payn]

All of these I would consider fighters or rogues. Legolas is pure fighter. Aquaman is a fighter with supernatural powers added on. Batman definitely a rogue. Sam and Dean, no real woodsmen there, the boys prefer the urban diner not the cabin in the woods. I would actually call them rogues more than fighters maybe, or fighter/rogues.

What?

 

[FireLance]

Also, my personal favorite ranger class is the one in 13th Age. Pick three things off a list that mean 'ranger' to you.

Honestly, this, or the "build-a-bear" method mentioned earlier, may be the way to go in 5.5e or 6e.

WotC: After five editions, we've given up trying to define what a ranger is, so we've decided to resurrect the class ability point buy system from late 2e's Skills and Powers. So, if you don't want spellcasting, you can instead spend 40 class points on Third Extra Attack and Summon Mount, or Environment-Linked Supernatural Abilities and Martial Maneuvers.

 

[James Gasik]

What?

I mean, if you look at his portrayal in the movies, his combat abilities are emphasized a lot more than his other talents. Aragorn is the one who gets the big "look at me track" scene, for example. Legolas gets the occasional "what do your Elven eyes see?" and showing off his Woodland Stride in the snow, but it's usually more about him being Drizzt with a bow.

 

[Oofta]

What?

I would agree - Legolas is an archer. Period. What ranger-y things does he do? He has some of Tolkien's "elves are human but better" qualities, but other than that I just don't see it.