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

[DND_Reborn]

I've always seen Legolas's features (Elven eyes, walking on snow) more as "elf features" than ranger of any sort. I would definitely see him as a fighter, perhaps with a bit of rogue thrown in (for expertise).

 

[James Gasik]

I've always seen Legolas's features (Elven eyes, walking on snow) more as "elf features" than ranger of any sort. I would definitely see him as a fighter, perhaps with a bit of rogue thrown in (for expertise).

Yes, Legolas is that guy who has Expertise in Acrobatics and is constantly asking the DM "can I make an Acrobatics check?".

 

[DND_Reborn]

Yes, Legolas is that guy who has Expertise in Acrobatics and is constantly asking the DM "can I make an Acrobatics check?".

So characters just have to show off!

But it still only counts as ONE!

 

[payn]

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.

I've always seen Legolas's features (Elven eyes, walking on snow) more as "elf features" than ranger of any sort. I would definitely see him as a fighter, perhaps with a bit of rogue thrown in (for expertise).

Y'all just convinced me that LotR used race as class for Legolas and Gimli.

 

[Minigiant]

What?

Legolas is an half elf Archery fighter with all the bow feats and Elven Accuracy.

 

[Minigiant]

Yeah, it’s the second sentence where you lose me.

What abilities would a desert ranger or arctic ranger have that is different than a forest ranger? At level 5? level 10? level 15?

Again, a lot of people's ideas of a ranger is based of characters in low level settings and low magic settings. D&D get to higher magic or higher level that American folktales, YA fiction or LOTR.

Most examples of rangers are not past level 5.

 

[Charlaquin]

What abilities would a desert ranger or arctic ranger have that is different than a forest ranger? At level 5? level 10? level 15?

Again, a lot of people's ideas of a ranger is based of characters in low level settings and low magic settings. D&D get to higher magic or higher level that American folktales, YA fiction or LOTR.

Most examples of rangers are not past level 5.

I’m well aware of your stance on the necessity of high magic in D&D, and I simply disagree. There’s not much point in you and I discussing rangers or halflings.

 

[James Gasik]

Y'all just convinced me that LotR used race as class for Legolas and Gimli.

Except Legolas apparently lacks the Intelligence to cast Magic User spells. But Gimli? Man, he's the Ur-Dwarf. The Dwarfiest Dwarf that ever Dwarfed. He doesn't need a class. Every blank spot on his character sheet, just put "Dwarf".

And yet, he makes friends with Legolas and is staggered by Galadriel's beauty. But I guess "hidden depths" is also a Dwarf trope.

 

[GreyLord]

Well...

A Ranger is a Police officer. They enforce the laws of various governments or government officials in the wild-lands which they patrol.

They could also be seen as protectors of those lands and the vehicle between the land/nature and civilization and the inherent combination which allows both to coexist with each other at the same time.

 

[James Gasik]

Or just an irascible old coot that wants to be left alone, but knows these woods like the back of his hand.