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Message: <blockquote data-quote="fuindordm" data-source="post: 6669089" data-attributes="member: 5435">If we're looking for consistency across most editions, the only class ability absolutely unique to the ranger is Favored Enemy, but its potency varies widely.Averaging over all editions, FE has been the main source of extra damage, with fighting styles (e.g. 2 weapons or weapon specialization) a secondary source.  So if we're still talking about "what makes a ranger a ranger" then FE is part of that, but I would argue and have argued that its past implementations have been flawed.What the ranger needs is a way to deliver extra damage reliably in combat, preferably in a manner that makes them play differently from a fighter. The barbarian has this (rage). The paladin has this (smite). The rogue has this (sneak attack).  The ranger needs to be a hunter, and I think that it would benefit from a version of FE that requires the player to study the enemy and learn its weaknesses.Other abilities commonly given to the ranger but not unique are:* Stealth/perception advantage, delivered through surprise mechanic or skills.* Wilderness advantage, including tracking* Minor spellcasting* Animal followers (1e ranger lord might attract animals, not just humanoid followers) If the ranger is considered a martial class first and foremost, then it needs an effective FE-like ability so that it plays a unique combat role in the team environment.The combination of minor, non-unique abilities can be achieved in a variety of ways.  I can make a "paladin" by multiclassing fighter and cleric, with a dash of something else and/or appropriate feats.  I can make a "ranger" by multiclassing and appropriate skill choices too.  We've seen this debate over and over, and D&D runs just as well under a three-class system (fighter/expert/caster) as under a 13-class system. How many classes you want, and how specific you want them to be, is purely a matter of taste and really not worth arguing about.</blockquote>

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