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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TheCosmicKid" data-source="post: 6669820" data-attributes="member: 6683613">Yes, you keep saying this, but what evidence do you have that it is the case?  Here is what the 1E PHB actually has to say about the ranger:"Rangers are a sub-class of fighter who are adept at woodcraft, tracking, scouting, and infiltration and spying. [Alignment and ability score requirements]  [Discussion of hit dice]  In addition to considerable prowess as fighters, rangers have druidic and magical spell capabilities when they attain high level; thus, they are very formidable opponents, for they have other abilities and benefits as well..."Favored enemy (for "giants" only) is simply listed among the "other abilities and benefits", alongside surprise, the use of divination magic items, and attracting followers.  As far as I can tell, you'd have the same justification in saying that crystal balls are the reason the class was created, for there is no mention of either ability in the flavor text outlining its role.  The 1E ranger appears rather to be defined by "woodcraft, tracking, scouting, and infiltration and spying".2E's text is similar:"The ranger is a hunter and woodsman who lives by not only his sword, but also his wits.  Robin Hood, Orion, Jack the giant killer, and the huntresses of Diana are examples of rangers from history and legend.  The abilities of the ranger make him particularly good at tracking, woodcraft, and spying."It's not until 3rd Edition that you get mention of favored enemies in the class flavor text.  Then, in 4E, rangers didn't even have favored enemy.  So I have to say, your case for this ability being the ranger's raison d' être is looking pretty weak.When the class is too restrictive to allow these characters - and the characters in question include Aragorn and Drizzt - then yes, it's a very good reason.  If for some reason the fighter class required you to use a sword, saying, "Hey, there are lots of fighters in fiction who use other weapons!" would be a sound argument to change that restriction, and "But this is the way the D&D fighter has always been!" would not be a sound defense of it.I'm sorry, I'm afraid I don't see your point here at all.  You seem to be underscoring the fact that the 5E ranger is defined by a large bundle of abilities in which favored enemy plays a comparatively minor role.</blockquote>

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