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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Charlaquin" data-source="post: 8415636" data-attributes="member: 6779196">I mean, like, any wilderness/survivalist-related abilities that aren’t just +x on a subset of d20 rolls would be nice for a start.I get what you mean, being really good at tracking, in and of itself, doesn’t make a ranger. That’s exactly why a fighter with the outlander background or a scout rogue don’t scratch the ranger itch. If it’s just “the same survivalist stuff anyone can do but with higher numbers,” it doesn’t feel ranger-y. The ranger needs to be able to do things, actively, that make them more than just a real good lumberjack. And I get that that’s what spellcasting satisfies for some.The problem for many others though, I think, is the vibe of D&D’s magic. Saying “abracadabra” to make the plants grow doesn’t feel like doing ranger things, even though some of the effects on the ranger spell list, do. Hunter’s Mark, Cordon of Arrows, Flame Arrows, Pass Without Trace, Longstrider, Speak With Animals; these are all effects that feel right for the ranger to be able to do. But being spells makes them feel wrong. It’s too ungrounded, too wizard-y, or at best druid-y. The ranger should be able to do these things because they’re preternaturally gifted at what they do, not because they know the right magic words.</blockquote>