So I am a fan of a spellcasting Ranger and very vocal about the community's and designers' poor support of Ranger spellcasting being the source of the dissatisfaction and upset over the class for decades.
Favored Enemy being shifted to bonus spells IMHO was a genius move as Ranger has always relied on using minor magic to replicate Ranger tropes in D&D and bonus 1st spells allows them to have combat spells and utility spells sourced by different pools and not fight for resources. And it let rangers go full combat with standard slots if the table or adventure is more combat heavy.
Unfortunately Rangers got no new unique spells in 2024 and only received new Druid spells that they would be less effective with.
And also unfortunately ranger was tied directly to the Hunters Mark spell due to years to lack of expansion.
At the table I DM, I altered some of the Ranger class features to expand the classes options and raise satisfaction. A player did take up the option and is having a blast with my altered ranger.
See below
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Level 1: Favored Enemy
You always have either the Ensnaring Strike, Hunter’s Mark, XXX, or YYY spell prepared. From now on this is your Favored spell. You can cast your Favorite spell twice without expending a spell slot, and you regain all expended uses of this ability when you finish a Long Rest.
When you gain a level, you can change your Favored spell
The number of times you can cast you Favored spell without a spell slot increases when you reach certain Ranger levels.
Level 13: Relentless Hunter
Taking damage can’t break your Concentration on your Favored Spell.
Optional Level 13: Foebane
The damage die of your Favored spell is a d8 rather than a d6
Level 17: Precise Hunter
You have Advantage on attack rolls against the creature currently targeted or marked by your Favored spell.
Level 20: Foe Slayer
The damage die of your Favored spell is a d10 rather than a d6.
The damage dice of your Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow, and Conjure Volley spells are d12s rather than d8s.
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Now at my table my player and I opted for converting an older edition spell as Favored spell option and customizing a new one.
But my question to you all:
If this were a General Ranger type, what kind of combat spells would you see offered up with Hunter's Mark and Ensnaring Strike that would give an iconic ranger feel and offer a nice spread of options?
Should they all be attack spells or should the feature be rewritten to offer defense or healing options?
What kind of spell would you add?
Favored Enemy being shifted to bonus spells IMHO was a genius move as Ranger has always relied on using minor magic to replicate Ranger tropes in D&D and bonus 1st spells allows them to have combat spells and utility spells sourced by different pools and not fight for resources. And it let rangers go full combat with standard slots if the table or adventure is more combat heavy.
Unfortunately Rangers got no new unique spells in 2024 and only received new Druid spells that they would be less effective with.
And also unfortunately ranger was tied directly to the Hunters Mark spell due to years to lack of expansion.
At the table I DM, I altered some of the Ranger class features to expand the classes options and raise satisfaction. A player did take up the option and is having a blast with my altered ranger.
See below
---
Level 1: Favored Enemy
You always have either the Ensnaring Strike, Hunter’s Mark, XXX, or YYY spell prepared. From now on this is your Favored spell. You can cast your Favorite spell twice without expending a spell slot, and you regain all expended uses of this ability when you finish a Long Rest.
When you gain a level, you can change your Favored spell
The number of times you can cast you Favored spell without a spell slot increases when you reach certain Ranger levels.
Level 13: Relentless Hunter
Taking damage can’t break your Concentration on your Favored Spell.
Optional Level 13: Foebane
The damage die of your Favored spell is a d8 rather than a d6
Level 17: Precise Hunter
You have Advantage on attack rolls against the creature currently targeted or marked by your Favored spell.
Level 20: Foe Slayer
The damage die of your Favored spell is a d10 rather than a d6.
The damage dice of your Conjure Barrage, Lightning Arrow, and Conjure Volley spells are d12s rather than d8s.
---
Now at my table my player and I opted for converting an older edition spell as Favored spell option and customizing a new one.
But my question to you all:
If this were a General Ranger type, what kind of combat spells would you see offered up with Hunter's Mark and Ensnaring Strike that would give an iconic ranger feel and offer a nice spread of options?
Should they all be attack spells or should the feature be rewritten to offer defense or healing options?
What kind of spell would you add?
