So here's the deal... a few houserules are in effect, and making some suboptimal choices on purpose for flavor reasons. Basic rundown is as follows:
Basics
Gnome = Gnome Magic, Knack with Poison, Dark Vision & Eternal Hope
Traits = Animal Friend, Reactionary
Stats(using an array) = STR18(16), DEX16, CON14(16), INT10, WIS12, CHA8(10)
Classes = Barbarian 1, Ranger(Wild Stalker + Crossbow)19
Will take gnome's ranger favored class power (companion gains DR), and GM also will allow it at 1st barb level considering the overall concept.
House rules
1) Because I already have Rage from Barbarian, I do not replace Hunter's Bond. Effective Barb level remains 1+(Ranger-3), so from 4th onward I start gaining rage/day again, and this also applies for level prerequisites on rage power choices.
2) GM has ruled that the additional rage powers replace 2nd-5th favored enemy and favored terrain choices, NOT style feats.
3) Because I'm keeping ranger spellcasting I cannot choose anything on the superstitious power chain.
4) All other ranger abilities (and Wild Stalker substitutions) are as normal.
What I know I want to do:
1) Build a switch hitter around power attack, deadly aim, and the vital strike chain. Mostly Heavy Crossbow (mounted) and Great Axe (on foot with companion as flanker). GM has also ruled that heavy crossbows get -1>+3 from deadly aim, so that was a no-brainer :D
2) Need Rapid Reload and Precise Shot to be bare minimum proficient with the crossbow ASAP
3) Beast Totem power chain
4) Lion as an Animal Companion (GM will allow it if I also do #3), and should take Boon Companion for maximum effect.
5) I want Reckless Abandon for synergy with beast2 and power attack, as well as Inspire Ferocity and Furious Beast to crank up the lion when necessary.
Given all that I still have quite a few powers and feat choices left to sort out though. So, any suggestions on the order I should take all of that in and what I should consider doing to round this crazy gnome out?
Here's the build skeleton:
01 Rage, Fast Movement, (feat)
02 Strong Senses, Track, Wild Empathy
03 Uncanny Dodge, (feat)
04 [rage power], Endurance
05 Hunter's Bond, (feat)
06 [rage power]
07 {crossbow feat}, (feat)
08 Woodland Stride
09 Swift Tracker, [rage power], (feat)
10 Evasion
11 [rage power], {crossbow feat}, (feat)
12 Quarry
13 Camouflage, (feat)
14 [rage power]
15 {crossbow feat}, (feat)
16 [rage power]
17 Improved Evasion, (feat)
18 Hide in Plain Sight
19 [rage power], {crossbow feat}, (feat)
20 Improved Quarry, [rage power]
Really, nothing at all? Are the house rules scaring you guys off or what?
Here's what I have worked out for now, but I'm sure there better (and/or more interesting) options available:
01 - Power Attack
03 - Precise Shot*, Rapid Reload
04 - (Lesser Beast Totem)
05 - Boon companion
06 - (Reckless Abandon)
07 - Deadly Aim*, Vital Strike
09 - Quick Draw, (Beast Totem)
11 - Pinpoint Targeting*, Improved Vital Strike, (Ferocious Mount)
13 - Devastating Strike
14 - (Inspire Ferocity)
15 - Improved Precise Shot*, Opening Volley
16 - (Spirit Steed)
17 - Greater Vital Strike
19 - Rapid Reload*, Improved Devestating Strike, Death or Glory**, (Fearless Rage)
20 - (Improved Ferocious Mount)
*: combat style feats
**: retrained 'rapid reload' from lv3
And in case you're wondering, yes the DM did say he doesn't care if I take uncanny dodge at 2nd. He's pretty flexible on just mixing and matching achetypes.