Now available!

Woo hoo!

I was very happy with the original version and even more so with this expanded version. Hope all the ranger fans out there enjoy this :)

I just read the original the other day ... now I need to check this one out. I loved the first one.

I am currently playing one of these, awesome class.

I am currently playing one of these, awesome class.

Me too, but I did multiclass with magus to make a spell-less ranger that can cast spells. I also purchased the pdf and like what they have done to further the class.

Glad everyone is digging this! (Woo hoo - I just saw The Expanded Spell-less Ranger is in RPGNow's Top 50 downloads after only a few days of release - that is so cool! :)

@eakratz - a multiclass magus/spell-less ranger ... HA, I love it! As odd as it first sounds, I can see that being fun to play.

snagged

Added review here Marc, can't wait to see where this new imprint will take us next, and what other classes you intend to "expand" upon.

Nice review, KTFish7!

Love it but needs a bit of proofreading. Paizo want to hire me on for proofreading? I'll do it for free if I can get an employee discount, heh.

Love it but needs a bit of proofreading. Paizo want to hire me on for proofreading? I'll do it for free if I can get an employee discount, heh.

This isn't a Paizo product, but you might want to check out Open Design's website regarding editing (or other kinds of submissions).

The editor on this was quite sharp, I think, but more eyes are always good at the proofing stage.

NybbleMe, if you want to submit an application for editing, I am currently looking for a freelancer. Send me your proofing catches on this one, and a list of credits.

Added review here Marc, can't wait to see where this new imprint will take us next, and what other classes you intend to "expand" upon.

Thanks so much for the review KTFish7

Can the Dual Style Ranger and the Companion Bound Ranger be combined? That is, can one PC take both archetypes?

I picked this up, but something that's missing that I was really hoping to see in here was a bonus feat that'd allow you to use your stealth attack and your fast movement outside of your favored terrains, and work normally. Let's be honest, it's not all that powerful a bonus to have, and making it limited to certain locations makes it even less powerful.

Can the Dual Style Ranger and the Companion Bound Ranger be combined? That is, can one PC take both archetypes?

Great queston!

Per the Advanced Players Guide:

A character can take more than one archetype and garner additional alternate class features, but none of the alternate class features can replace or alter the same class feature from the core class as another alternate class feature. For example, a paladin could not be both a hospitaler and an undead scourge since they both modify the smite evil class feature and both replace the aura of justice class feature. A paladin could, however, be both an undead scourge and a warrior of the holy light, since none of their new class features replace the same core class feature.

So, according to the above rules, a spell-less ranger (or even an core rules ranger, actually) should be able to take both the Dual Style Ranger and the Companion Bound Ranger archetypes, since neither replace the same class features / abilities.

Yeah, my question was, basically, do those archetypes replace the same class features, since I intend to create an NPC using both of them. At least, I plan that now, but I have yet to buy PDF. :)

Now, another question - how about firearms weapon style?

I leave the firearms question to Marc.

However, I wanted to know who to blame/credit for designing the ranger i the first place, and I remembered it first appeared in Dragon Magazine (well, actually, the Strategic Review). The original designer is Joe Fisher. Details here at Grognardia.

I leave the firearms question to Marc.

However, I wanted to know who to blame/credit for designing the ranger i the first place, and I remembered it first appeared in Dragon Magazine (well, actually, the Strategic Review). The original designer is Joe Fisher. Details here at Grognardia.

Huh, that's certainly an interesting way to look at the class.

One thing I'd like to touch on is that the spell-less ranger doesn't do the firearms thing. The Tome of Secrets book talked about and gave rangers an additional combat style that let them use muskets. It have been cool to see a gunslinger ranger. Maybe a bounty hunter archetype.

The Ranger is my favorite class - and it was my first character ever, "Demian the Black". :) I remember him fondly from his 2nd Ed. days. Alas, the game fell through before he acquired his companions, but the DM made me roll 2d6 before 10th level, so that he could plan in advance, and I got 8, I think.

The 3rd Ed. Ranger was abhorrent to me, since the ranged weapons became the "thing" that defines the class, rather than two-weapon fighting and woodland companions. Also, evil rangers that appeared with 3rd Ed. were big NO-NO for me. That's why I never played or DMed 3.x games, until PF Alpha came along.

I must admit that I am not exactly satisfied with the PF Core Ranger. Archetypes did a lot to improve it, as well as additional weapon styles, but the Wildlander of FFG's Midnight setting, modified for PF rules, was what made me love that class again. Now, the Spell-less Ranger is making me WANT to play again, not just run games.

So, in a way, Open Design returned my favorite class to me - and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Of course, I haven't seen the new and expanded class. I am waiting for my paycheck to buy the pdf, but the review was more than enough to make me want it.

Only, the character concept I have - a Dhampir Ranger (Wildlander) from Ustalav - is being done for slightly steampunkish game, so I would like him to carry pistols and use longknives as backup weapons - so I am more than interested in archetypes presented in the document.

I have a question, though: Do you plan to support New Path classes in the future issues of KQ? Perhaps once in a while we could see new archetypes for the classes you presented in earlier issues or New Path supplements? I think that would attract new readers and create a connection with the magazine.

One thing I'd like to touch on is that the spell-less ranger doesn't do the firearms thing. The Tome of Secrets book talked about and gave rangers an additional combat style that let them use muskets. It have been cool to see a gunslinger ranger. Maybe a bounty hunter archetype.

I think that new weapon style would be more than enough. Especially since that would allow the PC to combine two weapon styles via new archetype and essentially be a firearms switch-hitter.

I have a question, though: Do you plan to support New Path classes in the future issues of KQ? Perhaps once in a while we could see new archetypes for the classes you presented in earlier issues or New Path supplements? I think that would attract new readers and create a connection with the magazine.

As one of the editors, I can say that we will certainly consider printing good articles presenting archetypes for the KQ-presented core classes! We have to receive them to print them, though. :)

I'm thinking the success of the Spell-Less Ranger so far will prove to the Overlord that more such pdfs are wanted, at least.

kevin_video wrote:

One thing I'd like to touch on is that the spell-less ranger doesn't do the firearms thing. The Tome of Secrets book talked about and gave rangers an additional combat style that let them use muskets. It have been cool to see a gunslinger ranger. Maybe a bounty hunter archetype.

I think that new weapon style would be more than enough. Especially since that would allow the PC to combine two weapon styles via new archetype and essentially be a firearms switch-hitter.

The only problem with the Tome of Secrets version is that it was built around the 3.5 style where you only got one feat at those particular levels instead a choice of various ones.

Regarding a gun wielder archetype or weapon style ... I'm just not really a big fan of guns and such in my fantasy games (not that I have a problem with it - it's just not my personal cup of tea) so this is not something I would have even really considered doing.

I suppose you could create a gunslinger type of archetype but honestly, I tend to agree that simply creating some kind of gun related ranger weapon style makes the most sense. That way it could be used with a Spell-less Ranger or a Core rules ranger.

So, Marc, what are your thoughts on steampunk? Do you not like it at all?

Wolfgang Baur wrote:

I leave the firearms question to Marc.

However, I wanted to know who to blame/credit for designing the ranger i the first place, and I remembered it first appeared in Dragon Magazine (well, actually, the Strategic Review). The original designer is Joe Fisher. Details here at Grognardia.

Huh, that's certainly an interesting way to look at the class.

They were fun. I played one after getting the SR. They didn't change a lot in 1E iirc. The big change for them was in 3/3.5E.

Heh - actually Aragorn did kinda cast spells... what he didn't do was have an animal companion. Just sayin.

One part Aragorn, one part Beastmaster, equals two parts awesome.

Actually, didn't he have a trained horse? In the movies at least.

If you read the Dragon Magazine article "Gandolf was a 5th level Wizard" and the E6 system, they talk about how Aragon's just a 3rd level Ranger, 2nd level Fighter.

I would love to see some people's build for this, especially the companion bound archetype.

Cheers,

I would love to see some people's build for this, especially the companion bound archetype.

Cheers,

That's a cool idea.

I actually might be creating a higher level spell-less ranger using the companion bound archetype for an up-coming campaign ... maybe I might see if the Great Kobold Overlord might want to post him on the Kobold Quarterly site ...

I'm thinking the success of the Spell-Less Ranger so far will prove to the Overlord that more such pdfs are wanted, at least.

I would *love* to do an Expanded White Necromancer or an Expanded Shaman ... assuming I can find an opening in the ol' freelance schedule, that is :)

@ KrythePhreak ... thanks for the great review!

ChristinaStiles wrote:

I'm thinking the success of the Spell-Less Ranger so far will prove to the Overlord that more such pdfs are wanted, at least.

I would *love* to do an Expanded White Necromancer or an Expanded Shaman ... assuming I can find an opening in the ol' freelance schedule, that is :)

I wholeheartedly support the idea of the expended white necromancer. Loved that class.

Will this book come also in printed format or only in PDF?

I too support the White Necromancer Expanded - especially since that really fits my campaign needs at the moment. :)

But I would really love to see a new class dedicated to two-weapon bladefighting.

But I would really love to see a new class dedicated to two-weapon bladefighting.

I find that the Two-Weapon Warrior fighter archetype from the APG works quite well for that. I wouldn't mind seeing the Tempest and Dervish 3.5 prestige classes reworked for PF purposes. That'd stack really well too.

Although truthfully, if someone could somehow work the Two-Weapon Warrior archetype and the Two-Weapon Combat Ranger, that'd be a truly awesome two-weapon fighter.

It works for general purposes, but I'd like to see - that is, a player of mine would like to see - something along the lines of Elven Archer class. A racial-specific two-weapon lightly armored Dexterity-based fighter.

Reviewed here, on DTRPG and sent to GMS magazine. Marc - I want a similar treatment of the other KQ-classes, get to work! :D

Reviewed here, on DTRPG and sent to GMS magazine. Marc - I want a similar treatment of the other KQ-classes, get to work! :D

LOL - yes sir! Right away sir! :)

Thanks for the great review - this expanded version of the spell-less ranger was a long time coming and I'm really glad you liked it!

Will this book come also in printed format or only in PDF?

Seldriss, this is a PDF-only release. At 15 pages, it just doesn't work in print.

Well, when you expand Elven Archer, Shaman and White Necromancer, you should easily have 32-pages long printable product. You could offer pdfs separately or in a bundle, and printed book bundled with pdfs. Just my 2cp of course. But I do hope that the Expanded Spell-less Ranger is going well.

Expanded Spell-Less Ranger is going well. The New Paths series will definitely continue!

That said, expanding the archer, shaman, and white necromancer could take the rest of 2012, which means a print book would appear at earliest in 2013. This isn't a series I want to rush.

I doubt any of us are planning on quitting the game by then. :)

Judging by the reviews and the reaction of the community, I'm thinking that the SLRE (please, come up with another name for the Spell-less Ranger) is outstanding product - and we wouldn't want for other New Paths to be different. So, take your time.

A couple small things I noticed. One is that it references a table for favored enemy and it says it is "below" but since I didn't see a table I'm assuming it actually should have referenced the PFCRB. Also, it might just be me, but in the PDF readers I use on my tablet the last page of the class (the one with the picture and the 20th level ability) is messed up with the picture showing up clear on top and everything else kind of grey out and difficult to read.

A couple small things I noticed. One is that it references a table for favored enemy and it says it is "below" but since I didn't see a table I'm assuming it actually should have referenced the PFCRB. Also, it might just be me, but in the PDF readers I use on my tablet the last page of the class (the one with the picture and the 20th level ability) is messed up with the picture showing up clear on top and everything else kind of grey out and difficult to read.

The Favored Enemies and Favored Terrains are both listed on page 7. However, since that seems to also be the page you indicate is giving you a display problem, I suspect you might not be able to see the list.

What table (and what PDF reader) are you using? It sounds like it might be an issue with the PDF reader? Maybe download the PDF again?

Does a level 4 Spell-less Ranger with the Additional Animal Companion ranger talent have two "level 4" animal companions? A level 20 Spell-less Ranger have two "level 20" animal companions?

I always wondered about this in the original version. We have one in our group, and between his two wolves and all his arrow attacks, the player owns a lot of combats by himself.

Does a level 4 Spell-less Ranger with the Additional Animal Companion ranger talent have two "level 4" animal companions? A level 20 Spell-less Ranger have two "level 20" animal companions?

Correct - the spell-less ranger's animal companion is based on his full ranger level, so a level 4 Spell-less Ranger with the Additional Animal Companion ranger talent would indeed have two "level 4" animal companions.