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First off, the bow mastery thing is too much. This is a higher bonus than what the Fighter gets, who is arguably supposed to be better at pure weapon training.

Let's explore your comment above.

First, Fighters are are well trained combatants with experience in various weapons, techniques, and fighting styles. However, they are not specialist at any one form of fighting. Rangers have the abiltiy to ba a specialist in ranged combat and excel in it. It's the difference between a commando and a sniper. Sure a commando can be a good sniper. They won't however be as good as a trained sniper though.

Second, the headshot mechanic is clunky and ultimately unnecessary. Having to figure out 25% of your damage, and then subtract it from the damage done, and then apply it towards a stat that ALSO affects hitpoints indirectly, is a convoluted way to say "you pretty much kill the guy".

There are many situations which exist that use similiar mechanics such as Evasion. I don't really see where doing some simple math is all that complex and clunky.

In addition, you didn't seem to understand the mechanics of the Headshot talent. You take 25% of the total damage and apply it as Con damage. There is no additonal damage being applied for the critical in that round. I have illustarted an example below.

Total Critical Damage = 20
Headshot Talent Calculation - 20 x 0.25 = 5
Total Con Damage = 5

That doesn't seem very complex to me but maybe some folks may see it that way.

I can't say your wrong. How ever the ranger as stands is pretty nice

First, I'd like to say thank you to folks who provided feedback to this post.

However, what I find funny though is one of the community members suggested I create this "Think Tank" post to gather up feedback. I frankly was expecting a bit more than what I have seen.

Is the issue that no one really has any interest in Rangers except for a few people. Perhaps everyone is playing Barbarins to check out the new rage system. I am not sure what's holding up the discussions but I hope it picks up soon.

While I do like the ideal,I do not think it will happen. As it stands combat styles are a set of bounes feats and this rework would add many pages to the already large book. Also it is a big change.

I think they will stay feats, but I do like the ideal of talents.

Well I hope they at least review what I am trying to do here. I mean is it better to save some pages while not improving a class that needs it or add few pages and give Rangers something more usable than an incomplete list of bonus feats?

I guess the designers at Paizo are the only ones capable of answering this question.

This thread is intended on focusing discussions toward the Combat Style class feature of the Ranger class. The goal is compile the ideas and suggestions people in this community have presented. I will begin the thread by revealing my ideas for this class feature.

I believe the Ranger class needs to be unique in its own right. Currently it shares similar concepts with the Druid, Rogue, and Fighter classes. I would like to present an overhaul of the Combat Style class feature. I think that the Ranger class would be better served if this class feature was setup more like the Rogue Talent class feature of the Rogue class.

First, let's define these abilities as Techniques which are broken into 2 categories for now, Archery and Two-Weapon Fighting. New techniques would be gained every even level (2, 4, 6...) for a total of 10 techniques at level 20. These techniques would enhance existing feats, add additional feats, or add entirely new abilities specific to the Ranger.

I am going to briefly present some examples of what I am talking about below.

Combat Style Techniques: Archery

Crossbow/Bow Mastery (Ex) – The Ranger gains +1 to attack and damage rolls per every 4 Ranger levels with a specific type of crossbow/bow. This technique may only be selected once.

Arrow Eclipse (Su)
Action: Full Round Attack Action made with a bow
Range: 60Ft.
Area: 30Ft. Burst
Saving Throw: Reflex partial
Description:
The Ranger fills the sky with arrows raining death upon all targets in a targeted area. All targets must make a DC 10 + ½ Ranger Level + Dexterity Modifier or take 1d6 per every 2 Ranger levels in damage.

Pin Cushion (Ex) – When a Ranger is using the Many Shot feat all attacks fire 2 arrows but suffer a -2 penalty.

Headshot (Ex) – When a Ranger confirms a Critical Hit against an opponent ¼ of the total damage is counted as temporary constitution damage instead of hit point damage. This effect only applies to the first Critical Hit confirmed in each round.

Sniper Shot – When an opponent is denied their Dexterity bonus, the Ranger may add her Dexterity modifier to the damage of the first attack in the round.

Combat Style Techniques: Two-Weapon Fighting

Two-Weapon Fighting Mastery (Ex) – When a Ranger is wielding two weapons reduce the penalty for doing so by an additional 2.

Parry (Ex) – When wielding two weapons and engaged in melee with an opponent the Ranger may elect not to make an off-hand attack. In doing so, the Ranger can make the opponent reroll one attack with a -2 penalty.

Whirling Blades (Ex) – The Ranger takes a Standard Action and makes an attack roll against every adjacent opponent. No bonus damage is applied to any opponents hit in this way.

Riposte (Ex) – When an opponent’s melee attack misses the Ranger she may take an Immediate Action and attack that opponent at her full bonus.

Improved Riposte (Ex) – Requires the Riposte technique. The Ranger may Riposte a number time equal to her Dexterity modifier each round.

I have seen that the Paizo Lead Designer created a Design Focus thread for the Barbarian's Rage System. Can we have the same done for the Ranger's Combat Styles. There are sevaral issues that need to be addressed.

First, Rangers are missing several feats in both styles contained within the current beta material. I have not seen any comments from the Paizo staff addressing what they plan to do about this issue. Second, no replacements have been offically identified by Paizo for these missing feats in the two combat styles. Third, the combat styles could use more flexiblity instead of just Archery and Two-Weapon Fighting.

A lot of people have come up with some great suggestions but I haven't seen any Paizo Designers comment about whether they going to use any of the ideas. I would like to see a Design Focus thread setup by Paizo that contains some of the great feedback that has been put forth by the community. It would be great if the this could happen in the very near future.

Thanks

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"You won't hear the whistle of the arrow that kills you!"
The Shooter