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New Paths #1: The Expanded Spell-less Ranger (PFRPG) PDF

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Aragorn Didn't Cast Spells!

Just because some designer thought rangers should be spell-slingers doesn't make it right! With The Expanded Spell-Less Ranger, you can now play an authentic ranger without spells, but with great new abilities.

Welcome to the Expanded Spell-Less Ranger, a base class for the Pathfinder RPG that was first presented in Kobold Quarterly #11 and which reviewers called a "must-read" at RPG Geek.

The removal of spells makes this a true ranger-type, but the new powers and expanded abilities mean that the Spell-Less Ranger can hold his own in a fight. With new animal companion options and Ranger Talents, this class covers the hunter's bond, fast movement, expanded tracking, hunting, additional favored enemies, trap handling, and much more, all in keeping with the ranger you know from The Lord of the Rings.

The Expanded Spell-less Ranger includes much new material beyond the original magazine version, such as two new archetypes for the companion-bound ranger and the dual-style ranger, plus new feats specific to this ranger that make them masters of their terrain. Includes a full 20-level character progression plus tracking sheets for favored terrain, enemies, and companions.

Be a real ranger! Get The Expanded Spell-Less Ranger today!

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An RPG Resource Review

5/5 —

This base class variant is based around a premise that seems to strike the author rather hard: why should a ranger, of all people, cast spells? The argument is compelling. If you look at what a ranger can do - track and scout, live off the land, fight well, hunt - there doesn't seem to be much need for magic. Moreover, although ranger-style characters feature in fantasy literature, none of them have chucked spells around.

So here is presented a variant on the standard ranger class who doesn't use spells at all. Instead, he has a devastating stealth attack and an array of 'talents' to choose as he rises in level. There's also a nature's healing ability which grants bonuses to Heal checks when the ranger is in a favoured environment.

As well as all the information required to create and play a Spell-less Ranger, there are some new feats and a couple of archetypes - the Dual-Style Ranger (who hones his combat skills) and the Companion-Bound Ranger (who is exceptionally close to his animal companion). Finally there are some notes on ranger fighting styles, drawing on the Advanced Player's Guide, a character sheet for an animal companion and a couple of tracking sheets for the ranger's abilities.

Overall, it's a nice package. I've played many a ranger over the years and always felt that magic didn't sit well with the few of them that got high enough in level to use it, so this makes a useful addition to the options available.

Now we are talking

5/5 —

Every change is in most of cases both:, Flavorlful and utiity. im not going to specif what it has inside, the other reviewers do it so well that i have nothing more to tell about.

This is a mix between ranger and rogue, in fact, this is the way i always want to play a ranger without spells!!

it Must be into your "must to have it"

Rangers how they were meant to be

5/5 —

This pdf is 15 pages long, 1 page front cover, 1 page editorial, 1 page SRD, leaving 12 pages of content, so let's check this one out!

For those of you not in the know: In KQ #11, Marc Radle created an alternate version (meaning no multiclassing with the regular ranger-class) of the ranger-class that fits closer with irl mythology: The spell-less ranger replaces spells with a selection of neat ranger talents - a great approach that has been expanded in this pdf, but let me give you the run-down:

The spell-less ranger gets full BAB, d10, 6+Int skills per level, good fort- and ref-saves, up to 5 favored terrains, up to 4 favored terrains and additionally stealth attack (which is a terrain/favored enemy-based, weaker variant of sneak attack), combat styles, 4 special uses of the healing-skill when in favored terrain (including treating deadly wounds, poisons and diseases) and so-called ranger talents: A total of 25 are provided and run the whole gamut from additional animal companions, bonus feats, less fall damage, scent, the ability to negate concealment via hawk's eyes, trackless stride and improved swimming and climbing capabilities. High-level rangers also can look forward to quarry, improved quarry, hide in plain sight etc.

The result of the changes made to the class are evident - looking at the ranger talents it becomes rather clear that a regular fighter won't outshine a guerilla-style archer ranger, for example, defining the niche of the class more closely. 18 new feats help the ranger by providing further customization options that range from the rather simple "Additional favored terrain" to very interesting feats: "Coordinated Attack" gives your companion access to all your teamwork feats. Another interesting one would be "Defensive Shot", which FINALLY gives you the chance to use ranged weapon in melee with a penalty. A godsend for campaigns without divine magic (or groups without primary healers) is "Improved Nature's Healing", which significantly improves the amount of Hp you may heal by using that ability. Add to that the increased damage output via "Deadly Accuracy" and its improved version (which let you reroll 1s and 2s of ranged attack-damage-rolls) and we have a great class to simulate e.g. the deadly elven guerilla fighter. All in all, I considered the feats to be well-crafted and none of them to be overpowered or utterly boring. (I'd btw. suggest to add SGG's Knacks from their Ranger-book to the list of available ranger talents!)

This is not where the pdf stops, though: We also get two new archetypes for the ranger: The Dual-style ranger gets only one favorite enemy, but two combat styles. The companion-bound ranger is rather complex and can select from a druid's companion-list, enhance his companion, gain aforementioned coordinated companion etc., but at the cost of his favored terrain, camouflage etc.

The pdf also includes info on the 5 styles introduced in the APG and does something EXTREMELY useful: It provides us with a favored-enemy/terrain-char-sheet to add to your regular char-sheet - useful, well-constructed, awesome! Even better, we get yet another extra sheet for animal companions that could also be used for familiars etc. and makes for one of the most clearly arranged ones I've seen so far. Kudos for this great bonus!

Conclusion:
Editing and formatting are top-notch, I didn't notice any glitches. Layout adheres to an easy-to-read, relatively printer-friendly 2-column standard. The pdf has a beautiful front cover, but no bookmarks, which is a bummer in this day and age. Due to being relatively short, I'm willing to let that one slip, though. The spell-less ranger is popular for a reason - Marc Radle has crafted an excellent alternate class and with the new expanded material herein, there are even more reasons to go spell-less than before. This alternate class is awesome, well-designed and the additional content lacks any feats, crunch, etc. I'd consider badly designed or unbalanced. In fact, I absolutely love this take on the ranger, as it makes the class feel more unique and less than a fighter/druid-hybrid. After SGG's stellar "Ranger's Options: Knacks of Nature", this is the second book in a short space that easily can be considered to be a stellar pick for any fans of the concept of the ranger, but not its core-execution. Even for the adherents of spellcasting this pdf is well worth the pick for the archetypes/feats and if you can spare the bucks, combine its talents with SGG's knacks (by e.g. adding the talents as knacks or vice versa) - I guarantee you won't find the result unbalancing. When all's said and done, a great start for the new line, Marc Radle did an awesome job and I look forward to seeing more! My final verdict? 5 stars + Endzeitgeist seal of approval.

Endzeitgeist out.

15 Pages of Absolute Glory

5/5 —

Okay this is my first product review on the Paizo site, and I really feel like this was the book to receive my praise. I am very hard to please when it comes to OGL content, and most I have read are pretty good at best but this one definitely takes the cake. Marc, Wolfgang and the crew from Kobold Quarterly have brought forth this piece of magic (haha magic from a magic-less book) and have presented us with a way to play the original iconic rangers we grew up to love. From the complete list of Ranger Tricks to the new Feats and Archetypes, this is a book with enough options for anyone. Personally I found the Dual Style Ranger Archetype to be pretty awesome if you're into focusing on 2 different combat styles at the cost of only having 1 favored enemy. So all in all, if you are a ranger fan like I am or have always wanted to play the "classic" ranger then pick up this book...you will not be disappointed =D

4/5 —

Weighing in at 15 pages (Front cover -1 page, credit/PID – 1 page, 2 pages of tracking sheets, OGL) we’ve got roughly 10 pages of new material here to work with.

A spell-less Ranger…this class has long been plagued by the fact that whereas any class tossing spells about is kinda cool in its own right, the iconic characters who inspired this particular class were men existing by their own skill, and their ability to utilize the lands around them to some amazing feats. I’ve seen a few attempts to go spell-less with a ranger in the past, and it has always come out looking very much like a pigeon-holed fighter…so let us take a look and see if Mr. Radle has found the balance required to ground the ranger back in the land of the everyman, without taking away all that made this class one that people would want to play.

Interestingly enough, once again I find myself going through a Marc Radle design, missing his artwork, lol. Luckily the artists tapped for this piece were more than up to it, and the PDF comes off with a very good look and feel to it visually speaking. Now, having said that, I do have a complaint regarding artwork…the background image, as it is, makes it very hard to read the text in the corners of the pages from time to time. Perhaps a slight fade on the background image might have aided with that. Editing wise, I only found two mistakes, and they were essentially the same mistake, and an extremely minor one at that. An errant “s” was added in two different spots to a word, but truly did not alter enough of the meaning to disturb the reading of the text.

Right off the bat, taking away spells from the progression of this class, the spell-less ranger finds himself the beneficiary of a host of new class abilities, and Ranger Talents (similar in nature to Rogue Talents)…at 2nd level the decision must be made what path of combat you are looking to advance your character down with the Combat Style Feat. Now, the PDF opts for the up close and gritty two-weapon combat style or the archery combat style , but does leave it open for you to choose from any of the ranger combat styles available under your GM. The advantages behind this particular class ability is that the combat styles come with a pool of feats that you will be picking from as you progress that allow you to ignore prerequisites. Next up in the realm of cool has got to be Nature’s Healing, gained at 3rd level. Giving game mechanics to bring to the table the fact that a ranger, in their favored terrain, knows which root, which mushroom, snail, leaf or mud is going to allow them to gain the absolute best results out of their Heal skill checks. Therefore, this ability grants bonuses to heal checks, in various differing manners. Hunter’s Bond is another of those choice situations, this time with the options of sharing a percentage of your favored enemy bonuses with allies, or picking up an animal companion (trust me, looking through all the different options here, you want the animal companion). Now, I did think there were a few animals that would have been obvious choices for the list of animal companion options, but that would be a personal choice issue. It would be wrong of me to not mention the Stealth Attack class ability, as any ranger worth his salt had better be able to attack unseen within their own terrain.

The Ranger Talents, 25 of them, are an interesting alternative to a spell progression for a ranger class, and offer everything from extra feats, to additional animal companions. Faster movement, farther range, and critical hit modifiers. There is enough here to allow for several different styles of play to evolve in comfort never feeling limited by choice.

Following this we are given 18 new Feats, covering everything from Additional Favored Enemies or Terrain, Extra Ranger Talents, an Expert or Master option for Favored Terrain granting additional bonuses on top of the normal ones already given by Favored Terrain. Coordinated Companion allows your animal companion to benefit from teamwork feats you possess as if they also had them. And Savage Terrain Warrior (my personal favorite of this batch) gives what every ranger needs…HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE!! For the animal companions, on top of the coordinated companion feat, we also get an Improved, Greater and Invulnerable – adding a DR to yer critter companion.

We are presented with two archetypes here that are both limited in their way, but in taking the limitation are both extremely more powerful within their parameters.
The Dual Style Ranger gives up multiple favored enemies in favor of learning a second combat style, and applying all further advancements that would normally give a new favored enemy back into the single enemy.
The Companion Bound Ranger gives up multiple favored terrain for a singular concept, but forms a bond with their animal that hearkens back to the classic ranger/animal duos of literary history.

The APG’s list of ranger combat styles is re-presented here in appendix form for ease of character build, in case one wishes to choose a style outside of the two presented here as options.
Following the appendix are two tracking sheets for ease of handling favored enemy/terrain and animal companions. They remind me greatly of sheets I remember using during the 3.0 days, and have that feel to me.

So, final thoughts…did this PDF present a ranger sans magic that is worth playing? That is what it comes down to, right? The answer to that is resting on my printer, in the form of an NPC I will be introducing tomorrow evening at my regular game night. This class is not only playable, its exciting and intriguing. For a player like myself, there are a massive amount of options presented to really explore the concept of an animal companion. Or go the complete other direction, and create that whisper in the trees, who’s only detected when his arrow is in your throat. Now, flipping to the other side, the background on the pages make some pages hard to read, and I would have preferred to have seen the background done with a lighter hand perhaps, but that is truly the only design/layout choice I can see worth complaining about or even pinging against the rating. Yes, I know I stated that the letter S shows up twice for no reason, but again, it does not change the meaning of the text it is within, nor does it make it any harder to understand. So, final tally…this is going to be one of those I want to give a 5 to, as the design is excellent, but layout is going to hold it back, and am finalizing with a 4.5. For those sites where I must go 4 or 5, I’ll have to round down to a 4.

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Wolfgang, If you are asking for opinions on whether to include HeroLab files or not, put me in the wanting HeroLab files. If it would require an increase in the cost of the PDF or the HeroLab files being a separate purchase I would be fine with either one. I use HeroLab and would like to use some of your stuff but I am a total illiterate when it comes to adding files into HeroLab.

I am presently playing a Dwarf Reaver Rogue in a Northlands campaign. I had to build him on paper cause what I wanted to use wasn't in HeroLab.

Just my 2 cp.
The Exchange Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

If I charged for Hero Lab files as a separate purchase, of course I could pay people to create them. And chances are good this would mean more Hero Lab files would be created for Kobold Press more quickly.

If people prefer to get the Hero Lab files for free with the purchase of a regular PDF, then I'm pretty much in the position of depending on volunteers to create the Hero Lab files. That can be fine, but it's slower and the file quality might vary quite a bit.

Hm. Appreciate the input, Silverhair2008.
Liberty's Edge

I've never used HeroLab or any other character creation software - nothing against it, I just don't personally have any interest in using software to create or maintain my characters. Having said that, I know there are those out there that do use HeroLab and having HL files for classes is a nice perk.

I guess my question is how many folks do use HeroLab and therefore could use the HL file and how many folks do NOT use it and therefore an HL file is meaningless to them.

I actually kind of like Silverhair2008's idea - pay someone to create these files and then offer them as a separate purchase. The number of purchases would also give some kind of idea how many people actually want these HL files going forward ...

Just thinking out loud :)
Grand Lodge
Pathfinder Adventure, Rulebook Subscriber

Well, please don't remove the HL files before I can download them. :) I don't think I would pay for separate files, so I'm fine with getting whatever I get for free.

Realize I may be alone in my willingness to purchase a separate file for HeroLab. I was under the impression that Wolfgang was asking for opinions, so I gave him mine. But there are quite possibly more people that don't want a separate file for purchase and they are just as happy with the occasional free HeroLab file. Here's hoping some more people express their opinions.

Just my additional 2 cp.
Wolfgang Baur wrote:

Wait, the complaint is that the free Hero Lab file made by a volunteer doesn't contain everything in the PDF?

I see. Look, the addition of Hero Lab files is a bonus here and a bit of an experiment. We don't charge for them. I would certainly love to have an updated file that covers every single element of the PDF, but for now, I think covering most of it in a free HL file is a pretty nice extra.

The other option here is simply to remove the HL element from this download. I'm fine with that solution as well.

What's the preference, generally?

I'm confused by this response. First off, I asked a question in what I believe was a polite manner, and I asked if it was included. I dont think i was complaining. On the other hand, it was the primary reason I purchased it. I was then told that it was being updated. To b e honest, at no point did I know that it wasnt done by staff. I was told by the person that a new one was being sent, and was also informed via another site that the paizo one (ie: here) had been updated. I downloaded to test, and simply reported that it hasn't been updated yet.

I don't think I'm the bad guy that your response implies.

And to respond to the question, I would absolutely pay for a Hero Lab file.
The Exchange Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Sorry, I thought at first that the HL file download was somehow missing, and that we would update it. So I worked with Liz to figure that out, but the file is still there for download.

When I realized that the concern was about getting an update to the content, I was curious about whether the more important element is the free add-on of HL content, or the more important element would be to have a complete add-on (which would likely be a separate or add-on cost). Mostly just trying to figure out whether it's worth investing time and effort here beyond the current system.

I don't think my response implies you are a bad guy, though I guess the word "complaint" can be all too easily misconstrued (and apologies, wasn't a slam). But it made me wonder about the right priorities for handling HL files, so I asked.

To return to the original request: an updated SLR HL file came in from the volunteer last week, but the file is still being tested. It's not quite working and ready yet.
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Superscriber

Count me in as a HeroLab user who would be willing to pay more for HL files. While I would love to get the information for free, I wouldn't mind a "PDF and HeroLab Bundle" that charged a little extra for the HL file in order to ensure that everything from the PDF was included. That's not always easy to do (as someone who has played around with the HL editor a bit, adding a new archetype is rarely as easy as it sounds), but would certainly be appreciated.

That said, I was actually the opposite. I purchased the PDF, and was pleasantly surprised to find the HeroLab file included. This lead to a bit of disappointment that the next two New Paths documents didn't have HeroLab files included, until I read through the forums and saw that the HeroLab files were created and shared by a volunteer. I think that shows the strength of the Pathfider and Kobold community, that a user would not only take the time to create this for him- or herself, but that they would then contact the company behind the PDF and offer that datafile for distribution to the community at large. Bravo for that!

HeroLab makes things much easier for those who have a limited amount of time for prep-work, those with a LOT of characters to track, or those who just love a quick-and-easy way to try out new (or higher-level) builds for characters. It's also quite handy for those who often miss or skip the minor things, like encumberance for gold or whether you are still under the effects of the ACP and how that modifies which skills. It's certainly not a requirement for Pathfinder play, but it can make your play much more fulfilling by taking a lot of the minor inconveniences and tracking them for you, allowing you to concentrate more fully on the adventure and how your character can shine in it. :)

I think the surge in tablets/laptops-at-the-table, widespread availability of internet access, and the cratering prices of computers and consumer electronics that function like computers affords a fantastic opportunity. Since HeroLab is the officially-licensed character creation software for Pathfinder, having 3rd party publishers such as Kobold add support for it along with their products benefits everyone. If the work is unfeasable to do for free (for whatever reason, and they could be legion), I like the idea of offering the file as part of a separate offering for those willing to "put their money where their mouth is" by being willing to support the development of the things they want. Like Kickstarter, but on a much more personal scale. Just my two coppers' worth.

Sorry if i took offense. I guess i read your post wrong.

I find the use of HeroLab incredibly useful and in some ways the most important part. I run a game which has some in person, some skype/distance people. i keep track of all characters through hero lab. to be honest when i came acorss this product, it was the hero lab component that interested me more than the PDF. When I looked at the production description, it does say no additional cost, but that wasnt the reason i purchased it. I purchased it, because i thought it was the person who made the pdf also made the hero lab. i assumed it was "official". the product blurb doesnt state that it was done by a volunteer. If it said that i:

1. wouldnt have requested the archetypes be included.
2. wouldnt have assumed it was part of the download.

but here's the interesting thing: i might not have purchased the pdf. I might have, but i dont know. because the reason i purchased it was for the hero lab component. I own pretty much all of paizo's official hero lab components, but not all of their books. Some of them cost almost as much as the books. Why is that? Well, if a player wants to use a feat i need to have the book in hero lab. Also i might have searched the net to find out if anyone has converted it on their own.

I _COMPLETELY_ get that if you were to support it officially, you would need to pay someone and make money on it. I just assumed that was happening.

In the meantime, i think it might make sense to update the description, because while it says "hero lab files included at no additional cost", its a little confusing, and it might be good to state what the hero lab files cover and what it doesnt, or at the very least that its done by a volunteer so it might have issues.

Long story short: I will ABSOLUTELY pay extra for supported "official" hero lab components.

I want to apologize for being the source of the uproar. I missed the issue with the way I was doing the prerequisite checks for the feats in HL.

I've sent version 1.2 of the ESR .hl file to Wolfgang with this fixed as well as the inclusion of the archetypes, and I'm sure as soon as it's through the testing process on their end, it'll be included in the official download.

If anyone finds any issues in this or the Expanded Shaman file, please feel free to send me a PM and I'll see what I can do about it. I am also working on the Expanded Archer file at the moment, so hopefully it won't be too long before I can send that for inclusion in it's download. :)

Again, apologies for the issues.

TC

PS: if anyone knows about using the editor to fix your user file and ca't wait for an official update ( :) ), I've posted the solution I came up with on the Lone Wolf Herolab Forums. You can pop over there and look (I'm TCArknight on those boards) or PM me and I'll let you know the solution.

If official Hero Lab files were included with every Kobold Press product, I would be okay to pay more for said products.

And I also would be okay to purchase separate Hero Lab files associated with the products.

@Arknight:
Thank you for the time and work you put in your Hero Lab files ; it's much appreciated !
The Exchange Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Arknight, thank you for the quick update. Testing should be done shortly and I would guess that we'll get the new file to Paizo next week.
Liberty's Edge
Arknight wrote:

I want to apologize for being the source of the uproar. I missed the issue with the way I was doing the prerequisite checks for the feats in HL.

I've sent version 1.2 of the ESR .hl file to Wolfgang with this fixed as well as the inclusion of the archetypes, and I'm sure as soon as it's through the testing process on their end, it'll be included in the official download.

Again, apologies for the issues.

Thanks so much for doing these Arknight! I know the HL users appreciate it!

Yes, the work is much appreciated!

I use the heck out of HL for Pathfinder, and would love to be able to buy a Midgard package of .hl files for new Midgard content as it comes out!
Arknight wrote:

I want to apologize for being the source of the uproar. I missed the issue with the way I was doing the prerequisite checks for the feats in HL.

I've sent version 1.2 of the ESR .hl file to Wolfgang with this fixed as well as the inclusion of the archetypes, and I'm sure as soon as it's through the testing process on their end, it'll be included in the official download.

If anyone finds any issues in this or the Expanded Shaman file, please feel free to send me a PM and I'll see what I can do about it. I am also working on the Expanded Archer file at the moment, so hopefully it won't be too long before I can send that for inclusion in it's download. :)

Again, apologies for the issues.

TC

PS: if anyone knows about using the editor to fix your user file and ca't wait for an official update ( :) ), I've posted the solution I came up with on the Lone Wolf Herolab Forums. You can pop over there and look (I'm TCArknight on those boards) or PM me and I'll let you know the solution.

No apology needed. Thanks for all the work.

Liberty's Edge

Hey, thanks for the review judas 147!

Hey guys,

I'm a fan of this archetype, but my DM thinks it's too powerful (has too many other options for what the spell-less ranger gives up from a normal ranger).

Is there anything you can recommend to bring it more in line to be "balanced" with the Paizo canon classes?

I'd really like to play this type of ranger, but as it stands I don't think I'll get a chance to and instead just get to keep looking longingly at the concept you created in the document.

Thanks!
Jessie Scott wrote:
I'm a fan of this archetype, but my DM thinks it's too powerful (has too many other options for what the spell-less ranger gives up from a normal ranger).

I had a similar knee-jerk reaction when I first looked over the class. Especially the fact that this version of the ranger starts getting new class features before the standard ranger gains spell casting. But then I had to remind myself that even before the ranger gets the ability to actually cast spells, he still has the ability to use spell-trigger items (like wands) of any spell on the ranger list which can be very useful. Then you also have to consider that all of the new ranger class features other than the ranger talents have to either be used in one of the ranger's favored terrains or against a favored enemy. Personally, I think it is very balanced with all things considered, especially since the spell-less ranger doesn't have access to the Instant Enemy spell unless he trains UMD. You should talk it over with your GM, bringing up these points and maybe he'll reconsider??

Jessie Scott wrote:
Is there anything you can recommend to bring it more in line to be "balanced" with the Paizo canon classes?

I'd say if you just remove Stealth Attack the class would maybe seem more in line with the standard ranger by your GM's perception if he doesn't reconsider. Unless that's one of the main features you wanted? Otherwise I don't really know what to suggest.

pluvia33 wrote:
Jessie Scott wrote:
I'm a fan of this archetype, but my DM thinks it's too powerful (has too many other options for what the spell-less ranger gives up from a normal ranger).

I had a similar knee-jerk reaction when I first looked over the class. Especially the fact that this version of the ranger starts getting new class features before the standard ranger gains spell casting. But then I had to remind myself that even before the ranger gets the ability to actually cast spells, he still has the ability to use spell-trigger items (like wands) of any spell on the ranger list which can be very useful. Then you also have to consider that all of the new ranger class features other than the ranger talents have to either be used in one of the ranger's favored terrains or against a favored enemy. Personally, I think it is very balanced with all things considered, especially since the spell-less ranger doesn't have access to the Instant Enemy spell unless he trains UMD. You should talk it over with your GM, bringing up these points and maybe he'll reconsider??

Jessie Scott wrote:
Is there anything you can recommend to bring it more in line to be "balanced" with the Paizo canon classes?
I'd say if you just remove Stealth Attack the class would maybe seem more in line with the standard ranger by your GM's perception if he doesn't reconsider. Unless that's one of the main features you wanted? Otherwise I don't really know what to suggest.

I was actually thinking the same thing, remove the stealth attack. In addition, I forgot about the wand usage. As you've said, many features are only usable in favored terrain so they become moot anywhere else.

Liberty's Edge

Hi Jessie!

As pluvia33 points out, once you really study the class, you will see that it is actually quite balanced. In particular, many of the Spell-less Ranger's abilities work only in a favored terrain and/or against a favored enemy.

I would actually strongly recommend that you ask your GM to read the reviews here as well as maybe some of the discussion (although reading through 270 some posts is kind of a tall order!:)

Then, ask your GM to let you play the class as written for a session or two and see if he has any balance issues with the class once he sees it in play. I really think he will see the class works quite well without any modification.

If you must modify, removing stealth attack is certainly an option I suppose, although stealth attack is kind of one of the Spell-less Ranger's cooler abilities ...

Thanks for the response Marc! I'll definitely direct him towards this thread. I may just have to make a case for it again in another campaign.
Liberty's Edge

Hey! I just saw that the Expanded Spell-less Ranger jumped back into Paizo's Top Ten Third Party Best Seller List again this week!

Cool! I guess you just can't keep a spell-less ranger down ;)
Grand Lodge

Question on the Companion Bound archetype. The ability "Enhanced Companion" gives you bonus feats selected from Greater Animal Companion,
Improved Animal Companion, Increased Devotion, Invulnerable Animal Companion. A number of these feats require the Hunter's Bond ability which was replaced by the Teamwork ability at 4th level, which means you'll never meet the prereqs to take Improved AC, Greater AC, or Invulnerable AC.

Well I guess it's not much of a question, more of a pointing out a bug. Unless I'm misreading something.
Liberty's Edge

Hey Andrew!

Good question! You are correct that the Teamwork class feature at 4th level replaces hunter's bond. However, the Animal Companion class feature the Companion Bound ranger gets at 3rd level already granted an animal companion a level earlier.

The feats you mention say:
Prerequisites: Hunter’s bond or nature’s bond class feature; you must have an animal companion.

So, it should be pretty clear that the Companion Bound ranger archetype qualifies for these feats, especially since the primary intent of the archetype is to improve the ranger's animal companion and enhance the way the ranger and his animal companion work together.

I certainly can see how, just to be crystal clear, the feat(s) could have said:
Prerequisites: Hunter’s bond, nature’s bond or similar class feature; you must have an animal companion

Hope that helps!
Grand Lodge

A few things. First, thank you guys for a great product. I've used this in a few different one-shot games and in my current campaign. Second, I know I may be a bit late on the bandwagon, but I'd pay for HL files in a heartbeat. Third, I noticed that the file, according to the posts here, was last updated in may to include the archetypes. My downloads is still showing the last update having been in February, so I was just wondering if I'm missing an update option somewhere on the page or if I should just hold up and wait a little longer for it to show up there. I'd be happy either way.

-Cheers
Liberty's Edge
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Hey Dallimar, really glad you're enjoying the Spell-less Ranger! Although it was the first class I created for Kobold Press (since then, there has been the Shaman, the White Necromancer, the Battle Scion AND the soon to be released {redacted} ) it still holds a very special place in my heart! :)

Regarding the HeroLab file(s) I have no info alas. I will be sure to point the appropriate piwers-that-be to this thread though:)

Mister Radle, can we expect to see the White Necromancer released sometime in the New Paths series?
Liberty's Edge
Eric Hinkle wrote:
Mister Radle, can we expect to see the White Necromancer released sometime in the New Paths series?

Hmmm ... well ... officially, only the Great Kobold Himself can say for sure ...

But, just between you and me (he says, looking around to be sure no one else is listening) fans of the White Necromancer should keep an eye on the Kobold Press web site over the next week or two :)

In fact ... "the next week or two" might be a pretty darn good answer to your question ... but, again, you didn't hear that from me ;)
Liberty's Edge

Just a heads up that the The White Necromancer will be released very soon:)

You can even learn a bit more here:
The Expanded White Necromancer Design Blog
Liberty's Edge

Hey, the Expanded Spell-less Ranger just jumped back on to Paizo's Top Downloads From Other Companies list

Guess you can't keep a Spell-less Ranger down! :)

Hey all, I just downloaded the Expanded Spell-Less Archer PDF but found that the Hero Lab file is no longer included in it? Looking back through the thread it looks like an updated one was submitted to Wolfgang and was pending to be added. Was it ever added? Is it available? I would love to get this!

Thanks!
Liberty's Edge

Hey Regnirok - really hope you like the Spell-less Ranger!

I don't have anything overly helpful to contribute on the HeroLab files side of things (I'm a do it by hand kind of guy :) but I will definitely see if we can get it sorted out!

All the best!

Thanks Marc, and I am really enjoying it!

My DM ended up buying the PDF off of the Kobold Quarterly site, which included the Hero Lab file, so it appears to only not be included on the Paizo download. My DM provided me with the file to go with my Paizo copy of the PDF.

Thanks again and keep up the great work!
Dark Archive

Marc, do you have any plans for additional material for Spell-less Ranger? Such as new feats or archetypes?
Liberty's Edge
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Hey there nightflier!

No plans specifically for additional Spell-less Ranger material ... however ... there is something on the horizon from Kobold Press which I think will make fans of the New Paths series (and Spell-less Rangers in particular) pretty happy :)
Liberty's Edge

Yowzah! the Expanded Spell-less Ranger jumped back on to Paizo's Top Downloads From Other Companies list again this week - number 6 in fact!

That's freaking amazing! :)

Well it's a very good class.

-Kcinlive
The Exchange Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

And there seems to be a remarkable amount of interest in alternate classes at the moment.
Silver Crusade

Wolfgang over on the hero lab forums a community contributor has fixed the things in the .hl file for Spell-Less Ranger and would like to post the fixed file for the community to use but needs your permission as the Spell-Less Ranger is a Non-OGL Class. Can you send Mathias an Email if this OK?
Silver Crusade
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BTW Wolfgang the Spell-Less Ranger is my personal Fav 3rd Party class.
You did a great job with the class.
Liberty's Edge

@Kcinlive - thank you! Ya know, it's never too late for an official review ... :)

@Lou Diamond - your favorite 3rd Party class; that's high praise indeed, thank you! I'll ping Wolfgang about your community fixed HeroLab file question!
The Exchange Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

Lou, there's an ongoing discussion about this HL file, and I'm trying to sort out the best way to update it and keep it updated.

Send me a PM and I think we can sort it out.

Yeah, this take on the ranger class is near the top of all my favorite classes--both Paizo and 3pp. Any chance of a "More Spell-less Ranger Archetypes/Options"?
Liberty's Edge

Wow, thanks!

There are definitely cool things on the New Paths horizon!

As for more Spell-less Ranger Archetypes, I've actually been working on a new one that I think folks will really dig!
Liberty's Edge
1 person marked this as a favorite.

The afore mentioned top-secret new Spell-less Ranger archetype is officially complete and I'm pretty darn excited about it! :)

{checks store again, still no new SLR archetype <sigh>

{cues Tom Petty's "The Waiting (Is The Hardest Part)"}
The Exchange Contributor; Publisher, Kobold Press; RPG Superstar Judge

It'll be a while. The archetype still needs to go to an editor and suchlike first.

Yeah, I figured as much. Still, consider at least one copy pre-sold.
Liberty's Edge
2 people marked this as a favorite.

So, speaking of the brand-new spell-less ranger archetype ...

Wouldn't it be cool if it was part of a much bigger, really awesome product? Maybe even something that was related to the entire New Paths series ... ?

You didn't hear it from me, but ... keep your eyes open for a pretty cool announcement this Friday :)
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