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In Class Acts Dragon Magazine has done two variants of the ranger, the Wild Defender in issue 324 and the Mystic Ranger in issue 336. But what I and many of my friends have wanted to see is a tougher melee combat capable ranger. Even in the Class Acts of issue 327 the ranger article states "The ranger thrives as a skirmisher, scout, and supporting combatant." It goes on to say that it is difficult for a ranger to stand alongside a paladin or fighter in battle.
I realize that in the conversion to 3.5 the concept of the ranger was changed to that of a skirmisher. But for those of us who still see the ranger as the guy who draws the line between the wilderness and civilization and challenges any monster that crosses that line and who believe a ranger should be able to stand alongside a paladin and fighter, could you do a variant that is along this concept. Heck if the city slicker, pretty boy Swashbuckler can stand with the fighter and paladin why not the hardy, rough, outdoors ranger?
Anyway, my players have asked me to do a warrior variant of the ranger but I would prefer a version created by professionals such as the writers of Dragon.
Also for a Core Belief, could you do an article on Ehlonna. I have wondered just how religous does a ranger have to be. He does get divine spells that he must pray for after all. How much devotion do the gods expect in return for those spells and that animal companion? Other divine casters must serve their god to keep their abilities. What is expected of a ranger? I'm hoping an article on Ehlonna's followers will give me a better understanding.
Thank you.
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I think a ranger variant like you describe sounds like a great idea. I'll second your request.
And I'm sure they'll get to Ehlonna sooner or later. I wouldn't mind learning more about her myself, although I have a feeling the likes of Heironeous, Hextor, Nerull, and Obad-Hai will be more forthcoming.
I agree also that there should be a core beliefs on Elhona. That would be a very useful article.
Weren't there some ranger variants in 310? I always wanted a more loner type ranger that was a bit more self sufficient or more wild, but not a barbarian that follows a theme more like he knows the city, but has turned his back on it as the infestiation of corruption that it is; he fights growth and expansion of cities and throwns as they expand into the wild; guides people and teaches them to embrace the wild and live in harmony; has freinds, but trusts little, and makes urbanites down right tremble. A guy like this might be a druids right hand man; not work with other rangers unless the need was great; join parties that are going to put down a particular threat. the ranger in the current edition seems a bit mamby pampy, and not the tuff leathery guy I always imagined; hehe maybe it is just the players not the character; but I think they need to put more of the wild back into the ranger.
a tougher melee combat capable ranger.
It's my understanding that variant classes aren't top priority at the moment (same thing for feat heavy articles). I'd sent in a CA for a ranger that's all about smacking evil (or good) creatures, and MM's response was to retool it in a different manner. Basically, I'd focused on the ranger's "I hate this type of creature and I want it destroyed" aspect, taking out all other aspects. I'll get with MM and if he's still not interested in the variant in its current form, I'd be more than happy to send it your way.
I have been looking for a week and cannot find a ranger variant that doesnt get the animal companion; is there any? I dont want a animal companion for my pc.
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I have been looking for a week and cannot find a ranger variant that doesnt get the animal companion; is there any? I dont want a animal companion for my pc.
There is a variant in the PHB2, called "distracting attack. It replaces an animal companion.
The idea is to distract so well that your opponent can be flanked more easily !!
coolness, I guess I will pick that up than; have heard mixed mostly bad reviews about pbhb2; haven't looked into it myself
Contributor
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coolness, I guess I will pick that up than; have heard mixed mostly bad reviews about pbhb2; haven't looked into it myself
Mostly bad? Really? That surprises me. It's got a lot of really cool ideas in it. You should at least check it out. :)
(Yes, I really like the book. No, this isn't an official endorsement, it's a personal one. No, I didn't have a hand in it in any way.)
coolness, I guess I will pick that up than; have heard mixed mostly bad reviews about pbhb2; haven't looked into it myselfMostly bad? Really? That surprises me. It's got a lot of really cool ideas in it. You should at least check it out. :)
(Yes, I really like the book. No, this isn't an official endorsement, it's a personal one. No, I didn't have a hand in it in any way.)
My favorite thing about PHBII is the affiliations! Kickin' butt!
My favorite thing about PHBII is the affiliations! Kickin' butt!Yup. Affiliations are golden. They and variant class features will keep Class Acts going for a good long while yet. :)
Aha!
::Begins writing proposals for Class Acts!::
;-)
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coolness, I guess I will pick that up than; have heard mixed mostly bad reviews about pbhb2; haven't looked into it myselfMostly bad? Really? That surprises me. It's got a lot of really cool ideas in it. You should at least check it out. :)
(Yes, I really like the book. No, this isn't an official endorsement, it's a personal one. No, I didn't have a hand in it in any way.)
I have to agree...
The new classes are quite good and interesting, class options are mostly interesting (however 1-2 are not !), background ideas, affiliations are alright, I haven't checked all the spells but some may prove useful, and some of the feats are really interesting and not too powerful or unbalanced IMO.
Tactical feats are (at least, I should say !) giving REAL fighting options to PCs choosing them...
This book is overall worth it.
And so is complete mage, with the reserve feats !!
Ok; I have a copy of the book; the added spells, classes and feats are nice, of course, but the whole second half except for the character group benefits for practicing trained responses to certain actions is not much benefit to me. Most of the starting packages and themes are of little value also for various reasons. This stuff would be nice for the starting gm though. There are probably some gems inside I have yet to dig out though.
I will definately be using the substitution ability instead of getting an animal companion; thanks for the suggestion and post.