I take it by leaving the bonuses of favored enemy and terrain unnamed, you intend for them to stack?
I apologize if you weren't replying to my post, but if so, yes. The PC in question has Favored Enemy (Giant+4), Favored Terrain (Forest +3), then Favored Enemies Undead +2, and Goblins +1.
i would like to suggest the ranger getting the ability to take on animal traits due to his often interaction with animals. not wild shape the like druid but some natural armor from tougher skin, maybe a slam attack or claw or fang or keen eye sight...etc. i also liked the modified leadership so that you had a small community of animals off in the background at your disposal. very beastmastery
If you're familiar with Shifter racial feats from Eberron, I think those would fit nicely. They need some tweaking, but I think they could be used as a mechanic for a ranger manifesting beast-like abilities.
I take it by leaving the bonuses of favored enemy and terrain unnamed, you intend for them to stack?I apologize if you weren't replying to my post, but if so, yes. The PC in question has Favored Enemy (Giant+4), Favored Terrain (Forest +3), then Favored Enemies Undead +2, and Goblins +1.
Is he at +7 against Giants in the forest? How about +9 vs. Zombie Giants in the forest?
Is he at +7 against Giants in the forest? How about +9 vs. Zombie Giants in the forest?
Ah! I knew I was understanding something.
That is a tough one for me. There is a small part of me that wants to allow it. That part of me is saying that the +7 is very situational, and may add another nice tactical element for the ranger, ie luring giants out of their lairs and into the forest.
However, that does seem like too much, and I would say the bonuses overlap. At least, that is how I'll go with it in a few days. We'll see how it plays out.
A few points i though of
Exactly the kind of post I was about to make.
Animal Compainion
Advance the Animal at the same rate as a druids -3 (similar to the plaidins reduced turning)
In addition to Animal Companion, their caster level should be level -3 - pretty much no reason to limit them to 1/2 caster level.
Ranger Combat StylesIncrease the number of Styles to include, two weapon fighting, two handed fighting, polearm fighting, single weapon fighting, ranged fighting
Definitely - there was a *great* Class Acts in Dragon #326 with additional styles that would work fabulously. Also should add a level 16 power (perhaps even the Epic Perfect Two-Weapon Fighting for the dual style - or just Rend).
Breaking up how the Favored Enemies are chosen would help as well:
[list]Possibly a slight increase to the rate (1 per 4 instead of 1 per 5)
Break up the New choices and the Increases (new choice at 2nd, increase at 4th, new choice at 6th, increase at 8th, etc.)
Allow a *slow* shift in the Enemies (shift one +2 at each new choice or so).
These all would be just about entirely backwards compatible, and nudge Ranger up a bit.
My only other thoughts relate to the early discussion on role. While I believe Ranger, and other mixed ability classes, are entirely meant to *not* have so specific a role, I find they end up with the role of Survivor.
Survivors will typically live through the worst that gets thrown at the party, and "save the party", more than most other classes. They aren't the tank, they aren't the healer, and they aren't necessarily the damage monger, but they'll survive long enough to get the job done, or get help. Rangers have had this role since 1st edition, when they got *2* hit dice at first level, doubling their hit points.
Survivors will typically live through the worst that gets thrown at the party, and "save the party", more than most other classes. They aren't the tank, they aren't the healer, and they aren't necessarily the damage monger, but they'll survive long enough to get the job done, or get help. Rangers have had this role since 1st edition, when they got *2* hit dice at first level, doubling their hit points.
Really?! I wish that were the case in my campaign. In my experience, my guy's been knocked unconscious in 3/4 of the fights.
I am also besides getting the spells off the ranger. If you want spells that much, buy a few levels of druid, and that's it.
Idea: what if you combine the ranger with the Co Adventurer Scout?
This would nicely make up for lost spells and animal companion. And the skirmish would suit it much better than sneak attack.
One thing that is sure: the ranger does not need the 6+ skill points in the new system, because 5 of his key skills (listen, spot, search, hide, MS) became 2 (perception, stealth).
Anyway, could look something like this:
Hit Dice: d10
Lvl Base Attack Fort Refl Will Special Ability
1 +1 +2 +2 +0 1st Favored Enemy, Skirmish (+1d6), Wild Empathy
2 +2 +3 +3 +0 Bonus feat, Trapfinding
3 +3 +3 +3 +1 Skirmish (+1d6, +1 AC), Trackless Step
4 +4 +4 +4 +1 Fast Movement 10’, Uncanny Dodge
5 +5 +4 +4 +1 2nd Favored Enemy, Skirmish (+2d6, +1 AC),
6 +6 +5 +5 +2 Bonus feat
7 +7 +5 +5 +2 Skirmish (+2d6, +2 AC)
8 +8 +6 +6 +2 Flawless Stride
9 +9 +6 +6 +3 Evasion, Skirmish (+3d6, +2 AC)
10 +10 +7 +7 +3 3rd Favored Enemy, Bonus feat
11 +11 +7 +7 +3 Blindsense 30’, Skirmish (+3d6, +3 AC)
12 +12 +8 +8 +4 Camouflage, Fast Movement 20’
13 +13 +8 +8 +4 Skirmish (+4d6, +3 AC)
14 +14 +9 +9 +4 Bonus feat
15 +15 +9 +9 +5 4th Favored Enemy, Skirmish (+4d6, +4 AC),
16 +16 +10 +10 +5 Hide in Plain Sight
17 +17 +10 +10 +5 Skirmish (+5d6, +4 AC)
18 +18 +11 +11 +6 Bonus feat
19 +19 +11 +11 +6 Skirmish (+5d6, +5 AC)
20 +20 +12 +12 +6 5th Favored Enemy, Blindsight 30’, Free movement
Class Skills (4+int per level): Climb, Craft, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (dungeoneering), Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (nature), Perception, Profession, Ride, Stealth, Survival, Swim
Abilities: as in the ranger or scout description.
Bonus feats:
Blind-fight, Dodge, Deadly Aim, Endurance, Far Shot, Great Fortitude, Greater Two-weapon Fighting, Improved Initiative, Improved Precise Shot, Improved Two-weapon Fighting, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Manyshot, Mobility, Oversized Two-weapon Fighting, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Quick Draw, Rapid Reload, Shot on the Run, Skill Focus, Spring Attack, Two-weapon defense, Two-weapon Fighting, Two-weapon Rend
Anyway, this is just an idea, only to produce other ideas.
Have fun everyone