I noticed that the ranger can now take his own species as favored enemy even if not evil, as it was in 3.5. At first, I was not sure if this was a good change. Reflecting about it, I think it is a good change - specializing on hunting your own species does not make you evil. Rather, it is a skill that should be very valuable for law enforcement, for example. I can easily envision a LG or LN ranger working for law enforcement in a community where his own species is predominant - most probably humans and dwarves. The +2 on skills (most of them dealing with social relationships) and +1 on "force", used if need be, gives the ranger quite an edge in this regard.
It is another example of a tool that can be used for good or bad. It is outright recommended for Council of Thieves to take humans as favored enemies, anyway.
Stefan
Rangers didn't need to be evil to take their own race as a favoured enemy in 3.5, it's not a change.
When I run Ravenloft the party is always human, and I enjoying having them encounter sithcus elven ranger with hatred for humans, it always stings.
I always take Favored enemy human. Bounty hunters around the world would all recommend it.
Elves should take Elf since their most dangerous foes are Drow and to a lesser extent dwarves may want to go hunting the Druegar.
That was a rule in 3.0 that was dropped in 3.5, though you're right that it was a good change.
_That´s_ where I got this from. I wondered when I read the original answer if I had imagined that rules change...
Thanks for the answer.
I had gnoll rangers with composite long bows made for their strength and favored enemy human in one campaign - they were really nasty.
Stefan