I have been out of Pathfinder for quite some time and am gearing up for a campaign here locally that has some room. I have to go back and read up on the rules again and stuff. I am looking at playing an Elven Ranger since the party could use something like that. I am thinking Elf would probably synergize well with Ranger. I need to make a lvl 5 PC.
I am thinking of being either a mobile damage dealer or a dual wielding damage dealer. Whichever is more effective really.
Do any of you have any builds and/or suggestions? I am pretty clueless at the moment.
Thanks in advance!
I found the following advice and wonder if this is still accurate:
He seems to favor the Switch Hitter build.
I am assuming you have read the Treantmonks guide to Rangers. go for the Archery style of combat and back it up with an Elven Curved Blade. Pretty much a switch hitter form the Treanmonks guide.
What is the rest of the party playing? A Ranger has enough skills he can cover most of the scouting for the party. Take some ranks in disable device and you can even fill in for the rogue.
Treantmonks guides are always worth reading. They have not been updated for the APG, but still give you the basis for a very effective character.
Treantmonks guides are always worth reading. They have not been updated for the APG, but still give you the basis for a very effective character.
We have in the group right now 2 HE, mage, druid and a H fighter.
Are you recommending Treantmonk's switch hitter build over the pure archery one, Mysterious Stranger? Can an Elf be as good of a switch hitter as a human?
I am currently playing an Elven switch hitter and he works very well. Probably not quite as good as a "Pure switch hitter". I would swap the Elven Magic for the Silent Hunter. The bonus on Perception is really nice especially if you do not have a rouge in the party. Remember anyone can find traps, and even disarm nonmagical traps
I am currently playing an Elven switch hitter and he works very well. Probably not quite as good as a "Pure switch hitter". I would swap the Elven Magic for the Silent Hunter. The bonus on Perception is really nice especially if you do not have a rouge in the party. Remember anyone can find traps, and even disarm nonmagical traps
By "pure switch hitter" do you mean the human version? Or are you talking more in terms of feat selection, etc.
What I mean by a pure switch hitter is the one suggested by Treantmonk. I went with a lower STR then recommended and boosted the DEX. I am also looking at taking some noncombat feats at mid levels.
What I am looking for is versatility. My damage may not be as high as if I had gone with the recommended build, but it is working well.
One thing to keep in mind is the rest of the members of your party. My party does not have a rogue so I took a couple of ranks in disable device to be able to deal with the nonmagical traps.
I would also recommend getting different types of arrows. Not just for damage either.. There are some interesting arrows listed online that can be very usefull.
Treantmonks guides are always worth reading. They have not been updated for the APG, but still give you the basis for a very effective character.We have in the group right now 2 HE, mage, druid and a H fighter.
Are you recommending Treantmonk's switch hitter build over the pure archery one, Mysterious Stranger? Can an Elf be as good of a switch hitter as a human?
What do you mean by 2 HE and H fighter?
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What do you mean by 2 HE and H fighter?Treantmonks guides are always worth reading. They have not been updated for the APG, but still give you the basis for a very effective character.We have in the group right now 2 HE, mage, druid and a H fighter.
Are you recommending Treantmonk's switch hitter build over the pure archery one, Mysterious Stranger? Can an Elf be as good of a switch hitter as a human?
I'm guessing that there is a half elven Mage, human fighter and half elf Druid in the party.
I'm guessing that there is a half elven Mage, human fighter and half elf Druid in the party.What do you mean by 2 HE and H fighter?Treantmonks guides are always worth reading. They have not been updated for the APG, but still give you the basis for a very effective character.We have in the group right now 2 HE, mage, druid and a H fighter.
Are you recommending Treantmonk's switch hitter build over the pure archery one, Mysterious Stranger? Can an Elf be as good of a switch hitter as a human?
Yes that makes sense.
Can you tell us what "type" the fighter is? two handed? sword and shield? something else?
For versatility the switch hitter is unmatched. avoid any weapons specific feats other than Manyshoot. This will allow you to take advantage of whatever weapon you find. That is one of the weakness of the Fighter. Yea he gets weapon focus, and specialization, but that does not matter if you are not using your favored weapon. Your fighter may have focused on the Falchion, but you find a +3 Holy, Demon Bane Great Sword.
With a Mage, Fighter and Druid in the party you will probably be the skill monkey. But unlike a Rogue you still be able to contribute to combat. For the most part the Fighter will be able to do more damage, but you will be running a close second. If you are fighting against a favored enemy you will probably do more. Use your bonus feats for Archery, and the class feats for melee.
Your skill selection is going to be very important. The obvious ones are going to be Perception, Survival, Stealth. Knowledge Nature, Geography, and Dungeoneering will be secondary. Put at least a few ranks into Climb, Swim, and Ride. Handle Animal is another one that will be useful. Since your party does not seem to have a Rogue Disable Device could also be useful.
For equipment you need a Efficient Quiver, and a Handy Haversack. Even though you will have a bow take some other weapons. Javelins are good when you want to attack something at range, but do not want to drop the bow. Spears can be set vs. a charge. Quarterstaffs work well vs. Skeletons. Also stock up on unusual arrows. Fire, Thunder, Ect.
For noncombat pick up lots of mundane items. Think of Batman and his utility belt. Have things like climbing kit, healing kits, mundane tools and anything else you think may be useful. Be a boy scout and be prepared for anything. Your job is not just to be able to survive, but to make sure the party can survive.
You will also be a secondary healer so pickup a few wands of cure light wounds.
My current ranger has taken the infiltrator build to replace the favored terrain that I think is underpowered. I feel the adeptation abilities are far more versitile.
And I also took the skirmisher build to replace the divine spellcasting that wasn't really my style. The rogue type ablities that it grants are much more useful.
My dude also has a few levels in sniper rogue with a bunch of special arrows, kind of this whole Green Arrow type thing. I like him.
He is the party go to guy for extra activities, not a front line fighter but at 8th lvl with good gear and feats he is putting 4 arrows into anyone on the battlefield.