Ranger / Rogue build

[Nebelwerfer41]

Here's the deal. I'm at a crossroads regarding a new build for our groups game. We're coming in at 3rd level, want to play a half-elf, multiclass rogue/ranger (1/2). As the game progresses I will be taking more levels in rogue than ranger to get additional sneak attack damage and more skills. Stats were rolled and I assigned them as follows:

Str: 15
Dex: 19
Con: 13
Int: 16
Wis: 14
Cha: 11

I'm going with the archery style ranger. My dilemma comes as a result of which melee weapons to go with. Do I go Two Weapon Fighting with Weapon finesse, or do I just go with a two-handed weapon? Or, should I focus more on ranged attacks?

I'm tempted to try out a TWF rogue but I am concerned about the amount of feats I'll need to put into the chain. I don't want to be a one-trick pony. There are two fighters in the group already, so I should have plenty of melee support and be able to set up flanks.

Any suggestions? I'm not looking for a DPR argument, but damage output will be a concern.

[Moorluck]

I don't have alot to say exept that I have been very pleased with my Half Elf Ranger/Rogue. I focused on archery with Rory, and for his Animal Companion selected a horse. For melee I went simple and selected a longsword. He's used that sword probably about 8-9 times and he's almost 10th level now.

[Bitter Thorn]

I went TWF for my Dwarven rog5/ran6 and it works out well for me when I can flank and full attack. For archery style I think TWF is probably a suboptimal way to go. The feat tax for going archery focus and doing TWF and maybe ITWF seems unlikely to be worth it even if you find yourself in melee more than you would care to.

OTOH, if you only do 2 levels of ranger and the balance in rogue and you're interested in melee the TWF sneak attack combo works in my experience, and the skills and abilities synergize well. I'm not trying to sell the approach; I'm just sharing my own experience.

[Marc Radle]

Have you by any chance checked out the Spell-less Ranger variant in Kobold Quarterly?I ask only because this might be exactly what you are looking for, based on the concept you are going for, and you would not need to multiclassing.

[spalding]

Well you need all of 4 feats with your stats to really pull off the twf rogue:

Weapon finesse, twf, itwf, and gtwf.

You don't need two weapon rend, or any of the rest due to the fact that you aren't relying on your strength to do damage... you just need to hit.

With the rogue levels you can pick up two of those feats with your talents: Weapon Finesse, and whatever you pick for your combat trick.

With the ranged combat you would probably be looking at the following all told:

Point blank shot, rapid shot, precise shot, multishot, improved precise shot, and deadly aim.

So we have a total of 10 feats that you will want and you will get at least 13 feats (two rogue talents before level 10, and at least one from your ranger level of 2).

So you have the feats to support your desire and still have say toughness, improved initiative and another feat.

And past level 10 rogue you can take another feat from your advance talents if you want.

The question is how much melee do you expect to see? If you don't expect to see much just grab weapon finesse and maybe up through improved two weapon fighting... just enough to get you a few more swings at your better attack bonuses.

If you expect a lot of it consider getting the full tree.

[Drumlan]

have you read treantmonks guide to rangers? if you haven't you should read the section about the with hitter if you want ranged and melee.