Say you want to play a ranger without a pet. Maybe you don't want the extra bookkeeping, maybe you don't want the added liability; or maybe the pet just doesn't fit your character concept. Well, you're up the creek without a paddle, because there are no published pet-less ranger variants [that I know of]. Here's an expanded Combat Style variant I wrote up to replace the ranger's pet. Its benefits begin before a ranger would get a pet, but that's okay with me because I like to discourage pets. Tell me what you think:
Level 2: Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot (Archery) or Two-Weapon Fighting (Two-Weapon)
Level 4: Rapid Shot (Archery) or Two-Weapon Defense (Two-Weapon)
Level 6: Many Shot (Archery) or Improved Two-Weapon Fighting (Two-Weapon)
Level 8: Sharp Shooting (Archery) or Improved Two-Weapon Defense (Two-Weapon)
Level 11: Improved Precise Shot (Archery) or Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (Two-Weapon)
Level 12: Far Shot (Archery) or Greater Two-Weapon Defense (Two-Weapon)
Level 16: Improved Rapid Shot (Archery) or Superior Two-Weapon Fighting (Two-Weapon)
Level 18: Shot on the Run (Archery) or Superior Two-Weapon Defense (Two-Weapon)
there is already an option of hunter's bond that gives your allies bonus vs your favored enemy instead of animal companion:
Hunter's Bond (Ex): At 4th level, a ranger forms a bond with his hunting companions. This bond can take one of two forms. Once the form is chosen, it cannot be changed. The first is a bond to his companions. This bond allows him to spend a move action to grant half his favored enemy bonus against a single target of the appropriate type to all allies within 30 feet who can see or hear him. This bonus lasts for a number of rounds equal to the ranger's Wisdom modifier (minimum 1). This bonus does not stack with any favored enemy bonuses possessed by his allies; they use whichever bonus is higher.
What book is hunter's bond in?
What book is hunter's bond in?
The Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook.
That explains why I know nothing of it. Anyway, would you as a player find the improved Combat Styles appealing?