2nd level ranger build

[Douglas Muir 406]

PC just lost his character, rolled up a new one.

Rolls: 16 14 13 12 12 10

Wants to play an elf ranger. Will start at 2nd level (1000 gp equipment).

Player has asked me for build suggestions. Player is a little bit of a munchkin, so he'd probably want a build that's maximized one way or another.

My initial reaction: melee ranger, 2wf, take the feat that gives you Str bonus on your offhand attack. 16 Str + 16 Dex (elf). Chain mail, masterwork longsword, masterwork dagger. He'll get two attacks at +4 (BAB+2, Str+3, Masterwork+1, 2wf-2) for d8+3 / d4+3, which is not bad, and be AC 19. For tougher / higher AC opponents he swaps out the dagger for a buckler, gets one attack at +6 for d8+3, and is AC 20.

But that was fast and off the cuff, and I suspect the collective mind of this forum can come up with something better.

Doug M.

[Kierato]

Choose short sword over dagger for better damage. Also, consider 2 short sword. Your average damage goes down by 1, but all weapon specific feats apply to both hands.
My suggestion:
Archer Elven Ranger
Str: 14
Dex: 18
Con: 11
Int: 14
Wis: 12
Cha: 10

Feats: Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot
MW Mighty Composite Longbow (+2 str): +5/+5 1d8+2 X3 crit
MW Chain Shirt: +4 AC, +4 Max Dex, -1 ACP
Favored Enemy(Choose one: Undead, Evil Outsiders, Magical Beasts, Dragon, Monstrous Humanoid)

[surly]

It depends where the elven ranger fits in the campaign(Is he the primary melee combatant?), but Kierato's archer build is the way I'd go.
Take Human as your favored enemy, and grab Deadly Aim feat as soon as possible.

[vuron]

Baring weird stuff like the Shapeshifter Natural Weapon build in APG, I think the favored builds are as follows.

TWF - Generally uses twin short swords or maybe kukris (kukris do better with more feats). In general the build seems to lag somewhat behind a Fighter or Rogue TWF build. Fighter TWF has more feats + weapon training and the rogue has sneak attack.

Archer - Longbow all day, everyday. I think it actually lags behind the fighter archer in terms of pure DPR as well.

Switch Fighter- Use regular feats to purchase THF feats (Power Attack, Furious Focus) and bonus feats to get archer feats without needing a ridiculous Dex. This allows the Ranger to focus on strength + THF but also have a second way of threatening foes. Because it doesn't require a huge investment on Dexterity it can decrease MAD problems.

I actually like the Switch Ranger build because while he's less deadly than a specialist, especially a specialist fighter he has a ton of flexibility and non-combat utility without losing too much offense.

[Dragonchess Player]

+1 on the switch-hitter ranger.

As an elf, the character gets proficiency with the elven curve blade as a martial weapon. Not only is it slightly better than a falchion for damage, but it can be used with Weapon Finesse, so you don't have to invest as much in Str to keep your melee attack bonus high.

Quote:

Rolls: 16 14 13 12 12 10

Wants to play an elf ranger. Will start at 2nd level (1000 gp equipment).

14 Str, 18 Dex, 10 Con, 12 Int, 13 Wis, 12 Cha; put one advancement into Wis and the rest into either Str or Dex; favored class bonus goes to hp

Skills: pick seven (recommend including Perception and Survival; if the GM allows use of it, Craft (Bows) can be handy, as well)

Feats: Rapid Shot (Combat Style - Archery), Weapon Finesse (the +2 on attack rolls is better at this point than a -1 on attack rolls for +3 damage)

Gear: Chain Shirt (100 gp), Masterwork Composite Longbow (+2 Str; 600gp), Elven Curve Blade (80 gp), +220 gp of other equipment

[Indo]

TWF, exotic weapons proficiency, bastard sword, and a rapier. Nice damage and crit range or a two bladed sword.

[vuron]

Indo wrote:

TWF, exotic weapons proficiency, bastard sword, and a rapier. Nice damage and crit range or a two bladed sword.

Bastard Sword isn't worth the EWP and a rapier isn't a light weapon which means your to hit penalties will be horrible.

TWF benefits most from paired weapons because you only have to buy the weapon feats once (weapon focus, imp crit, weapon specialization, etc). Mismatched weapons means that you have to spend twice as many feats. This is why stuff like long sword/short sword twf is generally discouraged.

Two bladed sword isn't horribad, it gets you a base damage die increase from short swords and is efficient for feats. I'm just not certain the increase in base damage die is worth taking EWP, especially for a relatively feat starved ranger.

TWF (Sword and Shield) is also relatively decent because the shield is doing double duty as a weapon and as a source of AC but the TWF (Sword and Shield) build is incredibly feat intense. I suspect a ranger could make that build with his virtual feats but it might be tricky.

[Shoga]

Check out page 124 of the APG.. New options for the Ranger. Some good combos include :

Natural weapons specialty at 2nd and Shapeshifter archetype. Kinda a druid with wild shape.

Bow or weapon specialty at 2nd and Infiltrator archetype. use favored enemy's abilities against them.

Mounted Combat at 2nd and Horse Lord archetype. very nice in the outdoors setting.

any melee weapon combo at 2nd with beastmaster archetype.. then flank all day long.

[Brambleman]

The elven switch ranger can opt to use elven curve blade with no EWP required.

[TheOrangeOne]

Being a munchkin and then wanting to go elf as a melee ranger is silly. The Con hit hurts, seeing as going all out Ranger he will want crazy con and str.

Str 16
Dex 14
Con 12
int 14
Wis 13
Cha 10

At second level take two-weapon fighting technique:Two-weapon figghting. You don't need the preq Dex of 15 for it. with a 14 Dex he can still use a bow :). I'd take weapon focus, and take two light martial weapons for my first level feat. Favored enemy human is alwaysa given.