Agree. Rangers are a lot of fun, very versatile and powerful in their style.
And have decent defenses too, something the praised fighter has not.
I love the nature theme. You will always have something to do in and out of combat.
I just wish more mounts and compantion options for them and the Cavalier :(
I'm primarily a ranger as my characters and I've found to really like them. About half are bowmen and the other half two weapon fighters and in my opinion it brings the best of both worlds together.
rangers are quite a good class with the full bab, and the ranged focus, in my games i have played i didnt have to focus on bows i could focus the ranged feats for a tomahawk. just like the best ranger ever SULLY!
I've always been a fan of classes that are not a one-trick pony (although I am playing a Two Handed Fighter in a game for the raw awesomeness of their damage) so I'm pretty familiar with the "Rad Monk" and the Bard, first two loves. I've recently began experimenting with the Ranger and I have to say I really love the class. I get the BAB of a Fighter, a good chain of bonus feats that ignore requirements, two good saves, an awesome skill selection with 6+ on skills per level, spells, an animal companion and favored enemy/terrain which altogether make a fun class. I feel like a cross between a Fighter, Rogue and Druid. How do other players feel about playing a Ranger? I love it because it's fun too.
I'm surprise how powerful rangers are in Pathfinder. One of my players is playing a straight ranger, they are surprisingly potent. Especially so with spells like instant enemy and hunter's eye.
I've always been a fan of classes that are not a one-trick pony (although I am playing a Two Handed Fighter in a game for the raw awesomeness of their damage) so I'm pretty familiar with the "Rad Monk" and the Bard, first two loves. I've recently began experimenting with the Ranger and I have to say I really love the class. I get the BAB of a Fighter, a good chain of bonus feats that ignore requirements, two good saves, an awesome skill selection with 6+ on skills per level, spells, an animal companion and favored enemy/terrain which altogether make a fun class. I feel like a cross between a Fighter, Rogue and Druid. How do other players feel about playing a Ranger? I love it because it's fun too.I'm surprise how powerful rangers are in Pathfinder. One of my players is playing a straight ranger, they are surprisingly potent. Especially so with spells like instant enemy and hunter's eye.
Yes ranger is a very good class in PF and with the APG additions they became a truly good warrior (in the general term).
I believe that casting Instant Enemy as a swift action to be the best part of the spell personally. Instantly turn the boss into my +6 attack and damage favored enemy? Of course!
As long as the target isn't one of your favored enemies yes.
It's a sweet sweet spell.
I personally prefer a spell-less Ranger, which is now very nice with Archetypes,
but all the new Ranger spells are themselves very powerful/useful...
and the way the game works, with full Casters wanting to buff the group before battle,
you will almost always have time to use all your daily spells in buffing rounds, etc.
Personally, I prefer Barbarians in general, but Rangers are very nice...
My personal wish-list for Rangers is seeing an Arcane-casting Ranger variant, which would be perfect for a Nex/Garundi wizardry-influenced Ranger roaming the expanses of Southern Garund and the Mwangi Expanse... Probably with a Familiar instead of an Animal Companion. And a spell list more in line with the normal Ranger one in terms of approach/role (as opposed to the very blast-y Magus), although with very different actual spells, i.e. more Wizard-lite than Druid-lite. Ideally, it would be flexible enough to allow at least some Ranger Archetypes to be comptable with it.
Perhaps it would make more sense as Sorceror-associated (CHA, probably Bloodline), rather than Wizard (INT, spellbook)...? (in which case it could well become another Dragon Disciple favorite) Then again, Witch-associated (Familar spellbook, INT) could be perfect, actually. I`d avoid Hexes though, as that would seem too similar to Hexcrafter Magus (and it would probably require dropping other Ranger abilities, which I`d rather retain, esp. for flexibility to use other Ranger Archetypes).
They have the skill points for my favorite skills like survival and perception. Also nice is if you take favored enemy humanoid(human) and then have to track down missing children you get a favored enemy bonus if you do not fight any.
My personal wish-list for Rangers is seeing an Arcane-casting Ranger variant, which would be perfect for a Nex/Garundi wizardry-influenced Ranger roaming the expanses of Southern Garund and the Mwangi Expanse... Probably with a Familiar instead of an Animal Companion. And a spell list more in line with the normal Ranger one in terms of approach/role (as opposed to the very blast-y Magus), although with very different actual spells, i.e. more Wizard-lite than Druid-lite. Ideally, it would be flexible enough to allow at least some Ranger Archetypes to be comptable with it.
I would love this. It would work perfectly for a Witcher-ish character.
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I've always been a fan of Rangers, and they've always been one of my go-to classes. With the new archetypes the class is truly A list.
I'd like to see some different options for Favored Enemies -- I've always thought that Rangers should be able to pick a Class as a favored enemy, because an Urban Ranger who hunts Wizards makes a lot of sense to me, and it shouldn't matter if the Wizard is a human, half-elf or elf.
I also like Quandry's idea of an Arcane variant Ranger, which would go well with a lot of Urban Ranger concepts.
More options to replace the animal companion with something else would be nice to, because if there is one thing I don't like about the Ranger, its the "...and his dog" aspect of the class, which is a holdover from the 1st edition Ranger's followers list.
Yeah, Rangers are pretty sweet.
Played one last night for the first time, and was the only player who didn't need to shuffle in a new character. (We were playing a one-shot, with each player for all of the encounters (except the last) getting one extra "life" by having a new character from a list of pre-mades "warp-in" )
It's also fun to say, "Swift action: The Barbarian is now undead."
I'd like to see some different options for Favored Enemies -- I've always thought that Rangers should be able to pick a Class as a favored enemy, because an Urban Ranger who hunts Wizards makes a lot of sense to me, and it shouldn't matter if the Wizard is a human, half-elf or elf.I also like Quandry's idea of an Arcane variant Ranger, which would go well with a lot of Urban Ranger concepts.
+1. that idea sounds really cool. Class killer, hunting fighters and wizards till the break of dawn
I'd like to see some different options for Favored Enemies -- I've always thought that Rangers should be able to pick a Class as a favored enemy, because an Urban Ranger who hunts Wizards makes a lot of sense to me, and it shouldn't matter if the Wizard is a human, half-elf or elf.I also like Quandry's idea of an Arcane variant Ranger, which would go well with a lot of Urban Ranger concepts.
+1. that idea sounds really cool. Class killer, hunting fighters and wizards till the break of dawn
This does sound like it could make certain things too easy. Taking warrior at level 1 will make things really easy for taking out a lot of mooks quickly at low levels.(goblins, orcs, kobolds, human bandits usually are so could get it too often even if facing opponents. ) Also then fighting monster with only racial hit dice will be a problem.
Also then you could make one class not show up if your gm is not being fair.
Another problem is you do not know which class the enemy has so it could be used to know what spells the enemy will cast and will tell them what save for the casters to target.
The best part is the class has enough to pretty realistically reproduce any of your favorite ranger types from fiction- From Tanis Half-Elven, Drizzt, Minsc, Aragon, Legolas- even Belkar 'I am a sexy shoeless GOD OF WAR!!'
The best part is the class has enough to pretty realistically reproduce any of your favorite ranger types from fiction- From Tanis Half-Elven, Drizzt, Minsc, Aragon, Legolas- even Belkar 'I am a sexy shoeless GOD OF WAR!!'
Let's not forget Richard from sword of truth.
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I personally prefer a spell-less Ranger, which is now very nice with Archetypes,
I would be remiss if I did not mention another spell-less ranger you might want to check out ...
EDIT: for those who are looking for a ranger animal companion that is on par with the druid's animal companion, you also might want to check out the class - the spell-less ranger's animal companion does not suffer the core ranger's level -3 "penalty"
Rangers are my favorite class (Since they were first introduced to the D&D game) but I would have like to see the Ranger's companion be on par with the Druid's companion.
Pathfinder did give a significant boost to the Ranger's animal companion over 3.5. In 3.5 the effective druid level went up every 2 or 3 ranger levels so the animal companion just got more and more useless as you went up in level. Pathfinder rules follow a houserule that we played with: effective druid level equals ranger level -3. At least now the animal companion can keep up with the party.
In our campaigns the Ranger is the 'most wanted' class: we always have one in the party with everyone figting to be that one every time we run a new game.
Rangers are my favorite class (Since they were first introduced to the D&D game) but I would have like to see the Ranger's companion be on par with the Druid's companion.
Beastmaster Ranger Archetype gives you the same Druid's selection of animals and, later, the same effectiveness in terms of Effective Druid Level for the companion, thus making the Ranger's pet superior, due to the fact that his animal still benefits from favored terrain and enemies boni (also the instant enemy feat can be shared via the Share Spell Class Ability. Some GM allows the use of the Improved Share Spells feat to cast a spell and affects all of your adjacent animal companions at the same time).
Rangers are my favorite class (Since they were first introduced to the D&D game) but I would have like to see the Ranger's companion be on par with the Druid's companion.
There is a optional rule that allows the Ranger to select a single type of animal as a companion. He can never change this selection, meaning that if chooses a wolf, he can't later call a tiger. In exchange for this limitation, a Ranger's animal companion's level is equal to his own.
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I personally prefer a spell-less Ranger, which is now very nice with Archetypes,
but all the new Ranger spells are themselves very powerful/useful...
and the way the game works, with full Casters wanting to buff the group before battle,
you will almost always have time to use all your daily spells in buffing rounds, etc.Personally, I prefer Barbarians in general, but Rangers are very nice...
My personal wish-list for Rangers is seeing an Arcane-casting Ranger variant, which would be perfect for a Nex/Garundi wizardry-influenced Ranger roaming the expanses of Southern Garund and the Mwangi Expanse... Probably with a Familiar instead of an Animal Companion. And a spell list more in line with the normal Ranger one in terms of approach/role (as opposed to the very blast-y Magus), although with very different actual spells, i.e. more Wizard-lite than Druid-lite. Ideally, it would be flexible enough to allow at least some Ranger Archetypes to be comptable with it.
Perhaps it would make more sense as Sorceror-associated (CHA, probably Bloodline), rather than Wizard (INT, spellbook)...? (in which case it could well become another Dragon Disciple favorite) Then again, Witch-associated (Familar spellbook, INT) could be perfect, actually. I`d avoid Hexes though, as that would seem too similar to Hexcrafter Magus (and it would probably require dropping other Ranger abilities, which I`d rather retain, esp. for flexibility to use other Ranger Archetypes).
I think this has been done with Super Genius' Arcane Archetypes - swap casting and something else for a some arcane ability.
I'm being very vague today. But check the pdf out if you want a system that can do arcane rangers.
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On the topic of a spell-less ranger has anyone built a Skirmisher
from the: Advanced Player's Guide?How did you select which hunter's tricks you wanted?
Bolster Companion at level 5, and Vengence Strike at level 7, or vice versa. Those two are the awesome tricks of the lot. Then the next grouping would be Tangling Attack, Aiding Attack, Chameleon Step and Second Chance Strike, in an order that seems most useful. The rest are kind of mediocre, and many can be purchased with magic instead. Trick shot = seeking = +1 weapon property. Hateful Strike = keen.
GeraintElberion: The book is Seeker of Secrets, and the feat is Boon Companion. It is a highly desirable feat to take at fifth level, as it brings the ranger's companion up to the ranger's full level.
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There is an infamously poorly-worded feat in the Pathfinder Society Guide that gives a ranger his animal companion at the equivalent druid level.
Very nice, although I can't remember the name.
boon companion.
its overall effect is add +3 to effective druid level when figuring out your companions abilitys
There is an infamously poorly-worded feat in the Pathfinder Society Guide that gives a ranger his animal companion at the equivalent druid level.
Very nice, although I can't remember the name.
boon companion.
its overall effect is add +3 to effective druid level when figuring out your companions abilitys
^Yeah, that's the one! I'm using it and it's been very effective.
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There is an infamously poorly-worded feat in the Pathfinder Society Guide that gives a ranger his animal companion at the equivalent druid level.
Very nice, although I can't remember the name.
boon companion.
its overall effect is add +3 to effective druid level when figuring out your companions abilitys
It's actually +4 to your effective druid level with a maximum equal to your Character level. Subtle difference but big pay off.
I'm shooting for ranger 6/Rogue 1 and this will give me a level 7 Wolf AC and we all know how nasty a perk that critter can be.
On the topic of a spell-less ranger has anyone built a Skirmisher
from the: Advanced Player's Guide?How did you select which hunter's tricks you wanted?
Bolster Companion at level 5, and Vengence Strike at level 7, or vice versa. Those two are the awesome tricks of the lot. Then the next grouping would be Tangling Attack, Aiding Attack, Chameleon Step and Second Chance Strike, in an order that seems most useful. The rest are kind of mediocre, and many can be purchased with magic instead. Trick shot = seeking = +1 weapon property. Hateful Strike = keen.
GeraintElberion: The book is Seeker of Secrets, and the feat is Boon Companion. It is a highly desirable feat to take at fifth level, as it brings the ranger's companion up to the ranger's full level.
Yeah 5th level is the level to take boon companion. Also horse lord way later gives you effective druid level if you are going for mounted combat.
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I've always been a fan of classes that are not a one-trick pony (although I am playing a Two Handed Fighter in a game for the raw awesomeness of their damage) so I'm pretty familiar with the "Rad Monk" and the Bard, first two loves. I've recently began experimenting with the Ranger and I have to say I really love the class. I get the BAB of a Fighter, a good chain of bonus feats that ignore requirements, two good saves, an awesome skill selection with 6+ on skills per level, spells, an animal companion and favored enemy/terrain which altogether make a fun class. I feel like a cross between a Fighter, Rogue and Druid. How do other players feel about playing a Ranger? I love it because it's fun too.
It's a pretty well designed class. They sacrifice some damage to get useful options like good skills selection, some spells, and the entire outdoor master thing.
I'm sure I can complain about the class if I really tried, but just that fact I would have to really think about it means it's about right in power/usefulness.
I've heard the Hunter's Eye can be "broken" in some cases because it allows picking a favored enemy right there and then to fit the situation, but I never explored it.
Not really- It's like heroism (granting +2) but allows a save.
Someone is going to produce a draft for this thread, so I suggest basing Arcane Rangers off the Arcane Archer...
In our campaigns the Ranger is the 'most wanted' class: we always have one in the party with everyone figting to be that one every time we run a new game.
Rangers are my favorite class (Since they were first introduced to the D&D game) but I would have like to see the Ranger's companion be on par with the Druid's companion.Beastmaster Ranger Archetype gives you the same Druid's selection of animals and, later, the same effectiveness in terms of Effective Druid Level for the companion, thus making the Ranger's pet superior, due to the fact that his animal still benefits from favored terrain and enemies boni (also the instant enemy feat can be shared via the Share Spell Class Ability. Some GM allows the use of the Improved Share Spells feat to cast a spell and affects all of your adjacent animal companions at the same time).
Ok first of all there is no instant enemy feat, there is a spell called instant enemy but i guess that you meant that.
Now the instant enemy spell targets a creature and not yourself so the share spells ability can't help you here and so can't the feat improved share spells.In addition i think that if you use the instant enemy spell your animal companion gets the same benifit as you since the spell says that you treat the enemy as that favored enemy for all purposes and the animal companion gets your favored enemy bonuses.
Ok first of all there is no instant enemy feat, there is a spell called instant enemy but i guess that you meant that.
Yessir, lapsus.
Now the instant enemy spell targets a creature and not yourself so the share spells ability can't help you here and so can't the feat improved share spells.
You know what? I've just checked the Pathfinder SRD, you're right. For some reason in the foreign version of the APG we got, it is marked as Target: You and I've just noticed that difference.
In addition i think that if you use the instant enemy spell your animal companion gets the same benifit as you since the spell says that you treat the enemy as that favored enemy for all purposes and the animal companion gets your favored enemy bonuses.
It depends on your GM's interpretation. Ours emphasizes the part For the duration of the spell, you treat the target as if it were that type of favored enemy for all purposes.
or every other Ranger with the same favored enemy as you could plausibly count that creature for his FE.
I'm just happy the Ranger provides a second class that can disable magical traps!
My first character in third edition of D&D was a ranger. It still remains one of my favorite characters. And now reading this thread I realized I haven't played a ranger since! Now there's a flaw that needs to be corrected.
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Since we have a lot of ranger fans in this thread, you might like this freebie
>>>HERE?
Even if you are not playing the Spell-less Ranger KQ class, I think you might want to download it :)
good stuff
I've got a ranger in a Serpent's Skull campaign and I'm liking it. I'm having fun with being a skill monkey (sometimes when it's counted), a front line killer with a crit machine sword, a bow monkey to stand back and plunk away at the wings of the group of bad guy.
And a DINOSAUR. Because, hey, if there was ever a thematically appropriate time to have a frakking DINOSAUR as a companion, this seemed to be it.
I've just started dabbling in spells and found leaden blades to be very effective. It's helped me keep up with the barbarian/rogue in damage output.
But overall, it's just a good, fun class to play. Which means all the difference in the world to me.
In addition i think that if you use the instant enemy spell your animal companion gets the same benifit as you since the spell says that you treat the enemy as that favored enemy for all purposes and the animal companion gets your favored enemy bonuses.It depends on your GM's interpretation. Ours emphasizes the part For the duration of the spell, you treat the target as if it were that type of favored enemy for all purposes.
or every other Ranger with the same favored enemy as you could plausibly count that creature for his FE.
Yes i have heard that interpatation but when me and my DM talked about it we decided not to follow strictly the letter because if we do that then we allow a bane weapon to apply to that. Oh and most importantly the ranger's animal companion needs that bonus at higher levels, especially if you follow the letter of the boon companion's feat.