Why isn't there a finesse style for Rangers?

[Rycaut]

By finesse I mean primarily weapon finesse - ie a Dex based melee style chain for rangers?

I'd think the image of a Dex focused ranger makes a lot of sense - I'm curious why it isn't an option. (Or have I missed a style that could work? Natural weapons are finesseable but do also require a lot of STR for damage effectiveness. )

[Quatar]

Rycaut wrote:

Natural weapons are finesseable but do also require a lot of STR for damage effectiveness. )

That's the case with all finesse styles really, with the exception of Dervish Dance.

But there are options for Dex based styles:
- Obviously Archery or Crossbow are Dex
- Two-Handed can use the Elven Curved Blade and finesse it. Not necessarily a smart option though.
- Two-Weapon Fighting style is primarily Dex based, even though a Ranger can actually pull a Str based one off, but nothing forces him to.
- Same for the Shield style really.

[BltzKrg242]

All you have to do is sink one feat into Weapon Finesse and as Quatar mentions, you can easily finesse a Ranger.

[Alitan]

Wait for it...

"... because martials can't have nice things."

But I think (and I could easily be hideously-wrong, as I have not perused Ultimate Combat for new Feats -- I made a vow on the Fast of Saint Rita Moreno that the Ultimate books would never stain my eyes) that it's just that there isn't really much place to go with Weapon Finesse. Not in a chain of stuff, anyway.

Now, should it be available as a Ranger bonus Feat? Absolutely.

(Note to self, add to houserule list...)

[Krodjin]

Ranger is the only class I know of that can dump STR and still get Power Attack. As Qatar mentioned, use a Curveblade and select 2 handed style. I haven't explored this beyond a 2 level dip for an Elven Ninja so I cant say if it would be viable for Ranger 20

edit oops!

[Gwen Smith]

Quatar wrote:

Rycaut wrote:

Natural weapons are finesseable but do also require a lot of STR for damage effectiveness. )

That's the case with all finesse styles really, with the exception of Dervish Dance.

But there are options for Dex based styles:
- Obviously Archery or Crossbow are Dex
- Two-Handed can use the Elven Curved Blade and finesse it. Not necessarily a smart option though.
- Two-Weapon Fighting style is primarily Dex based, even though a Ranger can actually pull a Str based one off, but nothing forces him to.
- Same for the Shield style really.

I am a big fan of the Elven Curved blade, especially if you have a 14 Str. It's become my go-to melee weapon for archers.

I also like finessed TWF for Rangers, because you can ignore the pre-requisites and you can get the favored enemy bonus to help make up for low STR. Pick up Lead Blades at 4th level if you want to lay out some nice damage. (Or dip into Rogue or Ninja for sneak attack bonus, depending on the campaign.)

[Pyrrhic Victory]

Because Rangers are hardcore! They don't prance around "fencing" or dance around "whirlying". That is for bards.

[Gignere]

Gwen Smith wrote:

I am a big fan of the Elven Curved blade, especially if you have a 14 Str. It's become my go-to melee weapon for archers.

I also like finessed TWF for Rangers, because you can ignore the pre-requisites and you can get the favored enemy bonus to help make up for low STR. Pick up Lead Blades at 4th level if you want to lay out some nice damage. (Or dip into Rogue or Ninja for sneak attack bonus, depending on the campaign.)

If you can ignore prereqs for a ranger why would you ever build a dex based TWF ranger?

Unless you are going archery style and need to qualify for the TWF. But switch hitting with TWF isn't a good idea to begin with.

[Gwen Smith]

Gignere wrote:

Gwen Smith wrote:

I am a big fan of the Elven Curved blade, especially if you have a 14 Str. It's become my go-to melee weapon for archers.

I also like finessed TWF for Rangers, because you can ignore the pre-requisites and you can get the favored enemy bonus to help make up for low STR. Pick up Lead Blades at 4th level if you want to lay out some nice damage. (Or dip into Rogue or Ninja for sneak attack bonus, depending on the campaign.)

If you can ignore prereqs for a ranger why would you ever build a dex based TWF ranger?

Unless you are going archery style and need to qualify for the TWF. But switch hitting with TWF isn't a good idea to begin with.

The OP was asking about finesse-based rangers. Since rangers can ignore the prereqs, you can get a decent TWF build with fewer feats. (For instance, I have no use for Improved TWF, but I'd like Greater TWF or TW Rend if I can get it.)