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So I am playing a Ranger in Rise of the Rune Lords. We are currently level 3 and will be level 4 soon. I have been looking at the Hunter's Bond and I know that, for my character a Animal companion just doesn't make a lot of sense. On the other hand for a cost of one feat it also provides a full druid level companion which can be very powerful.
But I have been looking at making the bond with my companion. The thing is it seems to suck a lot. It takes a move action to use, which because I am sword and board mean I loose an attack, only lasts for a few rounds (2 for me with wis 14) and is very circumstantial. I know at level 10 I can get Instant Enemy to make it more consistent but it still seems very limited. Is there any way to optimize or enhance it? Or does is it always going to be an iffy bard song that only works sometimes?
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Ive seen both used quite a bit as DM, it comes down to do you want a pet to worry about that adds another attacker to combat and or a mount or do you want an ability that increases the damage and attack or the whole party. Both have their uses and in a party with a fair amount of non-spell casty sorts Hunters Bond can help allot.
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@Sanakht
The Bard songs are amazing. I love them to death. I meant that the Allies power is a iffy and situational Bard songs (inspire courage basically)
And yes I was talking about the Boon Companion feat to go with the class ability. I am sorry that wasn't clear.
I however disagree that it works. It is very situational, doesn't last long and provides an unreliable bonus. I am willing to but feats into making better but I didn't know if there were any to do so. I would be willing to deal with the move action if I could use it reliably in combat.
@Ravenofv
We don't have a buffer our caster is an evoker. I am just hoping to make the boon reliable so it can be used often or at least to make it so it doesn't cost me an attack every other round
well, RAW, no, you can`t make it more useful.
Houserules? we could work with that.
Potentially bring up with your GM the option of making it a swift action, usable 2-3 times a day, or 2-3+wis mod, whatever he feels is reasonable.
Don't know if it will fit any better, but the Freebooter replaces Favored Enemy with a version of Hunter's Bond that works on anything and lasts until you declare a new enemy, while replacing Hunter's Bond with a +2 flanking bonus that lasts forever. Not having to worry about favored enemies or durations really steps the ability up.
As for a standard issue Ranger, the bond with allies can be made at least a bit better by increasing Wisdom. A Headband of Inspired Wisdom or other Wisdom booster is a good investment, boosting the Ranger's Will save and skills while also giving you a respectable duration on the ability. With an 18 wisdom the bond is actually pretty useful. I like to use it when I have to move, giving everyone a bonus instead of using an action for one measly attack.
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@Sanakht
It is unreliable because of how often you actually run in to your favored enemy. The ability is completely useless if you don't.
@Mort
Completely missed the freebooter. Thanks for the point. not sure it will work (gm may not let me adjust mid game) but its worth looking at. also thanks for the wisdom advice.
Thanks everyone. I have alot to think about.
If you take the right FE, it can be good. Otherwise, I would just get a mount, if you don't actually want to use the companion in combat.
Hunter's bond isn't that bad, it really just needs feat support. Most class features like this have a feat you can take to boost it. This one has Boon Companion for one option in the class feature. It should have a feat for you allies. I think a feat like Extra Hunters Bond that gives you 2 extra rounds would be very useful and would make this class feature much more useable.
That +1 to hit and damage at 4th level can be the difference between a TWF rogue landing both sneak attacks instead of one. At 5th that jumps to +2 to hit and damage and +3 by 10th when you can use Instant Enemy to get more use out if. As well it has no limit other than how many move actions you want to spend.
I'd really prefer this to be usable 3+wis times per day like bloodline and domain powers and it last till the enemy is declared is dead.