So I've been thinking about going with a goblin ranger with the Beastmaster variation. I'm thinking of having an emphasis on the pet more than anything else, but starting out with a bit of damaging abilities via light crossbow that leads into more of "a little extra damage" late game.
The feats are as follows:
1st: Rapid Reload
2nd: Rapid Shot (from Combat Style)
3rd: Mounted Combat
5th: Mounted Archery
7th: Boon Companion
9th: Trick Riding
10th: Precise Shot (from Combat Style)
11th: Mounted Skirmisher
13th: Deadly Aim
14th: Far Shot (from Combat Style)
15th: Saddle Shrieker
there are, of course, other feats that a beastmaster ranger gets, but this list includes those where options and openness are. The animal companion I am thinking of having is either a Dire Bat or a Roc to ride. With Mounted Skirmisher, I would be able to do full-action attacks, using Rapid Shot every single turn on my prey below while the companion may be able to move and perform attacks itself if it so moves to engage into melee.
With all this said, is this a good lineup of feats for an emphasis on the companion? Are there any feats you would take instead of some currently listed here?
why not go crossbow style from the APG and by 6th you could be full attacking with a Heavy crossbow something like three shots per round.
Why go with a crossbow instead of a longbow? You don't need Rapid Reload and really need Deadly Aim much earlier than 13th for an effective mounted archer. IMHO
Look at dipping into Fighter (dragoon) for one level: 2 bonus feats (Mounted Combat and Skill Focus (Ride), +2 Fort offset by losing 4 skill points
Where's your 6th level combat style feat?
cheers
why not go crossbow style from the APG and by 6th you could be full attacking with a Heavy crossbow something like three shots per round.
I did not even know there was a Crossbow style! I don't know how in the world I missed that! That will probably greatly help! However, I am a little confused. How would you be able to be doing 3 shots per round at 6th as a Beast master considering the combat style feat gets replaced by Improved Empathetic Link?
Why go with a crossbow instead of a longbow? You don't need Rapid Reload and really need Deadly Aim much earlier than 13th for an effective mounted archer. IMHO
Look at dipping into Fighter (dragoon) for one level: 2 bonus feats (Mounted Combat and Skill Focus (Ride), +2 Fort offset by losing 4 skill points
Where's your 6th level combat style feat?
cheers
The issue is that Longbows go with a strength modifier for damage output. Goblins naturally get a -2 on Str as well as -2 on Cha, but get a +4 on Dex. Rapid Reload is extremely handy with light crossbows as it causes reloads to become a free action. Normally crossbows can only shoot off one bolt per attack until the meet the proper modifications (such as rapid reload, or Crossbow Mastery for heavier). As for the 6th level combat style feat, in accordance to being a Beast Master Ranger, it gets replaced with Improved Empathetic Link.
As for the one level dip into Dragoon... that is a WONDERFUL idea!
Currently thinking more along the lines of this now...
1st: Rapid Reload
2nd: Deadly Aim (Combat style)
3rd (Dragoon level dip): Mounted Combat(Freebee from dipping into dragoon), Skill Focus: Ride (Freebee), Mounted Archery
4th (back to Beast Master ranger): nothing unusual sadly...
5th: Boon Companion
6th: another nothing interesting level...
7th: Trick Riding
8th: Another bleh level...
9th: Mounted Skirmisher
10th: Another bleh level...
11th: Precise Shot (Combat Style), Saddle Shrieker
From this point on, not too sure other than Crossbow Mastery at 15th, but can probably worry about that at a later date. I am wondering though if it would be better to get Crossbow Mastery at Ranger level 10 instead of Precise Shot.
EDIT: Also, reading up on the Warrior class, with a bonus feat at every even level, would it be a viable choice to take a 2 level dip instead of 1?
Well, I done goofed and forgot about the rank requirements on Trick Riding and Mounted Skirmisher! (Ranks do NOT = Skill levels from bonuses...)
Adjusted concept
1st: Rapid Reload
2nd: Deadly Aim (Combat Style)
3rd (Dragoon level dip): Mounted Combat(Freebee from dipping into dragoon), Skill Focus: Ride (Freebee), Mounted Archery
4th (back to Beast Master ranger): nothing unusual sadly...
5th: Boon Companion
6th (Dragoon level 2): Point Blank Shot (Bonus Feat)
7th (Back to Beast Master ranger): Precise Shot
8th: Another bleh level...
9th: Trick Rider
10th: Another bleh level...
11th: Saddle Shrieker
12th: Crossbow Mastery
13th: Rapid Shot
14th: Another bleh level...
15th: Mounted Skirmisher
Grand total: 13 levels of Beast Master ranger, 2 levels of Dragoon warrior
Why do you want to be the beastmaster archetype?
As far as I can read, you intend to focus on a single animal companion? If that is correct, I believe the archetype is going to do more harm than good.
Since you take Boon Companion, you are only going to loose a single level on the AC without the archetype.
If you want Trick Riding, why not take the Mounted Combat style? The style feats are better because they avoid the prereqs.
Why do you want to be the beastmaster archetype?
As far as I can read, you intend to focus on a single animal companion? If that is correct, I believe the archetype is going to do more harm than good.
Since you take Boon Companion, you are only going to loose a single level on the AC without the archetype.
Well, originally I was thinking along the lines of two animal companions (Roc for outdoors, Wolf indoors), but now that I'm thinking about it, I could just use reduce animal spell for a little while to let him go through the more narrow areas.
You bring up a solid enough point Haraldklak.
If you want Trick Riding, why not take the Mounted Combat style? The style feats are better because they avoid the prereqs.
After messing around with the numbers, levels, ect, to get the exact skill set that I am hoping for via Mounted Combat style would be level 13, which is a 2 level difference from going with Crossbow style. The one thing I was partially worried about was being able to have access to the Crossbow skills quick enough to where I, myself, would not be too weak. Despite this, I would agree that switching to Mounted Combat Style would be more beneficial.
New Outlook on the build, and not going beastmaster anymore (just a standard ranger)...
1st: Rapid Reload
2nd: Mounted Archery (Combat style)
3rd (1st Dragoon level): Mounted Combat, Skill Focus: Ride, Deadly Aim
4th: Nothing interesting
5th: Hunters Bond, Boon Companion
6th (2nd Dragoon level): Point Blank Shot (Bonus Feat)
7th: 2nd favored enemy, Rapid Shot
8th: Trick Riding (Combat Style)
9th: Crossbow Mastery
10th: Nothing interesting
11th: Saddle Shrieker
12th: Mounted Skirmisher (Combat Style)
13th: Precise Shot
On a side note, looking at additional Ranger Archtypes, how good exactly would you consider Favored Terrain vs. letsay... the abilities from Infiltrator?
I think I've finalized my decisions on what to do with the character.
Going to go with a beastmaster due to the fact that it expands the list to introduce the Roc for the Ranger. The ranger is not normally able to take the Roc as a companion with the Hunter's Bond skill. As for the Combat Style, definitely going with Mounted Combat. While bows are usually better, considering the strength that goblins get right off the bat the modifier would be a tad more difficult to improve damage on, hence leaning towards Crossbow gameplay. Between the timing and requirements to gain Mounted Combat skills vs. Crossbow skills, however, Mounted seems to be the better.
1st: Rapid Reload
2nd: Mounted Archery (Combat Style)
3rd (1st level Dragoon): Mounted Combat, Skill Focus: Ride, Deadly Aim
4th: Nothing notable
5th: Boon Companion
6th (2nd level Dragoon): Point Blank Shot (Bonus Feat)
7th: Rapid Shot
8th: Nothing notable
9th: Crossbow Mastery
10th: Nothing notable
11th: Trick Riding
12th: Mounted Skirmisher (Combat Style)
13th: Precise Shot
14th: Nothing notable
15th: Saddle shrieker
Thank you once again for all your feedback guys!
why not go crossbow style from the APG and by 6th you could be full attacking with a Heavy crossbow something like three shots per round.I did not even know there was a Crossbow style! I don't know how in the world I missed that! That will probably greatly help! However, I am a little confused. How would you be able to be doing 3 shots per round at 6th as a Beast master considering the combat style feat gets replaced by Improved Empathetic Link?
Why go with a crossbow instead of a longbow? You don't need Rapid Reload and really need Deadly Aim much earlier than 13th for an effective mounted archer. IMHO
Look at dipping into Fighter (dragoon) for one level: 2 bonus feats (Mounted Combat and Skill Focus (Ride), +2 Fort offset by losing 4 skill points
Where's your 6th level combat style feat?
cheers
The issue is that Longbows go with a strength modifier for damage output. Goblins naturally get a -2 on Str as well as -2 on Cha, but get a +4 on Dex. Rapid Reload is extremely handy with light crossbows as it causes reloads to become a free action. Normally crossbows can only shoot off one bolt per attack until the meet the proper modifications (such as rapid reload, or Crossbow Mastery for heavier). As for the 6th level combat style feat, in accordance to being a Beast Master Ranger, it gets replaced with Improved Empathetic Link.
As for the one level dip into Dragoon... that is a WONDERFUL idea!
Currently thinking more along the lines of this now...
1st: Rapid Reload
2nd: Deadly Aim (Combat style)
3rd (Dragoon level dip): Mounted Combat(Freebee from dipping into dragoon), Skill Focus: Ride (Freebee), Mounted Archery
4th (back to Beast Master ranger): nothing unusual sadly...
5th: Boon Companion
6th: another nothing interesting level...
7th: Trick Riding
8th: Another bleh level...
9th: Mounted Skirmisher
10th: Another bleh level...
11th: Precise Shot (Combat Style), Saddle ShriekerFrom this point on, not too sure...
Maybe don't go with Beastmaster? Most Rangers get a companion anyway and with boon companion it becomes as powerful as a druids anyway so what would be the need? Also, for your concept, consider working toward mammoth rider, it's a coool prestige class for the full bab and d12 hd as well as a (literally) HUGE buff for your animal companion!