Help me build the best society ranger

[murse8166]

ok so I have played enough games to raise my lump of clay into a real PC...So i want to play a ranger....So I am going to give you my stats and idea for my build...let me hear what you all think...

Race- Half-Elf
str 14
dex 18
con 12
wis 12
Iq 14
cha 7

2 in acrobatics
2 in climb
my day job 2 in trap making
2 in handle animal
1 know dungeon
2 in know nature and geog
2 in preception plus bonus skill points for a total of 11
2 each stealth and surival

point blank shot
and free rapid fire shot

comp long bow for a +2
kikko armor +5 max dex +3
Buckler

so let me hear what you all think...once I hit level 2 it will be final...hahaha

[warfteiner]

I would actually push for Precise Shot as your feat choice as opposed to Point Blank Shot at level 1 - since you're not making ranged touch attacks (bows targeting AC and all), anytime you can negate a large penalty you should consider it.

Some of the popular Ranger builds that I've seen have taken a 1- or 2-level dip into Fighter simply for "feat cheese". Heck, many of the Gunslinger builds I've checked out do the same thing.

Rangers are really flexible, but really need to have some end-of-the-line focus to become the monster that you want them to be.

Based on your skill choices, are you looking at moving into the animal companion stuff?

[Krodjin]

You need PBS in order to take Precise Shot, unless you take Precse Shot @ level 2.

To the OP: I would switch that 14 in INT with either CON or WIS. Both Con & Wis do more for you than INT will.

[Gwen Smith]

I second Precise Shot. Taking -4 to most of your attacks is painful.

Also, Ranger spells are wisdom based. You might want to increase that to 13, then 14 at level 4.

A couple of additional questions:
- What traits are you thinking about?
- Have you picked your favored enemy?
- Are you wanting to use any archetypes?

For general PFS play, I like the Freebooter Ranger archetype from Pirates of the Inner Sea. At level 1, you can give your entire party +1 attack/damage in place of favored enemy.

A couple of things to think about:
At early levels, I find that the problem is hitting with the ranged attacks, not doing damage. You'll usually take -2 to hit for cover, so pick up Improved Precise Shot for your level 6, bonus feat if you can.

You'll also provoke AoOs unless you plan to stay back with the casters, so just be aware of that.

If you want to do more damage, you can spend 2 prestige on a wand of Gravity Bow to up your bow damage to 2d6. (Rangers and paladins cans can use wands long before they actually get their spells as long as they don't take an archetype that trades out spellcasting ability.)

[murse8166]

dont think i can be a free booter in society play...bummer

[Cao Phen]

Freebooter Ranger is a legal archetype. You will have to supply the booklet/watermarked pdf in order for it to be playable.

[murse8166]

Traits I am thinking Reactionary and not sure what other one...Fav enemy undead..was thinking of a trapper...or maybe just a basic ranger....not sure...

[murse8166]

Cao I bought it for herolab....

[Tarondor]

That won't do. You need a copy of the source book.

[Cao Phen]

Remember that tough HeroLab can be used as a supplement to creating a character, it is not an actual legal source in providing proof of your additional resources.

Think of it as using a poker chip from your local gaming store and trying to use that in an actual casino. It IS a poker chip, but it is not the chip that is considered legal to play.