Every archetype seems to swap out other features that I want to keep. I just don't want to keep track of another sheet. slayer does a pretty solid job, but I'd like to keep playtest classes out here, also I do like the spells, skill list, and woodland stride none of which I think Slayer gets access to.
So, how would you go about replacing the Rangers Animal companion? Something like what the Sword Saint does for Cavalier? Boost the usefulness of the alternative? A Domain? Something new entirely?
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You're aware that Hunter's Bond can also just be a bonus to your allies, right? It doesn't have to be an animal companion? And it's one of the Ranger's better goodies since it can allow him to share 1/2 his Favored Enemy and Favored Terrain bonuses with his team, potentially a very substantial boost.
Many people also miss that Hunter's Bond shares the bonus, not the class feature, so spells like instant enemy, terrain bond and hunter's howl serve to boost the entire group.
To put that in perspective, a Ranger can share up to +5 to attack, damage, and a host of skills against a creature, and +4 to initiative checks and various other skills within an area. It kind of punches in the teeth of most other group buffs when utilized.
You're aware that Hunter's Bond can also just be a bonus to your allies, right? It doesn't have to be an animal companion? And it's one of the Ranger's better goodies since it can allow him to share 1/2 his Favored Enemy and Favored Terrain bonuses with his team, potentially a very substantial boost.
Many people also miss that Hunter's Bond shares the bonus, not the class feature, so spells like instant enemy, terrain bond and hunter's howl serve to boost the entire group.
To put that in perspective, a Ranger can share up to +5 to attack, damage, and a host of skills against a creature, and +4 to initiative checks and various other skills within an area. It kind of punches in the teeth of most other group buffs when utilized.
Yep I know about the alternative, but feel it's not quite up to par in comparison.
Well rangers animal companion = druids animal companion -3
Druids animal companion with mount restriction = paladin divine bond with weapon
So....
Maybe a weapon enhancement ability like the paladin. Change the qualities available from paladiny ones to rangery ones. Bane distance keen that sort of thing. Call upon the spirits of the hint to guide your hand.
What about a Guide's Terrain Bond? It's pretty flavorful.
At 4th level, the guide forms a bond with the land itself, enabling him to direct others in such terrain. When in his favored terrain, the Ranger grants all allies within line of sight and that can hear him a +2 bonus on initiative checks and Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks. Also, as long as they travel with him, the Ranger’s allies leave no trail and can’t be tracked. The Ranger can choose for the group to leave a trail, or even specific members of the group to leave a trail if he so desires.
This ability replaces hunter’s bond.
What about a Guide's Terrain Bond? It's pretty flavorful.
At 4th level, the guide forms a bond with the land itself, enabling him to direct others in such terrain. When in his favored terrain, the Ranger grants all allies within line of sight and that can hear him a +2 bonus on initiative checks and Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks. Also, as long as they travel with him, the Ranger’s allies leave no trail and can’t be tracked. The Ranger can choose for the group to leave a trail, or even specific members of the group to leave a trail if he so desires.
This ability replaces hunter’s bond.
hmm, choosing between this and the divine bond variant. thats a good step in the right direction. I like it.
Yeah, the divine bond variant is very nice too, but in my mind the great part of being a Ranger is having more than a single weapon at your service.
Yeah, the divine bond variant is very nice too, but in my mind the great part of being a Ranger is having more than a single weapon at your service.
Divine bond is with a celestial spirit which enhances whatever weapon the paladin happens to be weilding not a specific weapon. While it is cool it is a somewhat clunky mechanic.
If your GMing I'd recommend you just give all of the above as lagitimate options to PCs. You could also give woodland stride to slayers as a talent option.
Well, I'm asking as a player for options but I'll be allowing these as options when next I GM. Are there any further ideas/suggestions?
Two bonus feats, gained at 1st and 4th level, as the Animal Companion is apparently only worth two feats.
I just add 1/2 the ranger's level to the duration of the nature bond (companions). Helps bring it up to par, I think, since lasting for a number of rounds equal to the ranger's Wisdom modifier doesn't quite cut it; at that point, it's pretty much a waste of a move action (even more so if you chose to specialize in archery).
In 3.5 there was an Alternate Class Feature called the Urban Companion which swapped out you animal companion for a full blown Familiar. If you have a player that just wants something like a +4 to initiative or a +3 on Perception checks, that might be the best way to go.