THW Fighter vs Ranger

[matiez]

Starting up a new Pathfinder campaign and it was decided it will be a Drow campaign in the Underdark. I've decided on going with a Male Drow "Fighter" who wields a Falchion. My party will be a Cleric and a base-TWF Ranger. We're starting at lvl 2 and will probably get to around lvl 5-7 before we switch to something else.

I'm debating between going THW Ranger and THW Fighter. I don't want to step on my other ranger's toes, so I'll be looking into Archetypes to ensure we aren't exactly the same.

So far, I see the differences as THF Fighter gets more Feats where-as THF Ranger gets more utility. Thoughts?

Edit: I had the sudden thought of rolling up a Falchion wielding Magus. Might be interesting...

[strayshift]

Two Handed Weapon Fighter offensively is stronger as you get bonus damage, you will need Heavy Armour though to have a decent AC as being a Drow your hit points won't be great. The Ranger has better skills and Reflex Save as well as a small amount of spells and a nature bond so will be more versatile. However their problem will again be hit points and protection - and Rangers don't get Heavy Armour proficiency.

Drow don't make the best fighters due to their -2 to Con and no strength bonus. An Oracle of War might be interesting.

[Imbicatus]

Fighter can work, but the skill points are terrible. I'd suggest a Barbarian or a Sohei Monk.

Barbarian can smash face on easy mode, and the Sohei can flurry in armor with a Sansetsukon from level one while still getting the 1:3 power attack ratio.

[Zolanoteph]

I think he's asking which is better, A or B. He doesn't seem to be inquiring about C through Z.

I'm biased but would go with the ranger. Animal companions make good and semi-expendable flank buddies with amazing in-combat utility.

[matiez]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm completely opposed to Barbarians, simply because they have a habit of killing themselves when they drop out of rage. I know there's the new Rage Archetype that'll allow you to put your bonuses in Str and Dex instead of Con, but Pathfinder has left a sour taste for Barbarians.

Oracle of War just doesn't fit the setting, that was what I tried looking at first.

I'll look into the Sohei Monk. The Zen Archer monk is my favorite and I was looking to make him first. However, again, I don't think the setting works for Monk.

It sounds like I should go Ranger or possibly Magus, if I can get Magus to work the way I want it to. In the small party, a Melee spell caster would probably be best.

[Claxon]

matiez wrote:

I'm completely opposed to Barbarians, simply because they have a habit of killing themselves when they drop out of rage. I know there's the new Rage Archetype that'll allow you to put your bonuses in Str and Dex instead of Con, but Pathfinder has left a sour taste for Barbarians.

Then you're not playing the barbarian correctly. Pickup Raging Vitality and buy a wand of cure light wounds so your friendly cleric/inquisitor/ranger/druid/oracle can use it on you to keep you from dying. You might have to spend a extra round or two of rage, but you shouldn't be dying from dropping out of rage.

It's a barbarian feat tax, but it eliminates the problem you're referring to.

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

If its between ranger and fighter I would pick ranger.

Ranger has more options that a fighter wishes he had. Sure the ranger might envy heavy armor but other then that the ranger has the leg up. Choose the right favored enemy and terrains and you will be doing better then the fighter will.

The fighter has 1 option. Swing your weapon good. Has no skills, magic, or pet.

Grab boon c ompainion at level 5 is my feat suggestion. And roll as a switch hitter to help your low level ac problem.

[Imbicatus]

I don't know if you will have access to the Advanced Class Guide, but an option that will be different than the other ranger and thematic as hell for a drow is a Bolt Ace gunslinger. Bolt Ace is a Gunslinger that uses crossbows and makes them effective. I don't have access to the pdf yet, so I only know what has been posted in the discussion threads, but it's going to be one of the first things I look at.