Character stat question

[Kilmannan]

Hi folks.

I've tried to make a rangery ranger. Good only for shooting stuff.

He's just hit level four and apart from not having a clue how to level him up, I feel I could make him more rangery.

Str: 12 + 1
Dex: 20 + 5
Con: 14 + 2
Int: 10
Wis: 10
Cha: 7 -2

Fort: 5 = 3 + 2
Ref: 8 = 3 + 5
Will: 0

Bab: 2
CMB: 3 = 2 + 1
CMD: 18 = 2 + 1 + 5

Initiative: 7 = 5 + 2
Ac: 18
TAC: 15

Any hints? From a total re-roll perspective, what could I do to up that Dex?

I have Point Blank, Rapid Shot and Precise shot with a Comp Masterwork Longbow.

Ta!!!

[Harley Quinn X]

Be sure to make sure that you level him properly! If he's level 4, his BAB should be 4 and all of his saves should be one higher, unless you have some other penalty to it.

Also, rangers get the ability to cast spells at level 4, but they need sufficient Wisdom to do so. While it's not shoot-tastic, dropping your DEX a little in order to pump of the WIS wouldn't hurt.

Also, around level 4 (18 Fame) is where PFS characters start qualifying to buy their stat boosting items! For you, it may be a Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2, a belt of Giant's Strength +2, or a Headband of Inspired Wisdom +2, all of which are 4,000 gold each.

Also, remember that at 4th level, you get +1 to any ability score of your choice. You could use that to bump WIS or DEX appropriately to what you desire.

[DaemonArcher]

Now, apart from the aprox economy your character should have amassed by level 4 he should be able to afford a +2 belt of dex, you should also invest in a composite longbow if you're intending to deal damage. because your ranger only has a str of +1 he only requires a +1 comp longbow to allow him to deal an additional +1 damage. this means he could invest his money on a +2 str belt and buy a comp +2 bow for more possible damage. have you thought of what animal companion to gain or what style of ranger he's supposed to be? btw, take a look at your will save and bab, they should be higher that that by level 4

my pardons, was ninja'd a bit.

[Harley Quinn X]

Also... what race is this ranger? Your stats look a little low for some reason.

[Kilmannan]

Thanks guys. I've not levelled him since level 2, just not really been sure what to do.

He's Human, and he has a Masterwork Comp Longbow for the benefits that brings.

Roleplay wise, he's not going to touch magic as that's not his style.

Not sure how it works for buying that kind of gear - we use Chronicle sheets so don't know if I'd need to wait for something like those to appear on that?

Thanks for the help so far!

[Paladin of Baha-who?]

If he's not going to do magic you should choose a ranger archetype that trades spells for something else.

[glass]

Kilmannan wrote:

Roleplay wise, he's not going to touch magic as that's not his style.

If you mean he is not going to cast spells, then you need to archetype them away as Paladin... says. Skirmisher looks good after a quick (non-exhaustive) search. I can't remember off the top of my head how retraining into an archetype that doesn't affect you yet works, so someone else will have to help with that.

If you mean you're not going to touch magic items, that is a really bad idea. As in, the-character-will-quickly-become-uplayable bad.

Kilmannan wrote:

Not sure how it works for buying that kind of gear - we use Chronicle sheets so don't know if I'd need to wait for something like those to appear on that?

There is a sticky at the top of this forum that goes through it detail, but the gist is to buy something you need least one of the following:

• The item listed on a chronicle sheet for that character.
  
• Enough Fame on your latest chronicle sheet to be able to buy the item for cash. There is a table in the GtOP that translate fame into
  
• The item to be on the "always available" list in the Guide to Organised Play (basically all mundane equipment except guns, plus +1 weapons and armour, and first level scrolls).

Speaking of the Guide to Organised Play, you really should download it and read it if you haven't already. It's free!

Anyway, on levelling up your character (which isn't optional BTW, you need to level your character up as soon as XP indicates that you should):

Basically look at the table in the core rulebook or the PRD, and add the stuff you gain. In addition to the numerical stuff people have mentioned, for a Ranger would translate to Endurance as a bonus feat and a Favoured Terrain of your choice at third, and Hunter Bond at 4th, which gives you either an animal companion or the ability to give small bonuses to an ally. Details are in the book or following that link. You would normally get spells at 4th, but not if you go with Skirmisher.

In addition to Ranger-specific stuff, you would also get a feat of your choice at 3rd (and every odd level), and an ability point of your choice at 4th (and every 4 levels).

One last thing: To pick anything (equipment, classes, feats) outside the core book, it needs to be listed as legal on Additional Resources, and you need to bring a copy of the book it comes from o the table (hard copy or legit PDF). EDIT: In the case of Skirmisher, that would mean a copy of the Advanced Players Guide.

And that's enough of a wall of text for now. Let us know if anything need clarifying.

glass.

[Kilmannan]

Thanks for the time and effort to help on this - greatly appreciated.

I like the look of Skirmisher, fits in well with my character (I meant not using any spells, he's all up for magic gear). I read through all the other Ranger classes and nothing else tickled my fancy.

So Skirmisher doesn't get any benefits until 5th level - I take it that means I just stick as a standard Ranger class and then branch out at 5th?

In terms of my stats, do you think I should take a minus to my Int to spend on Strength to get another +1 to my bow? Is there any way I can realistically jiggle them to get my Dex higher?

Just really want to ace out shooting as much as possible.

I've read that guide, it was really good, and now I'm looking at my core book it's making a bit more sense.

I just thought my HP would have increased by a dice roll rather than just +1.

Cheers!

[Grey_Mage]

Kilmannan wrote:

Thanks for the time and effort to help on this - greatly appreciated.

I like the look of Skirmisher, fits in well with my character (I meant not using any spells, he's all up for magic gear). I read through all the other Ranger classes and nothing else tickled my fancy.

So Skirmisher doesn't get any benefits until 5th level - I take it that means I just stick as a standard Ranger class and then branch out at 5th?

In terms of my stats, do you think I should take a minus to my Int to spend on Strength to get another +1 to my bow? Is there any way I can realistically jiggle them to get my Dex higher?

Just really want to ace out shooting as much as possible.

I've read that guide, it was really good, and now I'm looking at my core book it's making a bit more sense.

I just thought my HP would have increased by a dice roll rather than just +1.

Cheers!

Its been my experience others are more than willing to assist a new player with build options if your arrive a little early or stay a little later after a session.

As far as HP go...

Rangers get a d10 per level. At 1st level its considered a max roll. Every follow on level its considered to be average (d10 = 1 + 10 / 2 = 5.5 or 6. You also get +2 due to your Con modifier each level.

Finally, you get a favored class bonus as long as you stick with Ranger granting an additional +1 to spend on HP or a skill point each level.

Therefore, at level 4 you should have around 40 HP if you used your FCB on HP.

[Kilmannan]

We generally don't have the time unfortunately as we're in a public venue.

I've got 19hp just now, having not made any changes.

So it should now be about 25?

I think I used my FCB on skill ranks.

[Grey_Mage]

Other concerns:

Feats
At level 1, all characters get a feat.
You get a bonus feat for being human.
At 2nd level, you get a Ranger combat feat that must be spent on your chosen style (archery).
At 3rd level, you get another general feat. Rangers also get endurance feat for free.

I think you are missing a feat since you only listed 3. Consider Deadly Aim to assist with damage output.

Also, check the CRB and make a selection regarding your Hunters Bond (pet or party buff) at 4th level.

[Grey_Mage]

Kilmannan wrote:

We generally don't have the time unfortunately as we're in a public venue.

I've got 19hp just now, having not made any changes.

So it should now be about 25?

I think I used my FCB on skill ranks.

Base HP and Con Modifier

1st Level = 10 + 2
2nd Level = 6 + 2
3rd Level = 6 + 2
4th Level = 6 + 2

Therefore 36 at level 4. (Not including any FCB spent on HP).

Skills per level:

Ranger get 6 / lvl + Humans get + 1 / lvl + int mod (0) + FCB (if spent on skills)

Therefore you should have 28 skill point (not including the FCB spent on skills).

[Kilmannan]

I've just realised where a lot of the confusion has been coming from - he's not hit level four, he's hit level three.

Oops. Apologies folks. :(

So, Grey_Mage, I read that I should have 30 HP and 22 skill points?

[DaemonArcher]

hah, that cleared up a lot then! if you use Grey mages calculations (As in using an average roll) you should end up with:

12 +8 +8 = 28hp and 3*7 SP = 21 not counting favored class.

Yes, that is correct.

As a side-note, about the skirmisher archetype, you're right. Since no other class skills or options are listed in the archetype until 5th level you can proceed to play the ranger normally until then.

[Dafydd]

Trading away Gravity Bow?

Really?

Well, ymmv but that is a great spell to have. Turns your 1d8 bow into 2d6.

Feats: You have Point Blank, Rapid and Percise, so how about something to up the out of combat, or to help your combat in another way.

Improved Initative is rarely a bad choice, would get you a +9 init at this point (+11 in favored terrain).

Toughness would up your HP to 31. It is not a big change, but it helps.
10+2 / 6+2 / 6+2 = 28, add 3 more for toughness