Hello everyone , I just got into the pathfinder RPG recently and I am getting ready to start making my first PC.
So I'm looking to make a Half Elf ranger using the classic ability generation. So when distributing my scores should I make them in tune with my class abilities with the higher being in Wis? I just didn't want to get half WA through creation and find out my scores should have been distributed another way.
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Hello everyone , I just got into the pathfinder RPG recently and I am getting ready to start making my first PC.
So I'm looking to make a Half Elf ranger using the classic ability generation. So when distributing my scores should I make them in tune with my class abilities with the higher being in Wis? I just didn't want to get half WA through creation and find out my scores should have been distributed another way.
Ultimately, it depends on what you want to do with the character. Wisdom is an important stat for rangers, yes, because it has a bearing on several of their class skills, including survival and handle animal. However, don't discount your other abilities either.
If you're going to focus on archery, one of your two weapon styles, you should emphasize your dexterity since your ranged attacks are based on it. If you choose to focus on two-weapon fighting, you should instead have a higher strength, since melee attacks are based on strength.
I'd highly recommend you look at some of the Ranger class guides that you can find in the sticky thread at the top of the Advice forum page (http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2m612?Guide-to-the-Class-Guides). They offer suggestions for different builds that focus on different aspects of each class, and which abilities are important to each build.
A Ranger's Wisdom only has to be 14 to be able to cast their highest level of spells, but even then you don't have to worry about that until much later. You can afford to start with a Wisdom score around 10-12 at the start and increase it later on through magic items or ability increases at every fourth level.
As was said: either Strength or Dexterity is going to be your bread and butter, especially at low levels. Next up is going to be Constitution, since that determines your bonus to HP at every level. a +1/+2 per level might not seem like much, but it adds up after a while.
Intelligence is less important for a Ranger because they already have a good amount of skill points per level. Charisma isn't as useful as your other abilities either, so those two you can afford to neglect a bit.
Good luck making your character and I really hope you enjoy the game!
Classic is a highly variable method of generating ability scores. Good luck rolling 'em.
Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution are all more important to you than wisdom. This is because the only magic items that boost these stats are belts, and you can only have magic one belt equipped at a time so they conflict with each other. The wisdom-boosting item is a headband, so it doesn't conflict with other items you want to use.
If you plan to be an archer, you should place your highest score in dexterity. If you want to be a melee two weapon fighter, strength should be your highest score. In either case, strength and constitution come in behind and wisdom is your fourth most important stat. Intelligence is a nice to have, but not as important as the other four. Charisma is a luxury; place your worst roll here.
As a Ranger, your priority should not be in Wis. Rangers are, first and foremost, martial characters (i.e. they are primarily weapon users, either frontline or archers). Wisdom is only tangentially important for spellcasting (which they only get starting at 4th level...and which they only need an 11 to utilize at first) and for boosting Perception and Survival.
Unless you have a really high Point Buy, or roll very well, Wisdom should probably be a 12 max, 14 if you can swing it without dropping your primary ability score below 16, and secondary ability scores (Str or Dex depending on fighting style, and Con) below 14.
So, for "Classic" (Roll 3d6 ability score generation...which is incredibly swingy and results in gimps more often than not), assuming you want an Archer:
Str: 14
Dex: 16
Con: 14
Int: 9
Wis: 11
Cha: 7
Would be preferable.
Most games use 20 Point buy, however, which is much more forgiving and consistent, so you'd end up with ability scores closer to:
Str: 14 (5 points)
Dex: 16 (10 points)
Con: 14 (5 points)
Int: 12 (2 points)
Wis: 12 (2 points)
Cha: 7 (-4 points)
For an archer.
As a ranger you're not going to cast anything with a saving throw. You need enough wisdom to cast your spells (12-14 depending on how high you're going) but you can get a wisdom headband at higher levels if you need to.
Thank you all for the great advice , it clears ut up real well for me :)