| Shah Gong |
Iv just started creating a ranger using the switch hitter described in the guide and noticed it suggests breastplate as armour...
Now as a level 1 character im not going to afford breastplate anyway as well as a weapon. I also noticed it hampers skills and checks etc.
Yes you could have an ac of 17 but any strength or dex checks get hampered so my question is what armor should i get for my 1st level ranger following the switch hitter build??
are those checks likely to be an issue? Its most of my gold on just armor. Add my sword in and you have 250 gold. Would scale mail be viable to leave me with cash to buy other things?
| FaceInTheSand |
In my experience, guides are written as a Optimiser's wet-dream, in a world where you have infinite money and time, a magic marketplace at your door and always have the perfect spell prepared.
If you start off with 175gp and get a Longbow, Longsword or Bastard Sword, Armoured Coat or Studded Leather, you'll be golden.
Your first paycheck can go on upgrading your armour.
Evidence - I'm currently playing Rise of the Runelords with a LG Dwarf Ranger with the Dungeon Rover and Skirmisher archetypes, roughly using treantmonk's switch hitter as a guide, and am loving my grumpy little guy.
My starting equipment was Dwarven Waraxe, Studded leather, Buckler, Light crossbow. Then lots of misc equipment that suited his background as a prospector and would-be merchant.
I got through the first book with pretty much that equipment, although I think I upgraded to a breastplate mid-way through. I was the primary tank in the second half of that book, because our barbarian spent most of the time under enchantment effects.
I've made a few "sub-optimal" choices (swapped out spells, no animal companion, vital strike tree), but I feel like (with my specific party makeup in that campaign) they have actually helped the party more.
I'm level 10, just starting book 4, and currently use a +1 Adaptive Composite Longbow and a +2 Dwarven Longhammer, with Masterwork Cold Iron Armour spikes and a Masterwork Silver Dwarven Boulder Helmet for if stuff gets right up in my grill and I can't 5-ft step.
Switch hitters are awesome, have fun.