Well it depends on how you want to fight!
The is a forum called "Advice".
Multiclassing isn't always necessary to do what you are trying to do. Traits will get you class skills, and you can always just build you character in one class with a few unorthodox options thrown in.
What are you trying to make? A sneaky archer? An raging wilderness expert?
The basic (known as "core") ranger is a very good class for stealth in its own right, but would be missing some of the trap finding ability of the rogue.
I would strongly suggest taking a good look at both ranger and rogue, perhaps design a 1st level version of each... and then look at the slayer, which is a hybrid of ranger and rogue.
Pathfinder is a great game and with all the supplements you can build almost any character you want. Since you only have the core this will be more difficult than if you had more books. It can get a little expensive especially for someone just starting out. While most of the content is available online so that helps. I would suggest looking at some slayer class or some ranger archetypes for what you want.
Keep in mind that anyone can find traps with a perception roll. As a ranger you get perception as a class skill so can find traps. You may not get the bonus that a rogue gets, but if you are in your favored terrain you do get that bonus. You can also put ranks into skills that are not class skills you just don’t get the bonus +3 for it being a class skill. There are also traits that can make a skill a class skill and often that is a better way to go than multiclassing. The only thing you need trapfinding for is to disarm magical traps. The trapper ranger archetype in ultimate magic gives up rangers spells for trapfinding and the ability to quickly make traps. This sounds like what you are looking for.
Keep in mind that if you try to do too much all you end up doing is weakening your character. Being able to do everything sounds good, but most of the time it does not work. Instead of being able to do everything you end up not being able to do anything well enough to matter. A ranger with the right archetype and traits will make a great scout if you focus on that. If you try and spread out be the party face and use the skill use magic device you will probably not be effective at anything. This is especially true if you are using a point buy or roll low stats. Most of the time you will simply not have the stats to do everything.
Hi, I'm new to pathfinder in that my only experience was a demo-game that was randomly at my local shop. I played the pregen fighter at the time and really liked the game. My friend given me a core rule book of my own as a gift and I've been trying to find a group to play with, I think I've found one starting next month. So between now and then I'm trying to get my character as far done as I can since it said bring a 1st level character. After looking at the classes I've come to a stand-still. I know i can only start with one class at level one but i'm trying to plan a little now.
My question is would it be better to mix a Barbarian with a Ranger
Or
A Ranger with a Rouge(my original thought)
My dilemma has come about from the controversy I've seen about mixing the two classes since I've seen both good and bad comments about it, I want to build a character that i can enjoy ,but i don't want to build something that will hurt others that play with me.
Also any advice on what I should be trying to get together to help me get started is greatly appreciated since i currently have a core rule book and a binder full of dreams(xD).Thank you for your time and may your rolls always be high ^_^
Muticlassing is not recommended for any newish player.
Just go pure ranger and have your DM give you a heads up on what to put down for favored enemy. Experiment with your spells. You aren't locked into what you pick. Avoid two weapon fighting, making it work is difficult. Google Treantmonk Ranger guide and build a switchhitter. That guide uses core rulebook material and is very accessible.
Trapfinding makes you better at detecting traps and is necessary to bypass magic ones, but a ranger can already be a decent trap detector.
I'd say start as ranger, and go from there. If you find that the campaign/group needs you be more stealth/scouting focused, or just if that's where you want to go or how you imagine your character, then maybe take a 1 level "dip" in rouge to get the class skills and trapfinding (Lets you disable magic traps). If you'd rather be more combat focused, you can definitely still do that with straight ranger, or you could take 1 level in barbarian for rage. I wouldn't recommend multiclassing beyond 1 or 2 levels though.
I would worry too much about making something difficult to play with, you're new and you are simply not going to break the game. What you shoud ask your gm is: What is the point buy? How are you doing starting gold? Are there any house rules? Are you allowed traits? What books are allowed?
Bear with me, this will sound crazy but...
If you want to FIND traps, the rogue ability trapFINDER is only of moderate help: its a small bonus to perception you can get in other ways.
you take 2 levels of rogue for the trapSPOTTER rogue talent , which means you don't need to roll to look for them.
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My advice is to go straight ranger. Rogues are fun, but they are heavily dependent on positioning for their offense and defenses to work well. If you mess up, your going to take a beating, and/or not be able to deal a beating. This is also true for most characters who fight with two weapons (including monks), but especially rogues.
Rangers give you a little of everything (offense, defense, skills, and even spells. They are a great character to get used to the rules. You can make some mistakes and still be very effective.
Core rule book and some dice are all you need as a player, but it would be good to chip in towards a combat grid and maybe some minis if you are going to be playing a physical game (as opposed to playing online). If you budget is tight, you can make a grid yourself, and use a bag of army men or other cheap toys as minis. Also, chip in towards whatever adventures you will be going through. I highly recommend the Adventure Paths, as well as the Paizo modules. Just note that they usually have a theme, so find one that appeals to everyone in the group.
Well, all the mechanics from the Pathfinder books is available for free through the reference document online database.
By the way, if your DM allows traits, there is a trait that allows a ranger to take disable device as a class skill. There is actually a campaign trait that gives you trapfinding, but the DM would have to cooperate :) .
My earlier post was a bit misleading, actually. You do not need trapfinding to bypass magic traps, just to disable them yourself. Well, at the level when magical traps become an issue, you might have a friendly caster with a dispel magic prepared. You can locate the trap and start thinking of ways to go past it.