Starting out a campaign as a switch hitter ranger. I plan on probably taking the Wolf (This seems to be the only serious choice for AC for ranger) as my animal companion at level 4.
My feats will be
1 - Power Attack
2 (Bow Combat Style) - Rapid Shot
3 - Deadly Aim
5 - Boon Companion
6 (Bow Combat Stlye) - Multishot
7 - Outflank
9 - Evolved Companion (Improved Damage - Bite (2d6>3d6)
11 - Improved Critical (Falchion)
13 - Critical Focus
15 - Blinding Critical
Wolf
Feats:
1 - Power Attack
2 - Iron Will
(Ability Score Increase at level 4 raises INT to 3)
5 - X (Retrained to Outflank at level 6-7)
8 - Improved Natural Attack (Bite)(1d8>2d6)
10 - Vital Strike
13 - ???
What else can I do (or do differently) to improve my animal companion (mostly in the goal of it not falling off super hard later into the campaign)?
I wouldn't say a wolf is the only possibility. A horse is certainly workable, or half-orc rangers could take the beast rider feat (which would also replace boon companion), or anyone could take the monstrous mount/+mastery feats.
Armor proficiency (light) is probably a waste. Many light armors have no armor check penalty and so don't need proficiency. Blind-fight might be useful if your wolf uses scent to find something invisible and then wants to do something about that.
For your own part as a switch hitter you want either quick draw, empty quiver style, or a natural attack or something. You haven't mentioned the race so I guess the last might be in the works.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I didn't take quick draw because my group has always played that you can basically switch weapons once per round for free, don't ask me why, it's just the way its always been, even back when we played 3.5.
Yeah, it makes sense now that you mention it about the proficiency. Can just use leather for +2 or leaf armor for +3 instead of getting a chain shirt. maybe Iron Will to help fix the will save a bit instead?
Mithral chain shirt armor doesn't cost a huge amount either even as barding and has zero ACP. & yes Iron Will works fine too.
As it is in Curse of the Crimson Throne I am kind of soft locked into the Urban Ranger Archetype.
I might see if the DM would allow me to select from the full Animal Companion list. But if I am able to select from the full list, how much does that actually change the build? I could then select something like T-Rex, which is pretty much just a better version of the Wolf, and then I dont think the build changes that much. But obviously if I was able to select something like a big cat I wouldn't take the vital strike.
With a Big Cat (or Warcat if I was feeling extra cheesy) I imagine it would look something like this.
Ranger
1 - Power Attack
2 (Bow Combat Style) - Rapid Shot
3 - Deadly Aim
5 - Boon Companion
6 (Bow Combat Stlye) - Multishot
7 - Outflank
9 - Precise Strike
11 - Improved Critical (Falchion)
13 - Critical Focus
15 - Blinding Critical
Cat
1 - Power Attack
2 - Iron Will
(Ability Score Increase at level 4 raises INT to 3)
5 - X (Retrained to Outflank at level 6-7)
8 - Precise Strike
10 - Improved Natural Attack (Claw)
13 - ???
Though the improved natural attack (claw) feat may look a bit weird, it makes the AC play much better with Strong Jaw (because of how size increases work on weapons that start out at 1d6 or less), not to mention that the Rake special ability gives two more claw attacks, which are also affected by INA.
badger would be useful if you take the wild stalker archetype(altho you will then have to find another way to get an animal companion)personally i just find animal companions on rangers useless cuz they don't get any good animal companions and i feel like rangers really should have gotten the big list for companions and the druid got to make friends with multiple animals, but from a smaller list
Well, I wouldn't say the list is useless- just that it is better suited for a back up buddy rather than a main melee force.
The wolf is a good example of that- it lacks the large number of attacks seen on cats, but its one big attack allows it to do well when you have it use a move action to circle into flanking position.
Its big hit also works really well if you manage to give it a outflank (because it gets a nice beefy 1.5x str/power attack hit every time the ranger crits... kukri TWF?)
Additionally, its good strength score and large size allows it to trip fairly well, which also works for something that just sets up for the ranger.
Honestly, in my experience:
1) You don't want to play a switch hitter, at least not for the majority of the character. At level 6 you can get access to point blank master meaning you aren't ever not using your bow.
2) Since you're focused on archery, the most effective animal companion in my experience is one that is usable as a mount. Why? Mobility. You can make full attacks while mounted as an archer, even when your mount moves. You don't even take attack penalties unless your mount double moves. So basically your mount can be the mobility portion of your field artillery team while the ranger is the cannon.
If you expect to be inside mostly, you can still play a small race with a medium mount. Sure your damage dice decreases one step, and you will have less strength for damage, but the majority of archer damage comes from sources other than strength or weapon damage dice.
After that, you build the animal companion to support you, buff you, and help you fulfill your role as a damage dealer using things like Bodyguard and In Harm's Way.
I agree that large cats (panthers, warcats, sabertooths) are generaly better than wolves.
One word: Pounce. Pounce rocks, especially when you start with 3 natural attacks.If you can raise you Charisma juste a little bit, there are fun things to do with the Evolved Companion feats too.
What tricks are there with Evolved Companion that need Charisma? All I see on the 1 point Evo list that is affected by Charisma at all is Minor Magic, and I wouldnt think having a cantrip as a 1/day SLA would be worth a feat.
I believe he means that the ranger character would need 13 charisma to select evolved companion feat.
I'm not sure if you had decided on a race for yourself, but I would suggest being human and taking the eye for talent trait. Then pick intelligence for your companion.
now, your companion will have an int of 3 or 4 allowing it to gain any feats and/or skills it can physically use.
In addition to normal combat feats, I would suggest looking at the teamwork feats. There are some good ones, even if you're going pure ranged, like wounded paw gambit and bonded mind.
Because the group is only 3 people, and aside from me we have an Oracle and a Sorcerer, I am going switch hitter because I (and eventually the AC) will be the only front line types. I also like the melee style with bow as backup more than being a pure archer. I have looked at the teamwork feats, the most obvious one being outflank, and precise strike for an AC with pounce/multiple NAs.
Well, now that we know you're party composition I would make the opposite recommendation from original. But still say that switch hitting is a bad idea.
You have one character that will be capable of delivering pain from a distance (sorcerer) and one that could either get up close and personal with melee or range dpending on build (oracle).
You wont really need another ranged character, especially not a switch hitter. A switch hitter's role is basically to shoot an opening volley before the enemy gets in melee range. Which means 1 round of combat. I'm not saying don't carry a bow as a back up weapon which you could use for the first round of combat. What I am saying is, unless you're going to focus on archery don't waste feats or other class resources on making it better.
|
I have played a sylvan sorcerer as a primary or solo front liner. It's pretty easy.
Spell
Use shield companion (1st lvl, hours/lvl) and have high con on your sorcerer. Your pet will stand all day.
Once you add in defending bone or resinous skin. You should have no problem.
If you have someone that heals in combat ablative barrier doubles the value of healing. 2x your animal companions health should take you above a barbarian. I would grab toughness and iron will.
Archetype
Bodyguard is a trap for this build as it loses share spells.
A useful item or 2
Buy a 2000 GP ioun stone that can store a first level spell. Put shield on it now the animal can cast shield on itself. This alone keeps ac in optimized rage. Animal companions generally have AC that scales well it does not require that much investment it is HP and Saves. shield companion solves the first and helps the second.
Get spell storing armor and add frigid touch. You can use this to stagger an opponent once a fight preventing there full attack.
|
|
Paizo has several blogs that say animal companions can activate ioun stones. I would show them to the DM if they are receptive. You can fill the ioun stone from a wand so it is a low resource option. Your house rule says a nagji with dumped int can't activate an ioun stone and contradicts what paizo has written 3 int tends to be the rules based cut off. PFS is more restrictive than many home games and allows this.
Bodyguard is still a trap.
Shield companion is on every spell list if you have an animal companion.
The sorcerer can fill the Animal Companions spell storing armor.
Ablative barrier is creature touched. Does not have to come from the ranger.
So little of my advice was Sylvan specific and most of it works for this specific group. I was using my experience with the class so illustrate that you can use an animal companion as a frontliner if you plan accordingly.
|
|
I was not giving you advice. And, again the majority of the advice applies to the ranger and the group the ranger is playing in.
My only mention of the sylvan sorcerer was because that was the PC I played when my animal companion had to be the primary frontliner and many of the strategies carry over.
Sorry, I really should have mentioned that the Oracle is an Oracle of Battle. I will also be in melee combat most of the time. So the AC is far from the ONLY front liner. Also, I picked the switch hitter type because it allows you to get the best bow feats with no prerequisites through the combat style, while to be effective in Melee combat you only need one feat. Power Attack. Anything else I can take on my other feats, but being able to get Rapid Shot, Manyshot, and Improved Precise Shot without having to take things like precise shot and pbs is so valuable for opening rounds of combat, dealing with flying enemies, etc. You just don't get the same mileage out of taking a melee weapon combat style, because most of the good feats you would want can be taken normally, because most of them don't have lists of feat tax prerequisites.
What else can I do (or do differently) to improve my animal companion (mostly in the goal of it not falling off super hard later into the campaign)?Keep an oil of animate dead on hand for when it inevitably dies.
the more cost effective method is to get magic armor/harness for the animal companion and slap determination on it, for when it inevitably dies...
but seriously, depending on the type of animal companion you get it is allowed to wear a limited amount of magic items armor, necklaces, rings, etc. and so any magic item of these types that will add survivability/usefulness to a PC will do the same for your companion.
amulet of mighty fists for example, specifically applies it's bonuses/abilities to natural weapons.
|
Starting out a campaign as a switch hitter ranger.
Are you required to take in a Ranger? If not, think about a Cavalier. The Mount/Animal Companion comes at full Cav level rather than Ranger level -3. That's a feat saved. Then you ride the AC into combat and don't use the lance... I know that sounds contradictory, to take in a Cavalier and not lance, but unless your mount has reach (which it won't unless it is Large), using a standard one-handed weapon means that your mount fights when you do. if anyone attacks the mount, the Mounted Combat feat allows you to make a Ride roll to completely negate a hit on the mount. The AC also starts with a bonus feat: Light Armor Proficiency, so chain mail barding also helps with Armor Class.
It doesn't have to be a ranger, no. But medium cavaliers have a whopping 3 choices for animal companions, and none of them are even that good in terms of animal companions. Add to that that in the CotCT AP, Urban Ranger with Favored Enemy Human / Undead / Evil Outsider is pretty great, I am not willing to trade out all those Favored bonuses (2x since you share all your favored bonuses with your AC).
Also an update on the OP, the GM has allowed me to take any animal companion with the caveat of no dinosaurs. So Big Cat is probably the way to go.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Well now that we know the Oracle is a battle oracle, I will again revert my position.
You should go with a fully optimized archery build that uses a bodyguard animal companion. Once you have point blank master you don't provoke an AoO for using your bow in melee. You can deal damage, you animal companion can protect you as your mount. If you both stand on the front line you tank for the sorcerer, the "non-tanky" member of the group.
Personally I just really don't like switch hitters as they're always less effective than they could have been. Your party isn't really missing a role if you use a bow rather than a two-handed weapon, because you can still stand on the front lines and deal out a lot of damage. The only thing you miss is "battlefield" control via AoO. Which unless you're building around completely, isn't very effective. And your animal companion will still have AoO, even if you ride it.
I'll try to remember to post a build later to give you an idea.
|
|
Big cat. You and your group use spells to support it. Protection from evil, shield companion, barkskin some for he tricks I mentioned above and the cat should be fine. I would recommend the sorcerer in your group liberally use heroism. It will be a huge help.
I like to have big cats grapple casters on a pounce helps control the tempo of combat. The grappled condition also makes it easier for the ranger full attack them. If you take the feats they can pout up decent grapple numbers against the right targets.
I would also agree with Claxon that full archery will serve you better and the point blank master means you can fight "in melee" but benefit from your ranged feats.
So how does this look if I was interested in going archery?
Human Urban Ranger
1 - Precise Shot
1H - Point Blank Shot
2 (CS) - Rapid Shot
3 - Deadly Aim
5 - Boon Companion
6 (CS) Point Blank Master
7 - Manyshot
9 - Snap Shot
10 - (CS) Improved Precise Shot
11 -
Big Cat
1 - Power Attack
2 - Iron Will
(Ability Score Increase at level 4 raises INT to 3)
5 - ???
8 - ???
10 - Improved Natural Attack (Claw)
13 - ???
|
|
That looks solid.
UAS > Dragon Style make it better at charging.
Dirty Fighting > Improved Grapple means it can grapple creatures larger than itself.
Toughness is a fine choice.
Combat Reflexes > Bodyguard give the AC something to do when it's not being as effective.
Grab outflank, or other teamwork feat to work with the battle oracle.
You can get a ton of use out of spell sponge.
Have you thought about looking into Hunter over Ranger?
It would allow spells sooner, save a feat tax for boon companion and another feat tax for precise shot, and you'll have a companion from level one, plus the additional bonus for being able to pick a larger selection of animals that may suit your tastes that aren't wolves.Lot of advantages and the trade off isn't terrible.
Lets take a look at it. By going hunter we get:
Spells sooner (Good)
Free Precise Shot and effectively free Boon Companion (2 feats, but with Ranger Combat Style you get 3 total feats that you dont have to qualify for (Where this is crucial is allowing the Ranger to get Point Blank Master, which the Hunter has no way to ever access without fighter levels), but still the ranger ends up 1 feat ahead, and its a huge 1 feat)
Companion from level 1 (Nice)
Larger selection of animals isn't relevant, as the DM said I could take any non-dinosaur AC
3/4 BAB (Bad)
Lose Favored Enemy and Favored Community (Bad)
Lose Trapfinding (No other way to disarm traps in the group outside spellcasting)
I would say the inability to get Point Blank Master, the lower BAB, loss of Favored Enemy and Community and 1 feat less in an already feat starved build is pretty terrible in terms of the trade off. The advantages you get are nice, but they don't outweigh what you are losing.
|
|
If I was going to something else that worked within the theme I would look at the nature fang druid. Part Druid part Slayer. Makes if very similar to a ranger. It is a worse archer than the ranger, for sure, but it has full animal companion, lots of feats, and 9 levels of spells that can really buff up the animal companion.
I might check that out Grand
