[Ranger] Fixing Hunt Target

[N N 959]

Let me start off by saying that after using Hunt Target (HT) in a PFS playtest, I found it failed to provide any substantive benefit. If Paizo is emotionally wedded to this concept, I would recommend the following changes:

1) HT can be also triggered when finding tracks of a creature;

2) Any application of HT inside or outside of combat, immediately allows a free Recall Knowledge check if you have Monster Hunter;

3) HT conveys the bonus on all creatures of the same Type (but you still need to attack the same target to get benefit);

4) Creatures are not bolstered against HT and once identified, HT applies to that creature if you make all your attacks against it that round, even if you use HT on a different creature .

5) Any round that a Ranger successful attacks against a designated Target, that creature gets a -1 attack vs the Ranger and its companion for one round.

6) Ranger gets +2 Stealth vs Target until the creature is attacked.

7) The description fo HT is changed to describe it as the Ranger's ability to out maneuver its prey when attacking.

8) Any Strike Actions that require two actions, bet a +2 accuracy boost on the first attack roll.

I'd still like to see another option instead of HT, but these changes might make HT feel actually worth using.

[Draco18s]

I definitely think that Hunt Target needs...something. I'm not sure what, but definitely something.

[WatersLethe]

I want them to move away from the "buffing a full attack" approach. It's unsatisfying, mathy and easily buried under the many things that can prevent the ranger from getting a full round of attacks.

I personally would prefer something like it allowing you to use your reaction to make a free attack at any point during a round for the next three rounds, before needing to reapply. Let's you play up the fast reflexes of a ranger, is really powerful, and meshes well with all kinds of weapons.

Or perhaps go back to increasing attack bonus, so the first attack in a round can actually benefit.

Or let you apply a critical effect!

The point is, I want anything but a full attack promoter for a class that's supposed to be mobile.

[Mudfoot]

The current incarnation of HT is essentially doing the same as the PF1 Slayer's Studied Target. It's not "hunting" the thing. You can't hunt deer with this. You can't track down those orcs with this. You can't hunt down a criminal with this. All you can do with it is look at a target and then get a minor benefit when beating it up. It's just complex and pointless and adds nothing of any value.

[N N 959]

WatersLethe wrote:

I want them to move away from the "buffing a full attack" approach. It's unsatisfying, mathy and easily buried under the many things that can prevent the ranger from getting a full round of attacks.

As soon as they announced HT in the blog, I knew this was the the wrong approach. I completely agree with you, however, we have to face the reality that this is someone's baby and it might be easier to get Paizo to modify HT instead of starting over from scratch.

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I personally would prefer something like it allowing you to use your reaction to make a free attack at any point during a round for the next three rounds, before needing to reapply. Let's you play up the fast reflexes of a ranger, is really powerful, and meshes well with all kinds of weapons.

I'd rather have something that isn't based on a reaction, but is thematically appropriate for a the Ranger succeeding through cunning. The Ranger isn't about reaction or necessarily speed. The Ranger is about cunning, tracking, stalking, out maneuvering. I'd like something that supports that concept.

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Or perhaps go back to increasing attack bonus, so the first attack in a round can actually benefit.

Sure but no one seems to get that kind of benefit. But I agree that it should be just as useful as Sneak Attack or Retributive Strike.

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Or let you apply a critical effect!

We already get that at 3rd level and the other martials have that or some ability to provide criticals. I'd like something unique..

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The point is, I want anything but a full attack promoter for a class that's supposed to be mobile.

Again. I hate the idea of the Ranger having to be planted and I was hoping that in actual use, it would prove powerful, but I found that the Ranger mechanics make it difficult to invoke at all. And honestly, a second attack at -4 is not much of a benefit and a third attack at -8 is essentially pointless.

[N N 959]

While I am still not a fan of Hunt Target, I have some more suggestions for Paizo.

I was brainstorming ideas for Hunt Target and I still like my suggestions above. Except for #8,

8) Hunt Target grants +2 on a Ranger's first strike against the target per round. This increases by +1 at level 4 and every four levels after that to a maximum of+7 at level 20. Likewise, the bonuses to Stealth, Seek, and Track. The bonuses to AC also increase by +1, but perhaps only applies to the next attack by the target, not all attacks.

[Kerobelis]

I like the idea of hunt target adding to your damage, be it a 1d4 or +2 to damage. This bonus could scale as you go up in level, like a thiefs sneak attack. It also fits the theme of hunting, better enabling you to kill your desired target.