Advice for a Sorc/Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice for a Sorc/Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Cadence73
09-30-04, 04:49 PM Anyone got a basic advise for a Sorc/Ranger?
I'm looking to make one, I want to go 2-handed rather than archer, but I've got a -4 racial str mod.

My stats are as such
10 S
16 D
14 C
11 I
10 W
14 Ch

Should I take at first, Sorc or Ranger? I'm going to be playing him from first level, so I'll have to live until 2nd :).
I'm a small creature, but have 30', any thoughts on feats?

Thanks!
Ovistavin
09-30-04, 05:46 PM I would take Ranger at first level. This way you gain 24 skill points instead of 8 and have 10 hp instead of 6. If you are going for two-weapon fighting I would take Weapon Finesse (which you can only take if Ranger is your first class) and use rapier and/or short swords. This way you have a decent chance to hit something.
SmiloDan
09-30-04, 06:20 PM Yeah, take Ranger at 1st level, max out Concentration (you'll need it later when you're a sorcerer), and take Weapon Finesse. I would then suggest Weapon Focus--shortswords at 3rd level and wield 2 of them. Or daggers, so you can throw them too. 1d4 and 1d3 ain't that big a deal. Heck, it might even make sense to wield kukri, now that they're martial in 3.5.
Ruxpin
09-30-04, 06:24 PM Well to begin sorcerer/ranger combo is probably the worst one you could come up with... Well I guess Wiz/Barb would be close...And Bard/wiz/sorc/cleric would deinately be worse. If you are truely set on this class combo though, the above poster is right. Choose ranger first, especially for the skill points.. You'll definately need em to role play this craptastic character..

I definately would not choose weapon finess though. While this feat seems really handy, and it might well be at level 1 as you progress levels it will become obsolete and therefore a wasted feat. What do I mean? Well as soon as you can cast bulls str you will then have 14 str, and a +2 to hit/damage, add in enlarge and you have a +3hit/damage.. This makes it the equivalent of your weapon finesse feat. Also the goal of any melee is to gain str, not dex, though this seems silly with a sorcerer since you cant wear armor, or really cast spells in close combat.

Instead I would suggest something such as weapon focus, which will allways give you a +1 to hit. And therefore if you wield 2 kukri a +1 on each, which will almost offset your -2. (I personally think two weapon fighters blows, but hey your call). If this does not peak your interest consider Combat Reflexes (your dex works nice with this one) and then perhaps plan your char towards improved trip, or something like that that will also help you take advantage of combat reflexes.

Well good luck with this one, it'll be tough but I'm sure you'll do fine.
SmiloDan
09-30-04, 07:11 PM You can always cast Cat's Grace and Shrink Person to up your dex...it won't dish out a lot of damage, though. BUT maybe you can get that Arcane Strike feat from Complete Warrior (I think that's what it's called...and where it is...) and if you are fighting a favored enemy, that damage bonus will help. You might consider some levels in Rogue for sneak attack damage, and you'll probably want to get a couple weapons with energy damage, or bane, or holy damage--anything for extra damage dice.
MetalGemini
10-01-04, 06:18 PM Use the Battle Sorcerer variant in Unearthed Arcana. Gives you better BAB during sorcerer levels, better hp, and cast in light armor. You shouldn't be at a severe disadvantage. Most warrior-caster combos are at a disadvantage, so don't worry about it.
Spell selection will be key. Check out mostly Transmutation spells (buffs) and Necromancy spells. Necros are good because most don't give a saving throw and will weaken your opponent before you enter melee. Shield is also a good one b'c it stacks when wearing armor (mage armor does not!) and still works when you are dual-wielding.
I'd say take two levels of ranger (to get TWF) then a whole lot of sorcerer, especially if you use the variant.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Cadence73 09-30-04, 04:49 PM	Anyone got a basic advise for a Sorc/Ranger? I'm looking to make one, I want to go 2-handed rather than archer, but I've got a -4 racial str mod. My stats are as such 10 S 16 D 14 C 11 I 10 W 14 Ch Should I take at first, Sorc or Ranger? I'm going to be playing him from first level, so I'll have to live until 2nd :). I'm a small creature, but have 30', any thoughts on feats? Thanks!
Ovistavin 09-30-04, 05:46 PM	I would take Ranger at first level. This way you gain 24 skill points instead of 8 and have 10 hp instead of 6. If you are going for two-weapon fighting I would take Weapon Finesse (which you can only take if Ranger is your first class) and use rapier and/or short swords. This way you have a decent chance to hit something.
SmiloDan 09-30-04, 06:20 PM	Yeah, take Ranger at 1st level, max out Concentration (you'll need it later when you're a sorcerer), and take Weapon Finesse. I would then suggest Weapon Focus--shortswords at 3rd level and wield 2 of them. Or daggers, so you can throw them too. 1d4 and 1d3 ain't that big a deal. Heck, it might even make sense to wield kukri, now that they're martial in 3.5.
Ruxpin 09-30-04, 06:24 PM	Well to begin sorcerer/ranger combo is probably the worst one you could come up with... Well I guess Wiz/Barb would be close...And Bard/wiz/sorc/cleric would deinately be worse. If you are truely set on this class combo though, the above poster is right. Choose ranger first, especially for the skill points.. You'll definately need em to role play this craptastic character.. I definately would not choose weapon finess though. While this feat seems really handy, and it might well be at level 1 as you progress levels it will become obsolete and therefore a wasted feat. What do I mean? Well as soon as you can cast bulls str you will then have 14 str, and a +2 to hit/damage, add in enlarge and you have a +3hit/damage.. This makes it the equivalent of your weapon finesse feat. Also the goal of any melee is to gain str, not dex, though this seems silly with a sorcerer since you cant wear armor, or really cast spells in close combat. Instead I would suggest something such as weapon focus, which will allways give you a +1 to hit. And therefore if you wield 2 kukri a +1 on each, which will almost offset your -2. (I personally think two weapon fighters blows, but hey your call). If this does not peak your interest consider Combat Reflexes (your dex works nice with this one) and then perhaps plan your char towards improved trip, or something like that that will also help you take advantage of combat reflexes. Well good luck with this one, it'll be tough but I'm sure you'll do fine.
SmiloDan 09-30-04, 07:11 PM	You can always cast Cat's Grace and Shrink Person to up your dex...it won't dish out a lot of damage, though. BUT maybe you can get that Arcane Strike feat from Complete Warrior (I think that's what it's called...and where it is...) and if you are fighting a favored enemy, that damage bonus will help. You might consider some levels in Rogue for sneak attack damage, and you'll probably want to get a couple weapons with energy damage, or bane, or holy damage--anything for extra damage dice.
MetalGemini 10-01-04, 06:18 PM	Use the Battle Sorcerer variant in Unearthed Arcana. Gives you better BAB during sorcerer levels, better hp, and cast in light armor. You shouldn't be at a severe disadvantage. Most warrior-caster combos are at a disadvantage, so don't worry about it. Spell selection will be key. Check out mostly Transmutation spells (buffs) and Necromancy spells. Necros are good because most don't give a saving throw and will weaken your opponent before you enter melee. Shield is also a good one b'c it stacks when wearing armor (mage armor does not!) and still works when you are dual-wielding. I'd say take two levels of ranger (to get TWF) then a whole lot of sorcerer, especially if you use the variant.