Alternate Ranger Combat Styles [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate Ranger Combat Styles [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
A2Z
03-08-05, 09:43 AM I'm trying to come up with some alternate Ranger Combat Styles like the ones in Dragon 326. They had Beast-Wrestling, Mounted-Combat, Piscator, Strong-Arm and Throwing as new styles.

I'm kind of looking for a style that would work for a ranger using a sword and shield in combat. So far here's what I've come up with.

I'd like to know what others think and what ideas the rest of you can come up with. Also, if anyone knows of another resource, such as an issue of Dragon I may have missed, that has others let me know please.

Defensive Style 1
Combat Expertise [PHB]
Improved Combat Expertise [Complete Warrior]
?? (ideas?)

Defensive Style 2
Dodge [PHB]
Improved Dodge (+2 against 1 opp. or +1 against 2)
Greater Dodge (+2 against 2 opp. or +1 against all)

Shield Style
Improved Shield Bash [PHB]
Shield Charge [Complete Warrior]
Shield Slam [Complete Warrior]

Charge Style
Fast Movement (+10 Movement)
Fleet of Foot [Complete Warrior] (Make one turn while charging)
Greater Charge (make a full attack after charge when opponent flat footed or denied dex bonus)

There's also the standard dodge/mobility/spring attack and power attack/cleave/great cleave but I'm kind of looking for something new.
Nyferto
03-08-05, 12:23 PM The first one is alright, I'd probably suggest defensive strike or possibly Karmic Strike.

Number 2 is a bit weak.

Shield Style really needs TWF to work with Shield Bash, Shield Bash is actually one of the better options for Rangers - certainly in 3.0.

You might be better off giving some compendium feats, like Shield Bash, Improved Buckler Defence and TWF (in light armour with shields) , then giving the later feats.

Greater Charge is a bit odd, you'd primarily use it at the start of Combat, making it somewhat like the Epic Feat Dire Charge.
A2Z
03-08-05, 04:44 PM I agree the dodge tree probably isn't a great choice. I think defensive would be a bit week for an 11th level character. Most PCs of that level would rather be attacking than go on full defense so it becomes of limited usefullness. How about this for a Defensive tree?

--------

Defensive Style
Combat Expertise [PHB], (take a penalty of up to -5 to attack to add to defense)
Improved Combat Expertise [Complete Warrior] (take a penalty of up to your base attack bonus to add to defense)
Greater Defensive Strike (get an attack of oportunity against an opponent who attacks and misses you)

GREATER DEFENSIVE STRIKE [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Dex 13, Int 13, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Defensive Strike
Benefit: If an opponent attacks you and misses you can take an attack of opportunity against that opponent with a +4 bonus on your attack roll. You must be threatening the opponent to gain this attack.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
A2Z 03-08-05, 09:43 AM	I'm trying to come up with some alternate Ranger Combat Styles like the ones in Dragon 326. They had Beast-Wrestling, Mounted-Combat, Piscator, Strong-Arm and Throwing as new styles. I'm kind of looking for a style that would work for a ranger using a sword and shield in combat. So far here's what I've come up with. I'd like to know what others think and what ideas the rest of you can come up with. Also, if anyone knows of another resource, such as an issue of Dragon I may have missed, that has others let me know please. Defensive Style 1 Combat Expertise [PHB] Improved Combat Expertise [Complete Warrior] ?? (ideas?) Defensive Style 2 Dodge [PHB] Improved Dodge (+2 against 1 opp. or +1 against 2) Greater Dodge (+2 against 2 opp. or +1 against all) Shield Style Improved Shield Bash [PHB] Shield Charge [Complete Warrior] Shield Slam [Complete Warrior] Charge Style Fast Movement (+10 Movement) Fleet of Foot [Complete Warrior] (Make one turn while charging) Greater Charge (make a full attack after charge when opponent flat footed or denied dex bonus) There's also the standard dodge/mobility/spring attack and power attack/cleave/great cleave but I'm kind of looking for something new.
Nyferto 03-08-05, 12:23 PM	The first one is alright, I'd probably suggest defensive strike or possibly Karmic Strike. Number 2 is a bit weak. Shield Style really needs TWF to work with Shield Bash, Shield Bash is actually one of the better options for Rangers - certainly in 3.0. You might be better off giving some compendium feats, like Shield Bash, Improved Buckler Defence and TWF (in light armour with shields) , then giving the later feats. Greater Charge is a bit odd, you'd primarily use it at the start of Combat, making it somewhat like the Epic Feat Dire Charge.
A2Z 03-08-05, 04:44 PM	I agree the dodge tree probably isn't a great choice. I think defensive would be a bit week for an 11th level character. Most PCs of that level would rather be attacking than go on full defense so it becomes of limited usefullness. How about this for a Defensive tree? -------- Defensive Style Combat Expertise [PHB], (take a penalty of up to -5 to attack to add to defense) Improved Combat Expertise [Complete Warrior] (take a penalty of up to your base attack bonus to add to defense) Greater Defensive Strike (get an attack of oportunity against an opponent who attacks and misses you) GREATER DEFENSIVE STRIKE [GENERAL] Prerequisite: Dex 13, Int 13, Combat Expertise, Dodge, Defensive Strike Benefit: If an opponent attacks you and misses you can take an attack of opportunity against that opponent with a +4 bonus on your attack roll. You must be threatening the opponent to gain this attack.