Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nightbird74 12-24-05, 03:38 PM	Hi all Let me say that this question was probably asked around about a million times, but it's the first time for me that it cames to my mind. Many people have trouble with the ranger class. The hit dice, the fighting path, and the favored enemy seems always to cause many trouble. When the 3.5 ranger came out I took a look at it and to my taste, it was more... ranger like, than the 3.0 who was a complete flaw. However, some of my players pointed me something, and I fully agree with them. Ranger are skilled hunter, guide, and warrior. However, I do not feel it fit the ranger's role well by letting them have favored enemy bonus. I know what it is, and how psychologicaly complex it can be to explain the favored enemy ability, but to make something a lot shorter, and less complex, let's say that they are far from fanatical racist. Ok, the idea is this. Montee Cook has his own version of the 3.5 ranger, Darkstar too, and etc. What do we see first ? No favored enemy bonus, but an extension of bonus feat. My question is this: -Can favored enemy can become a FEAT in the form of a bonus feat, availaible only to ranger, and if yes, can they be replace by other feats without giving too much, or removing too much from the class ? Anyone has done it ? Help me ! Thanks.
Arcane Guyver 12-24-05, 07:31 PM	Well, here's what I did: Deep-six the Ranger class. If you want a skillful outdoorsman, play a Scout. If you want to be a special-forces type that combines hunting expertise with druid magic, take up the Ranger prestige class (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/prestigiousCharacterClasses.htm#prestige Ranger). In fact, I'd recommend using the prestige paladin, too. You could take it a step further and make customize the classes for different religions and druidic sects (I did that to replace the 'Eldeen Ranger' prc). If you've got a particularly healthy work ethic, you could make a prestigious Hexblade, Spellthief, Sohei, and other bizarre niche classes that give spellcasting 4 levels into the game.
Otherguy 12-24-05, 07:39 PM	I'd say favored enemy is a very niche-oriented ability. I'd drop it out and make it into a feat with Track as a pre-req, but that's me. Prestige classes are great, though. I'd say if you were going to do that with Ranger and Pally, do it with as many classes as you can, then just use the Expert, Warrior and Spellcaster base classes from UA. Where is Monte's ranger? I've never seen it.
Nightbird74 12-25-05, 03:45 AM	If I remember correctly, monte did use many ranger variant that he himself modified with time. However, his last version was, I think, in the BOOK OF HALLOWED MIGHT v3.5 There are 3.0 versions, be sure to get the 3.5 There is also a different versions of paladin based on their alignment. They must be good, but can be Chaotic, Neutral, or Lawfull, depending on the God they serve. Of course, different powers are used too. A good book, but many do think that what's in the book is insanely powerful. I tend to agree a little, yet again, I think that he is on the right track for many things. Better to see it yourself and make your own idea of it. Thanks for the answer by the way. Oh ! And Merry Christmas all ! :)
Interceptor 12-25-05, 01:46 PM	I actually would like to see the Ranger's "Favored Enemy" ability gone too. If I could have it my way, I'd probably swap them out for abilities like the Uncanny Dodges, Uncanny Stealth (from d20 Modern Future, #1 provided no penalty to Hide & Move Silently checks when moving at full speed, and #2 provided only a -10 penalty to these skills while running or charging {instead of the normal -20), Light Sleeper (no -10 penalty to listen checks while sleeping), and some other tracking feats as well. However, I wouldn't know how to implement these abilities properly to balance it out... and how many are required. Sooooo, yeah.... Well, my 2 cents. Merry Christmas &/or Happy Holidays!
Ruhl-Than Sage 12-25-05, 02:50 PM	Use Favored Terrain instead, it makes more sense to the basic idea of a ranger anyway :) . Its in Unearthed Arcana. Basically you choose a favored terrain every time you would otherwise choose a favored enemy and it works in the same way, except you get bonuses to a number of different skills in that terrain instead of against a particular enemy. To make the whole thing more appealing you can go with one favored terrain at 1st level and then bonus feats from there on out. Here's my suggested list split up to indicate which feats are most approriate for various terrains: General: Alertness, Stealthy, Athletic, Run, Self-Sufficient, Toughness, Dash, Quick Reconnoiter, Agile Athlete, Lightfeet, Skill Focus (Survival), Earth Sense Forest: Brachiation, Skill Focus (Climb), Agile Athlete, Able Sniper Desert: Heat Endurance, Improved Heat Endurance, Sand Camoflage, Sandskimmer Expert Swimmer Sea: Flying Fish Leap, Sea Legs, Sailor's Balance, Old Salt, Skill Focus (Swim) Artic: Cold Endurance, Impoved Cold Endurance, Snowrunner Mountains: Altitude Adaptation, Mountaineer, Skill Focus (Climb), Agile Athlete, Mountain Warrior, Steady Mountaineer
Rulebook 12-25-05, 08:49 PM	as i constantly say around these boards, the Favored enemy thing is handled best when you take Construct, Undead, or Ooze. Since you cant critical hit any of them, the extra damage your favored enemy bonus gives you helps out a lot (especially on constructs)