Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Coffee_Dragon 11-01-06, 02:03 PM	I've found a bunch of threads and variant rules on ridding the ranger of spells, but not much on ditching the animal companion. There really ought to be an archer class with survivalist flair and skill points but without the mystical trappings that lock you in flavourwise. Spells are all right if you downplay the religious aspect (mysteriously moving around faster than everyone else using Longstrider is neat), but I don't really like the idea of carrying around an extra stat block everywhere. So I'm wondering what people think would be reasonable to ask your DM for in exchange. Some possibilities off the top of my head: * A feat of choice. (Asking for another feat later on to reflect animal companion progression is perhaps pushing it, since it's considered of limited use at high levels.) * Shifting spell progression down one level. * Uncanny Dodge (too weak?). * Moving down Evasion, with Improved Evasion at level 9 (this is perhaps stepping on the rogue's toes overmuch). I know about Distracting Attack, but I tend not to rate anything which is entirely situational, especially when it depends on party mechanics. Mêlée thief around - DA rules. No mêlée thief around - DA is marginal. Or am I underestimating its potential?
Silverthumb128 11-01-06, 03:00 PM	I'd give a bonus to land speed(probably +10 feet), since Rangers could really get some good use out of that, I think. That, or Scout's Skirmish ability. Come to think of it, if you wanted to ditch Wild Empathy, too, I'd say you could get both.
Generic Poster 11-01-06, 03:07 PM	Even without a rogue to sneak attack from it, I still think distracting attack is a useful ability. Being able to deny your opponent their dex is the same as gain a variable bonus to hit on the next attack, and it can to help many party members to hit opponents they would normally miss, especially if you attack multiple opponents each round. Distracting attack would be especially useful to spellcasters that need to make spell touch attacks and have no decent BAB to hit reliably (beguilers are going to be doubly pleased here since they have abilities that only work on opponents denied their dex). I suppose you could grab the other options you mentioned instead, but I personally think the distracting attack is usually a better ability then the other possibilities you mentioned.
Elemental_Master 11-01-06, 03:16 PM	Drop wild empathy and then move Combat specialty down 1 and add maybe a bonus feat at say lvl 3 or some dead lvl.
Coffee_Dragon 11-01-06, 08:22 PM	I'd give a bonus to land speed(probably +10 feet), since Rangers could really get some good use out of that, I think. That, or Scout's Skirmish ability. Come to think of it, if you wanted to ditch Wild Empathy, too, I'd say you could get both. You mean full Skirmish progression? That sounds like quite a lot, given I'd probably ditch both the AC and WE for just the speed increase - that's the equivalent of two Dash. Even without a rogue to sneak attack from it, I still think distracting attack is a useful ability. Being able to deny your opponent their dex is the same as gain a variable bonus to hit on the next attack, and it can to help many party members to hit opponents they would normally miss, especially if you attack multiple opponents each round. There's no Dex-denying involved, though, just flanking. And it doesn't do anything for your own attacks.
Shadowfax7 11-01-06, 09:03 PM	A feat of choice. (Asking for another feat later on to reflect animal companion progression is perhaps pushing it, since it's considered of limited use at high levels.)Not a choice of any feat . . . a choice between a TWF succession feat or Archery feat to continue the Ranger's Combat Style @ 16th level. Such as, Superior Two-Weapon Fighting and Greater Manyshot. Shifting spell progression down one level.Too clunky and not a big deal. Uncanny Dodge (too weak?). Barbarian and Rogue already have this. Moving down Evasion, with Improved Evasion at level 9 (this is perhaps stepping on the rogue's toes overmuch). No, too much stepping on the Rogue's toes. The Rogue doesn't even get it automatically, s/he must choose it.
Silverthumb128 11-01-06, 09:48 PM	You mean full Skirmish progression? That sounds like quite a lot, given I'd probably ditch both the AC and WE for just the speed increase - that's the equivalent of two Dash. True, I wouldn't give it full progression. Maybe up to +3d6/+3? Ooh, an idea: Maybe you can only gain those bonuses against your Favored Enemies? That's an idea, but it would need quite a few kinks hammered out in it.
Coffee_Dragon 11-02-06, 10:29 AM	Not a choice of any feat . . . a choice between a TWF succession feat or Archery feat to continue the Ranger's Combat Style @ 16th level. Such as, Superior Two-Weapon Fighting and Greater Manyshot. My hypothetical feat progression is already pretty packed with archery feats, so that shouldn't be a problem. Far Shot and Quick Draw are feats I hadn't fit in before, so either or both in exchange for AC and/or WE might be a fair deal. Greater GM would probably have to wait until level 6 at least. True, I wouldn't give it full progression. Maybe up to +3d6/+3? Ooh, an idea: Maybe you can only gain those bonuses against your Favored Enemies? That's an idea, but it would need quite a few kinks hammered out in it. To tell the truth, I'd rather have SA than Skirmish, but there's the toe-steppage again. Mind you, looking at the Scout, it feels like it kind of unfairly out-rangers the ranger. Better design with no dead levels, though. Maybe Improved Favoured Enemy would be a simpler way of boosting favoured enemy damage, but it's kind of meh unless you somehow know you'll mostly be fighting favoured enemies. Edit: The Loner flaw seems to imply that an animal companion/familiar is worth exactly one feat.