Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nessaj 02-19-06, 11:23 AM	It seems most people only dip a few levels into Ranger, and then come back out again...Well what about those who only want a few levels OUT? Those that spring to mind for ME are: Scout 1-5: Fast Movement +10, Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, Skirmish 2d6, +1 AC, Bonus Feat Wildrunner 1-2: Fast Movement, Trackless Step, SCENT, Primal Scream (assuming you can get by the elf-only part) Barbarian 1: Fast Movement, Rage Horizon Walker: Darkvision 60 Fighter/Rogue 1-2: All the obvious reasons Dread Commando 5: Sudden Strike, Team Initiative Bonus, Hiding ability, Concealment variant I'm looking for both normal and prestige classes for Rangers that require few/no feats to enter and give the maximum possible bonuses in the shortest time. Please don't post a link to that Ranger Thread that compiles a huge list of Ranger builds...I'm looking for a slightly narrower focus than that. Thoughts?
Verelor 02-19-06, 11:35 AM	HERE"S (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=169174) a Ranger you'll never want to escape. ;)
Nessaj 02-19-06, 12:28 PM	Yes, I have seen that ranger, and it's utterly beautiful (like most of the Ultimate series)... Unfortunately I already DO have a PHB Ranger, so...Perhaps some help with this one? :(
Verelor 02-19-06, 12:54 PM	I apoligize for the shameless plug. :) Could you tell us what level your ranger currently is? A 1 or 2 level dip into barbarian is a good decision for many of the classes, and will do nothing to make your ranger concept less interesting,
ninjarabbit 02-19-06, 04:22 PM	You should never go beyond level 11 as a ranger, beyond that it's abilities aren't worth it. The question is what kind of ranger do you want to be, answer that and we can help you more.
Verelor 02-19-06, 08:59 PM	I wouldn't necessarily agree with you, ninjarabbit. He's not trying to submit anything to the character optimization boards, after all...
Nessaj 02-19-06, 09:10 PM	Could you tell us what level your ranger currently is? A 1 or 2 level dip into barbarian is a good decision for many of the classes, and will do nothing to make your ranger concept less interesting. I am a level 5 Halfling Ranger. Str 17 Dex 16 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 14 Cha 8. More of the party scout/tracker, as well as a secondary melee combatant. Try to protect the mages, support the monk and cleric; alternating between melee and ranged combat as needed for a specific situation. The question is what kind of ranger do you want to be, answer that and we can help you more. As for what kind of ranger, basically I want to be the wilderness expert (more so than now), surrogate Rogue, and a better melee combatant. Dread Commando is a perfect fit, except I completely screwed myself over by taking the -6 to Init. flaw (I'd never heard of Dread Commando then). We spend considerable time in the field, so my abilities have time to shine, but I don't feel straight Ranger is the way to go. Right now, I'm thinking of going Wildrunner 2/Horizon Walker 1/Barbarian 1, and taking an Improved Animal Companion feat at 6th from a wierd d20 book that makes my Ranger level the same as my Druid level and get a Fleshraker Dino (MM3 - 4th level companion). Then take the 6th level of Ranger at 10th for the Improved Combat Style, boost to saves, and extra companion hit die. After that...I dunno. More Ranger? The only real benefit is my companion will get stronger fairly fast. My spellcasting is already sub-par being a Ranger, and my character concept is not a spellcasting one. I only usually prepare one spell as it is (Lay of the Land). I look at Hide in Plain Sight and drool, though...Definitely fits my concept. Thanks for any replies in advance. Couldn't get much help in the Optimization boards...
Verelor 02-19-06, 09:14 PM	You might want to hold off on horizon walker. Extraplanar usually = high level. Rogue seems to be good for your character. Maybe if you dislike spellcasting so much you should ask your DM to switch you to the nonspellcasting variant from CW.
Nessaj 02-20-06, 07:41 PM	I wasn't actually going for the extraplanar abilities, because yes, those ones are high level. I just wanted the Darkvision; it sucks being the only party member with neither low-light nor dark and I'm supposed to be the scout! (We're a diverse group) Right now, I'm working up to it by consuming the eyes of the animals I hunt...And they all laugh at me... Rogue sounds like a good idea though, especially given in three levels I'd get 2d6 sneak on three attacks if I flank and take a full attack. Much better than barbarian, RP-wise, and I'd gain evasion to boot. Hm.