Cleric/Ranger or Clericlike Ranger or Rangerlike Cleric [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cleric/Ranger or Clericlike Ranger or Rangerlike Cleric [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Larcen26
03-30-07, 01:08 PM Hey,
Just looking for some opinions on creating a Ranger/Cleric type character. I know that a lot of this will come down to personal character flavor. But I am looking for some input on creating this sort of character.

Would I be better off rolling up a Ranger, and at somewhere like level 4 or 5 shifting over to Leveling as a Cleric? This way would give me access to an animal companion as well as the Two Weapon fighting or Archery bonuses.

Or would it work better to Roll up a Cleric, but focus on Dexterity and the like?

Just seeing what people think out there...not really looking for a custom build though. Just something from within the basic rules that I can use to get the desired effect.

Thanks
Melpomene
03-30-07, 01:24 PM How about a Druid?
PhaedrusXY
03-30-07, 01:26 PM Focus on being a cleric, and picking up ranger-like skills, is the best option I think. The animal companion isn't that great, but if you really want one, you could take the Wild Cohort feat (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a). They make decent mounts, if you go with mounted archery. Definitely go with archery as a combat style. Clerics can be fairly good at it, due to their buffs.

I have played several characters like this, and they are quite fun I think. Just being an elven cleric and taking the travel and trickery domains goes a long way towards reaching your goal. The "skilled clerics" link in my signature has ideas for how to make characters like this. Master of the Yuirwood, and Seeker of the Misty Isle are good prestige classes to take.
Kouk
03-30-07, 01:41 PM If you are sure you want to be a cleric/ranger in some capacity, you should probably start as a ranger for the extra skill points at level 1.

And definitely take Practiced Spellcaster at some point.
The_Shaman
03-30-07, 03:02 PM There's also an option to treat ranger as a prestige class - check the Prestige ranger from the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/prestigiousCharacterClasses.htm#prestige Ranger). I suppose a base built of Fighter (for the feats) and cleric could be quite good, although you might have a problem with certain skills not being class skills. You can enter with druid and your animal companion will advance fully, and the feats won't be such a problem either. If you can wait for a 6th level before entering, you can mix in some rogue or scout for higher skill point total.
PhaedrusXY
03-30-07, 03:05 PM There's also an option to treat ranger as a prestige class - check the Prestige ranger from the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/prestigiousCharacterClasses.htm#prestige Ranger). That looks even worse than a normal ranger. The ranger spell list actually has some pretty good spells on it, especially if you can go outside the PHB. You wouldn't get those with this variant, would you? (The prestige bard says you do, but I don't see anything about that in this.)
Grod_The_Giant
03-30-07, 03:07 PM I agree with The_Shaman- the PrC Ranger is probably the way to go.
The_Shaman
03-30-07, 03:14 PM I reckon you would, although it would be a matter for homebrew rulings, but a nature deity should give you those spells anyway (I had a project for unifying divine spellcasting by bringing the old spheres back, although it's on freeze at present. Anyway, you will imo have slightly better spellcasting than a normal ranger if you enter with more than 1 cleric/druid level. I do wish the prestige versions had slightly better spellcasting, but it should still be tolerable.
MerlintheTuna
03-30-07, 03:30 PM That looks even worse than a normal ranger. The ranger spell list actually has some pretty good spells on it, especially if you can go outside the PHB. You wouldn't get those with this variant, would you? (The prestige bard says you do, but I don't see anything about that in this.)Er...?Unique Spells

The bard, paladin, and ranger spell lists contain a number of spells that don't appear on other classes' spell lists. In general, any character who enters one of these prestige classes should gain access to spells unique to that class's spell list, at the same levels indicated for the standard class. At the game master's discretion, spells unique to that class's spell list found in other books may also be available, but on a case by case basis. The game master may require such spells to be researched or learned specifically by the character, rather than simply making them freely available.
PhaedrusXY
03-30-07, 05:27 PM Er...?Oops. I missed that. Thanks. Yeah, that sounds like a good option, if it is allowed. I'd still only take a couple of levels of it, to get access to ranger spells for your cleric, though. :P
Jaxgaret
03-30-07, 08:14 PM Deleted.
Razorstorm
03-30-07, 08:46 PM I really like the windwalker from F&P from FR. Take one level in Ranger, to get the skill foundation, and then cleric until you qualify, and then max out the PrC. It full BAB, I think nearly full CL, and awesome class abilities, focusing on the Air domain, and Travel domain. So you get a wandering warrior priest that wears full plate, wields a greatsword, a longbow for backup, smites demons, flys at will, and teleports, and has seen the world. Very cool class in my opinion.
Razorstorm
The_Shaman
03-30-07, 09:58 PM It's a full CL afaik.
Fabius Maximus
03-31-07, 08:32 AM It's a full CL afaik.
Yes, and combined with all the other abilities, the Windwalker is very strong. Too strong for many DMs. It's suggested to either lower the BAB progression for one step or using a 5/10 CL progression.
Roland the Crownbreaker
03-31-07, 08:41 AM There is a prestige class in either the complete adventurer or complete divine that has a ranger/cleric feel (however, it is elf only). Some Seeker of thing (my books aren't with me atm). Another option (if you play in the Forgotten Realms) are class substitution levels for the ranger. (at least one gives an extra spell slot per level, along with some other things)

Lastly, you can always play a ranger/druid multiclass. Since the two classes synergize fairly well, all you need to do is talk to your DM about combining the spell lists (I might change some spell levels for balance reasons, personally) and see if that works for you.
The_Shaman
03-31-07, 11:53 AM Most F&P classes are quite strong, but usually involve a lot of feat and skill contributions. Besides, there are many more mage PrCs with full BAB, so I'm not surprised that there aren't more for clerics.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Larcen26 03-30-07, 01:08 PM	Hey, Just looking for some opinions on creating a Ranger/Cleric type character. I know that a lot of this will come down to personal character flavor. But I am looking for some input on creating this sort of character. Would I be better off rolling up a Ranger, and at somewhere like level 4 or 5 shifting over to Leveling as a Cleric? This way would give me access to an animal companion as well as the Two Weapon fighting or Archery bonuses. Or would it work better to Roll up a Cleric, but focus on Dexterity and the like? Just seeing what people think out there...not really looking for a custom build though. Just something from within the basic rules that I can use to get the desired effect. Thanks
Melpomene 03-30-07, 01:24 PM	How about a Druid?
PhaedrusXY 03-30-07, 01:26 PM	Focus on being a cleric, and picking up ranger-like skills, is the best option I think. The animal companion isn't that great, but if you really want one, you could take the Wild Cohort feat (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a). They make decent mounts, if you go with mounted archery. Definitely go with archery as a combat style. Clerics can be fairly good at it, due to their buffs. I have played several characters like this, and they are quite fun I think. Just being an elven cleric and taking the travel and trickery domains goes a long way towards reaching your goal. The "skilled clerics" link in my signature has ideas for how to make characters like this. Master of the Yuirwood, and Seeker of the Misty Isle are good prestige classes to take.
Kouk 03-30-07, 01:41 PM	If you are sure you want to be a cleric/ranger in some capacity, you should probably start as a ranger for the extra skill points at level 1. And definitely take Practiced Spellcaster at some point.
The_Shaman 03-30-07, 03:02 PM	There's also an option to treat ranger as a prestige class - check the Prestige ranger from the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/prestigiousCharacterClasses.htm#prestige Ranger). I suppose a base built of Fighter (for the feats) and cleric could be quite good, although you might have a problem with certain skills not being class skills. You can enter with druid and your animal companion will advance fully, and the feats won't be such a problem either. If you can wait for a 6th level before entering, you can mix in some rogue or scout for higher skill point total.
PhaedrusXY 03-30-07, 03:05 PM	There's also an option to treat ranger as a prestige class - check the Prestige ranger from the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/prestigiousCharacterClasses.htm#prestige Ranger). That looks even worse than a normal ranger. The ranger spell list actually has some pretty good spells on it, especially if you can go outside the PHB. You wouldn't get those with this variant, would you? (The prestige bard says you do, but I don't see anything about that in this.)
Grod_The_Giant 03-30-07, 03:07 PM	I agree with The_Shaman- the PrC Ranger is probably the way to go.
The_Shaman 03-30-07, 03:14 PM	I reckon you would, although it would be a matter for homebrew rulings, but a nature deity should give you those spells anyway (I had a project for unifying divine spellcasting by bringing the old spheres back, although it's on freeze at present. Anyway, you will imo have slightly better spellcasting than a normal ranger if you enter with more than 1 cleric/druid level. I do wish the prestige versions had slightly better spellcasting, but it should still be tolerable.
MerlintheTuna 03-30-07, 03:30 PM	That looks even worse than a normal ranger. The ranger spell list actually has some pretty good spells on it, especially if you can go outside the PHB. You wouldn't get those with this variant, would you? (The prestige bard says you do, but I don't see anything about that in this.)Er...?Unique Spells The bard, paladin, and ranger spell lists contain a number of spells that don't appear on other classes' spell lists. In general, any character who enters one of these prestige classes should gain access to spells unique to that class's spell list, at the same levels indicated for the standard class. At the game master's discretion, spells unique to that class's spell list found in other books may also be available, but on a case by case basis. The game master may require such spells to be researched or learned specifically by the character, rather than simply making them freely available.
PhaedrusXY 03-30-07, 05:27 PM	Er...?Oops. I missed that. Thanks. Yeah, that sounds like a good option, if it is allowed. I'd still only take a couple of levels of it, to get access to ranger spells for your cleric, though. :P
Jaxgaret 03-30-07, 08:14 PM	Deleted.
Razorstorm 03-30-07, 08:46 PM	I really like the windwalker from F&P from FR. Take one level in Ranger, to get the skill foundation, and then cleric until you qualify, and then max out the PrC. It full BAB, I think nearly full CL, and awesome class abilities, focusing on the Air domain, and Travel domain. So you get a wandering warrior priest that wears full plate, wields a greatsword, a longbow for backup, smites demons, flys at will, and teleports, and has seen the world. Very cool class in my opinion. Razorstorm
The_Shaman 03-30-07, 09:58 PM	It's a full CL afaik.
Fabius Maximus 03-31-07, 08:32 AM	It's a full CL afaik. Yes, and combined with all the other abilities, the Windwalker is very strong. Too strong for many DMs. It's suggested to either lower the BAB progression for one step or using a 5/10 CL progression.
Roland the Crownbreaker 03-31-07, 08:41 AM	There is a prestige class in either the complete adventurer or complete divine that has a ranger/cleric feel (however, it is elf only). Some Seeker of thing (my books aren't with me atm). Another option (if you play in the Forgotten Realms) are class substitution levels for the ranger. (at least one gives an extra spell slot per level, along with some other things) Lastly, you can always play a ranger/druid multiclass. Since the two classes synergize fairly well, all you need to do is talk to your DM about combining the spell lists (I might change some spell levels for balance reasons, personally) and see if that works for you.
The_Shaman 03-31-07, 11:53 AM	Most F&P classes are quite strong, but usually involve a lot of feat and skill contributions. Besides, there are many more mage PrCs with full BAB, so I'm not surprised that there aren't more for clerics.