Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DeeL 03-16-06, 09:16 PM	I recently created a character without very clear thinking about optimization, with the result that now I need some advice. The character - a ranger, with a STR of 20, DEX of 16 and CON of 10. Yes, I made CON a bit of a dump stat. His INT and WIS are okay, so I have decent skills and spell potential to play with. Starting lvl for this campaign - 2. I'm up to 3rd lvl now. My arrangement of 'physical' abilities wouldn't be a problem, but when assigning class abilities I made a basic mistake. Enjoying the idea of inflicting massive damage with that spectacular STR, I put him on the Two-Weapon ranger combat path. Now when I do hit, it's pretty devastating - right before the friend of the NPC I just bisected hits me, and takes me down to negative HP with one blow. I've already started to invest in defenses - my most recent feat was Dodge, and I'm thinking of doing a little more work on resilience of some kind. The DM has very nicely given our group an opportunity to train up between adventures, so I'm definitely going to level up. Should I take a lvl in Barbarian to raise his combat abilities? Or is there something else I should be focussing on?
Slyver 03-16-06, 10:11 PM	So are you a second level ranger atm or third? Yes, since what you need is immediate help I recommend your next level as barbarian. d12 hd and more importantly, rage for +4 con. If this is your third level take improved toughness also. If not, take your next level as fighter and pick up improved toughness. I hope this little lesson in mechanics teaches you that con, except in very specific builds, is never a dump stat. What do the rest of your feats look like? What direction do you want to take the character? Best two weapon fighter? Dervish is the way to go. Can you change any of your current feats? I would recommend extra rage at some point, probably 6th level. Slyver