3.5 Ranger Build No Prestige classes [Archive] - Wizards Community

3.5 Ranger Build No Prestige classes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
nuzerog2
02-11-04, 01:04 PM My DM currently has us building characters with no prestige classes allowed. The only feats and spells we can access are in the PHB. Going on this I am trying to figure out an effective build to play. So far I am a Fighter 4 / Ranger 5 with all remaining levels going to Ranger, unless something else would work better.

The one thing is this Ranger is an archer, hence most feats went into improving my archery skills. I am also my groups scout so skill that are important are spot, listen, move silently, and hide.

So far the feats I have taken are as follows:

Alertness
Improved Initiative
Weapon Focus (Longbow)
Weapon Spec (Longbow)
Point Blank Shot
Precise Shot
Weapon Focus (greatsword)

I was pondering switching the greatsword weapon focus to weapon finesse short sword. my sword is a backup/defensive weapon and my bow will be where my strengths lie.

My DM suggest I keep weapon focus greatsword and perhaps build on that considering the ranger class will provide me with most advanced archery feats.

However, I was thinking of taking combat expertise and using my melee solely for defensive purposes (i.e. I get ambushed or in a position where I can't use my bow).

I want to get quickdraw as well.

What suggestions are out there on how to complete the archer build, but have some melee in the case were I run out of ammo or I can't use my bow?

Thanks
lotterybucks
02-12-04, 04:40 PM as you said, definately get quick draw. One of the major downsides of an archer was that he couldn't switch weapons once the enemy got close. With quickdraw, you can change between weapons whenever you choose, which brings me to my next point.

What race is your character? and what are his stats? To me, a scout with a finessable rapier is better than a big, hulking greatsword. While the damage is better, and we're on the character optimization boards, it would make more sense to have a light blade that you can use to take advantage of your (should be) high dex bonus.

Another suggestion, if your party consists of enough melee and you get ambushed while scouting ahead, my suggestion is to take the feat brachiation (MoTW if it's allowed) and run through the trees at your land speed. A scout should do the recon, not fight enemies at close range. Run away from the enemies, and sit at a comfortable distance, shooting arrows.

just my 2 cp...
PhaedrusXY
02-12-04, 06:18 PM You might find some useful stuff HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57494). Most of those builds use Prestige Classes, but just leave that part out and look at what feats to take from the archery ones. I wouldn't even take any fighter levels if you're focusing on archery. Maybe a couple of barbarian levels for rage, increased movement and Uncanny Dodge. Carry either a greatsword or a longsword and shield for when you absolutely have to melee. I'd recommend greatsword, that way you don't have to worry about what to do with the shield most of the time.

Personally, I think all of the following feats are pretty much wastes:
Alertness
Weapon Focus (Longbow)
Weapon Spec (Longbow)
Weapon Focus (greatsword)

I'd recommend Improved Critical: Composite Longbow and Shot on the Run (requires Dodge and Mobility). Talk to your DM and see if you can use Manyshot and Shot on the Run together. I know that most argue that technically it is against the rules, but I'd ask anyway. If so, they can be very powerful when used together, and you have to really nitpick the wording to prove that they can't be. And besides, if you have both of those you've spent a ton of feats to get them. I don't think the combo is overpowered considering what it cost.

Alertness is a waste because it's not worth a precious feat for a +2 bonus to a skill that you're good at anyway, or even two skills. Not compared to what you can do with other, better feats. Same goes for a +1 to attack or +2 to damage with a specific weapon.

Quick Draw isn't an absolutely horrible feat, but if you are an archer you're going to be walking around with your bow in your hand most of the time, anyway. So there is no need to worry about having to get out a weapon in a hurry. Also, you can draw a weapon as part of a move action normally anyway if you have at least a +1 BAB. So really Quickdraw is only useful for people using thrown weapons, or those who swap weapons alot.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nuzerog2 02-11-04, 01:04 PM	My DM currently has us building characters with no prestige classes allowed. The only feats and spells we can access are in the PHB. Going on this I am trying to figure out an effective build to play. So far I am a Fighter 4 / Ranger 5 with all remaining levels going to Ranger, unless something else would work better. The one thing is this Ranger is an archer, hence most feats went into improving my archery skills. I am also my groups scout so skill that are important are spot, listen, move silently, and hide. So far the feats I have taken are as follows: Alertness Improved Initiative Weapon Focus (Longbow) Weapon Spec (Longbow) Point Blank Shot Precise Shot Weapon Focus (greatsword) I was pondering switching the greatsword weapon focus to weapon finesse short sword. my sword is a backup/defensive weapon and my bow will be where my strengths lie. My DM suggest I keep weapon focus greatsword and perhaps build on that considering the ranger class will provide me with most advanced archery feats. However, I was thinking of taking combat expertise and using my melee solely for defensive purposes (i.e. I get ambushed or in a position where I can't use my bow). I want to get quickdraw as well. What suggestions are out there on how to complete the archer build, but have some melee in the case were I run out of ammo or I can't use my bow? Thanks
lotterybucks 02-12-04, 04:40 PM	as you said, definately get quick draw. One of the major downsides of an archer was that he couldn't switch weapons once the enemy got close. With quickdraw, you can change between weapons whenever you choose, which brings me to my next point. What race is your character? and what are his stats? To me, a scout with a finessable rapier is better than a big, hulking greatsword. While the damage is better, and we're on the character optimization boards, it would make more sense to have a light blade that you can use to take advantage of your (should be) high dex bonus. Another suggestion, if your party consists of enough melee and you get ambushed while scouting ahead, my suggestion is to take the feat brachiation (MoTW if it's allowed) and run through the trees at your land speed. A scout should do the recon, not fight enemies at close range. Run away from the enemies, and sit at a comfortable distance, shooting arrows. just my 2 cp...
PhaedrusXY 02-12-04, 06:18 PM	You might find some useful stuff HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57494). Most of those builds use Prestige Classes, but just leave that part out and look at what feats to take from the archery ones. I wouldn't even take any fighter levels if you're focusing on archery. Maybe a couple of barbarian levels for rage, increased movement and Uncanny Dodge. Carry either a greatsword or a longsword and shield for when you absolutely have to melee. I'd recommend greatsword, that way you don't have to worry about what to do with the shield most of the time. Personally, I think all of the following feats are pretty much wastes: Alertness Weapon Focus (Longbow) Weapon Spec (Longbow) Weapon Focus (greatsword) I'd recommend Improved Critical: Composite Longbow and Shot on the Run (requires Dodge and Mobility). Talk to your DM and see if you can use Manyshot and Shot on the Run together. I know that most argue that technically it is against the rules, but I'd ask anyway. If so, they can be very powerful when used together, and you have to really nitpick the wording to prove that they can't be. And besides, if you have both of those you've spent a ton of feats to get them. I don't think the combo is overpowered considering what it cost. Alertness is a waste because it's not worth a precious feat for a +2 bonus to a skill that you're good at anyway, or even two skills. Not compared to what you can do with other, better feats. Same goes for a +1 to attack or +2 to damage with a specific weapon. Quick Draw isn't an absolutely horrible feat, but if you are an archer you're going to be walking around with your bow in your hand most of the time, anyway. So there is no need to worry about having to get out a weapon in a hurry. Also, you can draw a weapon as part of a move action normally anyway if you have at least a +1 BAB. So really Quickdraw is only useful for people using thrown weapons, or those who swap weapons alot.