Any advice on where to go with my Ranger? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Any advice on where to go with my Ranger? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Visrith Vingrad
03-04-04, 05:46 PM Ok I am having a dilemma with my Ranger who is level 10. He pretty much is useless in the current group he runs with since other people can do what he does plus they do it better. I was leaning towards becoming a Kensai but that idea was turned down by the dm. Then thought maybe go ranger/druid but I cant because of alignment restriction's of the druid. Any advice? Here's what I can remember of my character (dont have it as dm keeps them):

Stats: str20, dex20, con16, int16, wis12 and cha 12.
Gear: 2 (+4) Bastard Swords, Elven Chainmail +3, Cloak of Resistance +4 and a ring of protection +2.
Feats:Two weapon Fighting, Combat Expertise, Improved Initiative

We are currently playing in Ravenloft and my alignment is now CE which was not by choice. Thanks in advance. Let me know if you need anymore info on him.
rilem
03-04-04, 05:58 PM OK, something's wrong. You're missing at least one feat, and possibly as many as 3. What's your race? Did you take TWF as a feat or a combat style?

Here's what your feat tree should look like

1. Feat (say Imp. Init), Human feat (if applicable), Track
2. Combat Style (TWF?)
3. Feat (Combat Expertise?), Endurance
6. ?
9. ?

Get that character sheet back from the DM, or at least get a copy. Also tell us who else is in your party and why you feel useless.

I suspect that one of your missing feats is exotic weapon proficiency: Bastard Sword. If not, you'll encounter pretty significant penalties with them (made worse by using them for TWF)
BenjCano
03-04-04, 06:08 PM Welcome to the optimization board, Visrith.

You realize that you don't have Exotic weapon proficiency (bastard sword), don't you? That's a -4 non-proficiency penalty for using it one handed, in addition to a -4 size proficiency for using a non-light weapon in your off hand.

You're attacking at a -8 penalty and you wonder why you're not doing so well in melee?

If you absolutely must do two sword mojo, take Exotic Weapon Proficiency in either the double sword or double scimitar from Arms and Equipment. That's only one feat you need for Weapon Focus and/or Improved Critical. You can also qualify for the Exotic Weapon Master from Complete Warrior, gaining a further reduction in penalty when you attack with an exotic double-weapon, the ability to make trip attempts with it, and some other good stuff.

Other than that, it would really help us if you could get your character sheet, so that we know exactly what you're talking about.

Oh, by the way, you're playing an evil character in Ravenloft. You're already doomed, I hope you know.
Visrith Vingrad
03-04-04, 08:07 PM Alright I'll post more when I get my char back. I know I have the exotic weapon prof with Bastard Sword just didnt remember at the tiem. Also, I didnt know I was doomed as I dont know squat about Ravenloft. Thanks guys.
LiXinjian
03-04-04, 08:29 PM You might want to consider the Horizon Walker PrC from the DMG. Rangers get a free entrance coupon into it (requirements: Track and Endurance - d'huh, + 8 ranks of knowledge(geography) -re d'huh).

From levels 1-5 you'll get ranger skill bonuses (+4 hide, listen, spot, move silently) or darkvision or immunity to fatigue. Then at 6th-level, you get Dimension Door every 1d4 rounds. At will.

You shouldn't feel useless with an ability like that. Plus, if you're evil, you can take the Quicken Spell-like ability from Book of Vile Darkness, which will allow you to make a full attack and a move before casting DD as a free action (because you can't do anything after using DD.. have to wait until the next round)

Anyhoo, just some ideas.
adiaven
03-04-04, 08:35 PM dual bastard swords is not a great choice.

It's much more important to hit then do a couple points of damage.

You get a -4 to hit in both hands if you carry a normal weapon, -2 if it's a light weapon.

Go with a light weapon in both hands, or a double bladed weapon. Ask your DM if you can swap out EWP bastard sword for EWP double bladed sword, and you will hit 10% more often.

oh yea, if you already have taken 10 levels of ranger, you might as well take 11th level and get the greater two weapon combat style..

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Visrith Vingrad 03-04-04, 05:46 PM	Ok I am having a dilemma with my Ranger who is level 10. He pretty much is useless in the current group he runs with since other people can do what he does plus they do it better. I was leaning towards becoming a Kensai but that idea was turned down by the dm. Then thought maybe go ranger/druid but I cant because of alignment restriction's of the druid. Any advice? Here's what I can remember of my character (dont have it as dm keeps them): Stats: str20, dex20, con16, int16, wis12 and cha 12. Gear: 2 (+4) Bastard Swords, Elven Chainmail +3, Cloak of Resistance +4 and a ring of protection +2. Feats:Two weapon Fighting, Combat Expertise, Improved Initiative We are currently playing in Ravenloft and my alignment is now CE which was not by choice. Thanks in advance. Let me know if you need anymore info on him.
rilem 03-04-04, 05:58 PM	OK, something's wrong. You're missing at least one feat, and possibly as many as 3. What's your race? Did you take TWF as a feat or a combat style? Here's what your feat tree should look like 1. Feat (say Imp. Init), Human feat (if applicable), Track 2. Combat Style (TWF?) 3. Feat (Combat Expertise?), Endurance 6. ? 9. ? Get that character sheet back from the DM, or at least get a copy. Also tell us who else is in your party and why you feel useless. I suspect that one of your missing feats is exotic weapon proficiency: Bastard Sword. If not, you'll encounter pretty significant penalties with them (made worse by using them for TWF)
BenjCano 03-04-04, 06:08 PM	Welcome to the optimization board, Visrith. You realize that you don't have Exotic weapon proficiency (bastard sword), don't you? That's a -4 non-proficiency penalty for using it one handed, in addition to a -4 size proficiency for using a non-light weapon in your off hand. You're attacking at a -8 penalty and you wonder why you're not doing so well in melee? If you absolutely must do two sword mojo, take Exotic Weapon Proficiency in either the double sword or double scimitar from Arms and Equipment. That's only one feat you need for Weapon Focus and/or Improved Critical. You can also qualify for the Exotic Weapon Master from Complete Warrior, gaining a further reduction in penalty when you attack with an exotic double-weapon, the ability to make trip attempts with it, and some other good stuff. Other than that, it would really help us if you could get your character sheet, so that we know exactly what you're talking about. Oh, by the way, you're playing an evil character in Ravenloft. You're already doomed, I hope you know.
Visrith Vingrad 03-04-04, 08:07 PM	Alright I'll post more when I get my char back. I know I have the exotic weapon prof with Bastard Sword just didnt remember at the tiem. Also, I didnt know I was doomed as I dont know squat about Ravenloft. Thanks guys.
LiXinjian 03-04-04, 08:29 PM	You might want to consider the Horizon Walker PrC from the DMG. Rangers get a free entrance coupon into it (requirements: Track and Endurance - d'huh, + 8 ranks of knowledge(geography) -re d'huh). From levels 1-5 you'll get ranger skill bonuses (+4 hide, listen, spot, move silently) or darkvision or immunity to fatigue. Then at 6th-level, you get Dimension Door every 1d4 rounds. At will. You shouldn't feel useless with an ability like that. Plus, if you're evil, you can take the Quicken Spell-like ability from Book of Vile Darkness, which will allow you to make a full attack and a move before casting DD as a free action (because you can't do anything after using DD.. have to wait until the next round) Anyhoo, just some ideas.
adiaven 03-04-04, 08:35 PM	dual bastard swords is not a great choice. It's much more important to hit then do a couple points of damage. You get a -4 to hit in both hands if you carry a normal weapon, -2 if it's a light weapon. Go with a light weapon in both hands, or a double bladed weapon. Ask your DM if you can swap out EWP bastard sword for EWP double bladed sword, and you will hit 10% more often. oh yea, if you already have taken 10 levels of ranger, you might as well take 11th level and get the greater two weapon combat style..