Building a Scout (Ranger or Rogue) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Building a Scout (Ranger or Rogue) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Unearthly
03-18-06, 02:24 PM Hey guys, I'm building a character for my friend's Eberron campaign and could use a little help.

Party: Myself, Monk, Druid, Artificer, and possibly a Paladin.

Books: All first party, though rules loop holes and blatant 'twinking' is frowned upon.

Personal Restrictions:
Rolls: 15 15 15 12 11 7
Race: Human or Elf

So looking at the party I decided it would be good to be a sneaky type to scout ahead, which leads me to being either a Ranger or a Rogue. Here are some of the startings of builds I've been thinking of, but don't know where to go with them (Prestige Class, feats, etc)

Archer
Ranger 6 / Deepwood Sniper 10 / ??
Str: 15
Dex: 15
Con: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15
Int: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15
Wis: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15
Cha: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15

I wasn't sure which stat to dump here as I generally dislike playing stupid or stammering/shy characters, if I play the ranged game well could I get away with a 7 Con? I could probably put my first stat point to get it up 8 which lessens the penalty some. I also like the flavor of a bow so no dumping Str and using a crossbow (And I can't use the Dragon Dex Fighter Archer). I suppose I could dump Wisdom, giving up spellcasting since I'm not going far into Ranger anyway, though the penalty to Spot/listen will be annoying.

I'm also not sure what to do with Prestige Classes. Is there anything else that is really good for an archer? The only other archer type Prestige Class I can think of is Order of the Bow Initiate, whose main bonus is a strike which is a Standard Action, which seems disadvantages as one of the advantages of using a ranged weapon is getting to full attack often.

As for feats, Improved Rapid Shot is good in addition to the obvious PBS/Precise Shot, any other really good ranged feats that I don't get from Ranger 6?

Dual Wielder Ranger Style
Ranger 6 / Dervish 10 / ??
Str: 15
Dex: 15
Con: 15
Int: 12
Wis: 7
Cha: 11

This one is even more strapped for stats than the other. I'd have to put a point in Int so I could get Combat Expertise for Dervish. Other than that, after getting the pre-reqs for Dervish are there any feats to look for other than the standard DW ones? Also, are there any other DW prestige classes, maybe with a little less harsh on the feat requirements?

Dual Wielder Rogue Style
Rogue X / ??
Str: 7
Dex: 15
Con: 15
Int: 15
Wis: 12
Cha: 11

This is my last build I'm considering right now because I really just don't know much about differnt Rogue builds/feats/Prestige Classes. Any Suggestions? This one is pretty good because of the ability to dump Str and keep good damage thanks to Sneak Attack. It seems like there is potential here, I just don't know it. Help me out!

Thanks a bunch in advance!
pyro_cat
03-18-06, 02:29 PM So looking at the party I decided it would be good to be a sneaky type to scout ahead

Have you considered a (drumroll, please...) Scout? If you have Complete Adventurer, take a look. Interesting without being overpowered, so you could optimize without risk of "twinking". That 7 could go into Cha, they hardly need it. You wouldn't have to play the socially useless character, merely someone entirely uninterested in people and society in general. You live for the hunt.

A 7 in Con basically cannot be played, ranged or not.
Unearthly
03-18-06, 02:36 PM Unfortunately I don't have that book. :( I'll try and pick it up, can you give me a breif overview of their abilities?

I guess I should say that I don't have most books after Complete Warrior, though you can mention them if they have something good and I'll see about getting them.
pyro_cat
03-18-06, 02:43 PM Unfortunately I don't have that book. :( I'll try and pick it up, can you give me a breif overview of their abilities?

I guess I should say that I don't have most books after Complete Warrior, though you can mention them if they have something good and I'll see about getting them.

Well, don't worry about it if you don't have it. Ranger and Rogue can do the job nicely.

Basically Scout's a class that gives 8 skill points per level, a d8 Hit Die, and 3/4 BAB progression (as a Rogue). It's a combination of Rogue and Ranger, granting precision damage triggered by movement during the round (great for Spring Attackers). It eventually grants HiPS and Camouflage, a la Ranger, and speed increases.

Great for a wilderness focused... well... scouting character. Moves ahead of the party all stealthy like, then explodes into action to get Skirmish (precision damage) bonuses, and if you've built it right, is out of combat range before the foe knows what hit them.

Throw in five levels of one of the few full BAB PrCs designed for the Scout (found in Complete Adventurer) and you're set with four attacks by level 19.

It's only disadvantage is lack of Disable Device and Charisma skills. Disable Device and any one other Rogue skill could be picked up at the cost of a feat at first level with Flexible Mind, a feat in Dragon Magazine that gives you a +1 bonus on two skills and makes them class skills.
zaei
03-18-06, 02:52 PM Scouts got Disable Device in errata, if I recall correctly.

The problem I see with your party is you don't have a trapfinder, so I'd push you towards rogue or scout.
pyro_cat
03-18-06, 03:10 PM Scouts got Disable Device in errata, if I recall correctly.

If that's the case, then I think Scout could be the way to go.
Glanoric
03-18-06, 03:25 PM Yup, I'd recommend scout too. A scout with greater manyshot will tear it up.
pyro_cat
03-18-06, 04:35 PM http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=8439218

Encard's rather informative Scout's Handbook. Look at it if you do end up playing a Scout.
LogicNinja
03-18-06, 04:41 PM I'd go with a rogue type to be able to scout *and* be the party face (if you like doing that) *and* do a bunch of other skill-type stuff.
pyro_cat
03-18-06, 04:47 PM I'd go with a rogue type to be able to scout *and* be the party face (if you like doing that) *and* do a bunch of other skill-type stuff.

I figured either the Paladin or Artificer would be able to do the party face thing, and the Scout is better at scouting (surprise!) than the Rogue, and nearly on par in skills; equal if you're forgoing Charisma.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Unearthly 03-18-06, 02:24 PM	Hey guys, I'm building a character for my friend's Eberron campaign and could use a little help. Party: Myself, Monk, Druid, Artificer, and possibly a Paladin. Books: All first party, though rules loop holes and blatant 'twinking' is frowned upon. Personal Restrictions: Rolls: 15 15 15 12 11 7 Race: Human or Elf So looking at the party I decided it would be good to be a sneaky type to scout ahead, which leads me to being either a Ranger or a Rogue. Here are some of the startings of builds I've been thinking of, but don't know where to go with them (Prestige Class, feats, etc) Archer Ranger 6 / Deepwood Sniper 10 / ?? Str: 15 Dex: 15 Con: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15 Int: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15 Wis: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15 Cha: 7 or 11 or 12 or 15 I wasn't sure which stat to dump here as I generally dislike playing stupid or stammering/shy characters, if I play the ranged game well could I get away with a 7 Con? I could probably put my first stat point to get it up 8 which lessens the penalty some. I also like the flavor of a bow so no dumping Str and using a crossbow (And I can't use the Dragon Dex Fighter Archer). I suppose I could dump Wisdom, giving up spellcasting since I'm not going far into Ranger anyway, though the penalty to Spot/listen will be annoying. I'm also not sure what to do with Prestige Classes. Is there anything else that is really good for an archer? The only other archer type Prestige Class I can think of is Order of the Bow Initiate, whose main bonus is a strike which is a Standard Action, which seems disadvantages as one of the advantages of using a ranged weapon is getting to full attack often. As for feats, Improved Rapid Shot is good in addition to the obvious PBS/Precise Shot, any other really good ranged feats that I don't get from Ranger 6? Dual Wielder Ranger Style Ranger 6 / Dervish 10 / ?? Str: 15 Dex: 15 Con: 15 Int: 12 Wis: 7 Cha: 11 This one is even more strapped for stats than the other. I'd have to put a point in Int so I could get Combat Expertise for Dervish. Other than that, after getting the pre-reqs for Dervish are there any feats to look for other than the standard DW ones? Also, are there any other DW prestige classes, maybe with a little less harsh on the feat requirements? Dual Wielder Rogue Style Rogue X / ?? Str: 7 Dex: 15 Con: 15 Int: 15 Wis: 12 Cha: 11 This is my last build I'm considering right now because I really just don't know much about differnt Rogue builds/feats/Prestige Classes. Any Suggestions? This one is pretty good because of the ability to dump Str and keep good damage thanks to Sneak Attack. It seems like there is potential here, I just don't know it. Help me out! Thanks a bunch in advance!
pyro_cat 03-18-06, 02:29 PM	So looking at the party I decided it would be good to be a sneaky type to scout ahead Have you considered a (drumroll, please...) Scout? If you have Complete Adventurer, take a look. Interesting without being overpowered, so you could optimize without risk of "twinking". That 7 could go into Cha, they hardly need it. You wouldn't have to play the socially useless character, merely someone entirely uninterested in people and society in general. You live for the hunt. A 7 in Con basically cannot be played, ranged or not.
Unearthly 03-18-06, 02:36 PM	Unfortunately I don't have that book. :( I'll try and pick it up, can you give me a breif overview of their abilities? I guess I should say that I don't have most books after Complete Warrior, though you can mention them if they have something good and I'll see about getting them.
pyro_cat 03-18-06, 02:43 PM	Unfortunately I don't have that book. :( I'll try and pick it up, can you give me a breif overview of their abilities? I guess I should say that I don't have most books after Complete Warrior, though you can mention them if they have something good and I'll see about getting them. Well, don't worry about it if you don't have it. Ranger and Rogue can do the job nicely. Basically Scout's a class that gives 8 skill points per level, a d8 Hit Die, and 3/4 BAB progression (as a Rogue). It's a combination of Rogue and Ranger, granting precision damage triggered by movement during the round (great for Spring Attackers). It eventually grants HiPS and Camouflage, a la Ranger, and speed increases. Great for a wilderness focused... well... scouting character. Moves ahead of the party all stealthy like, then explodes into action to get Skirmish (precision damage) bonuses, and if you've built it right, is out of combat range before the foe knows what hit them. Throw in five levels of one of the few full BAB PrCs designed for the Scout (found in Complete Adventurer) and you're set with four attacks by level 19. It's only disadvantage is lack of Disable Device and Charisma skills. Disable Device and any one other Rogue skill could be picked up at the cost of a feat at first level with Flexible Mind, a feat in Dragon Magazine that gives you a +1 bonus on two skills and makes them class skills.
zaei 03-18-06, 02:52 PM	Scouts got Disable Device in errata, if I recall correctly. The problem I see with your party is you don't have a trapfinder, so I'd push you towards rogue or scout.
pyro_cat 03-18-06, 03:10 PM	Scouts got Disable Device in errata, if I recall correctly. If that's the case, then I think Scout could be the way to go.
Glanoric 03-18-06, 03:25 PM	Yup, I'd recommend scout too. A scout with greater manyshot will tear it up.
pyro_cat 03-18-06, 04:35 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=8439218 Encard's rather informative Scout's Handbook. Look at it if you do end up playing a Scout.
LogicNinja 03-18-06, 04:41 PM	I'd go with a rogue type to be able to scout and be the party face (if you like doing that) and do a bunch of other skill-type stuff.
pyro_cat 03-18-06, 04:47 PM	I'd go with a rogue type to be able to scout and be the party face (if you like doing that) and do a bunch of other skill-type stuff. I figured either the Paladin or Artificer would be able to do the party face thing, and the Scout is better at scouting (surprise!) than the Rogue, and nearly on par in skills; equal if you're forgoing Charisma.