Interesting prestige class for Ranger? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Interesting prestige class for Ranger? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
joinseekers
08-23-07, 03:41 PM Hi guys,

I'm sure there are plenty of threads on the subject, but I couldn't find them... So, here's the question:

Any interesting prestige classes for Rangers?

I'm playing a 12 level ranger / 2 level scout. I want to expand to something more interesting, at least for 2-3 levels and perhaps even a bit further than that.

What I’m really looking for is character building in the role-playing sense, rather than optimizing damage etc. I know there are many threads on ‘builds’ and ‘class optimization’ – all I’m looking for is an interesting, creative career path ;)

Anyway, the campaign allows for the Core books (inc. PHB2), Complete books, and Psi/Exp. Psi – other books are sometimes accepted as well if there’s player demand.

On a side note, I'm aware of the swift hunter feat from Complete Scoundrel; I must say it strike me as ridiculous. Having played since the late 80s, I’m into role-playing rather than min/maxing, and although I’m a bit frustrated that my ranger does very little damage per attack – especially against monsters with a damage resistance – I still think that a feat allowing me to be considered – from a Skirmish perspective – a level 15 scout once I take level 3, is going too far.
goawayugh
08-23-07, 04:37 PM If you're just looking for flavor, Druid might be nice. A few levels of that will net you some useful heal spells. Take the shapeshift variant from PHBII and you can disguise yourself very well from 1st level.
randalthor
08-23-07, 04:38 PM In a city based campaign a justiciar would be your best bet.

if you specialize in archery, maybe you should go with Order of the Bow Initiate.

or if your game takes place in dungeons perhaps a Darkhunter.

these three are are all in Complete Adventurer or Warrior. I forget with so many books.:thinks:
rampant
08-24-07, 02:22 PM Have you considered pyrokinetiscist? Its great fun to roleplay and it'll help that damage problem you got going on, the weapon aflame abilities kick butt. Sure not so great against the fire immune, but it'll do a nice job on DR especially considering most rangers get extra attacks.

A mounted PrC using your animal companion if its big enough would work well with bouth scout and ranger. I'm pretty sure wildplains outrider is in CW.

Another choice would be to pick up a few more levels of scout and just leave the PrC for a different Character concept.

OF course we may be approaching this wrong. As a ranger scout you certainly have enough skills to qualify for at least a couple sneak PrCs.

If you're running an evil campeign assasin always an option. Or Even blackgaurd if you have the sunder feat.

Animal lord might be fun, Beastmaster would be cool. Let's see yeah thats about all i can think of that you might qualify for right off the bat without precise details on your skills and feats.
joinseekers
08-25-07, 04:17 AM The pyro sounds cool but alas, my ranger isn't chaotic. Anyway, the suggestions are very good.
How about any of the divine PrCs?
Mr_Teapot
08-25-07, 10:40 AM The pyro sounds cool but alas, my ranger isn't chaotic. Anyway, the suggestions are very good.
How about any of the divine PrCs?

Divine Crusader (Complete Divine) is really easy to qualify for (2 ranks in a cross class skill and a not horrible feat? Really?) and could get you a nice, flavorful clerical domain. Like Possibly two if you stack a level of Contemplative on there. Then I'd suggest a better BAB class that advances the Divine Crusader casting, but it's not really required. (If you just want the domain power and first couple spells, you could apply Contemplative to Ranger casting, but I don't know if that's advisable).

Random sampling of cool, flavorful domains to pick up: Animal, Travel, Wrath, Dream, Competition, Elf (granted power likely redundant by now), Liberation, Retribution, etc. Depends on the character, really.

One level in Psion plus elocater would be cool and flavorful, though you wouldn't get the neat 2nd 5 foot step per round ability until epic level.

Bloodclaw Master from Tome of Battle (or just levels in Warblade or swordsage) could also give you interesting abilities and add some flavor. But without knowing much about your character, it's hard to suggest a class based on flavor.
boots_pimpleton
08-26-07, 07:37 PM You could try to use bloodhound (CArc), you wouldn't be that great, but it would be cool to see a ranger that KOs enimies with blunt tip arrows. As for the requirements, you meet them very adequatly. In terms of character development, you could say your character hates killing, and will try to bring villans to justice in the set justice systems. It also enhances your tracking ability (want to be able to track that goblin 1 week ahead of you after a brutal snow storm without any trace of his tracks). Either way I think its a great class to use for character development.

Consecrated harrier (CDiv) makes you an agent for your church, could be insteresting from that standpoint, if you plan on staying in the general area, or your religeon is a large one.

If you want a bit more divine power you could try seeker of the misty isles (CDiv, if your DM allows you). It works well in cases where you join to travel far from the places you grew up in.

If you are interested in "serving" as a retainer for a local lord or what not you could do kensai (CWar) but this might be min max for you. The oath of service might be perfect for you to take, as long as you will stay in the area for some time. It also gives the DM ammunition for plot twists (can be great fun, but will frequently nerf you). For the purposes of plot twists I recomend this class, sure you dont think that just and lawful king is evil, but things change (as an oppertunity for the DM to change his world for more flavor, not relying on his PCs to change for him).
The_Shaman
08-27-07, 12:23 PM Hmm, let me see... The animal lord from CAdv is nice, but you've already lost a bit from your animal companion progression. The Primeval from Frostburn is pretty wicked if you like the way it goes, and with a level or two more in the scout class a form like dire lion (pounce) can be very useful. Darkhunter is good, yeah, but tbh you shouldn't forget the old favourites such as the Horizon Walker - it can come in very handy and it was practically made for rangers.

Other options include the CW Dervish, the UEast Nentyar Hunter, and many more... really, I think it depends most on what your setting is, what you want your ranger to specialie in and other parts about him/her personality.
JackSnape
08-27-07, 12:37 PM For a ranger/scout Highland stalker from CA would work as would wild plains outrider if you're mounted(CA or CW I forget.) I'd also like to place a second vote for Kensai, if you can meet the qualifications it works well for archers and will help a lot with your damage problems.
Justicar and Vigalante might work well if you're in cities a lot.
Or you could take a few levels of monk and start killing your food with your bare hands :)
The_Shaman
08-27-07, 04:24 PM Oh, btw, nightsong enforcer (CAdv) is quite nice. 4 SA dice over 10 levels, some rogue special abilities (such as opportunist and improved evasion) and some good group stealth abilities. The prerequisites are having evasion (free) and improved initiative - hardly a useless feat imo.
Saedar
08-27-07, 10:31 PM If you want something fun and flavorful, the Slayer PrC from the SRD will fullfill flavor and help with damage. Just take a 1 level dip into a manifesting class for the power point requirement and the PrC also advances manifesting. So, maybe 1 lvl dip into Egoist would be nice.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
joinseekers 08-23-07, 03:41 PM	Hi guys, I'm sure there are plenty of threads on the subject, but I couldn't find them... So, here's the question: Any interesting prestige classes for Rangers? I'm playing a 12 level ranger / 2 level scout. I want to expand to something more interesting, at least for 2-3 levels and perhaps even a bit further than that. What I’m really looking for is character building in the role-playing sense, rather than optimizing damage etc. I know there are many threads on ‘builds’ and ‘class optimization’ – all I’m looking for is an interesting, creative career path ;) Anyway, the campaign allows for the Core books (inc. PHB2), Complete books, and Psi/Exp. Psi – other books are sometimes accepted as well if there’s player demand. On a side note, I'm aware of the swift hunter feat from Complete Scoundrel; I must say it strike me as ridiculous. Having played since the late 80s, I’m into role-playing rather than min/maxing, and although I’m a bit frustrated that my ranger does very little damage per attack – especially against monsters with a damage resistance – I still think that a feat allowing me to be considered – from a Skirmish perspective – a level 15 scout once I take level 3, is going too far.
goawayugh 08-23-07, 04:37 PM	If you're just looking for flavor, Druid might be nice. A few levels of that will net you some useful heal spells. Take the shapeshift variant from PHBII and you can disguise yourself very well from 1st level.
randalthor 08-23-07, 04:38 PM	In a city based campaign a justiciar would be your best bet. if you specialize in archery, maybe you should go with Order of the Bow Initiate. or if your game takes place in dungeons perhaps a Darkhunter. these three are are all in Complete Adventurer or Warrior. I forget with so many books.:thinks:
rampant 08-24-07, 02:22 PM	Have you considered pyrokinetiscist? Its great fun to roleplay and it'll help that damage problem you got going on, the weapon aflame abilities kick butt. Sure not so great against the fire immune, but it'll do a nice job on DR especially considering most rangers get extra attacks. A mounted PrC using your animal companion if its big enough would work well with bouth scout and ranger. I'm pretty sure wildplains outrider is in CW. Another choice would be to pick up a few more levels of scout and just leave the PrC for a different Character concept. OF course we may be approaching this wrong. As a ranger scout you certainly have enough skills to qualify for at least a couple sneak PrCs. If you're running an evil campeign assasin always an option. Or Even blackgaurd if you have the sunder feat. Animal lord might be fun, Beastmaster would be cool. Let's see yeah thats about all i can think of that you might qualify for right off the bat without precise details on your skills and feats.
joinseekers 08-25-07, 04:17 AM	The pyro sounds cool but alas, my ranger isn't chaotic. Anyway, the suggestions are very good. How about any of the divine PrCs?
Mr_Teapot 08-25-07, 10:40 AM	The pyro sounds cool but alas, my ranger isn't chaotic. Anyway, the suggestions are very good. How about any of the divine PrCs? Divine Crusader (Complete Divine) is really easy to qualify for (2 ranks in a cross class skill and a not horrible feat? Really?) and could get you a nice, flavorful clerical domain. Like Possibly two if you stack a level of Contemplative on there. Then I'd suggest a better BAB class that advances the Divine Crusader casting, but it's not really required. (If you just want the domain power and first couple spells, you could apply Contemplative to Ranger casting, but I don't know if that's advisable). Random sampling of cool, flavorful domains to pick up: Animal, Travel, Wrath, Dream, Competition, Elf (granted power likely redundant by now), Liberation, Retribution, etc. Depends on the character, really. One level in Psion plus elocater would be cool and flavorful, though you wouldn't get the neat 2nd 5 foot step per round ability until epic level. Bloodclaw Master from Tome of Battle (or just levels in Warblade or swordsage) could also give you interesting abilities and add some flavor. But without knowing much about your character, it's hard to suggest a class based on flavor.
boots_pimpleton 08-26-07, 07:37 PM	You could try to use bloodhound (CArc), you wouldn't be that great, but it would be cool to see a ranger that KOs enimies with blunt tip arrows. As for the requirements, you meet them very adequatly. In terms of character development, you could say your character hates killing, and will try to bring villans to justice in the set justice systems. It also enhances your tracking ability (want to be able to track that goblin 1 week ahead of you after a brutal snow storm without any trace of his tracks). Either way I think its a great class to use for character development. Consecrated harrier (CDiv) makes you an agent for your church, could be insteresting from that standpoint, if you plan on staying in the general area, or your religeon is a large one. If you want a bit more divine power you could try seeker of the misty isles (CDiv, if your DM allows you). It works well in cases where you join to travel far from the places you grew up in. If you are interested in "serving" as a retainer for a local lord or what not you could do kensai (CWar) but this might be min max for you. The oath of service might be perfect for you to take, as long as you will stay in the area for some time. It also gives the DM ammunition for plot twists (can be great fun, but will frequently nerf you). For the purposes of plot twists I recomend this class, sure you dont think that just and lawful king is evil, but things change (as an oppertunity for the DM to change his world for more flavor, not relying on his PCs to change for him).
The_Shaman 08-27-07, 12:23 PM	Hmm, let me see... The animal lord from CAdv is nice, but you've already lost a bit from your animal companion progression. The Primeval from Frostburn is pretty wicked if you like the way it goes, and with a level or two more in the scout class a form like dire lion (pounce) can be very useful. Darkhunter is good, yeah, but tbh you shouldn't forget the old favourites such as the Horizon Walker - it can come in very handy and it was practically made for rangers. Other options include the CW Dervish, the UEast Nentyar Hunter, and many more... really, I think it depends most on what your setting is, what you want your ranger to specialie in and other parts about him/her personality.
JackSnape 08-27-07, 12:37 PM	For a ranger/scout Highland stalker from CA would work as would wild plains outrider if you're mounted(CA or CW I forget.) I'd also like to place a second vote for Kensai, if you can meet the qualifications it works well for archers and will help a lot with your damage problems. Justicar and Vigalante might work well if you're in cities a lot. Or you could take a few levels of monk and start killing your food with your bare hands :)
The_Shaman 08-27-07, 04:24 PM	Oh, btw, nightsong enforcer (CAdv) is quite nice. 4 SA dice over 10 levels, some rogue special abilities (such as opportunist and improved evasion) and some good group stealth abilities. The prerequisites are having evasion (free) and improved initiative - hardly a useless feat imo.
Saedar 08-27-07, 10:31 PM	If you want something fun and flavorful, the Slayer PrC from the SRD will fullfill flavor and help with damage. Just take a 1 level dip into a manifesting class for the power point requirement and the PrC also advances manifesting. So, maybe 1 lvl dip into Egoist would be nice.