Prestige Class for a Ranger/scout [Archive] - Wizards Community

Prestige Class for a Ranger/scout [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aximili
03-19-07, 09:13 PM I'm playing a melee ranger/scout with swift hunter. I have convinced my DM to let me apply swift hunter to any class that provides Favored enemy or Skirmish.
I'm also using the Riposte variant, instead of skirmish.

Do you guys have any suggestions on PrCs? Alignment is not a problem at the moment, so almost anything is an option (only the character focuses on Dex).

Of it matters: he uses two short swords with finesse, and... well, attacks.

Oh, and no Tome of Battle:weep:

(thanks)
The_Shaman
03-19-07, 09:18 PM Hmm, if it were the ordinary skirmish okay, but I'm not quite sure how the riposte works... TWF synergizes well with nightsong enforcer and his SA, or basically anything that gives you extra damage per attack. Riposte is when they try to hit you, right? Hmm, unless you're using telling blow, my advice is to go for something that makes it harder to be hit. Psychic Warrior/Slayer might be a way, although it's cheezy like all heck (but hey, your DM did agree to anything adding FE). In fact, if you're an elf, the darkwood stalker might be strangely effective: you get favored enemy, and you get to dodge criticals. The harder part is finding a way to apply riposte to non-orcs, but according to the Swift Hunter rules it doesn't matter what your enemies are, so maybe it could work ;) . Other classes with favored enemies can also work, perhaps, but they tend to be rather specialized.

However, I'm not sure you need a PrC with this combo. By the time you've completed the ranger style progression, you're getting a taste of ranger spellcasting, and there are a few gems there, especially among the splatbooks. Full Skirmish and full FEnemy progression isn't exactly bad, either. The rest is trying to find a way to optimize riposte, which might involve some spellcasting or ways to be able to avoid/shrug off damage (hmm, reminds me of the streetfighter from CW or the ubiquitous dervish).
Aximili
03-19-07, 09:30 PM I'm using TWF (2 short swords).

And pounce is nice, but no longer a must, thanks to the Riposte variant. And I'm trying to stick to classes that improve either favored enemy or skirmish (riposte in my case), so I can get full progression with both thanks to Swift Hunter.

I was thinking of going Ranger 6/Scout 4/PrC 10 (I'd get GTWF normally), but if I can't find a worthwhile PrC to go with, I'll just go Full Ranger/Scout
The_Shaman
03-19-07, 10:04 PM In this case I'd say that if you want a PrC, look at something with which you can make sure you don't get in trouble when you're attacked. The Shou disciple might have been interesting (flurry + improved dodge), but some of the requirements are a bit hard. Aside from that, with short swords you probably won't be able to take dervish, which could have helped... So yeah, just get telling blow and see if you find anything else to boost your FE. The slayer thing is an option with a build like ranger 6/scout 3/psiwarrior 2/slayer, but it's quite complicated, involves psionics, and you will probably be going on the DM's nerves if you're using slayer to boost your riposte against all enemies. Mind you, if you're facing psionic enemies, it might be called for ;) .
ShneekeyTheLost
03-20-07, 11:34 PM Well, you can take Tempest and work your way up to Perfect TWF.

However, this only works as long as you aren't a certain CG Drow duo-wielding a +4 Defending Scimitar and a +2 Ice Burst Outsider Bane Scimitar, in which case, rocks fall and you die.
Tommyboy
03-21-07, 10:51 AM Highland Stalker gives you skirmish and a couple other nice abilities.
Peregrine Runner in Races of Stone gets you skirmish, slow fall, a climb speed, animal compainion and eliminates fatigue, but you need to be a Goliath (or at least Stone Blessed).
The_Shaman
03-21-07, 11:43 AM Well, you can take Tempest and work your way up to Perfect TWF.

However, this only works as long as you aren't a certain CG Drow duo-wielding a +4 Defending Scimitar and a +2 Ice Burst Outsider Bane Scimitar, in which case, rocks fall and you die.

Eugh! I'm getting the feeling there are more haterz than there ever were fanboys. Leave us alone with that drow-centered jihad of yours!

Anyway, a lot of PrCs recently have the clarification that they increase skirmish, sudden strike, or sneak attack. How would you feel about getting in touch with your draconic side? Races of the Dragon (afaik) has a PrC that offers you 2 sorcerer levels, 2 riposte dice, and the draconic template in 5 levels of medium BAB. Dragon magic has something that is more thief-ish (3 SA/Skirmish/SS dice), but offers a few other useful abilities.
Aximili
03-21-07, 05:04 PM Thanks for all the suggestions.
I really liked the Hand of the Winged Master, and I think I'm going for that one.

But I'm still taking suggestions if anyone's got them.
Taureus_Drakken
03-21-07, 05:53 PM The PrC from Races of the Dragon is the Dragon Devotee. You get the aforementioned +2 Sorc levels of casting and +2d6 SS dice. You also get +2 boosts to 3 stats.
Aximili
03-21-07, 06:21 PM I liked the devotee, but the winged master has good Will. That won me over^^
The_Shaman
03-21-07, 07:47 PM You could technically have both, but it would mean having a total of 5 ranger and scout levels... HotWM could be taken at lvl 6, I think. Anyway, I'm surprised at the BAB requirement of the Dragon Devotee. Considering what martial PrCs don't have such a high BAB requirement, it's genuinely surprising.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aximili 03-19-07, 09:13 PM	I'm playing a melee ranger/scout with swift hunter. I have convinced my DM to let me apply swift hunter to any class that provides Favored enemy or Skirmish. I'm also using the Riposte variant, instead of skirmish. Do you guys have any suggestions on PrCs? Alignment is not a problem at the moment, so almost anything is an option (only the character focuses on Dex). Of it matters: he uses two short swords with finesse, and... well, attacks. Oh, and no Tome of Battle:weep: (thanks)
The_Shaman 03-19-07, 09:18 PM	Hmm, if it were the ordinary skirmish okay, but I'm not quite sure how the riposte works... TWF synergizes well with nightsong enforcer and his SA, or basically anything that gives you extra damage per attack. Riposte is when they try to hit you, right? Hmm, unless you're using telling blow, my advice is to go for something that makes it harder to be hit. Psychic Warrior/Slayer might be a way, although it's cheezy like all heck (but hey, your DM did agree to anything adding FE). In fact, if you're an elf, the darkwood stalker might be strangely effective: you get favored enemy, and you get to dodge criticals. The harder part is finding a way to apply riposte to non-orcs, but according to the Swift Hunter rules it doesn't matter what your enemies are, so maybe it could work ;) . Other classes with favored enemies can also work, perhaps, but they tend to be rather specialized. However, I'm not sure you need a PrC with this combo. By the time you've completed the ranger style progression, you're getting a taste of ranger spellcasting, and there are a few gems there, especially among the splatbooks. Full Skirmish and full FEnemy progression isn't exactly bad, either. The rest is trying to find a way to optimize riposte, which might involve some spellcasting or ways to be able to avoid/shrug off damage (hmm, reminds me of the streetfighter from CW or the ubiquitous dervish).
Aximili 03-19-07, 09:30 PM	I'm using TWF (2 short swords). And pounce is nice, but no longer a must, thanks to the Riposte variant. And I'm trying to stick to classes that improve either favored enemy or skirmish (riposte in my case), so I can get full progression with both thanks to Swift Hunter. I was thinking of going Ranger 6/Scout 4/PrC 10 (I'd get GTWF normally), but if I can't find a worthwhile PrC to go with, I'll just go Full Ranger/Scout
The_Shaman 03-19-07, 10:04 PM	In this case I'd say that if you want a PrC, look at something with which you can make sure you don't get in trouble when you're attacked. The Shou disciple might have been interesting (flurry + improved dodge), but some of the requirements are a bit hard. Aside from that, with short swords you probably won't be able to take dervish, which could have helped... So yeah, just get telling blow and see if you find anything else to boost your FE. The slayer thing is an option with a build like ranger 6/scout 3/psiwarrior 2/slayer, but it's quite complicated, involves psionics, and you will probably be going on the DM's nerves if you're using slayer to boost your riposte against all enemies. Mind you, if you're facing psionic enemies, it might be called for ;) .
ShneekeyTheLost 03-20-07, 11:34 PM	Well, you can take Tempest and work your way up to Perfect TWF. However, this only works as long as you aren't a certain CG Drow duo-wielding a +4 Defending Scimitar and a +2 Ice Burst Outsider Bane Scimitar, in which case, rocks fall and you die.
Tommyboy 03-21-07, 10:51 AM	Highland Stalker gives you skirmish and a couple other nice abilities. Peregrine Runner in Races of Stone gets you skirmish, slow fall, a climb speed, animal compainion and eliminates fatigue, but you need to be a Goliath (or at least Stone Blessed).
The_Shaman 03-21-07, 11:43 AM	Well, you can take Tempest and work your way up to Perfect TWF. However, this only works as long as you aren't a certain CG Drow duo-wielding a +4 Defending Scimitar and a +2 Ice Burst Outsider Bane Scimitar, in which case, rocks fall and you die. Eugh! I'm getting the feeling there are more haterz than there ever were fanboys. Leave us alone with that drow-centered jihad of yours! Anyway, a lot of PrCs recently have the clarification that they increase skirmish, sudden strike, or sneak attack. How would you feel about getting in touch with your draconic side? Races of the Dragon (afaik) has a PrC that offers you 2 sorcerer levels, 2 riposte dice, and the draconic template in 5 levels of medium BAB. Dragon magic has something that is more thief-ish (3 SA/Skirmish/SS dice), but offers a few other useful abilities.
Aximili 03-21-07, 05:04 PM	Thanks for all the suggestions. I really liked the Hand of the Winged Master, and I think I'm going for that one. But I'm still taking suggestions if anyone's got them.
Taureus_Drakken 03-21-07, 05:53 PM	The PrC from Races of the Dragon is the Dragon Devotee. You get the aforementioned +2 Sorc levels of casting and +2d6 SS dice. You also get +2 boosts to 3 stats.
Aximili 03-21-07, 06:21 PM	I liked the devotee, but the winged master has good Will. That won me over^^
The_Shaman 03-21-07, 07:47 PM	You could technically have both, but it would mean having a total of 5 ranger and scout levels... HotWM could be taken at lvl 6, I think. Anyway, I'm surprised at the BAB requirement of the Dragon Devotee. Considering what martial PrCs don't have such a high BAB requirement, it's genuinely surprising.