Variant Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Variant Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
caeruleus
02-06-05, 09:31 AM I've always liked the variant classes in UA that just swap some class abilities with another class. Here's one of my own. Tell me what you think.

Start with the ranger. Take away spells. Take away proficiency with armor. Add the monk's AC bonus (including wisdom modifier). Add the monk's unarmored speed bonus. Add the monk's flurry of blows (can only be used with slashing weapons that can be wielded with one hand).

Does that look balanced? I was wondering if I should also take away the ranger's favored enemy. Or perhaps just not getting a favored enemy at levels 5 and 15? Also, is flurry of blows too powerful for the ranger's full base attack bonus? Perhaps give him the BAB of a monk, and also the good Will Save to compensate?

By the way, here's the basic flavor I have in mind. I want a desert warrior type of character. Think of a dervish with a whirling scimitar, no armor (because of the heat) and dancing around quickly across the battlefield. (Yes, I'm familiar with the dervish PrC in CW, but it's not exactly what I want.)

Oh yes, I had also envisioned some changes in his combat style. Rather than two-weapon or archery, he gets riding skills. At 2nd level, he gets Ride-By-Attack. At 6th level, he can add his bonus speed to his mount (or maybe it only applies to his animal companion... what do you think?). At 11th level, he can make a full attack while mounted, so long as his mount moves no more than its speed.

So there's quite a bit there. Please tell me what you think. If you think it's unbalanced, please explain.
PsionicRanger
02-07-05, 12:34 PM I'm not much for mounted combat, so I'm not going to comment on your desert rider here, but I will comment on your variant ranger
1--Do away with armor and shield, do away with favored enemy, and do away with the six skill points and make it four
2--Add monk's unarmored AC bonus including Wis Mod. only allow it to work with one-handed melee weapons
3--Try keeping BAB and saves as they are and don't worry about them...

I think that you have some good ideas here...keep thinking creatively--any other comments on his idea?
caeruleus
02-08-05, 05:31 PM PsionicRanger--Thanks for the reply to my post.

I'm just wondering why you make some of the suggestions you do. Point 1, for example. Why not remove spells? Why remove skill points? Just curious as to your reasoning.

Point 2. Are you suggesting that he only get the AC bonus when using a one-handed weapon? Or did you mean to refer to flurry of blows?

Point 3. Don't worry about them if I make the changes you suggest, or with the changes I suggested?

Again, I just want to know why you make those suggestions. Thanks.
PsionicRanger
02-11-05, 12:30 PM Sorry about any confusion I might have caused with that post...continuity was never my strong point, I just was kind of excited about the type of variant ranger that you are suggesting.

Point 1-I meant in addition to removing spells remove the extra skill points
because the concept is so good, you don't want to have him super-good
It's just an issue of what he's getting and giving--he's getting a whole lot-- He's gotta be willing to give a little more than a slow spell progression.

Point 2-I meant that what you said about a monk's unarmored AC bonus-- allow that to stand even with the Wis Mod to AC--and only allow the flurry of blows to work with a one-handed slashing weapon--just as you suggested

Point 3-Keep the BAB progression and saves as they are written in the book with the changes that we are suggesting together

Now, as for your riding stuff--I would suggest doing away with the two-weapon fighting style or archery fighting style and you could have a mounted combat style for a ranger...but I know that part of the reasoin you wanted it to work like this was to have the two-weapon fighting...but if he's getting flurry of blows anyway? I don't know, this is your baby, but It is a good idea...just because not many folks are responding, don't let that discourage you.
caeruleus
02-15-05, 12:53 PM Thanks for clarifying, that helped.

I ended up getting rid of favored enemy, but kept the skill points as they are. My DM approved of it, so I guess that's what matters. I also asked other friends, and one of them gave me the best answer about whether it's balanced: It's up the to DM to give balanced encounters, given the makeup of the group. Since my DM seems comfortable with it, I guess it's okay.

And actually, I do not want two-weapon fighting. It's become so cliche, especially with scimitars. I'd rather get the effect with flurry of blows and only one scimitar. But I also wanted mounted combat abilities, so I also traded spells and favored enemy.

I look forward to playing this character, especially since my DM has informed me that the campaign is set in a desert :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
caeruleus 02-06-05, 09:31 AM	I've always liked the variant classes in UA that just swap some class abilities with another class. Here's one of my own. Tell me what you think. Start with the ranger. Take away spells. Take away proficiency with armor. Add the monk's AC bonus (including wisdom modifier). Add the monk's unarmored speed bonus. Add the monk's flurry of blows (can only be used with slashing weapons that can be wielded with one hand). Does that look balanced? I was wondering if I should also take away the ranger's favored enemy. Or perhaps just not getting a favored enemy at levels 5 and 15? Also, is flurry of blows too powerful for the ranger's full base attack bonus? Perhaps give him the BAB of a monk, and also the good Will Save to compensate? By the way, here's the basic flavor I have in mind. I want a desert warrior type of character. Think of a dervish with a whirling scimitar, no armor (because of the heat) and dancing around quickly across the battlefield. (Yes, I'm familiar with the dervish PrC in CW, but it's not exactly what I want.) Oh yes, I had also envisioned some changes in his combat style. Rather than two-weapon or archery, he gets riding skills. At 2nd level, he gets Ride-By-Attack. At 6th level, he can add his bonus speed to his mount (or maybe it only applies to his animal companion... what do you think?). At 11th level, he can make a full attack while mounted, so long as his mount moves no more than its speed. So there's quite a bit there. Please tell me what you think. If you think it's unbalanced, please explain.
PsionicRanger 02-07-05, 12:34 PM	I'm not much for mounted combat, so I'm not going to comment on your desert rider here, but I will comment on your variant ranger 1--Do away with armor and shield, do away with favored enemy, and do away with the six skill points and make it four 2--Add monk's unarmored AC bonus including Wis Mod. only allow it to work with one-handed melee weapons 3--Try keeping BAB and saves as they are and don't worry about them... I think that you have some good ideas here...keep thinking creatively--any other comments on his idea?
caeruleus 02-08-05, 05:31 PM	PsionicRanger--Thanks for the reply to my post. I'm just wondering why you make some of the suggestions you do. Point 1, for example. Why not remove spells? Why remove skill points? Just curious as to your reasoning. Point 2. Are you suggesting that he only get the AC bonus when using a one-handed weapon? Or did you mean to refer to flurry of blows? Point 3. Don't worry about them if I make the changes you suggest, or with the changes I suggested? Again, I just want to know why you make those suggestions. Thanks.
PsionicRanger 02-11-05, 12:30 PM	Sorry about any confusion I might have caused with that post...continuity was never my strong point, I just was kind of excited about the type of variant ranger that you are suggesting. Point 1-I meant in addition to removing spells remove the extra skill points because the concept is so good, you don't want to have him super-good It's just an issue of what he's getting and giving--he's getting a whole lot-- He's gotta be willing to give a little more than a slow spell progression. Point 2-I meant that what you said about a monk's unarmored AC bonus-- allow that to stand even with the Wis Mod to AC--and only allow the flurry of blows to work with a one-handed slashing weapon--just as you suggested Point 3-Keep the BAB progression and saves as they are written in the book with the changes that we are suggesting together Now, as for your riding stuff--I would suggest doing away with the two-weapon fighting style or archery fighting style and you could have a mounted combat style for a ranger...but I know that part of the reasoin you wanted it to work like this was to have the two-weapon fighting...but if he's getting flurry of blows anyway? I don't know, this is your baby, but It is a good idea...just because not many folks are responding, don't let that discourage you.
caeruleus 02-15-05, 12:53 PM	Thanks for clarifying, that helped. I ended up getting rid of favored enemy, but kept the skill points as they are. My DM approved of it, so I guess that's what matters. I also asked other friends, and one of them gave me the best answer about whether it's balanced: It's up the to DM to give balanced encounters, given the makeup of the group. Since my DM seems comfortable with it, I guess it's okay. And actually, I do not want two-weapon fighting. It's become so cliche, especially with scimitars. I'd rather get the effect with flurry of blows and only one scimitar. But I also wanted mounted combat abilities, so I also traded spells and favored enemy. I look forward to playing this character, especially since my DM has informed me that the campaign is set in a desert :)