Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Kentor_Slowhand_02 May 01, 2015 19:37:19	Hey guys, I am looking at building a half elf ranger. I am using the following stats: STR:14, DEX:14, CON:12, INT:12, WIS:14, CHA:14. I went with the soldier back ground. But I am wondering which fighting style would be best. I was looking at duelist. Any thoughts? Also, I am in the Zhent faction along with my half orc, champion, brother. I was thinking of RPing my ranger as more like a bounty hunter. Am I able to take human and elf as favored enemy?
#2 Kentus May 01, 2015 21:14:59	Well, since it's a ranger, the class is often better off being in ranged combat, so archery might be good. If you want to go to melee, duelist works well with a shield, which grants you a higher AC you like to have. With your build, I would avoid two-weapon fighting. If you can't really decide and want a benefit for every situation, defense will do great (and I would most likely take it if I were you, since I like to keep my boni simple).   Rulewise you are able to take human and elf, but better ask your DM for permission. Some DM (like me) see human a bit too stretchy, since the weaponry, tactics and strengths often varies with the culture. So I often tend in my games, to break humanoid races into a more cultural spectrum (like a ranger from Rashema has favored enemy Thayan). This is only me, others might even dislike the idea of taking humans, elves and other less evil aligned humanoids as favored enemy as long as you're not evil.
#3 KaptainKrunch May 01, 2015 21:48:20	Duelistis good if you want to be a little more defensive. The +2 to damage can make your rapier comparable to a 2H weapon (It's about .5 DPR on average away from a greatsword.) You definitely want to use a shield though if you pick that style.   You're going to be lacking quite a bit in the damage department though if you do that. A lot of the ranger's main damage spells favor ranged attacks or the extra hits from an off-hand weapon. Kentus' suggestion for going with Archery is definitely good, but if you have feats available two-weapon fighting along with the Dual Wielder feat is quite viable (Though I'd recommend going human to start with Dual Wielder if you go that route or even have that option.)     If you do decide to stick with duelist, pick spells that favor control over damage buffs, and keep around some darts to use Conjure Volley when you get to that point for your 5th level slot (or just upscale Conjure Animals.) Ensnaring Strike, Spike Growth, Conjure Animals/Plant Growth, Conjure Woodland Beings/Grasping Vine, and Conjure Volley would be my one pick per level for control spells.
#4 Kentor_Slowhand_02 May 02, 2015 5:51:27	The only benefit I can see with the archery is the +2 to hit with the bow. I am going for a more "Strider" type ranger as opposed to a "Legolas". To me, that's not that big a deal. If I was going to go with dual wield, how should I change things around?
#5 Kentus May 02, 2015 5:50:09	Kentor_Slowhand_02 wrote:
#6 Kentor_Slowhand_02 May 02, 2015 5:54:03	My reasoning was, medium armour only gives me a +2 max bonus, so I saw the +3 as a wasted bonus. I was thinking of taking colossus slayer for my first bonus.
#7 KaptainKrunch May 02, 2015 7:12:49	Dex also gives Initiative, Saving Throw, Damage, and To-Hit. That's already more than most stats. Don't worry about wasting Dex, it already does more than strength (in terms of quantity anyway.)   If you are using feats in your campaign you should definitely add Medium Armor Master to your plan, since one of the Ranger's other benefits over the fighter is his extra skill, and with your bounty hunter concept stealthiness seems like a must (medium armor master was made for Rangers.) This will let you add up to +3 of your dex to your AC which puts medium armor on par with heavy armor.       For archery, +2 to-hit is a major deal for your damage, since missing deals no damage. To-hit is the reason the Barbarian does more damage than a fighter at level 11 in spite of the fighter getting a third attack (assuming no frenzy and using reckless attack.)   But if the concept isn't what you like, maybe you should go with Kentus' suggestion for defense. Strider used a 2-H sword though.   Taking Archery doesn't necessarily mean you have to bow all the time if you're trying to make Strider maybe a dip in Fighter for another fighting style would be good, though if you go greatsword and bow you're going to have some major multi ability dependency going on (I'd be praying for a strength belt.)
#8 Kentor_Slowhand_02 May 02, 2015 14:42:19	I am rethinking the lack of DEX, I see that it would be more multi functional. As for strider, I saw it more as a versitiled long sword...lol.
#9 Kentor_Slowhand_02 May 02, 2015 14:43:29	I am rethinking the lack of DEX, I see that it would be more multi functional. As for strider, I saw it more as a versitiled long sword...lol.
(Reply to #7) Coredump00	KaptainKrunch wrote:
#11 KaptainKrunch May 02, 2015 21:27:18	Coredump00 wrote:
#12 guachi May 02, 2015 22:33:45	I would choose either a 14 Dexterity OR a 14 Strength, not both. Swap on of them with Constitution or Intelligence. As for fighting style, two-weapon fighting is weakest as your ability would only grant +2 damage. Dueling is nice, and what my Ranger uses, as I wanted a melee Ranger. If you do take Dueling, consider Horde Breaker as it allways for an extra attack and therefore another chance to use the +2 damage from Dueling.   And, Kentus, I hope you realize that the term Ranger has nothing to do with ranged attacks.
#13 KaptainKrunch May 03, 2015 0:09:33	guachi wrote:
#14 Kentus May 03, 2015 1:31:43	guachi wrote: