Core Only Campaign - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Core Only Campaign

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
mikujin
Apr 30, 2008 23:41:25 A friend of mine recently started our DnD group on a new adventure path/campaign. I'm a little late entering the campaign (outside forces preventing me from attending the first session), and I'll be stepping in at level 2.

Our party, as of now, is pretty solid, so there's not too much to worry about behind the scenes. We've got a skill-monkey (Rogue), a caster/healer (Druid), a support/melee Paladin (plans to "backup" heal), and a primary melee (Barbarian),

Now, my only quandry is deciding whether or not I want to stick with Archery, or go with a skirmishing build with TWF.

On one side, I know my party really doesn't have anyone devoted entirely to range; the Rogue intends on laying low in the back with a bow and moving into melee when he has to, Druid stays back to cast (while his viper flanks/tries to poison stuff), and the other two goons participating in melee combat.

On the other hand, I'm not a big fan of ranged attacks (that aren't giant Fireballs and such).

As the topic title suggests, or DM is currently restricting our access to Core-Only content. Whether or not we'll get to use any outside source material at this point in time remains to seen.

Using only PHB, DMG, and MM content, how can I [start to] optimize my Ranger to "be all that he can be?"

And to help all those out there who want to offer potential builds, the stat block I'm working with is: 10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17.

I look forward to any and all suggestions, be they for a ranged or melee build. :D
#2
x-codes
May 01, 2008 3:56:43 I'm having trouble understanding something...

Why are you NOT a Wizard?
#3
carnivore
May 01, 2008 5:43:16 easy way ... try this:

Human
Ranger 2

10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17

10 Str
17 Dex
14 Con
14 Int
12 Wis
10 Cha

Feats:
Track(ranger bonus)
Point Blank Shot(human Bonus)
Weapon Finnesse
Rapid Shot(ranger Bonus)

you now have Great Skills
good Ranged and Melee Combat
focus on Dex

for a Core only game... straight Ranger without Multiclassing is great

:D
#4
ninjarabbit
May 01, 2008 6:46:23
I'm having trouble understanding something...

Why are you NOT a Wizard?

Second'd

At level 2 the BAB difference between a wizard and a full BAB class is only 1 and with high dex and racial abilities you can be a decent archer. You can be an archer with an elf or halfling wizard while doing the arcanist stuff the party is going to need.
#5
gawainbs
May 01, 2008 7:23:59
easy way ... try this:

Human
Ranger 2

10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17

10 Str
17 Dex
14 Con
14 Int
12 Wis
10 Cha

Feats:
Track(ranger bonus)
Point Blank Shot(human Bonus)
Weapon Finnesse
Rapid Shot(ranger Bonus)

you now have Great Skills
good Ranged and Melee Combat
focus on Dex

for a Core only game... straight Ranger without Multiclassing is great

:D

I'd take Precise Shot over Weapon Finesse, to be honest.
#6
jameswilliamogle
May 01, 2008 7:49:28
I'd take Precise Shot over Weapon Finesse, to be honest.

I'm w/ you there.
#7
carnivore
May 01, 2008 11:12:53 take Precise Shot @ 3rd lvl.... Weapon Finnesse makes sure you get to 3rd lvl

:D
#8
kanenfawder
May 01, 2008 11:16:55 Magic missiles work better than your bow at 2nd level. Then you don't need precise shot or weapon finesse.

The party doesn't have an arcane caster. Be. A. Wizard.
#9
carnivore
May 02, 2008 5:02:32
Magic missiles work better than your bow at 2nd level. Then you don't need precise shot or weapon finesse.

The party doesn't have an arcane caster. Be. A. Wizard.

wizard stats @ 2nd level:

10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17

10 Str
14 Dex
14 Con
17 Int
12 Wis
10 Cha

spells slots: 4 @ 0-lvl, 3 @ 1st lvl

the Wizard can cast 3 Magic Missiles doing 1d4+1= total 3d4+3

then he is done for the day

Ranger can fire , just say for example..... 60 arrows @ 2nd lvl ... doing 1d6 each...... you do the math

Ranger 2 will be just fine...... at higher levels the Wizard will become more powerful..... but the OP wanted a Ranger

:D
#10
kanenfawder
May 02, 2008 9:19:38 And then he said that he doesn't like ranged attacks other than fireballs. I don't think a ranger is really going to be what he wants.

Wizard can do 3 magic missiles, sure. He could also do 4 or 5 depending on specialization. While I wouldn't recommend it, I'm just saying it's an option.

The point is, rather, that he can do 3 magic missiles (for when precise shot is needed) and use a crossbow whenever it's not. Or he could grease. Or he could color spray.

For a player that's not a fan of bowing people to death, I have a hard time seeing a ranged archer being much fun.
#11
robbypants
May 02, 2008 9:29:15 Yeah, between the paladin, barbarian, druid, and possibly the rogue, I don't think the party needs another combatant. As suggested, a wizard would really help this group.

Using some good buffs, debuffs, and crowd control will let the other four mop up groups of people with little effort. The party as a whole will be strengthened.
#12
hogarth
May 02, 2008 9:34:35
Why are you NOT a Wizard?

Because he's a Ranger. It's similar to those situations where you play a Wizard; in that case, you're not a Ranger because you're a Wizard.

I agree on Point Blank Shot + Precise Shot; it sounds like you have plenty of melee attackers, so Precise Shot will come in handy. I'd go with a 14 Str so you can get a couple of extra points of damage through a mighty composite longbow.
#13
mikujin
May 02, 2008 9:46:38 The whole character back-story and reason I fit into the campaign where I am is because I'm a Ranger. If I was a Wizard, I wouldn't be here; they play themselves without much effort.

Thanks to anyone who actually gave some viable input, I'll have to reconsider my Ranger build.
#14
Wyvernhand
May 02, 2008 10:20:00 Well, you are playing in an all melee party, why not play a bard? A bard based archer would be a nice compliment, make everyone better, and be just about as effective as a ranger based archer. Sure, you probably won't have access to ALL of the things to optimize Inspire Courage, but you could probably get at least the Inspirational Boost spell from SpC cleared, and maybe a masterwork instrument (go go KAZOO!). Human bard with PB and Precise shot at level 1, and Rapid at level 3 would be pretty reliable, on top of some minor bardic casting (Haste, Glitterdust, Solid Fog!).

I think its a solid idea. Especially if you can play it down a bit to your DM (come on man, I'm playing a freaking bard!) and then own up the battlefield with your Inspire, spells, and archery skillz.
#15
rivke
May 02, 2008 11:46:39
Magic missiles work better than your bow at 2nd level. Then you don't need precise shot or weapon finesse.

The party doesn't have an arcane caster. Be. A. Wizard.

Let's let the boy play what he wants to play, he asked for advice on what he should do to improve his ranger, not what class he should play.

On that note, I offer nothing helpful.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mikujin Apr 30, 2008 23:41:25	A friend of mine recently started our DnD group on a new adventure path/campaign. I'm a little late entering the campaign (outside forces preventing me from attending the first session), and I'll be stepping in at level 2. Our party, as of now, is pretty solid, so there's not too much to worry about behind the scenes. We've got a skill-monkey (Rogue), a caster/healer (Druid), a support/melee Paladin (plans to "backup" heal), and a primary melee (Barbarian), Now, my only quandry is deciding whether or not I want to stick with Archery, or go with a skirmishing build with TWF. On one side, I know my party really doesn't have anyone devoted entirely to range; the Rogue intends on laying low in the back with a bow and moving into melee when he has to, Druid stays back to cast (while his viper flanks/tries to poison stuff), and the other two goons participating in melee combat. On the other hand, I'm not a big fan of ranged attacks (that aren't giant Fireballs and such). As the topic title suggests, or DM is currently restricting our access to Core-Only content. Whether or not we'll get to use any outside source material at this point in time remains to seen. Using only PHB, DMG, and MM content, how can I [start to] optimize my Ranger to "be all that he can be?" And to help all those out there who want to offer potential builds, the stat block I'm working with is: 10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17. I look forward to any and all suggestions, be they for a ranged or melee build. :D
#2 x-codes May 01, 2008 3:56:43	I'm having trouble understanding something... Why are you NOT a Wizard?
#3 carnivore May 01, 2008 5:43:16	easy way ... try this: Human Ranger 2 10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17 10 Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 10 Cha Feats: Track(ranger bonus) Point Blank Shot(human Bonus) Weapon Finnesse Rapid Shot(ranger Bonus) you now have Great Skills good Ranged and Melee Combat focus on Dex for a Core only game... straight Ranger without Multiclassing is great :D
#4 ninjarabbit May 01, 2008 6:46:23	I'm having trouble understanding something... Why are you NOT a Wizard? Second'd At level 2 the BAB difference between a wizard and a full BAB class is only 1 and with high dex and racial abilities you can be a decent archer. You can be an archer with an elf or halfling wizard while doing the arcanist stuff the party is going to need.
#5 gawainbs May 01, 2008 7:23:59	easy way ... try this: Human Ranger 2 10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17 10 Str 17 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 12 Wis 10 Cha Feats: Track(ranger bonus) Point Blank Shot(human Bonus) Weapon Finnesse Rapid Shot(ranger Bonus) you now have Great Skills good Ranged and Melee Combat focus on Dex for a Core only game... straight Ranger without Multiclassing is great :D I'd take Precise Shot over Weapon Finesse, to be honest.
#6 jameswilliamogle May 01, 2008 7:49:28	I'd take Precise Shot over Weapon Finesse, to be honest. I'm w/ you there.
#7 carnivore May 01, 2008 11:12:53	take Precise Shot @ 3rd lvl.... Weapon Finnesse makes sure you get to 3rd lvl :D
#8 kanenfawder May 01, 2008 11:16:55	Magic missiles work better than your bow at 2nd level. Then you don't need precise shot or weapon finesse. The party doesn't have an arcane caster. Be. A. Wizard.
#9 carnivore May 02, 2008 5:02:32	Magic missiles work better than your bow at 2nd level. Then you don't need precise shot or weapon finesse. The party doesn't have an arcane caster. Be. A. Wizard. wizard stats @ 2nd level: 10, 14, 10, 14, 12, 17 10 Str 14 Dex 14 Con 17 Int 12 Wis 10 Cha spells slots: 4 @ 0-lvl, 3 @ 1st lvl the Wizard can cast 3 Magic Missiles doing 1d4+1= total 3d4+3 then he is done for the day Ranger can fire , just say for example..... 60 arrows @ 2nd lvl ... doing 1d6 each...... you do the math Ranger 2 will be just fine...... at higher levels the Wizard will become more powerful..... but the OP wanted a Ranger :D
#10 kanenfawder May 02, 2008 9:19:38	And then he said that he doesn't like ranged attacks other than fireballs. I don't think a ranger is really going to be what he wants. Wizard can do 3 magic missiles, sure. He could also do 4 or 5 depending on specialization. While I wouldn't recommend it, I'm just saying it's an option. The point is, rather, that he can do 3 magic missiles (for when precise shot is needed) and use a crossbow whenever it's not. Or he could grease. Or he could color spray. For a player that's not a fan of bowing people to death, I have a hard time seeing a ranged archer being much fun.
#11 robbypants May 02, 2008 9:29:15	Yeah, between the paladin, barbarian, druid, and possibly the rogue, I don't think the party needs another combatant. As suggested, a wizard would really help this group. Using some good buffs, debuffs, and crowd control will let the other four mop up groups of people with little effort. The party as a whole will be strengthened.
#12 hogarth May 02, 2008 9:34:35	Why are you NOT a Wizard? Because he's a Ranger. It's similar to those situations where you play a Wizard; in that case, you're not a Ranger because you're a Wizard. I agree on Point Blank Shot + Precise Shot; it sounds like you have plenty of melee attackers, so Precise Shot will come in handy. I'd go with a 14 Str so you can get a couple of extra points of damage through a mighty composite longbow.
#13 mikujin May 02, 2008 9:46:38	The whole character back-story and reason I fit into the campaign where I am is because I'm a Ranger. If I was a Wizard, I wouldn't be here; they play themselves without much effort. Thanks to anyone who actually gave some viable input, I'll have to reconsider my Ranger build.
#14 Wyvernhand May 02, 2008 10:20:00	Well, you are playing in an all melee party, why not play a bard? A bard based archer would be a nice compliment, make everyone better, and be just about as effective as a ranger based archer. Sure, you probably won't have access to ALL of the things to optimize Inspire Courage, but you could probably get at least the Inspirational Boost spell from SpC cleared, and maybe a masterwork instrument (go go KAZOO!). Human bard with PB and Precise shot at level 1, and Rapid at level 3 would be pretty reliable, on top of some minor bardic casting (Haste, Glitterdust, Solid Fog!). I think its a solid idea. Especially if you can play it down a bit to your DM (come on man, I'm playing a freaking bard!) and then own up the battlefield with your Inspire, spells, and archery skillz.
#15 rivke May 02, 2008 11:46:39	Magic missiles work better than your bow at 2nd level. Then you don't need precise shot or weapon finesse. The party doesn't have an arcane caster. Be. A. Wizard. Let's let the boy play what he wants to play, he asked for advice on what he should do to improve his ranger, not what class he should play. On that note, I offer nothing helpful.