Ranger from the Ground Up

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Elfcrusher

Jul 17, 2015 10:19:13

So I'm working on some ideas for a Ranger class, totally redone.  Rather than finish it and submit it for peer approval/mockery, I figured I'd get some early feedback.

 

Basic premises:

1) Get rid of spellcasting (almost) entirely

2) Pets are the defining feature of the class.

 

Features:

Light Armor (but see below)

Dex or Strength SAD

d10

Travel bonuses in natural terrain

Same combat specialty choices as current class (e.g. Horde Breaker, etc.)

 

Pets:

At level 1 you get a single pet

At level 7 you get a second pet.

Commanding your pets, including to Attack, uses only your bonus action, not a regular action.  (Will have to figure out how to balance this correctly across all levels.)

Your level determines what CR your pets can be.

Your pets add your proficiency bonuses to their saves.

If your pets are lower CR than what you're allowed you get points to spend on them.  Each pet has its own point pool.  Points can:

  • Increase damage (1 step per X points)
  • Increase AC
  • Increase HP
  • Add your Proficiency to their attack rolls
  • Add special abilities ("Animal Feats"...e.g. a knockdown attack, Mage Slayer, etc. )

All of the above will need careful balancing, with the goal that if you blow all your points upgrading your pets, they should each be about as powerful as if they were at your max CR.  You could in theory start with an Eagle (CR 0) and at level 20 it will be hunting T-Rexes for fun. The design goal is to avoid players feeling like they have to take the "best" beast type.

 

Subclasses:

 

Hunter

  • Divination-like abilities (for finding/tracking prey)
  • Advantage on Stealth in natural environment
  • Hunter's Mark, 1/short rest (maybe more as level increases)
  • 17th level: WTFPWN extra damage versus surprised or incapacitated enemies

Skirmisher

  • Medium Armor and Shield
  • Defensive bonus with reaction (something similar to Defensive Duelist, but without requirements)
  • Can use pets tactically (prevent opponents from moving, avoid AoO's, impose disadvantage rather than attacking, etc.)
  • 17th level: Pet Nova ("Sharknado")

 

Well?  Conceptually, what do you think?

#2

Xeviat-DM

Jul 18, 2015 10:12:48

I like a core pet; if you have an option like a falcon that offers bonuses but isn't a unit on the field, for those who don't want pets, all the better. But I do like spells, and I wouldn't want two pets.