Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Lobo316 Nov 23, 2014 22:02:40	Has anyone put together an optional build for a Ranger without spells?   I was thinking of the following: 1.  Select two Figthing Styles (instead of one) at level 2. 2.  Make Primeval Awarenes useable a number of times per day equal to Wis + Prof Bonus, with a duraton also equal to that many minutes (instead of spending spell slots).  (or just  us the Prof bonus OR Wis mod, maybe with a +1, but not both???)   And if that's not enough... At 5th level (2nd tier) select a bonus feat from the following: Alert, Dual Wielder, Durable, Reisiliant, Savage Attacker, Tough   Thoughts?
#2 Novacat Nov 23, 2014 23:05:56	I sure hope it's one of the extra subclasses available in the DMG. Spellcasting rangers really bug me.
#3 RPGBG Nov 24, 2014 2:58:11	What should Non Magic ranger be able to do that Fighter/Rogue can't?
#4 Kentus Nov 24, 2014 4:19:56	Made some build before, you can read it on my blog with some explanations.
#5 mellored Nov 24, 2014 5:40:08	RPGBG wrote:
#6 NirvanS Nov 24, 2014 10:31:59	Lobo316 wrote:
#7 Illithidbix Nov 24, 2014 11:47:59	One thing to consider is I believe that the Hunter's Mark spell goes along way to compensate for the Ranger's lack of 3rd/4th attack when compared to a similar Fighter build.
#8 colemcm Nov 24, 2014 12:08:57	There are a few reasons I think that's problematic: • I'd hesitate to front-load any class that much. For a 2 level dip they'd be gaining two fighting styles, which is something a champion can't do until 10th level. • Throwing in a feat at 5th level is equivalent to throwing in a second ASI before any other class can get one. • Giving them a nature-base spidey sense doesn't really make a lot of sense if they're suppose to be mundane.   Going barbarian, Fighter, or Rogue is the way to make a good "ranger" without magic. Or, restrict your spell choices to spells that could be reflavored as extraordinary, nonmagical abilities.   In our campaign, we made the following changes to rangers: • Natural Explorer is useful in any environment. Admittedly front-loaded, but not game busting. Rangers are simply good at survivng and navigating difficult terrains. • Favored Enemy is not tied to specific creature types, but instead allows them to select a quarry and receive advantage on Survival and Investigation checks to follow their prey. They can have no more than one quarry at a time. Their capstone ability functions the same. Rangers are as much a predator as any other predator in nature. • Rangers receive a number of bonus known spells equal to their Wisdom modifier, but otherwise follow all of the normal rules for learning spells. Rangers are about resourcefulness and utility as much as they are about combat. Giving them more access to spells per day, but restricting them to fewer spells known than an EK or AT makes no sense.
#9 AndyDay Nov 24, 2014 15:00:43	I really find Rangers to be boring and mechanically poor. When I dreamed up a demon-hunter concept, I went Paldin instead of Ranger. When I dreamed up a wilderness warrior concept, I went Outlander Barbarian.   In my games (which I run), tracking can lead to some neet tricks, but isn't vital and gets used very very rarely used. All of the stuff in the natrual explorer power is uselss in my games.     So, I have (tenatively) house ruled that rangers get advantage on their first attack each round against their favored enemy. Also, like Colemcm, rangers favor all terrains.
#10 Koetsu Nov 24, 2014 19:55:14	"Ranger" Background: Outlander (Forester) - Wanderer Feature, Athletics, Survival Class: Fighter (Champion) - Animal Handling, Perception (Human) or Acrobatics (Elf), Fighting Style Archery Race: Human (Sharpshooter Feat) or Wood Elf (Perception, Mask of the Wild)   A hunter that grew up in the wilderness, skilled in Animal Handling, Athletics, Perception and Survival, and an expert marksman. Pretty much a non-magical Ranger.
#11 AndyDay Nov 25, 2014 5:43:03	I realized I completely forgot to mention magic and spellcasting in my thread. Sorry.   One of the things I used to do with Rangers and Paladins in 3.x was that I wouldn't call their spells "spells," I would consider them to be special techniques. This made them "feel" right while allowing them to have a bevvy of small special abilities. This would work even better in 5E, since it has several spells tailored to that specific class.
#12 Trance-Zg Nov 25, 2014 9:32:57	spells are fine, I even like them. I you lack wisdom you can focus on non DC spells.   rangers need something done with their pidgeonholed abilities( favored terrain/enemy)
(Reply to #5) Timborama	mellored wrote:
#14 NirvanS Nov 25, 2014 20:32:37	It also seems that their spells for offense favor range attacks (other than Hunter's Mark) ie conjure volley/barrage. Or help immobilize an opponent for long range attacks ie spike growth, grasping vine.  Besides not liking their spell restrictions like a sorcerer, they should have some spells that helps with close combat
#15 cowleymen Nov 26, 2014 0:26:45	colemcm wrote:
#16 mellored Nov 26, 2014 5:00:31	Timborama wrote:
(Reply to #16) Timborama	mellored wrote:
#18 colemcm Nov 26, 2014 8:11:30	cowleymen wrote:
#19 cowleymen Nov 26, 2014 9:38:10	colemcm wrote:
#20 colemcm Nov 26, 2014 10:18:13	Given the fairly low combat utility of the ranger's capstone ability allowing them to designate a target as their quarry once per short rest isn't OP. It's actually less versatile in combat than Hunter's Mark is. I can see your point about just allowing them to names orcs-in-general as their quarry. If that's what you're saying? That creates a problem for when the ranger doesn't know the nature/identity of his quarry though. If the ranger is restricted to selecting specific groups, but he doesn't know which category of creature his quarry belongs in, how is that resolved?   With the change I propose you get the following example: The identity of psycho-killer X is unknown, but this doesn't matter to the ranger. He selects psycho-killer X as his quarry and goes about collecting the evidence that leads to his prey.   But restricting their favored enemy to a specific category of creature gets you the following example: The identity of psycho-killer X is unknown. Since the creture type of psycho-killer X is unknown, the ranger gains no benefit to locate or identify them. Once the identity/nature of X is determined, the ranger finally receives a bonus to locate them.   Allowing the ranger to designate individual targets keeps them relevant in any game or setting.   But maybe I'm misinterpreting what you're saying?
(Reply to #3) Lobo316	RPGBG wrote:
(Reply to #4) Lobo316	Kentus wrote:
#23 Lobo316 Nov 27, 2014 11:44:34	NirvanS wrote:
#24 Lobo316 Nov 27, 2014 11:46:54	AndyDay wrote:
#25 cowleymen Nov 27, 2014 23:25:21	colemcm wrote: