Thoughts on Classes: Ranger Edition

[New Willinium]

Thoughts on Classes: Ranger Edition
So this has been something on my mind for a while now as something that might be fun for this forum and create some good discussion about a subject SO vital to the game itself. . .The classes. We have a LOOOOT of classes in this game, not including the Prestige Classes which will likely just get rolled into one thread, with four variations to each of these classes to build our characters in different ways.


So today's subject? The class Ranger class that has been a staple since day one of DnD. This class has four variations: The Base Ranger, the Stormwalker, Flamewarden, and the Freebooter

Now the Base Ranger Everyone knows by now. Typically a Longbow wielding middle man between a druid and a fighter, the Ranger attacks from afar or up close with the help of their animal companion. They are able to focus down a training line for a weapon and continualy improve upon their skill and usage of that combat style as they level up, their pet growing with them as well. They also have the rather unique ability to choose a favored kind of enemy to slaughter and terrain to fight in.

We have some variations on this base class in this game to spice up the class a bit.

First off we have the rather interesting Flamewarden class which I mentioned in another thread not too long ago. The Flamewarden is unique in that this Ranger class does NOT get an animal companion naturally, instead trading it in for a specialization in fire! This includes getting a bunch of fire related spells as they level up, setting their weapons ablaze, being able to return your companions from the dead with a kickass healing spell, and eventually being able to resurrect in combat after a massive fire explosion that damages enemies and heals your allies. This is a REALLY fun archetype that takes until around level 4 to really get into it's own groove. So fun for an RP build and just all around play.


Next up is the Stormwalker. . . .which I find to be a just. . . *okay* kind of class. The Stormwalker is a Ranger that gains the ability to sheathe it's bow in lightning and then proceed to teleport about the battle in lightning-form striking the closest enemies at it's destination. They are very much an okay, cool in concept, Ranger class that I personally find to be a bit lackluster.

Finally we have the Freebooter class which seems really cool in concept. A Ranger that can place a "death mark/bane" on an enemy giving your allies a bonus when attacking it? That sounds awesome right? Well sadly that and their Freebooter Bond, that gives your allies +2 in attack roles, is pretty much all they have going for them. No animal companion, no special attacks or spells, they are just. . .okay and rather boring. Great to have for a support character I suppose though.

Overall I think that Flamewarden and base Ranger classes are the best of the bunch we are given here as they both have something unique to add to the table. Honestly the only downside to these classes in the game that I can think of is that they are both STUCK with that hideous backpack forever.

So those are the Ranger classes and archetypes and I thought that they were rather decent for the most part, even with only two standouts, what about the rest of y'all? What do you think of this class and it's archetypes? Are a fan of one over the other? Do you think this is a good class to multi-class into? What are the positives and downsides of the class, and archetypes, in your opinion?

[InEffect]

Default Ranger is actually the best. Insane damage bonuses, loads of feats(including fighter) and instant enemy for something spooky that is not your favored enemy. And an animal companion for good measure. something like Eldritch Archer2/Ranger15/Vivisectionist3 is arguably the best ranged DPS out there.

Freebooter is ok as a 6/10 investment, but there are better options for whatever you do usually.

flamewardens and storm whatshisname are just garbage made as a filler. Trading pet for absolutely nothing. Yeah, that's a good deal thought exactly nobody ever. I guess you could abuse flash step in a solo run to constantly kite any 30 speed enemy with 0 risk, but that's slow and stupid,

[New Willinium]

Originally posted by InEffect:

Default Ranger is actually the best. Insane damage bonuses, loads of feats(including fighter) and instant enemy for something spooky that is not your favored enemy. And an animal companion for good measure. something like Eldritch Archer2/Ranger15/Vivisectionist3 is arguably the best ranged DPS out there.

Freebooter is ok as a 6/10 investment, but there are better options for whatever you do usually.

flamewardens and storm whatshisname are just garbage made as a filler.

Why do you think the Freebooter is better then the other two classes? From what it looks like, from my view at least, it looks to be inferior to Flamewarden (non of the added spells or special abilities) and only slightly better as a support fighter compared to the locked in Ranged Stormwalker.

[InEffect]

Freebooter is a lot of AB for the whole party. He is useful that way and the loss of a pet is kinda worth it. And he is not tied to 1 specific enemy, so that frees up lvl 3 spells from instant enemy(not that it matters as booters are taken for 6 levels usually.).

elemental ranger subtypes just don't provide anything of value at all that would compare to a pet. Flaming burst is ok, but still not worth it. electric is even worse as most eveything has some resist to electricity. Not a problem for stormbolts and some such, but 2d6 will be eaten by it all the time.

[New Willinium]

Originally posted by InEffect:

Freebooter is a lot of AB for the whole party. He is useful that way and the loss of a pet is kinda worth it. And he is not tied to 1 specific enemy, so that frees up lvl 3 spells from instant enemy(not that it matters as booters are taken for 6 levels usually.).

elemental ranger subtypes just don't provide anything of value at all that would compare to a pet. Flaming burst is ok, but still not worth it. electric is even worse as most eveything has some resist to electricity. Not a problem for stormbolts and some such, but 2d6 will be eaten by it all the time.

And what about as Pure classes instead of Power or Multi-classing them?

[Aethius]

Flamewarden's fire weapon should last 1 minute/level instead of just 1 minute. It would make a world of difference.

[Eonwe]

Default ranger is pretty solid. The pet is powerful and with his self buffs and favored enemies, the ranger himself is a pretty good range dps. You can grab a vivi dip for +2d6 sneak attack and +2agi and still retain the full level pet too.
But you pretty much have to go archery, the other styles of fight seems pretty bad on a ranger.

Flamewarden and lightning guy seem just a lot worse than the default ranger.

Freebooter sounds good on paper but i never could be bothered to play it, sounded way to annoying to have to apply your "mark" manually.
A lot of people say they take some level of it on their bard, i guess i makes for a good dip.

[InEffect]

Originally posted by New Willinium:

And what about as Pure classes instead of Power or Multi-classing them?

Vivisectionist then. and from rangers default ranger is still the best.

[InEffect]

Originally posted by Eonwe:

Freebooter sounds good on paper but i never could be bothered to play it, sounded way to annoying to have to apply your "mark" manually.
A lot of people say they take some level of it on their bard, i guess i makes for a good dip.

that kinda works. given level6 bard spells are nothing to write home about.
Something like a ranged Bard 13/booter 6 should be fine-ish. Problem is you want those level 5 spells so idk if I'd like to dip early and it will be too late later.

[Eonwe]

I guess take 1 level early, then full bard until lv5 spells.

[InEffect]

but the juicy stuff is at levels 4/5/6. Idk. I'm not sold on it. Maybe if you ignore greater heroism and just want good hope... then you can go bard 7/Booter6/DD4+something(probably Vivisectionist 3) with reach weapon. Not the best build, but at least makes some sense.

[haplok]

Personally I want these bonuses ASAP and always take the 6 Freebooter levels on Amiri levels 2-7. Also nice to have Shatter Defences by level 7 (and without needing a Weapon Focus or Dazzling Display).

[InEffect]

But that means carrying annoying and sub-optimal Amiri with you. I'd take a merc any day if only to not deal with her. And he'd be better as a bonus.
I also prefer condensing roles as having "just" a damage dealer is a waste imo.

[haplok]

Of course, that's okay also.
I rather like my Amiri with the Vanquisher, though.

[ope84]

I don't get the flamewarden, you trade the pet for a +1d6 fire damage? Or does the damage scale with level?

[InEffect]

Originally posted by ope84:

I don't get the flamewarden, you trade the pet for a +1d6 fire damage? Or does the damage scale with level?

you get 2d6 at level 12 or something. It's as bad as it sounds.