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Ossian
2010-08-01, 06:18 PM
Hello folks,

A character in my group, after many years of espionage and daring duels, moved to a militaresque career. The world is at war and high level chaaracters are summoned by the leaders of the nations to act as captains and commanders of various types of combat units. Adding to that the constant survival in the wilderness and the number of side adventures that keep happening to them, the rogue 11 dipped into fighter 1, to reflect the long and extensive training received at the army, and the subsequent campaign. As it is now, he dipped again into ranger 1.

He may stay on the rogue path, or alternate with a balanced progression of FTR and RGR.

So, since he quite dislikes the archery and especially the 2wf feat trees (he is, at heart, a bastard sword wielder) can you suggest an alternative feat tree for the rangerīs combat style?

Perhaps Weapon Focus/Specialization/Greater Weapon Specialization? He would gain them at ranger 2 and 6, if he went that way, but it would also be Chharacter level 14 and 19! It is a very low magic campaign, few spellcasters and rare magic items.

Thought? Advice?

Cheers,

Ossian

Greenish
2010-08-01, 06:33 PM
Some Dragon mag or another had variant fighting styles. Crystal Keep has sadly taken down their class variants list. :smallfrown:

Grumman
2010-08-01, 06:46 PM
They were in Dragon 326, and were for grappling, mounted combat, net fighting, powerful blows, and throwing weapons.

I don't know if the mods would permit listing the feats for these combat styles, but you can probably work most of them out for yourself.

Prodan
2010-08-01, 06:49 PM
Strongarm ranger gains Power Attack, then Sunder, then... something else.

nefele
2010-08-01, 07:43 PM
Strong-Arm ranger gains Power Attack, then Sunder, then Great Cleave.
Bear-Wrestling gains Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple and Stunning Fist.
Mounted-Combat gains Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge and Trample.
Piscator gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (net), Improved Trip and Improved Critical.
Throwing gains Quick Draw, Point Blank Shot and Far Shot.

deuxhero
2010-08-01, 07:45 PM
Wildshape is a replacement from UA, though you are going to get much for it with dipping (you get a neat little +10 move speed though).

Machiavellian
2010-08-01, 07:49 PM
Strong-Arm ranger gains Power Attack, then Sunder, then Great Cleave.
Bear-Wrestling gains Improved Unarmed Strike, Improved Grapple and Stunning Fist.
Mounted-Combat gains Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge and Trample.
Piscator gains Exotic Weapon Proficiency (net), Improved Trip and Improved Critical.
Throwing gains Quick Draw, Point Blank Shot and Far Shot.

I suggest the bolded one

Andion Isurand
2010-08-01, 09:49 PM
as far as combat styles go for the ranger....

I think they should extend the combat style feat tree, giving them "Greater Combat Style" at 11th level and "Superior Combat Style" at 16th level.

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"Superior Combat Style" for two weapons would get Superior TWF

"Superior Combat Style" for archery.. ...not sure yet...

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Superior Two-Weapon Fighting [General]
Prerequisites: Dex 21, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Fighting, base attack bonus +16.
Benefit: You get a fourth attack with your off-hand weapon, albeit at a -15 penalty. See the Two-Weapon Fighting special attack.
Special: A fighter may select Superior Two-Weapon Fighting as one of his fighter bonus feats.
A 16th-level ranger who has chosen the two-weapon combat style is treated as having Superior Two-Weapon Fighting, even if he does not have the prerequisites for it, but only when he is wearing light or no armor.

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Strong-Arm Ranger = Power Attack // Sunder // Cleave // Favored Power Attack.
Bear-Wrestling Ranger = Improved Unarmed Strike // Improved Grapple // Clever Wrestling // Stunning Fist
Mounted Melee Ranger = Mounted Combat // Ride-By Attack // Spirited Charge // Trample.
Piscator = Exotic Weapon Proficiency (net) // Improved Trip // Improved Critical // ??
Throwing Ranger (which can use TWF feats) = Quick Draw // Point Blank Shot // Precise Shot // Far Shot

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or something to that effect....

mabriss lethe
2010-08-02, 12:14 AM
quick answer!

Martial Study/Stance (such a great answer for anything) Perhaps
Limit it to Tiger claw and ironheart.

Andion Isurand
2010-08-02, 02:44 AM
heh, that would belong to the initiator feat tree

Ossian
2010-08-02, 09:07 AM
Hey Thanks! I believe he wants power attack and cleave already available, without waiting for another 2 or 3 levels, so I will go for something more like a blend of the above, like "Great Cleave (since he has cleave already) // Favored Power Attack // XXYY to be determined (he would be level 24, theoretically....)"
:smallwink:

Human Paragon 3
2010-08-02, 01:40 PM
The bear-wrestling style is obviously pretty weak. I would recommend giving it a little boost such as:

Add favored enemy bonus to grapple checks and stunning fist DC in addition to the normal skill and damage rolls. That way a ranger with favored enemy: animals could actually maybe wrestle a bear at appropriate CR.

Along similar lines, favored enemy bonus could add to the DC needed to escape the net in the net style.

Andion Isurand
2010-08-03, 05:11 AM
There's a good ranger ACF in Complete Mage where he can pick Arcanists as his first favored enemy. Might be a fun target for the Favored Power Attack feat.