First time Ranger

[TheNamelessMonk]

So I'm thinking about making a ranger and when i was choosing my feats i saw that Weapon Specialization was for fighters only, so does that mean my Ranger can only go up to Weapon Focus for his Longbow?

[Deaxsa]

yep =/

i like to allow Deadly Aim (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/deadly-aim-combat) for people who used ranged weapons, even in 3.5, because of the very horrible options for increasing damage as an archer, other than pumping strength (which does not even increase your to-hit, either)

[RolandDeschain]

So I'm thinking about making a ranger and when i was choosing my feats i saw that Weapon Specialization was for fighters only, so does that mean my Ranger can only go up to Weapon Focus for his Longbow?

no weapon specialization for rangers

if it means that much to you talk to your DM, most are pretty forgiving on this kind of stuff unless they view it as undercutting the Fighter class

[FleshrakerAbuse]

A ranger using bow is the best path to take. Two-weapon fighting is best with warblades, fighters, and rogues. So, nice choice.
Bow damage is really hard to do.
For other purposes, use decent dex, good str, 14 wis, and the rest whatever. Con is not as needed, as archer.
Spells will be your friend. Ranger and paladin spells out of the PHB are awesome.
Get things like entangle, arrow mind, Hunter's mercy, and arrow storm.
The best feats will be things to help you utilize. Ranged Disarm, for example, is cheesy.
Get the shooting star variant, which helps your spells.
Finally, get the swift tracker and multiclass 4 levels of scout, which will greatly profit your damage.

[Namfuak]

Finally, get the swift tracker and multiclass 4 levels of scout, which will greatly profit your damage.

You mean Swift Hunter.

[RolandDeschain]

You mean Swift Hunter.

Opinions may differ, but to me Swift Hunter is pretty much a must for all ranger builds....

[Lord Haart]

Well, a single most important thing to remember is: you're a team player now. Embrace it. If you specialise a bit, you can do a passable job as a team's badass leader (you'll probably be too hot-blooded for diplomacy, but your experience in the field and inherent coolness will make you one who makes right decisions), prime melee ass-kicker (taking some lessons from a wise old martial sage (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259783) makes for great mid-career upgrade), resourseful problem-solver (again, more in line of helping your teammates survive and, with some alternative training, knowing a trap when you see one, instead of despisable roguish ways) or smart, gadget-wielding (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wands.htm) guy who supports your team with everything it needs (as long as you focus at making sure no one will ever take them down; blasting is for magical japanese girls, you shall know to only use your weapons in defence), but if these roles are already taken, you'll discover that what you're really good at is being a fifth wheel (or even sixth — you enjoy teaming up with other good guys). Whether it's you or your dinosaur buddy who surrounds and distracts (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatModifiers.htm#flanking) your enemies, allowing your buddies to hit them more easily and, perhaps, more painfully; whether you fight on the front line with your glowing magical weapons or stay in pink mists, shooting at the monsters while staying unharmed and then revigo (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/cureLightWounds.htm)rating (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicItems/wands.htm) your teammates before initiative rolls again; whether this week presents you with a monster you know (on a minor note, it's pretty wise to specialise in waging war with wicked witches and warlocks, for corrupt casters make excuisitely elusive enemies) or a test you weren't prepared for (and it's naive to assume that you can't or don't have to contribute in such a case, for they will be plenty), you're a part of a team that can do more goodness together than you'll ever do by yourself.

Goodness, yes. You'd better be a force of good. Evil teams usually don't fare well at teamwork, and there's no chance of you being bigger fish than all those sorcerous overlords with their phenomenal cosmic power (http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/spellLists.htm). Distracting a monster so your reformed thief buddy may land some dirty blows is fun; distracting a monster so your evil thief buddy may stab you while you're not paying attention might be fun, but not a kind of fun a good Ranger indulges in. Back in days they could actually kick you out of Rangers if you weren't good enough, so get the message. If you really need to start your career on the dark side, go for it, but switch sides as soon as possible and never look back.

And get the ability to morph (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#ranger). It will even out the score (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/druid.htm).

I'm not fully responsible for any the advice given. Contact your master before setting on a quest to obtain Warforged Titan mount.