Multiclass/tricks for Ranger versatility

[kahlzun]

Hi All!

I have a player in my group who is a L14 Ranger, who specialises in archery. He's pretty good at it too.

We recently fought an enemy who was magically immune to his arrows (some sort of phase effect) and he basically shut down and had no idea what to do. Speaking to him afterwards, he said that his only non-arrow attack is a 1d6 sword, and he didn't feel like it would be worth the risk of getting into melee combat for (that's for our Cleric)

We happened to level at the end of the combat, and I'm trying to work out his best options so that he doesn't get 'stuck' like that again. He said he wants to be more 'versatile' and have access to spells, or spell-like effects, whether that's cast through the bow or proper casting.

From what I can see, our options are as follows:

Multiclass into something that can cast spells as a dip, buy wands etc
Multiclass into something that can cast spells, level in that class.
Multiclass into something that has cool abilities, or increases his physical proficiency
Buy/find/steal magical item which shoots arrows (Convert magical staff into longbow?)
Magical item which allows limited casting?

Any ideas?

[darksolitaire]

Is he playing a Ranger that doesn't cast spells? What ability scores does he have in Int/Wis/Cha? Was the DM just using custom monster to screw with him since I don't remember anything which is immune to arrows at the moment? Without knowing more I feel compelled to recommend Pious Templar since it has some spells, Mettle and even weapon specialization. Other then that, a (cloistered) Cleric dip gets spells and 2 (or 3) cool domains.

[Darrin]

Multiclass into something that can cast spells as a dip, buy wands etc


Rangers can already cast spells and use wands. If he has access to the Spell Compendium and some other sourcebooks, then we can probably find him some wands that would give him something to do if arrows aren't working.

Did he take a non-spellcasting Ranger ACF? Champion of the Wild, for example?



Multiclass into something that can cast spells, level in that class.


But then he's stuck with 1st level spells, stuff like magic missile and shocking grasp. At 15th level, those spells are about as useful as the 1d6 shortsword.



Multiclass into something that has cool abilities, or increases his physical proficiency


It's unlikely we'll be able to find anything that will have an immediate impact on his next level, and that's assuming he's already qualified for it. With only six levels to work with... maybe homebrew a 5-level PrC.



Buy/find/steal magical item which shoots arrows (Convert magical staff into longbow?)
Magical item which allows limited casting?


It sounds like he needs Hank's Energy Bow (http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20061227a). And it does force damage, so anything "phasing" into etherealness will still get whacked.

Or if he doesn't have it already, an Elvencraft Longbow (300 GP, Races of the Wild) can be wielded as a quarterstaff, and it can also be gripped two handed. Two-handing a quarterstaff with Power Attack (via a Fighter dip) is probably his best strategy for outdoing the 1d6 sword in melee. You can also add wand chambers (100 GP, Dungeonscape) for some spells: blades of fire (Spell Compendium) and instant of power (Forge of War) to start with.

[kahlzun]

Is he playing a Ranger that doesn't cast spells? What ability scores does he have in Int/Wis/Cha? Was the DM just using custom monster to screw with him since I don't remember anything which is immune to arrows at the moment? Without knowing more I feel compelled to recommend Pious Templar since it has some spells, Mettle and even weapon specialization. Other then that, a (cloistered) Cleric dip gets spells and 2 (or 3) cool domains.


He has some spells, but nothing offensive. The best he can do is summon a single creature through Summon Natures Ally. All his other spells are things like Entangle, and Spike Growth.

I'm not sure of his exact scores in those, I believe he is about 10-12 for INT & WIS, and I think CHA is 8.

I am unsure if the GM used a homebrew monster (we don't have the Monster manual), but it turned out after the fight that rolling an odd number on your attack was an automatic miss (and shot the arrow back at you), and the ranger had the bad luck to roll 5-or-6 odds in a row, and eventually decided the creature was completely immune.

We're trying to stick to core classes or PHB 2 if possible, as we don't have all the books.


Rangers can already cast spells and use wands.

Our GM says he can only use wands from the Ranger spell list, and there is little of any offensive value on that list. (or was it scrolls? Will check on this.)

[Kelb_Panthera]

The core ranger list isn't anything special but the SpC additions make it a pretty solid list.

As for spells from items, a ranger can use any wand or staff that contains a ranger spell to cast that spell freely using the charges from the item. He can also cast ranger spells from divine scrolls as long as he has the requisite wisdom score and can cast spells of the level of the spell on the scroll.

He can also cast a spell on a scroll if he has the wisdom but the spell is a higher level than he can actually cast. He'll have to make a fairly easy CL check to do so.

As to the particular problem the ranger had, a seeking enhancement on his bow or a force enhancement on the same should negate the miss chance in future instances of "phasing" enemies.

[Troacctid]

Accelerated casting classes like Ur-Priest, Knight of the Weave, Divine Crusader, Chameleon, and Nentyar Hunter are usually a good solution—but by level 15, you've sort of missed the boat. You could ask the DM for a rebuild quest, though, since you have PHB2.

Another option, if you have Tome of Battle, is to go into an initiator class. A 14th or 15th level character who takes a level of Crusader will start right off the bat with access to 4th level maneuvers. It doesn't do much for noncombatant utility, but boy will it make you good in melee.

[Darrin]

He has some spells, but nothing offensive. The best he can do is summon a single creature through Summon Natures Ally. All his other spells are things like Entangle, and Spike Growth.


Entangle is good, but I think I prefer impeding stones (Cityscape, Rgr 1), as it has a similar effect but doesn't depend on local vegetation.

Blades of Fire (Spell Compendium, Rgr 1) is a good swift-action damage buff for TWF. It works well on an elvencraft longbow because you can wield it as a quarterstaff and get +1d8 fire damage on each end.

Claws of the Bear (Spell Compendium, Rgr 1) gives you two primary claw attacks with 1d8 damage, which is pretty darned decent. You can also combine it with blades of fire for 2d8 damage on each claw.

Conjure Ice Beast I/II/III/IV (Frostburn Rgr 1/2/3/4) is maybe the closest Rangers get to a blasty spell. It can create any creature on the summon monster or summon nature's ally list, but each creature you summon can be given a special attack, and one of them is "cold aura", which the ice beast can use as a free action to do 1d6 cold damage in a 10' burst, no save. Also, summon giant ice centipedes that can Engulf (Ex) your enemies.

Hunter's Mercy (Spell Compendium, Rgr 1) is a standard action to cast, but your next hit with a bow is automatically a confirmed crit. Good spell for a Glyph Seal (1000 GP, MIC), as this can reduce the casting time to a free action (opening a pouch or drawing ammunition)

Instant of Power (Forge of War, Rgr 1) is from a somewhat obscure Eberron book, but it can also be used as a damage buff, as well as a bunch of other things. As an immediate action, give a +4 enhancement bonus to any ally (inlcuding yourself) on their next attack, save, or damage roll.

Lion's Charge (Spell Compendium, Rgr 2) gives you Pounce as a swift action, which doesn't do much for archers but makes a world of difference for melee.

Swift Haste (Spell Compendium, Rgr 2) can be a little expensive for a wand but oh so much fun! One of the few swift action spells that lasts longer than a round.

Arrow Storm (Spell Compendium, Rgr 3) is Whirlwind Attack with arrows, one ranged attack against every enemy within one range increment, up to your character level.

Blade Storm (Spell Compendium, Rgr 3) is really expensive as a wand but SO WORTH IT if you can pull it off. The melee version of arrow storm, only now it's Whirlwind Attack + TWF.




I am unsure if the GM used a homebrew monster (we don't have the Monster manual), but it turned out after the fight that rolling an odd number on your attack was an automatic miss (and shot the arrow back at you), and the ranger had the bad luck to roll 5-or-6 odds in a row, and eventually decided the creature was completely immune.


Sounds like homebrew, so even [force] arrows or the energy bow probably wouldn't have helped.

[Kelb_Panthera]

I forgot, a ranger doesn't select a set of spells known like a sorcerer. They can prepare any spell on the ranger list on any given day. Just because he doesn't have anything offesnsive today, that's no reason he can't prepare something offensive tomorrow.

[HunterOfJello]

Sounds like he might need a Ghost Net from the Magic Item Compendium (pg 52).

It allows normal attacks to effect an incorporeal creature.

[Rangô]

As your third option suggests I'd dip into Scout plus Swift Hunter feat instantly. There's a build you should take a look at, "shower of arrows optimizated character build" I'm afraid I can't share the link.
Then just follow the Giants Member's spell tips are amazing

[ben-zayb]

Depending on his STR, even a simple Alter Self can be helpful when he has multiple natural attacks.

EDIT: Do you have access to Complete Psionics and Expanded Psionics Handbook (or SRD)? A Ranger 14/ Ardent 1/ Slayer 5 with Practiced Manifester can be pretty versatile.