Ranger - question/help

[Akennedy]

Is there any way to play a ranger without favored enemy? Like? Sneak attack or something in it's place?

[Nu]

I'd think that's the sort of thing you'd need to work over with your DM.

I'd recommend giving the ranger an animal companion at the 1st level along with full progression(as a druid), and then maybe give them Skirmish instead of Favored Enemy. Or Sudden Strike. Something. Probably not Sneak Attack though, it's a bit strong.

[Krelon]

well, favored enemy is not entirely bad.
It depends on the campaign, if you know beforehand that there will be lots of a specific creature type and if you take vs. something that is immune to sneak and crits, you'll always be better than the party rogue.

Sneak attack might be overpowered since there are spells like vinestrike (spell compendium) which allow you to sneak plant creatures and a feat called razing strike (complete adventurer) that lets divine casters sneak undead with a bonus. I guess there is more, those are the two I remember.

[Swooper]

Dhaever made a variant ranger with sudden strike and fast movement instead of an animal companion and favoured enemy. I don't have the link though, go ahead and search.

[endoperez]

d20srd.org offers two kind-of variants:

Variant Paladin:
The paladin who takes an active role in hunting her foul enemies must give up her defensive powers.

Gain
Favored enemy (as ranger; may only select aberrations, dragons, giants, monstrous humanoids, evil outsiders, or undead).

Lose
Lay on hands, turn undead, remove disease.


or Variant Barbarian:

A barbarian who prefers crafty hunting over pure ferocity might choose to exchange his rage ability for certain ranger class features.
Gain

Favored enemy (as ranger); archery combat style, improved archery combat style, and archery combat style mastery (as ranger).
Lose

Rage, greater rage, indomitable will, tireless rage, mighty rage.


These could work, kind of, if you just inversed them.

Urban Ranger Variant
Favored Enemy

At the game master's discretion, an urban ranger may select an organization instead of a creature type as his favored enemy. For example, a character might select a particular thieves' guild, merchant house, or even the city guard. The favored enemy bonuses would apply to all members of the chosen organization, regardless of their creature type or subtype.


Favored Environment instead of Favored Enemy variant:

At 1st level, a ranger may select a natural environment from among those given on Table: Ranger Favored Environments. Due to the ranger's experience in that environment, he gains a +2 bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, Spot, and Survival checks when using these skills in that environment. He also gains the same bonus on Knowledge (nature) checks made in association with that environment (or on Knowledge (dungeoneering) checks made in association with underground environments, if the ranger has selected underground as a favored environment).

[Dullyanna]

Here's a link to Dhavaer's variant.

[Nu]

Personally, I don't like the idea of giving up an animal companion for a ranger. I think it should be made more powerful rather than ditched altogether.

[Dullyanna]

Personally, I don't like the idea of giving up an animal companion for a ranger. I think it should be made more powerful rather than ditched altogether.

Why not give people a choice at first level? That way, you get your loyal, un-gimped bear, while I get my sneaky sniper.