"too many people don't understand how to trick or manipulate enemies agro. too many people don't see HP as a class resource."
Enemies agro? Could you elaborate?
HP as a class resource? Do you mean being too afraid to be a HP sponge for the team? I do remember an encounter where I shot from cover, and later wished I had jumped on top of the cover (an overturned wagon) in order to draw fire. I had the best AC in the group. It would have protected some low level guards from the enemies ranged attacks, not to mention the drama potential.
"too many people don't understand how to trick or manipulate enemies agro. too many people don't see HP as a class resource."
Enemies agro? Could you elaborate?
HP as a class resource? Do you mean being too afraid to be a HP sponge for the team? I do remember an encounter where I shot from cover, and later wished I had jumped on top of the cover (an overturned wagon) in order to draw fire. I had the best AC in the group. It would have protected some low level guards from the enemies ranged attacks, not to mention the drama potential.
your example is exactly right. Understanding enemy motivation, protecting allies, spreading damage are all core concepts.
when I play A phb beastmaster I check enemy damage to figure a hits to dead ratio for my pet(usually 2-5 depending on the enemy). I do this for most PC characters to keep track of roughly how many turns till damage becomes a problem. when low you can do things to help ride it out dodge, hide, disengage, heal.
health in 5e resets too easy so take advantage of it. one of my favorite tricks was to force an attack of opportunity by either the ranger or the pet just so someone else could get away. a wasted reaction can sometimes save the day. I'd trade one hit for say a full round multi-attack on an ally or a counter spell. when the beast was 1-2 hits from dead it runs and hides (figuratively or literally). even a squishy PHB beast companion can share the damage. the most important thing is keeping up action economy.
as for aggro, it is a little dm dependant but understanding enemy motivations is key. some dms will let an insight check (potentially boosted by FE or FT) figure out how to piss off an enemy forcing them to attack you instead. or reverse that and try and make them feel like your no threat. skill checks in battle can sometimes turn things around. Asking who looks like a spellcaster, who is the boss, which enemies dislike each other, which ones are lovers. all information that could be leveraged by a smart player to get the enemy to attack the most advantageous PC. You all so may be able to identify the enemies weapons and figure out their damage potential. if the dm asks for skill checks to figure things out, a ranger has a wide variety of bonuses that may apply.
A ranger's beast/primal companion that is auto-dodging with an AC of 15/16+ provoking attack(s) of opportunity from the enemy/enemies is one of the most clear and undervalued uses.
Rangers could be proficient with a dagger, evening the odds when it comes to close range combat. Otherwise, not much has to be added. The ranger class is pretty solid.
Thanks Envoy, now I don’t have to say it 😁 so after rereading the thread after it had gone stale I see a lot of good advice on playing rangers - much appreciated everyone - and a couple of suggestions mostly for the PHB Ranger: 1) bonus spells for the PHB subclasses. 2) either prepared spells or some way to change the known spells periodically. 3) more / regular progression for favored enemies and terrains - or some mechanism to switch them. 4) a book focused on the exploration/ survival leg with guides for new players and DM.
and from some of the other discussions: 5) some of the missing subclasses like a plant based ranger, or a water (deep water/ underwater) based ranger.
Rangers could be proficient with a dagger, evening the odds when it comes to close range combat. Otherwise, not much has to be added. The ranger class is pretty solid.
Thanks Envoy, now I don’t have to say it 😁 so after rereading the thread after it had gone stale I see a lot of good advice on playing rangers - much appreciated everyone - and a couple of suggestions mostly for the PHB Ranger: 1) bonus spells for the PHB subclasses. 2) either prepared spells or some way to change the known spells periodically. 3) more / regular progression for favored enemies and terrains - or some mechanism to switch them. 4) a book focused on the exploration/ survival leg with guides for new players and DM.
and from some of the other discussions: 5) some of the missing subclasses like a plant based ranger, or a water (deep water/ underwater) based ranger.
This summarizes it quite well. I think simply making them prepared casters and the PHB spell lists would do enough for me.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
The narrative around the Ranger class is beginning to shift. And we have Tasha's to thank for that.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
The narrative around the Ranger class is beginning to shift. And we have Tasha's to thank for that.
yeah the Tasha's options make the ranger ribbons much more approachable to the point people feel like they actually understand what the heck they do.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
The narrative around the Ranger class is beginning to shift. And we have Tasha's to thank for that.
We'll see. Shift is a strong and specific word. I don't think it's the correct word for those options.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
The narrative around the Ranger class is beginning to shift. And we have Tasha's to thank for that.
yeah the Tasha's options make the ranger ribbons much more approachable to the point people feel like they actually understand what the heck they do.
Yes actually understanding what they do and the mechanics involved is very important. too bad some DMs use DM Fiat to not allow tahsa's classes. so some people are lost when it comes to playing phb rangers.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
The narrative around the Ranger class is beginning to shift. And we have Tasha's to thank for that.
We'll see. Shift is a strong and specific word. I don't think it's the correct word for those options.
Would you prefer if I said "improve"?
Because that's what's been happening in most DnD circles i frequent, both in person and online. Provided they know about Tasha's at all, of course.
"too many people don't understand how to trick or manipulate enemies agro. too many people don't see HP as a class resource."
Enemies agro? Could you elaborate?
HP as a class resource? Do you mean being too afraid to be a HP sponge for the team? I do remember an encounter where I shot from cover, and later wished I had jumped on top of the cover (an overturned wagon) in order to draw fire. I had the best AC in the group. It would have protected some low level guards from the enemies ranged attacks, not to mention the drama potential.
your example is exactly right. Understanding enemy motivation, protecting allies, spreading damage are all core concepts.
when I play A phb beastmaster I check enemy damage to figure a hits to dead ratio for my pet(usually 2-5 depending on the enemy). I do this for most PC characters to keep track of roughly how many turns till damage becomes a problem. when low you can do things to help ride it out dodge, hide, disengage, heal.
health in 5e resets too easy so take advantage of it. one of my favorite tricks was to force an attack of opportunity by either the ranger or the pet just so someone else could get away. a wasted reaction can sometimes save the day. I'd trade one hit for say a full round multi-attack on an ally or a counter spell. when the beast was 1-2 hits from dead it runs and hides (figuratively or literally). even a squishy PHB beast companion can share the damage. the most important thing is keeping up action economy.
as for aggro, it is a little dm dependant but understanding enemy motivations is key. some dms will let an insight check (potentially boosted by FE or FT) figure out how to piss off an enemy forcing them to attack you instead. or reverse that and try and make them feel like your no threat. skill checks in battle can sometimes turn things around. Asking who looks like a spellcaster, who is the boss, which enemies dislike each other, which ones are lovers. all information that could be leveraged by a smart player to get the enemy to attack the most advantageous PC. You all so may be able to identify the enemies weapons and figure out their damage potential. if the dm asks for skill checks to figure things out, a ranger has a wide variety of bonuses that may apply.
A ranger's beast/primal companion that is auto-dodging with an AC of 15/16+ provoking attack(s) of opportunity from the enemy/enemies is one of the most clear and undervalued uses.
Rangers could be proficient with a dagger, evening the odds when it comes to close range combat. Otherwise, not much has to be added. The ranger class is pretty solid.
But...Rangers already are proficient with daggers.
Thanks Envoy, now I don’t have to say it 😁
so after rereading the thread after it had gone stale I see a lot of good advice on playing rangers - much appreciated everyone - and a couple of suggestions mostly for the PHB Ranger:
1) bonus spells for the PHB subclasses.
2) either prepared spells or some way to change the known spells periodically.
3) more / regular progression for favored enemies and terrains - or some mechanism to switch them.
4) a book focused on the exploration/ survival leg with guides for new players and DM.
and from some of the other discussions:
5) some of the missing subclasses like a plant based ranger, or a water (deep water/ underwater) based ranger.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
I agree, excellent point.
Again, rangers are proficient in simple and martial weapons and that already includes daggers so they already are.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
This summarizes it quite well. I think simply making them prepared casters and the PHB spell lists would do enough for me.
I believe the point that rw15 was trying to make is that Rangers are already solid and don't need anything.
Then say That
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
I think the understanding and use of rangers could be improved.
The "meta" right now for 5E doesn't do a lot for many folks with the ranger, but those that aren't playing DDAL or "Hollywood D&D" are having a blast with rangers, new and old.
The narrative around the Ranger class is beginning to shift. And we have Tasha's to thank for that.
yeah the Tasha's options make the ranger ribbons much more approachable to the point people feel like they actually understand what the heck they do.
We'll see. Shift is a strong and specific word. I don't think it's the correct word for those options.
Yes actually understanding what they do and the mechanics involved is very important. too bad some DMs use DM Fiat to not allow tahsa's classes. so some people are lost when it comes to playing phb rangers.
Yep. Tasha's is a no go for the groups I DM.
Would you prefer if I said "improve"?
Because that's what's been happening in most DnD circles i frequent, both in person and online. Provided they know about Tasha's at all, of course.
I’m sure it’s an improvement at many tables. I find it to be more side steps than anything.
To be clear, I'm talking about the narrative surrounding the Ranger. Not the power of the features of themselves.