I’m a part of a campaign. A pretty good one, in my opinion. However, there is a problem: There are two rangers; me and another player.
The other person’s Tabaxi Hunter Ranger is a level ahead of my Satyr Fey Wanderer Ranger. Of course, this puts him ahead of me, but it’s bothering me a bit, because it feels like I can’t contribute anything more meaningful than, or even as meaningful as he can, seeing as he has both the Sharpshooter feat, meaning he does a large portion more than I do, and more canon history than my Ranger does.
Do something different than them. Lean into spells and control. Let the other ranger have the damage. You aren't going to compete with a Hunter with Sharpshooter.
Entangle, summon beast, spike growth, etc.
You might want to see if your DM will let you change skills/spells to help differentiate you two. You should already have more charisma based skills, so you can be more outgoing.
You’re in luck! Out of any martial class, rangers have the best ability to vary their builds. Hunters are combat focused. So “competing” with them in pure damage output my be a challenge not worth taking on. What levels are the both of you? Them 5 and you 4? Otherwise it can’t make that much of a difference.
Make sure you talk with your DM. Like why you’re different levels to begin with. And make sure you can do something else that rangers do. Saying another ranger is outshining you because you both shoot arrows is kind of tough to answer because a fighter or rogue with a bow would be competing too.
You can still use a bow, but think about another fighting style. Choose different spells (don’t you get a few more than a hunter?). Choose different skills. Are you both playing handbook, Tasha’s, or a mix? That alone would separate both of you.
Why does your compaign have different levels for characters?
I think that you should talk to the DM or the ranger. Don't be angry, be honest about your feelings. It might be helpful to talk to the other PC and come up with an agreement. This could also lead to some interesting roleplay: Your ranger and the other ranger can have a complex relationship in game.
The other ranger is a higher level because nearly all of the characters are from a previous campaign. He was at lv 3 at the end of the previous campaign along with another character (sorcerer if you’re wondering), my character was level 1 when he died (he came back to life by unknown means for this campaign), and another of the characters (a barbarian) ended their previous campaign at level 2, so that’s their level right now. The other Ranger is lv 4 now, and I’m only level 3 because my DM uses a homebrew rule that the character that deals the killing blow gains 2x the normal XP for that kill.
The other ranger is a higher level because nearly all of the characters are from a previous campaign. He was at lv 3 at the end of the previous campaign along with another character (sorcerer if you’re wondering), my character was level 1 when he died (he came back to life by unknown means for this campaign), and another of the characters (a barbarian) ended their previous campaign at level 2, so that’s their level right now. The other Ranger is lv 4 now, and I’m only level 3 because my DM uses a homebrew rule that the character that deals the killing blow gains 2x the normal XP for that kill.
Honestly I'd leave the campaign. It sounds like someone's not respecting character concepts, and the DM is unwittingly skewing it so if one person kills a creature they're going to kill more creatures, purely by being higher level and stronger. It's unbalanced, unfun, and sounds just like a true D&D horror story.
The other ranger is a higher level because nearly all of the characters are from a previous campaign. He was at lv 3 at the end of the previous campaign along with another character (sorcerer if you’re wondering), my character was level 1 when he died (he came back to life by unknown means for this campaign), and another of the characters (a barbarian) ended their previous campaign at level 2, so that’s their level right now. The other Ranger is lv 4 now, and I’m only level 3 because my DM uses a homebrew rule that the character that deals the killing blow gains 2x the normal XP for that kill.
Wow! That is tough about the xp thing. I have to say, using xp alone for character advancement is kind of...falling out of fashion. And adding extra reward for the killing blow is pretty much going to create an arms race within the party members. Then when you sprinkle in the fact that you aren't all just made the same level with this double xp thing means you will likely be behind even longer than normal, especially when they are level 5 (two attacks) and you are level 3/4. That doesn't sound fun. I'm sorry to hear about this setup you're in.
The other Ranger is lv 4 now, and I’m only level 3 because my DM uses a homebrew rule that the character that deals the killing blow gains 2x the normal XP for that kill.
This explains a lot, especially why you're competing for damage.
Does the DM give extra XP for you roleplaying your character, for getting the talking blow on that pesky NPC who needed persuading/intimidating?
Uggh. Killing blow based XP. I haven't played in one of those for over 20 years. Just a terrible way to hand out experience. The rich keep getting richer in those campaigns and it completely nullifies the enjoyment of characters who don't specialize in damage.
I hope you are otherwise enjoying it. If you enjoy role play and ignore advancement completely you can still enjoy the campaign.
Cast healing word on anything your friend kills and then kill it yourself with your action*
*don't actually do this unless you just want to point out the absurdity of handing out experience by killing blow
Honestly I'd leave the campaign. It sounds like someone's not respecting character concepts, and the DM is unwittingly skewing it so if one person kills a creature they're going to kill more creatures, purely by being higher level and stronger. It's unbalanced, unfun, and sounds just like a true D&D horror story.
Wow! That is tough about the xp thing. I have to say, using xp alone for character advancement is kind of...falling out of fashion. And adding extra reward for the killing blow is pretty much going to create an arms race within the party members. Then when you sprinkle in the fact that you aren't all just made the same level with this double xp thing means you will likely be behind even longer than normal, especially when they are level 5 (two attacks) and you are level 3/4. That doesn't sound fun. I'm sorry to hear about this setup you're in.
Uggh. Killing blow based XP. I haven't played in one of those for over 20 years. Just a terrible way to hand out experience. The rich keep getting richer in those campaigns and it completely nullifies the enjoyment of characters who don't specialize in damage.
I hope you are otherwise enjoying it. If you enjoy role play and ignore advancement completely you can still enjoy the campaign.
Cast healing word on anything your friend kills and then kill it yourself with your action*
*don't actually do this unless you just want to point out the absurdity of handing out experience by killing blow
Sorry for not clarifying before, the DM is no longer using that rule, but it is the reason I reached level 3 while the level 3 characters reached level 4.
As mentioned, a Hunter Ranger with Sharpshooter is a build focused on pure damage. A Fey Wanderer (especially a Satyr) has a bunch of other things going for them on a more social or exploratory level. Focus on that is my advice. :)
While you're talking to the DM about equaling out levels (which is no more unrealistic than magically resurrecting that other ranger for this campaign), you might also want to tell them what you've told us here and ask if you can coordinate with the other ranger to rework your skills and abilities a bit. If you have different skills, different spells, and different favored enemies/terrain, it would go a long way to solve the problem of direct competition.
Perhaps go to a different route in combat and maybe get Polearm Master and pair it with a Quarterstaff + Druidic Warrior for Shillelagh? Then being WIS-focused could make your Summon Beasts more powerful as well.
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I’m a part of a campaign. A pretty good one, in my opinion. However, there is a problem: There are two rangers; me and another player.
The other person’s Tabaxi Hunter Ranger is a level ahead of my Satyr Fey Wanderer Ranger. Of course, this puts him ahead of me, but it’s bothering me a bit, because it feels like I can’t contribute anything more meaningful than, or even as meaningful as he can, seeing as he has both the Sharpshooter feat, meaning he does a large portion more than I do, and more canon history than my Ranger does.
Any ideas for what to do?
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Do something different than them. Lean into spells and control. Let the other ranger have the damage. You aren't going to compete with a Hunter with Sharpshooter.
Entangle, summon beast, spike growth, etc.
You might want to see if your DM will let you change skills/spells to help differentiate you two. You should already have more charisma based skills, so you can be more outgoing.
You’re in luck! Out of any martial class, rangers have the best ability to vary their builds. Hunters are combat focused. So “competing” with them in pure damage output my be a challenge not worth taking on. What levels are the both of you? Them 5 and you 4? Otherwise it can’t make that much of a difference.
Make sure you talk with your DM. Like why you’re different levels to begin with. And make sure you can do something else that rangers do. Saying another ranger is outshining you because you both shoot arrows is kind of tough to answer because a fighter or rogue with a bow would be competing too.
You can still use a bow, but think about another fighting style. Choose different spells (don’t you get a few more than a hunter?). Choose different skills. Are you both playing handbook, Tasha’s, or a mix? That alone would separate both of you.
Why does your compaign have different levels for characters?
I think that you should talk to the DM or the ranger. Don't be angry, be honest about your feelings. It might be helpful to talk to the other PC and come up with an agreement. This could also lead to some interesting roleplay: Your ranger and the other ranger can have a complex relationship in game.
My only good homebrews: Races, Subclasses.
An aspiring DM and Homebrewer. Ask me if you need anything.
Thank you for your responses!
The other ranger is a higher level because nearly all of the characters are from a previous campaign. He was at lv 3 at the end of the previous campaign along with another character (sorcerer if you’re wondering), my character was level 1 when he died (he came back to life by unknown means for this campaign), and another of the characters (a barbarian) ended their previous campaign at level 2, so that’s their level right now. The other Ranger is lv 4 now, and I’m only level 3 because my DM uses a homebrew rule that the character that deals the killing blow gains 2x the normal XP for that kill.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Honestly I'd leave the campaign. It sounds like someone's not respecting character concepts, and the DM is unwittingly skewing it so if one person kills a creature they're going to kill more creatures, purely by being higher level and stronger. It's unbalanced, unfun, and sounds just like a true D&D horror story.
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Luz Noceda would like to remind you that you're worth loving!
Wow! That is tough about the xp thing. I have to say, using xp alone for character advancement is kind of...falling out of fashion. And adding extra reward for the killing blow is pretty much going to create an arms race within the party members. Then when you sprinkle in the fact that you aren't all just made the same level with this double xp thing means you will likely be behind even longer than normal, especially when they are level 5 (two attacks) and you are level 3/4. That doesn't sound fun. I'm sorry to hear about this setup you're in.
This explains a lot, especially why you're competing for damage.
Does the DM give extra XP for you roleplaying your character, for getting the talking blow on that pesky NPC who needed persuading/intimidating?
Uggh. Killing blow based XP. I haven't played in one of those for over 20 years. Just a terrible way to hand out experience. The rich keep getting richer in those campaigns and it completely nullifies the enjoyment of characters who don't specialize in damage.
I hope you are otherwise enjoying it. If you enjoy role play and ignore advancement completely you can still enjoy the campaign.
Cast healing word on anything your friend kills and then kill it yourself with your action*
*don't actually do this unless you just want to point out the absurdity of handing out experience by killing blow
Sorry for not clarifying before, the DM is no longer using that rule, but it is the reason I reached level 3 while the level 3 characters reached level 4.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Super!
Now just convince the DM to get all of the PCs to the same level as one another.
I probably will try to do that.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
Yes, point him towards this thread :)
That, I will not do. I’ll not have my DM feel bullied.
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
They’ve got us there, imalius.
Fair point, we have assumed that the DM wouldn't listen to a reasonable request.
As mentioned, a Hunter Ranger with Sharpshooter is a build focused on pure damage. A Fey Wanderer (especially a Satyr) has a bunch of other things going for them on a more social or exploratory level. Focus on that is my advice. :)
While you're talking to the DM about equaling out levels (which is no more unrealistic than magically resurrecting that other ranger for this campaign), you might also want to tell them what you've told us here and ask if you can coordinate with the other ranger to rework your skills and abilities a bit. If you have different skills, different spells, and different favored enemies/terrain, it would go a long way to solve the problem of direct competition.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Perhaps go to a different route in combat and maybe get Polearm Master and pair it with a Quarterstaff + Druidic Warrior for Shillelagh? Then being WIS-focused could make your Summon Beasts more powerful as well.