I think the Hunter subclass should get its multiattack back. Right now, Rangers feel too reliant on Hunter’s Mark—and it’s not even a great spell. Making it a “core feature” of the class just doesn’t work well. Here’s why: • 1st level – Favored Enemy: You always have Hunter’s Mark prepared and can cast it twice for free per long rest. This one’s fine, all things considered. • 13th level – Relentless Hunter: Taking damage no longer breaks Hunter’s Mark concentration. But for a high-level feature, this is underwhelming—why not just remove the concentration requirement entirely? • 17th level – Precise Hunter: You gain advantage on attacks against your marked target. By this level, most players already have other, more reliable ways to get advantage. • 20th level – Foe Slayer: Hunter’s Mark deals a d10 instead of a d6. At level 20, this is a very weak payoff.
If Hunter’s Mark is going to be central to the Ranger, it needs a serious overhaul. As it stands, making it the core identity feels limiting and underpowered.
General Philosophy • Reduce reliance on Hunter’s Mark by offering meaningful alternatives. • Focus more on exploration, survival, and tactical versatility. • Emphasize martial prowess or spellcasting specialization depending on subclass.
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Core Class Improvements
Favored Enemy (1st level)
Current: Free Hunter’s Mark twice per long rest. Suggested Change: Instead of tying it solely to Hunter’s Mark, allow players to choose from a list of favored spells (Hunter’s Mark, Ensnaring Strike, Hail of Thorns, etc.) and give them one free use per long rest. Why: Adds flexibility and lets players flavor their Ranger how they want.
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Spellcasting
Suggested Change: Use Wisdom for both spellcasting and martial abilities like adding Wisdom modifier to damage for specific Ranger spells (like Hunter’s Mark). Why: Strengthens spell-martial synergy and gives Wisdom more value.
⸻
Mid-Level Features
Extra Attack / Multiattack
Suggestion: Bring back Multiattack in the Hunter subclass at 11th level (or let the player choose between Volley or Whirlwind Attack again). Alternative: Offer a feature at level 11 that allows a bonus action weapon attack after casting a Ranger spell. Why: Encourages mixing spellcasting with martial abilities instead of just spamming Hunter’s Mark or attacks.
13th level – Relentless Hunter
Current: Damage doesn’t break Hunter’s Mark concentration. Suggested Change: Remove Hunter’s Mark’s concentration requirement entirely at this level. Why: Keeps the spell useful without eating up limited concentration.
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High-Level Features
17th level – Precise Hunter
Current: Advantage against marked targets. Suggested Change: Instead, allow the Ranger to deal additional damage or apply a debuff (like reducing target’s movement or giving disadvantage on next attack) to marked targets. Why: Makes marking more tactical, not just a numbers buff.
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20th level – Foe Slayer
Current: Hunter’s Mark becomes d10. Suggested Change: Add something impactful, like: • Auto-crit on the first attack against a marked target each turn. • No action or bonus action needed to mark a new target when one drops. • Once per turn, when you hit a marked creature, cast a Ranger spell as a reaction (1st-2nd level only). Why: Level 20 features should feel epic, not just bump a damage die.
I can certainly agree that if Hunter's Mark is going to be the focus, it has to improve and scale better. I dislike that it's the focus but it can work. What it can't be is both the focus, and bad.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Suggested Change: Use Wisdom for both spellcasting and martial abilities like adding Wisdom modifier to damage for specific Ranger spells (like Hunter’s Mark). Why: Strengthens spell-martial synergy and gives Wisdom more value.
It is expected that half casters require multiple abilities to be effective. This is intentional and for balance, so I would advise strongly against removing it.
⸻
Mid-Level Features
Extra Attack / Multiattack
Suggestion: Bring back Multiattack in the Hunter subclass at 11th level (or let the player choose between Volley or Whirlwind Attack again). Alternative: Offer a feature at level 11 that allows a bonus action weapon attack after casting a Ranger spell. Why: Encourages mixing spellcasting with martial abilities instead of just spamming Hunter’s Mark or attacks.
13th level – Relentless Hunter
Current: Damage doesn’t break Hunter’s Mark concentration. Suggested Change: Remove Hunter’s Mark’s concentration requirement entirely at this level. Why: Keeps the spell useful without eating up limited concentration.
⸻
High-Level Features
17th level – Precise Hunter
Current: Advantage against marked targets. Suggested Change: Instead, allow the Ranger to deal additional damage or apply a debuff (like reducing target’s movement or giving disadvantage on next attack) to marked targets. Why: Makes marking more tactical, not just a numbers buff.
⸻
20th level – Foe Slayer
Current: Hunter’s Mark becomes d10. Suggested Change: Add something impactful, like: • Auto-crit on the first attack against a marked target each turn. • No action or bonus action needed to mark a new target when one drops. • Once per turn, when you hit a marked creature, cast a Ranger spell as a reaction (1st-2nd level only). Why: Level 20 features should feel epic, not just bump a damage die.
Rather than doing whatever for these two features, I would say to swap them. You literally suggested yourself more damage at level 17, and advantage on nearly every attack is quite potent.
Dex and con, Dex and wisdom or Con and wisdom would all seem to suit the ranger. I suspect the problem is that there are already 3 classes with Con (Barb, Fighter & Sorcerer) so they didn’t want a fourth. IF they had it would have been an interesting balance - fighter vs sorceror - a melee and a spell caster; Barbarian vs Ranger - a strength based wilderness martial vs a dex( mostly) based wilderness martial, one with rage and one with limited spell use.
My only gripe so far? Saving throws proficiencies.
As a character thriving outdoors, in wild environments, DEX and CON proficiencies would have been way more logical.
You don't usually get two "good" saving throws. DEX and CON would be considered OP. INT CHA and STR saves are lower frequency and have lesser consequences for failure.
On the other hand, as. Pointed out the Barbarian, fighter and Sorcerer all have “prime stat” + con. Given that, for the most part, Dex is a ranger’s prime stat it does make sense to be Dex + Con. You look at most classes and their saves actually make sense based on what they do. Fighters are up front martials dealing with pain etc all the time. Barbarians even more so and they are one of the two nature oriented martials where con again makes sense. Sorcerers have magic coursing through their bodies and need Con to resist its effects. Then there are rangers - strength and Dex saves. Dex makes sense. - whether a ranged martial or a TWF martial Dex is your prime stat. Further your probably better armored than many Barbarians but not as well armored as a fighter, especially if your also trying to be stealthy, and your out in the elements as much as the barbarian so con would make sense there just as it does for the barbarian. It’s not there sadly but I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of tables didn’t h9merule to be their standard. Nor would I be too surprised if WotC retried the change in a later book.
The standard design for classes is you get 1 good save (Dex/Con/Wis the three most used saves), and 1 bad save (Str/Int/Cha the three lesser used saves). That is how all the classes are designed. Ranger is particularly troublesome for this design because arguably Dex/Wis is the combo that makes the most sense. Add into that the design of the class really needs Concentration support (which every caster that isn't sorcerer could whine about as well).
So it doesn't matter what makes sense based on what the Ranger uses or needs. 1 good save, 1 bad save. Rangers get Dex and Str was chosen over Int/Cha. That is the design. Str and Wisdom would be interesting.
Or intelligence and constitution, you pretty much need a 13+ in both Dex and Wis to be a ranger with many folks taking Intel as a dump stat despite ranger being a 3 skill class. Con would give all the concentration spells some support while Intelligence would give a lot of skills support with the added proficiency bonus.
Or intelligence and constitution, you pretty much need a 13+ in both Dex and Wis to be a ranger with many folks taking Intel as a dump stat despite ranger being a 3 skill class. Con would give all the concentration spells some support while Intelligence would give a lot of skills support with the added proficiency bonus.
It's for saving throws - it wouldn't affect skills at all.
I think the Hunter subclass should get its multiattack back. Right now, Rangers feel too reliant on Hunter’s Mark—and it’s not even a great spell. Making it a “core feature” of the class just doesn’t work well. Here’s why: • 1st level – Favored Enemy: You always have Hunter’s Mark prepared and can cast it twice for free per long rest. This one’s fine, all things considered. • 13th level – Relentless Hunter: Taking damage no longer breaks Hunter’s Mark concentration. But for a high-level feature, this is underwhelming—why not just remove the concentration requirement entirely? • 17th level – Precise Hunter: You gain advantage on attacks against your marked target. By this level, most players already have other, more reliable ways to get advantage. • 20th level – Foe Slayer: Hunter’s Mark deals a d10 instead of a d6. At level 20, this is a very weak payoff.
If Hunter’s Mark is going to be central to the Ranger, it needs a serious overhaul. As it stands, making it the core identity feels limiting and underpowered.
General Philosophy • Reduce reliance on Hunter’s Mark by offering meaningful alternatives. • Focus more on exploration, survival, and tactical versatility. • Emphasize martial prowess or spellcasting specialization depending on subclass.
⸻
Core Class Improvements
Favored Enemy (1st level)
Current: Free Hunter’s Mark twice per long rest. Suggested Change: Instead of tying it solely to Hunter’s Mark, allow players to choose from a list of favored spells (Hunter’s Mark, Ensnaring Strike, Hail of Thorns, etc.) and give them one free use per long rest. Why: Adds flexibility and lets players flavor their Ranger how they want.
⸻
Spellcasting
Suggested Change: Use Wisdom for both spellcasting and martial abilities like adding Wisdom modifier to damage for specific Ranger spells (like Hunter’s Mark). Why: Strengthens spell-martial synergy and gives Wisdom more value.
⸻
Mid-Level Features
Extra Attack / Multiattack
Suggestion: Bring back Multiattack in the Hunter subclass at 11th level (or let the player choose between Volley or Whirlwind Attack again). Alternative: Offer a feature at level 11 that allows a bonus action weapon attack after casting a Ranger spell. Why: Encourages mixing spellcasting with martial abilities instead of just spamming Hunter’s Mark or attacks.
13th level – Relentless Hunter
Current: Damage doesn’t break Hunter’s Mark concentration. Suggested Change: Remove Hunter’s Mark’s concentration requirement entirely at this level. Why: Keeps the spell useful without eating up limited concentration.
⸻
High-Level Features
17th level – Precise Hunter
Current: Advantage against marked targets. Suggested Change: Instead, allow the Ranger to deal additional damage or apply a debuff (like reducing target’s movement or giving disadvantage on next attack) to marked targets. Why: Makes marking more tactical, not just a numbers buff.
⸻
20th level – Foe Slayer
Current: Hunter’s Mark becomes d10. Suggested Change: Add something impactful, like: • Auto-crit on the first attack against a marked target each turn. • No action or bonus action needed to mark a new target when one drops. • Once per turn, when you hit a marked creature, cast a Ranger spell as a reaction (1st-2nd level only). Why: Level 20 features should feel epic, not just bump a damage die.
Aaron Rose
I can certainly agree that if Hunter's Mark is going to be the focus, it has to improve and scale better. I dislike that it's the focus but it can work. What it can't be is both the focus, and bad.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Wow. I really like your ideas. I might try to homebrew something along those lines of thoughts.
It is expected that half casters require multiple abilities to be effective. This is intentional and for balance, so I would advise strongly against removing it.
Rather than doing whatever for these two features, I would say to swap them. You literally suggested yourself more damage at level 17, and advantage on nearly every attack is quite potent.
My only gripe so far? Saving throws proficiencies.
As a character thriving outdoors, in wild environments, DEX and CON proficiencies would have been way more logical.
Dex and con, Dex and wisdom or Con and wisdom would all seem to suit the ranger. I suspect the problem is that there are already 3 classes with Con (Barb, Fighter & Sorcerer) so they didn’t want a fourth. IF they had it would have been an interesting balance - fighter vs sorceror - a melee and a spell caster; Barbarian vs Ranger - a strength based wilderness martial vs a dex( mostly) based wilderness martial, one with rage and one with limited spell use.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
You don't usually get two "good" saving throws. DEX and CON would be considered OP. INT CHA and STR saves are lower frequency and have lesser consequences for failure.
On the other hand, as. Pointed out the Barbarian, fighter and Sorcerer all have “prime stat” + con. Given that, for the most part, Dex is a ranger’s prime stat it does make sense to be Dex + Con. You look at most classes and their saves actually make sense based on what they do. Fighters are up front martials dealing with pain etc all the time. Barbarians even more so and they are one of the two nature oriented martials where con again makes sense. Sorcerers have magic coursing through their bodies and need Con to resist its effects. Then there are rangers - strength and Dex saves. Dex makes sense. - whether a ranged martial or a TWF martial Dex is your prime stat. Further your probably better armored than many Barbarians but not as well armored as a fighter, especially if your also trying to be stealthy, and your out in the elements as much as the barbarian so con would make sense there just as it does for the barbarian. It’s not there sadly but I wouldn’t be surprised if a number of tables didn’t h9merule to be their standard. Nor would I be too surprised if WotC retried the change in a later book.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
The standard design for classes is you get 1 good save (Dex/Con/Wis the three most used saves), and 1 bad save (Str/Int/Cha the three lesser used saves). That is how all the classes are designed. Ranger is particularly troublesome for this design because arguably Dex/Wis is the combo that makes the most sense. Add into that the design of the class really needs Concentration support (which every caster that isn't sorcerer could whine about as well).
So it doesn't matter what makes sense based on what the Ranger uses or needs. 1 good save, 1 bad save. Rangers get Dex and Str was chosen over Int/Cha. That is the design. Str and Wisdom would be interesting.
Or intelligence and constitution, you pretty much need a 13+ in both Dex and Wis to be a ranger with many folks taking Intel as a dump stat despite ranger being a 3 skill class. Con would give all the concentration spells some support while Intelligence would give a lot of skills support with the added proficiency bonus.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
It's for saving throws - it wouldn't affect skills at all.
Yeah, but it’s still a big help with dump stat saves
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.