Does anybody know of any good or interesting 3rd party Ranger base classes and/or subclasses? Or any good homebrews? (There are way too many to read & sort through on DnDBeyond.)
I'm looking for features that are thematic & interesting, and that define the Ranger mechanically in a unique way that sets them apart from other classes. Base class features should be, preferably, broadly applicable rather than highly situational. And they should synergize well with action economy. Of course, balance and scaling should be kept in mind, as well.
The 2024 PHB Ranger is functional, but not very interesting. Often, their features conflict with one another in action economy. In several areas, their class features are done better by other classes or their subclasses.
I'm looking for ideas from outside of WotC, rather than ways to "tweak" the existing 2024 Ranger. Thanks 😊
The Tales of the Valiant Ranger would be relatively compatible with the rest of 5e.24. I can't say whether it meets your requirements. There are a number of camps in the "Ranger isn't right" group. Knowing which type could help:
1. Do you hate spells on a Ranger and don't think they shoudl be half casters and instead be woodsmen? (hates spells) 2. Do you think animal companions should be in the base Ranger since that is the most vital core part of Ranger? (loves puppies) 3. Do you think Rangers should be skill freaks in the wild and unequaled there? (SERIOUS WOODSMEN) 4. Are you more interested in a Ranger whose action economy doesn't force choices but works more seemlessly? (Mechanical problems)
The Tales of the Valiant Ranger would be relatively compatible with the rest of 5e.24. I can't say whether it meets your requirements. There are a number of camps in the "Ranger isn't right" group. Knowing which type could help:
1. Do you hate spells on a Ranger and don't think they shoudl be half casters and instead be woodsmen? (hates spells) 2. Do you think animal companions should be in the base Ranger since that is the most vital core part of Ranger? (loves puppies) 3. Do you think Rangers should be skill freaks in the wild and unequaled there? (SERIOUS WOODSMEN) 4. Are you more interested in a Ranger whose action economy doesn't force choices but works more seemlessly? (Mechanical problems)
I'd say I fall mostly into your number 4.
Number 1: I'm ok with spells, but open to ideas with non magical Rangers- or at least non-magical features in the base class.
Number 2: I don't necessarily believe that having an animal companion should be the defining feature of a Ranger class. I think it's probably best as a subclass- or perhaps as a homebrew "Beast Master" class. That said, I'm not wholly against the idea, either.
Number 3: I think Rangers SHOULD be skill freaks in the "wild", but not necessarily restricted to "woodsmen". I wouldn't- for example- want to play a Rogue, if the rules allowed for their Sneak Attack to function ONLY in urban settings. So, I think that WotC's solution of giving them Expertise in 3 skills and Languages is adequate, although lazy. Perhaps they could add some kind of bonus to a Ranger's tool proficiencies? Like Expertise in a curated list, such as Woodcarver's and Leatherworker's Tools? But also: I had been hoping for an improved version of Primal (or Preturnatural?) Senses. Something like a brief "radar ping" that could alert a Ranger to creatures in the area, without burning spell slots. This idea is kind of (?) covered by allowing them Expertise with Perception... but then, Rogues, Bards, and anybody who takes the Skilled Feat could get Expertise in Perception. So, it's not really a unique or defining class festure for the Ranger, is it?
And therein lies what I am looking for: mechanically unique features that set the Ranger apart from the other classes. Roving is a decent and thematic feature for the Ranger, but it's not unique or class-defining. Barbarians & Monks can "rove" faster. Other species, classes, subclasses, spells, & feats allow one to increase their speed and/or swim & climb speeds. I created another thread here called "What is the Ranger's Mechanical Identity?" wherein I listed each class and a unique & defining feature they have that was mechanically useful in the game. (Naturally, the thread devolved into people arguing about things not at all related to the topic...🤦♂️) Rangers didn't- and I would argue still don't- have one. Or, at best, they have the worst one. Under 2024 rules, Ranger base class has, I believe, 5 features tied to the Hunter's Mark spell. This would, very roughly, be the equivalent to making a Bard's Bardic Inspiration into a Level One Spell that requires concentration.
I believe a "Ranger" is more than just a d6 damage on attacks. I believe there are ways to design a Ranger that can give them features that are mechanically useful in 5e play- whether it's skills, combat, movement, or whatever. And I believe there are ways to do this that would define a Ranger as a person skilled in tracking, hunting, scouting, hiding, surviving, knowledge of creatures and environments, etc. And I believe there are ways to create features that help define the Ranger in this way that also set Rangers apart from the other classes and make playing a Ranger feel like playing a Ranger.
I'm just hoping people can provide any such ideas, or point me in the direction of such ideas. So, thanks for the Tales of the Valiant tip- I'll take a look at it. 🙂
Within the WOTC books, there are 8 subclasses for Ranger with a lot of very interesting mechanics and variation. I'm sure you're aware of these. Half involve some sort of pet and half don't. I experience the ranger as being extremely versatile, maybe in ways that some of those other classes are not. Gloomstalker, Fey Wanderer, and Horizon Walker are all really about mobility, appearing in unexpected places on the battlefield and doing damage where and when they want, in ways that are not solely about speed. The Swarmkeeper has some aspect of this as well, since the Swarm can move you or enemies, and at 15th level you can disappear into your swarm and teleport.
Any Ranger can access Zephyr Strike and I've probably posted ad nauseum about how much I like that spell, that for me it's very similar to Misty Step in its utility to get you anywhere you want to be on the battlefield.
A lot of the situational abilities of the ranger around favored terrain, stealth, travel, and tracking are dependent on the DM creating those situations. If your DM just handwaves most travel, then yes, the Ranger maybe doesn't get to use their abilities.
Anyway - I do really love Ranger. Of course all the classes have some aspects that another class can do - like Wizards and Warlocks and Sorcerers - all magic users right? But for me the combination of combat utility and mobility, resilience to damage, plus some magic makes it a very fun class that feels quite different from any other, from my perspective.
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Does anybody know of any good or interesting 3rd party Ranger base classes and/or subclasses? Or any good homebrews? (There are way too many to read & sort through on DnDBeyond.)
I'm looking for features that are thematic & interesting, and that define the Ranger mechanically in a unique way that sets them apart from other classes. Base class features should be, preferably, broadly applicable rather than highly situational. And they should synergize well with action economy. Of course, balance and scaling should be kept in mind, as well.
The 2024 PHB Ranger is functional, but not very interesting. Often, their features conflict with one another in action economy. In several areas, their class features are done better by other classes or their subclasses.
I'm looking for ideas from outside of WotC, rather than ways to "tweak" the existing 2024 Ranger. Thanks 😊
The Tales of the Valiant Ranger would be relatively compatible with the rest of 5e.24. I can't say whether it meets your requirements. There are a number of camps in the "Ranger isn't right" group. Knowing which type could help:
1. Do you hate spells on a Ranger and don't think they shoudl be half casters and instead be woodsmen? (hates spells)
2. Do you think animal companions should be in the base Ranger since that is the most vital core part of Ranger? (loves puppies)
3. Do you think Rangers should be skill freaks in the wild and unequaled there? (SERIOUS WOODSMEN)
4. Are you more interested in a Ranger whose action economy doesn't force choices but works more seemlessly? (Mechanical problems)
I'd say I fall mostly into your number 4.
Number 1: I'm ok with spells, but open to ideas with non magical Rangers- or at least non-magical features in the base class.
Number 2: I don't necessarily believe that having an animal companion should be the defining feature of a Ranger class. I think it's probably best as a subclass- or perhaps as a homebrew "Beast Master" class. That said, I'm not wholly against the idea, either.
Number 3: I think Rangers SHOULD be skill freaks in the "wild", but not necessarily restricted to "woodsmen". I wouldn't- for example- want to play a Rogue, if the rules allowed for their Sneak Attack to function ONLY in urban settings. So, I think that WotC's solution of giving them Expertise in 3 skills and Languages is adequate, although lazy. Perhaps they could add some kind of bonus to a Ranger's tool proficiencies? Like Expertise in a curated list, such as Woodcarver's and Leatherworker's Tools? But also: I had been hoping for an improved version of Primal (or Preturnatural?) Senses. Something like a brief "radar ping" that could alert a Ranger to creatures in the area, without burning spell slots. This idea is kind of (?) covered by allowing them Expertise with Perception... but then, Rogues, Bards, and anybody who takes the Skilled Feat could get Expertise in Perception. So, it's not really a unique or defining class festure for the Ranger, is it?
And therein lies what I am looking for: mechanically unique features that set the Ranger apart from the other classes. Roving is a decent and thematic feature for the Ranger, but it's not unique or class-defining. Barbarians & Monks can "rove" faster. Other species, classes, subclasses, spells, & feats allow one to increase their speed and/or swim & climb speeds. I created another thread here called "What is the Ranger's Mechanical Identity?" wherein I listed each class and a unique & defining feature they have that was mechanically useful in the game. (Naturally, the thread devolved into people arguing about things not at all related to the topic...🤦♂️) Rangers didn't- and I would argue still don't- have one. Or, at best, they have the worst one. Under 2024 rules, Ranger base class has, I believe, 5 features tied to the Hunter's Mark spell. This would, very roughly, be the equivalent to making a Bard's Bardic Inspiration into a Level One Spell that requires concentration.
I believe a "Ranger" is more than just a d6 damage on attacks. I believe there are ways to design a Ranger that can give them features that are mechanically useful in 5e play- whether it's skills, combat, movement, or whatever. And I believe there are ways to do this that would define a Ranger as a person skilled in tracking, hunting, scouting, hiding, surviving, knowledge of creatures and environments, etc. And I believe there are ways to create features that help define the Ranger in this way that also set Rangers apart from the other classes and make playing a Ranger feel like playing a Ranger.
I'm just hoping people can provide any such ideas, or point me in the direction of such ideas. So, thanks for the Tales of the Valiant tip- I'll take a look at it. 🙂
Within the WOTC books, there are 8 subclasses for Ranger with a lot of very interesting mechanics and variation. I'm sure you're aware of these. Half involve some sort of pet and half don't. I experience the ranger as being extremely versatile, maybe in ways that some of those other classes are not. Gloomstalker, Fey Wanderer, and Horizon Walker are all really about mobility, appearing in unexpected places on the battlefield and doing damage where and when they want, in ways that are not solely about speed. The Swarmkeeper has some aspect of this as well, since the Swarm can move you or enemies, and at 15th level you can disappear into your swarm and teleport.
Any Ranger can access Zephyr Strike and I've probably posted ad nauseum about how much I like that spell, that for me it's very similar to Misty Step in its utility to get you anywhere you want to be on the battlefield.
A lot of the situational abilities of the ranger around favored terrain, stealth, travel, and tracking are dependent on the DM creating those situations. If your DM just handwaves most travel, then yes, the Ranger maybe doesn't get to use their abilities.
Anyway - I do really love Ranger. Of course all the classes have some aspects that another class can do - like Wizards and Warlocks and Sorcerers - all magic users right? But for me the combination of combat utility and mobility, resilience to damage, plus some magic makes it a very fun class that feels quite different from any other, from my perspective.