I'm new to D&D and playing a Ranger (currently 4th level) Hunter archetype. Looking for advice on play style from veteran ranger players.

I guess I am curious what you already have?  as to play style that is usually dependent on what YOU and your group tend to do.

(I feel like Young Neil from Scott Pilgrim "what do you play'?.  "Um, well, that's kinda a big question...")

Do we get to know anything about who your character is going to be?  Do you hunt down orcs in the dead of night slitting their throats?  Maybe you are a bounty hunter who hunts down convicts and such, perhaps you are working on a privateer vessel hunting pirates.  Are you a half orc, elf, dragonborn, undecided?

Give us some more to work with not even sure what kind of direction to send you with advice.

Well right now I'm Drow with a focus on archery skills and stealth. I guess I was just interested in if there were a "best practices" with using a ranger in combat situations. If I'm reading you right, you're saying it's really up to me and how my group approaches any given scenario. I haven't really been playing my ranger how I suppose I thought I would, and that's no one's fault but my own. Thanks.

Just as something to consider perhaps adding a level of rogue to compliment your stealthy sneak attack type of play style.  It would be worth noting that you would be missing out on a second attack until you gained another extra level of Ranger.  This can mean being a flanker in combat, and picking up an extra skill proficiency, and skill expertise.

Did you take your stats or go with a feat?  Crossbow Expert can be a fun one to have synergizes well if you want to pick up a rogue level.  Medium Armor Master can allow you better stealth checks and more of your dex bonus to apply for Armor Class (not sure what your stats are but I assume high Dex).  Sharpshooter if you want to gain a Power Attack (lowered chance to hit increased damage) option.

Which one of the Hunter's prey options did you go with?

Many of these choices that are what you will build your play style around, as to best practices it will typically be something along the lines of play to your strengths and don't forget some of the actions you can take when not shooting, such as dodge.

The last question I will ask for now is, how much RP are you doing in your campaign, do you want to try and build around RP elements.

I went with a feat, and I chose "Sharpshooter". I couldn't say no to the extra damage right now.

I picked the "Horde Breaker" Hunter's prey option, but I haven't had a ton of opportunities to use it during the last few play sessions.

I just read about the Dodge action today, super useful information to have!

I haven't been doing a ton of RP in the campaign yet, it's too easy sometimes to just look for the next opportunity for combat I think. I like my backstory though and need to remind myself that the game can be fun without fighting.

Thanks for responding

Always use faerie fire. Works for both drow RP and ranger damage.

Also, play up teaching and survival skills.  Ranger finds bad guys, scouts, and feeds the party when in need.  

Lots of ranger skills and spells means find best campsite and sets alarms/traps.  Cf Alarm & Cordon of Arrows

Always Hunter's mark before first arrow, and switch as needed.

RP-- I always go with a bit quite type; too much silent time on the hunt and stalk.  You KNOW you can save the dumb party from itself when the do stupid stuff like walk into a trap.  Find what you have learned with a lifetime in the wilds; it many times is an inner strength and self reliance.  Confidence!

And keep the dumb wizard from seeing his bedroll in the poison ivy 😋

Quote from Arcel >>

Whoah dude, all these guys are dead wrong!  I'm glad I got to you in time!(?)

Quote from Arcel >>

Whoah dude, all these guys are dead wrong!  I'm glad I got to you in time!(?)

HERE is how you play a ranger:

1. Get a massive head injury. (Vital!)

2. Acquire yourself a miniature giant space hamster.

3. Always go around in platemail even if you're not proficient with it, and causes you to roll everything with disadvantage.

4. Use a giant two-handed sword to fight EVERYTHING, and if you need a ranged weapon, get two MORE greatswords to throw at people.

5. Spells are for sissy-boys, never use them.

6. Make every other thing you say something about butts and/or kicking or cleaning various surfaces with either of those.  I.E. "Wherever evil dosst lay down its dirty boots, we shall mop up the floor with its buttocks!"

7. If you're unsure about anyone or anything, have your hamster inspect it, and listen carefully to what he / she says, and translate for other people if they don't understand.  Also remember that they're crazy if they question this.  You're not crazy, THEY'RE CRAZY!

8. Hand around with Rashemi witches that speak archaically in "thees and thous" all the time, and if they get captured by Gnolls, go rescue them RIGHT away.  If you need help interviewing potential candidates to assist with that, delegate to your hamster, who'll filter though all of them and pick the best.

9. Whenever you're in charge of a party or team (which should be always), give a sword out to everyone, including the mage and/or cleric who swore a (sissy) oath not to shed blood and make sure they use it too.

10. Ensure that people use magic as little as possible (because it's for wusses) and fight on the front lines with the swords you gave out, and if they complain that they need to fight at a distance, give them more swords to throw.

For further details, check out this helpful wiki page on the best (and ONLY) way to play a ranger and do exactly what it says:

http://forgottenrealms.wikia.com/wiki/Minsc

 

Whew!  Okay, done.  Glad I got to you in time.  From your posts, it sounds like you're rangering all wrong, and skulking around all unranger-like not wearing platemail and using a cowardly bow like some sort of namby-pants, when at the very least you should be throwing a GIANT TWO-HANDED SWORD at your enemies from DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM while yelling at them at the top of your voice about the things your hamster is saying about them the way a REAL, and very SANE MAN should.

Quote from Matthias_von_Schwarzwald >>

 If I didn't know better, I'd assume he died in his first fight.