D&D 3E/3.5 3.0 Ranger vs 3.5 Ranger

[Sado]

I have seen the ranger class used frequently as an example of one of the big differences between 3.0 and 3.5. I haven't really paid much attention to either version, so exactly what did change?

 

[Shadeus]

Just about every aspect of the ranger changed.

- HD from d10 to d8
- skills from 4 to 6 per level
- two "paths" to pursue gained at levels 2, 6, and 11 (no TWF at level 1 anymore)

• TWF: TWF, Imp. TWF, Greater TWF
• Archery: Rapid shot, Manyshot, Imp Precise shot

- Favored Enemy is completely different

• bonus is +2 at each level now
• damage affects those immune to crits
• every 5 levels, you get +2 to a new enemy and +2 to an existing one

- spell list changed (no polymorph self, add in barkskin and commune with nature)
- free endurance feat
- swift tracking
- woodland stride (re: druids)
- evasion
- Hide in Plain Sight (in the forest), Camoflage (hide in woodland setting without concealment)

I think that's all.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Wild Empathy is no longer a skill; it's a class feature. The bonus is simply "ranger level + Charisma modifier".

It's no longer as front-loaded and has enough abilities that I can't picture leaving it before 13th-level (when you get Camouflage).

Animal companions have gone from being worthless to just being sucky.

The 3.5 ranger doesn't suck. That's a big difference.

Archery got nerfed (although Improved Precise Shot is pretty damn sweet) but archery rangers are still better than TWF rangers.

 

[Darklone]

Animal companion horses for a mounted archer are not sucky

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Animal companion horses for a mounted archer are not sucky

Yeah they are. Being able to double move and shoot at the same time is golden, until someone shoots your low AC/low hp/low save mount a couple of times.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Yeah they are. Being able to double move and shoot at the same time is golden, until someone shoots your low AC/low hp/low save mount a couple of times.

Actually, it seems to me that a mount would be one of the better ways a ranger could use their animal companion. The 1/2 level deal is crippling for the animal's melee survivability, but a ranger with Mounted Combat and maxed out Ride ranks can make good use of the stronger mount. And if the mount dies, since there's no penalty for AC death, he heads to the horsedealer in the local town, picks up another one, slaps the AC powers onto it, and is good to go again.

Have your experiences with it been different? I have to admit I haven't ever had a ranger actually go this route. IME most rangers pick up a wolf or somesuch to help them with tracking and maybe toss in the occasional trip attack if a melee brute gets to close to them.

 

[Antoine]

Just about every aspect of the ranger changed.

Almost exhaustive
Also has a second good save : Reflexes.

 

[Teslacoil1138]

Yeah they are. Being able to double move and shoot at the same time is golden, until someone shoots your low AC/low hp/low save mount a couple of times.

You can make a Ride check against the attacker's attack roll to negate a hit on your mount. With a good Dex and maxed out Ride skill, I have a hard time believing anyone would be able to hit your mount effectively. Area spells, on the other hand, will ruin an animal companion mount's day. But still, it's a very good tactic to use as an archery ranger.

 

[The Souljourner]

Yeah, they changed. Before they were kinda sucky, now they totally rock.

-The Souljourner

 

[brehobit]

You can make a Ride check against the attacker's attack roll to negate a hit on your mount. With a good Dex and maxed out Ride skill, I have a hard time believing anyone would be able to hit your mount effectively. Area spells, on the other hand, will ruin an animal companion mount's day. But still, it's a very good tactic to use as an archery ranger.

Do note that this may only be used once a round. At higher levels that may not be very useful (or at lower levels fighting a bunch of weak creatures)