D&D 3E/3.5 A druid/Ranger in 3.5

[jazzer]

I am creating a 3rd level human ranger druid 2d /1 r with the stats of
str 16
dex 16
con 12
wis 14
int 12
cha 10

the dm allows us a bonus feat at first level even on top of the bonus human feat now i have played many rangers and druids in the past just non with the 3.5 rules using the Phb as a guide i have decided that he would be best using a bow as the party has some fearsome heavy hitters but at the same time i always enjoyed the rangers ability to attack with 2 weapons i was thinking a kurkri/ hand axe combination ( i know i have probably seen The last of the mohicans to many times) Also are there any good spellcasting feats i should consider or just general feats. Some things to consider
1. more of a archer than hth
2. would still like the two weapon fighting ability of a ranger
3. Like the idea of him running everywhere instead of horseback or similar
4. not in it for min max like the idea of a creative character
5 primarlily using the feats straight out of the phb 3.5 maybe some of the other supplements
6. the extra GM assigned feat at first level

any ideas suggestions would be very welcome

 

[Stormrunner]

Well, if I was building this character i would rearrange the stats a little: STR 12, CON 14, WIS 16. Wisdom is important for both the ranger's skills and the druid's spells, and with the armor restrictions of both classes you need good hit points. Since this build is not a front-line tank, Strength is less important.

If you want him to run everywhere, then Run is the obvious choice for the bonus feat.

If a CN druid, consider starting as druid 1/ranger 1/barbarian 1 to pick up the fast movement. It might even be worth taking a 2nd level of barbarian at some point for the uncanny dodge.

For a LN druid, taking a level of monk gets the unarmored Wis bonus to AC - very helpful to a wildshaping druid, whose animal form is usually unarmored and who usually has a high Wisdom.

Or, if wildshaping isn't important to you, consider the Unearthed Arcana variant druid:

The druid might choose to give up her wild shape ability in exchange for becoming a swift and deadly hunter.
Gain: Bonus to armor class when unarmored (as monk, including Wisdom bonus to AC), fast movement (as monk), favored enemy (as ranger), swift tracker (as ranger), Track feat (as ranger).
Lose: Armor and shield proficiency, wild shape (all versions)

I use this variant for priestesses of Artemis IMC, and it seems to work fairly well. Obviusly there's a bit of overlap if you're also taking levels of ranger. The Track ability from the variant druid becomes redundant, but then the armor and shield proficiency from the ranger overcomes the corresponding limitation for the VD, so that kinda evens out. With regards to the favored enemy and fast tracking abilities, IMC I would rule that the levels stack: your Drd2/Rng1 will only have one favored enemy, not two, but when he gets to, say, Drd3/Rng2 he gets his second favored enemy since his druid and ranger levels now add up to 5. Likewise when his druid and ranger levels add up to 8 he would get the fast tracking ability.

Mani in Brotherhood of the Wolf is pretty close to such a character.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

I agree with Stormrunner regarding the Con. For a more normal druid or a archer style ranger, a 12 Con is fine. But if you plan on using TWF against anything but very lowly minions, your HPs are your AC if you get my drift.

You could swap Wis for Con. You do not need a high Wis if you are a multiclassed spellcaster with a combat schtick that does not rely on spells.

 

[Enforcer]

If you've got Druid levels and are planning on TWF, then the quarterstaff is your weapon of choice. Go read the shillelagh spell and you'll see why--it's like dual-wielding greatswords without an extra to-hit penalty.