D&D (2024) Hunter Ranger Alt Idea (+)

[Lojaan]

I strongly disagree. No class should lack a subclass that just doubles down on the core class concepts.

So what you want is effectively a "no subclass" option, like the champion fighter?

I would say that zero options/choices would be the best way to go then. Give them static bonuses to make them better at what they already do. Choices/complexity are for other subclasses.

Come to think of it, all the champion fighter subclass features would work pretty well here too.

(Although personally I think all rangers should get an animal companion, and your subclass should determine what it is so add one of them too)

 

[doctorbadwolf]

So what you want is effectively a "no subclass" option, like the champion fighter?

If you want to think of it that way, sure.

I would say that zero options/choices would be the best way to go then. Give them static bonuses to make them better at what they already do. Choices/complexity are for other subclasses.

Nah, it’s point isn’t to be dead simple. That’s the baseline fighters job. A spellcaster isn’t ever going to hit that mark anyway.

Come to think of it, all the champion fighter subclass features would work pretty well here too.

That wouldn’t double down on the themes and concepts of the ranger.

(Although personally I think all rangers should get an animal companion, and your subclass should determine what it is so add one of them too)

I agree about the companions (kinda), but I really dislike ideas like that for subclasses. I don’t want all of a classes subclasses to be a variation on the same thing. I think the ranger, rogue, and fighter, have subclasses right.

Like I think the Paladin would be better if the oaths were instead orders, or straight up archetypes like The Knight Gallant and the Green Knight.

For the ranger, I want things like “ranger who protects the liminal spaces between planes”, and “ranger who bonds with a creature to aid in their work”.

 

[DeviousQuail]

I like the PHB Hunter, but wotc seems to think that everyone always chooses the same benefit. Now, I disagree, so I’d like to posit an alternate solution to the perceived shortcomings.

Give the Hunter the new UA hunters mark feature from the base class.

Give the base class the PHB Hunter’s level 3 choice from a few features, and call it favored enemy. You pick a second one at level 6, and another at level 15.

Thoughts?

It’s a (+) thread, because I don’t want a lot of complaining about the ranger in general or sniping at wotc or whatever else, just discussion about the idea itself.

My response turned into a stream of consciousness so spoiler tag for anyone not interested in my late night ramblings.

Spoiler: The Stream

Sounds like a pretty good idea. I know at my tables colossus slayer has always been the pick because it works (almost) all the time against any creature. Horde breaker and giant killer have higher potential since they are full attacks but aren't always applicable like colossus slayer. I feel like this new favored enemy would see rangers picking colossus slayer at level 3 most of the time and level 6 the rest of the time. It's just too good to leave until level 15 and you know you'll get one of the other two by level 6. A slight nerf to colossus slayer and I think you're in business.*

The other change I would make is keep natural explorer but also give each terrain a unique bonus. Examples: arctic (cold resist), coast (swim speed), desert (adv on initiative), forest (ignore nonmagical difficult terrain), grassland (+5 speed), mountain (climb speed), swamp (poison resist), underdark (darkvision or improved darkvision). Other rangers eventually get 3 as normal but Hunters could get an additional one or two as a subclass feature(s). There's no reason we can't also add feywild, planar, or other terrains to this list or as unique subclass terrains.

I realize this might nullify some other class features like Land's Stride and Roving. I just think if you gave these new features to rangers as well as the features from deft explorer and primal awareness you'd really be on your way to a very outdoorsy ranger. Some of these would need to be spread out more across the levels to avoid an overload in tier 1.

Ranger levels could be:

1. Canny, upgraded Natural Explorer
2. Fighting Style, Spellcasting, Primal Awareness
3. Subclass, Favored Enemy
4. ASI
5. Extra Attack
6. Subclass, Natural Explorer
7. Favored Enemy, Defensive Tactics (from Hunter)
8. ASI
9. Expertise
10. Subclass, Natural Explorer
11. Favored Enemy, Tireless
12. ASI
13. Feral Senses
14. Subclass
15. Superior Hunter's Defense (from Hunter)
16. ASI
17. -
18. Foe Slayer
19. ASI
20. Epic Boon

*I would try switching some of the benefits between colossus slayer and giant killer. Colossus slayer becomes "When a creature below it's maximum hit point total within 5 feet of you hits or misses you with an attack, you can use your reaction to attack that creature immediately after its attack, provided that you can see the creature." Giant Killer becomes "When you hit a Large or larger creature with a weapon attack, the creature takes an extra 1d8 damage. You can deal this extra damage only once per turn."