Ranger build questions

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Well I finally managed to buff up my computer so NWN2 works at last. I've been poking around the game with a Paladin for the last few days, just to get the feel of things and I'm planning to start a fresh new game with a Ranger now.

Now the things I'd like to try are dual wielding, for it's coolness factor, and the Parry skill since "spectacular counterattacks" sound worth seeing . I've been searching around the net trying to find a similar build but, obviously, nothing came up. I'm still a noob as far as D&D 3.5 rules are concerned so I'd appreciate your help in this. Which feats to chose, which stats, which classes should I multi-class to, should it be STR or DEX based...?

 

If you go dual-wield as a Ranger, you dont have to pick the two-weapon fighting feat, since you get it by default.

The Neverwinter Nine prestige class suits a Ranger pretty good, as well as beeing a great role-playing class.

I would also go Dexterity based and pick the Weapon Finesse feat. There are lots of diffrent weapons out there so it doesn't really matter what weapon you focus on (you can make your own powerful weapons as well). For Bastard Sword and Katana (as well as some more weapons) you need to take the Exotic Weapons feat.

I guess a Ranger/Druid or Ranger/Cleric would be good classes to dual into, but you'll loose alot of spells/melee capability in for example a 10/10 build.

I've seen people recommending Ranger/Assassin and Ranger/Rogue.

I'm planning on playing a Ranger myself after my current character, and I'll probably go with the Neverwinter Nine prestige class.

 

If you want spectacular Parry and don't mind reduced spell progression and level as a ranger, then check out the Duellist class. Can't go wrong with Weaponmaster, either. In fact, even fighter's Specialisation for +2 dmg isn't bad when your STR isn't too high.

You could start with a human ranger (start as ranger for the many initial skill points with the X4 multiplier, as opposed to what you'd get with other classes except rogue - with rogue, you want to start as one), stats like this:

STR 14
DEX 16
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 10
CHA 10

If you play around a bit with Fighter, you can get the following feats you will find useful:

Able Learner. If you want any cross-class skills, you take this feat at level 1. It allows you to pay 1 point for 1 point when you take cross-class skills. The limitation is the same as always - max level is halved. Multiclassing raises the max level even for other classes you have. This means Able Learner and multiclassing get you all the skill goodies (except actual skill points) any of your classes have, on each level-up. I made a 16 INT paladin with this built and finished the game with it.

Power Attack (for increased damage when you already have more than enough attack bonus to hit)
Cleave (free attack after a killing blow, requires PA)

Dodge, Mobility, Spring Attack (all for Whirlwind)
Expertise (for increased Armour Class when you already have more than enough attack bonus to hit; required by Whirlwind)

Improved Critical, Power Critical in your weapon of choice. Note: if you go for Weaponmaster, you select one weapon for the benefits, which means you'd better dual-wield two of the same type. If you also go for Duellist, it'd better be light and piercing. Using twin weapons also saves all weapon-specific feats. Means you can pick other stuff with other feat slots.

Note that if you take fighter levels, many of the feats here - probably all except Able Learner - are on the Fighter bonus list. Make sure you take them then and take other stuff, from outside the list, with your normal feat slots.

For big Parry, select Improved Parry (+4, requires 13 INT), Skill Focus: Parry (+3, just like any Skill Focus). Tadaaa... Improved Parry may be on the Figher list, Skill Focus is not.

One more thing: if you select a weapon for Weaponmaster or Improved Criticals, go for something with an already extended crit range. The best example is kukri, which is light and piercing (rapier is incorrectly rendered as not a light weapon, while it should be light in weight but medium in size), which means the most versatile in the light of the bonuses you can get combining various classes.

BTW, lots of enemies are immune to crits as they are undead.

 

Thank you both for your replies. I actually spent a good deal of time in the past few days learning about 3.5 D&D rules and browsing various forums for character creations, needless to say that some things are still blurry to me .

Now I figured that Ranger level 11 is the maximum I should go with, and Fighter level 4 looks good for the weapon spec. So there's still 5 levels to choose from... I saw a build with a Frenzied Berserker but that one seems so non-roleplaying to me that I can't make myself to use it. There is also the Duelist option but I think that his abilities only count if your using a one single handed weapon, but I could be wrong here...

Another question would be is Parry really worth it? Had anyone tried using it with a build that maxes it?

I've actually started the game with it, he's lv.6 at the moment(R3/F3) and I have to say that I'm enjoying it . The damage isn't to big (I do hope it will improve later on) but from the roleplaying point of view it is fun.

 

If you're looking for both role-playing and filling out level slots, Neverwinter Nine is the prestige class for you (in my oppinion). Suits the campaign perfectly (well .. if you're good or neutral, otherwise it'd be a huge contridiction) as well as providing some neat skills and feats.

In my oppinion, a character that really fits the role of a Neverwinter Nine should not be "beyond" Lawful Neutral, mayby Neutral. Chaotic Neutral doesn't fit at all; evil aligned characters could be an option since they care about themselves, and would therefor cloak their intentions and take advantage of the situation, but they would eventually be cast out for, in example, not risking their own neck for the sake of Neverwinter.

I just finished the game today, and I'm pretty sure I'll be going for a Ranger/Neverwinter Nine for my next run.

EDIT: I just remebered - read up on how to make your own equipment. Save all the gems, hides, heads etc. that "yields X essence". You will find books that contains recipes, and if you don't think it interferes with your role-playing, check out This site for recipes. You could always read the guide there on how the system works (took me some time to figure out). The workbenches can be found in any of your "bases" (where your compainons are stationed).

I read an interesting weapon choice for a dual-wielder on this forum somewhere - make one weapon with + Armor Class, <CHARNAMES> Lifesaver, and one weapon with + Dmg, <CHARNAMES> Lifeslayer ("haha" or something like that). I'm gonna try that.

Oh, and without spoiling anything, don't worry about how to get the Neverwinter Nine class, it will reveal itself.

 

You know, NWN9 does sound good... I have managed to finish the game with my paladin so you don't have to worry about spoilers . It does work from a role-playing perspective, and I'll do try to role-play this character. So it should go something like:

lv.1 ranger 1 (been a wild child and wandered the Mere)
lv.2 fighter 1 (had training in West Harbor militia)
lv.3 ranger 2 (again some more wandering in the swamp)
lv.4 fighter 2 (defended the West Harbour as part of the militia)
lv.5 ranger 3 (recovered the 1st shard from the swamp)
lv.6 fighter 3 (Fort Locke service)
lv.7 ranger 4
lv.8 fighter 4
And then ranger levels until they reach lv.11 and I get promoted to NWN9. It looks passable story wise, right?

The alignment is chaotic good, being spoiled by D&D 2nd edition rules... somehow evil rangers don't fit into my book... I will also only use the recipes I find in game (but thanks for the link, it could come in handy later).

There's still the matter of that Parry skill...
And is Whirlwind attack worth taking? It seems to require a good deal of feats before I can get it.

 

Well, apart from the Nine, you could also try Harper Agent, if you go for roleplaying. The class covers many of the Ranger class skills, while opening some new ones. Obviously, that character would have some intelligence - let's say 14, even 16 if you really want it. That way, you could again make use of the Able Learner feat and basically work Persuade, Appraise, Tumble and what else into your ranger. Note that the requirements are a bit hard on the ranger with 8 Persuade (some multiclassing could solve the problem), but Lore and Survival aren't off at all. Alertness could be useful and it's not like Iron Will won't help.

Since Ranger/Harper Agent would be a bit roguish, you might want to start off as a rogue for two levels, with a lot of skill points to invest, as well as Evasion at level 2, then you switch to ranger and fill out the skills Rogue doesn't have.

To complicate matters, however, one of the core features of Harper Agent is that you retain your divine spellcasting progression except for level 1. This means your ranger spells will continue to be given to you. This means if your ranger doesn't have the wisdom to cast spells, you aren't so well off with this class and it's possible a Rogue/Ranger combination is better for you.

Obviously, you can always go Rogue/Ranger/HA/NW9. Prestige classed don't count against the multiclassing XP penalty, so you just start as Rogue(2), then switch over to Ranger for 3 levels, then collect 5 levels of Harper Agent. The earlier you have the bonuses it offers, the better for you, as they aren't groundbreaking - they just make adventuring a bit nicer for you. Then you take 5 levels of ranger and 5 of Neverwinter Nine. Just remember to take Practised Spellcaster (Ranger) to improve your spellcasting level. Et voila, you have a James Bond in Forgotten Realms.

 

How's the Parry idea going? I'm thinking of taking it as well, because it just seems really neat, but I've never tried parry myself. Is it worth taking and maxing?

 

Well, parry is handy. I had a dualwielding rogue-fighter with high parry skill. When parrying he was untouchable even when up against multiple enemies, and got plenty of riposte attacks - using kukri and rapier for improved chance of critical hits. Parry and dualwielding are very attractive.

 

I'll be going that then for my planned out Evil, Dual-Wielding Ranger/Assassin (decided to go evil this time as opposed to my previous posts).

 

@spetznaz: Well my ranger is lv.6 at the moment so there's not much I can do with parry. It does a mediocre work, I don't exactly block all the attacks but it's OK. I hope it will improve as I level up so I'll let you know then

I'm pretty disappointed with the parry animation itself though. I expected to see blocking moves with the two kukris, sparks flying around and that sort of thing, but so far it's only text letting me know that parry was successful :S

 

I just started my Neutral Evil Ranger. I'm going for dual-wield, parry based character and throwing in the Assassin prestige class later on.

My story goes something like this: I was always a lone-wolf, wandering the Mere, learning to live of what nature had brought. As time went, I turned more and more inwards, dispising the reputation of a "good Harborman". I used everything and everyone in the village as I saw fit and made my own rules.

My lack of compassion gave me a big opportunity when I reached the city of Neverwinter, where I found a new family, a real family - the Shadow Thieves of Amn.

Something like that (sorry for the bad .. everything, I'm awfully tired )

I was just wondering, at what level can you become a Shadow Thief of Amn? I'm going for 11 Ranger and then SToA + Assassin (not sure about the level distribution there).