Hello everyone,
As I said in my topic in the general forum I am new here and to D&D in general and have my books on the way which should be here in a few days. But while I wait I am trying to read the forums and pick up as much as I can.
So I figured i would like to have a general idea of what class/race i might like to try when i get the books. I have read some FR books before, and some other Fantasy Fiction novels (i have been a fan ever since i was little and had no idea what D&D was) and i think i would like to try a Ranger first since i have always thought they were cool, maybe elven(though dragonborn does seem interesting with the breath attacks and such even if it does eat up some feats.)
I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips, such as pros/cons of being an archer or dual-wielding, or maybe even pros/cons of a ranger and some different races to use for it like the two mentioned above. Anything someone can tell me will be a big help, thanks in advance.
The great thing about 4th edition is that (so far) it is VERY hard to make a “bad” character. My current character is a dwarven ranger (two weapon style (usually refered to as “TWF")). A combo that Jakelope King (the reigning rules guru for multiple formats) specifically mentioned as sub optimal. It is still a great character that excels in what he was designed to do: be a back up striker that could take hits for the fighter if we were in trouble. I might not do -quite- as much damage as an elven or dragon born would do, but I have great HPs and can use my 2nd wind as a minor action instead of a standard (each round you get 3 actions: Standard (usually your attack), Move (used to move, duh:)), and minor(which has a lot of little uses) For most races 2nd wind is a standard so they have to do it instead of attacking, I can do both since I am a dwarf:))
I guess what I am trying to say is play what you want and worry about being effective 2ndly. Most race/class combos are viable.
That being said I can tell you a bit about a TWF ranger. I do almost as much damage as the rogue and am slightly better armored so I am a bit more durable when being atacked. Most of my powers can be used with either a bow or my war hammers so I am effective from range as well as close up, although my dex is lower than my str so I hit more and do more damage when I use my hammers.
One of the cons is that even though I am a striker I do not do as much damage as the rogue. Both of my attacks in a round together add up to slightly less than his damage, however since I get to roll 2 to hits, I usually hit with at least one, so I am a more consistant damage dealer. I will usually do at least 5-19 (average of 12) damage round or 11-39 (average of 25) if I hit with both. The rogue will usually average 30ish if he hits, but 0 if he misses, so I think it evens out. Everyone loves seeing his big numbers but I tend to be more consistent.
All in all I like the character and my nordic inspired dwarf (Ragnor Ulric Kripe Von Facehammer) is a pretty neat little guy.
As far as elven vs dragonborn I would say decide if you are going to be an archer style or a TWF style. Elven would be a better archer (although so would Eledrin the other “elf” race) where as dragoborn would be a better melee race.
Awesome, I am glad to here I can play what I want. And thank you for the ranger/dwarf info, i know it will come in handy.
Most of my powers can be used with either a bow or my war hammers so I am effective from range as well as close up, although my dex is lower than my str so I hit more and do more damage when I use my hammers.
So what your saying there is that I can carry around two weapons (like your two hammers) AND carry around a bow? I understand that one will do more damage just because one stat is likely to be higher but what about powers and feats that back those up? Would this setup have each take away from the other? Is it typical to have both types of weapons as a ranger? Or do some just focus on one and carry around the other weapon for some skills that require it.
And on a side note i have been looking at the power cards, the ones that Cameron and Black Plague made (which look very good. I know i am going to use those when i play) and so i am mildly familiar with the powers and have seen that many of the ranger’s can be used with bow or the TWF style
Both of my attacks in a round together add up to slightly less than his damage, however since I get to roll 2 to hits, I usually hit with at least one, so I am a more consistant damage dealer.
I’m confused- I thought two weapon Rangers didn’t actually get two attacks in a round- did I miss something?
Both of my attacks in a round together add up to slightly less than his damage, however since I get to roll 2 to hits, I usually hit with at least one, so I am a more consistant damage dealer.
I’m confused- I thought two weapon Rangers didn’t actually get two attacks in a round- did I miss something?
Some of their powers do grant two attacks a round. At first level, Twin Strike is an at-will, Two-Fanged Strike is an Encounter, and Jaws of the Wolf is a daily and all grant two attacks. Twin Strike and Two-Fanged give two ranged attacks or two melee. Jaws is melee only.
So what your saying there is that I can carry around two weapons (like your two hammers) AND carry around a bow?
Glad to be of help. That is exactly what I am saying. You can carry both around (provided you are strong enough of course) and then use the ones that are most appropriate for the situation.
Chad Reynolds - 25 July 2008 06:22 AM
I understand that one will do more damage just because one stat is likely to be higher but what about powers and feats that back those up?
The feats that I have chosen only serve to further widen the damage gap between the two as all my feats are focused on enhancing my war hammer damage. The feats are an either/or type of thing. As Cameron noted 2 of my powers (Twin Strike and Two Fanged Strike) give me 2 attacks a round and can be used with either my hammers or my bow. My daily is a melee only (strangely enough Cameron called 3/4 of my powers… care to guess about the 4th?:))
Chad Reynolds - 25 July 2008 06:22 AM
Would this setup have each take away from the other? Is it typical to have both types of weapons as a ranger? Or do some just focus on one and carry around the other weapon for some skills that require it.
This set up takes nothing away form my melee abilities, but that is at the expense of my ranged attacks. I would say it is fairly normal for rangers, and most martial classes proficient in both, to carry a melee and a ranged weapon. I carry around my bow for times when I want to get an attack in as the enemy rushes to us, or where I am stuck behind th efront lines with no way to get to the enemy.
i feel like i already know a ton about rangers, now i am just dying to get my books to get started
As Cameron noted 2 of my powers (Twin Strike and Two Fanged Strike) give me 2 attacks a round and can be used with either my hammers or my bow. My daily is a melee only (strangely enough Cameron called 3/4 of my powers… care to guess about the 4th?:))
Well i think you might have Dire Wolverine Strike, you character seems like one who gets in the thick of things and that would help if you got surrounded
Close, that was actually on my short list of encounter powers, but you only get 1 encounter power. I was talking about at-wills, which you get 2 of. I chose “hit and run” as I figured it would help me gain better positioning in combat.
So how about i just got a package, so i rush to the door excited (i was kinda like a little kid haha) and then i open it to find that my dice were shipped seperately from the books. So i have D&D dice now, just no books to use them with
The last dice I ordered took 4 weeks to get to me. Consider yourself lucky.
Anyway, a dwarf ranger can be taken in a snazzy way if you favor str, con, and wis. Grab the feats to wear heavy armor and sport a pair of hammers. It’s not your typical elf in leaf-styled leather armor hopping through trees, but it’s still a ranger and it still hurts stuff!
A dwarf dual wielding hammers is pretty scary. Just take really high str and con and buy up armor proficiency to make up for low dex. Ignore all the ranger ranged powers. Just pick up stuff that allows you to thump enemies with your dual hammers.
Even if str is not the strong stat of dwarves you still have ways of beefing up the benefits via feats and other stuff. Use the TWF feats to build up defense. You gain toughness from the TWF specialty too.
The benefits start to stack up once you take these feats:
- Dwarven weapon training: +2 damage for both of the attacks that you make with twin strike (and other multi attack powers).
- Hammer rhythm: You deal damage even on a miss and as a ranger you make a lot of attacks with dual wielding powers. The damage will stack up in the long run.
Also, remember that dwarves can use second wind as a minor action, and that is just great for also activating the +2 to all defenses in the middle of enemies.
To make a viable “slow” melee ranger you need to beef up defenses and hp to stand next to the enemies and beat them up.
I made a Dragonborn TWF stye ranger. Battle-axe for 1d10 damage and a scimitar for 1d8 and it’s high crit stat (since being TWF style allows you to take any one-handed weapon and use it off-hand)
i think once I get a chance to play and use him i was thinking about using a feat to gain proficiency with bastard swords and dual-wield those.
I also have a Longbow for the damage and range so that I have the ability to pop off a shot or two while the enemies approach or if the terrain calls for range attacks.
Any thoughts? Or if anyone would like i could take the time to post up my stats, feats, and powers.
Oh and this is my first character so try not to be too harsh
