Ranger advice?

[MrMidas]

Hello folks! I tried to start playing in Sundren ages ago but technical reasons stopped me. Anyhow I have all that fixed and hoping to get going now.

I want to play a ranger. I want a pair of bastard swords and dual-wield so I don't think there is much I can do apart from 21 levels or ranger. My concern is that I don't know the land well enough to pick smart favored enemies. Yes, I understand that time in-character could teach me this but I am not sure about the first one or two that I would take unitl I learn the land.
Can anyone please reccomend good choices for the long-term as my first couple? (I know that in most places there may be goblins, for example, but at higher levels they are no longer a common enemy. That is what worries me.)

And out of curiosity, I notice a lot of extra content. Well done! Does this include any new spells or such for rangers? I haven't played much since getting SoZ and was pleasantly surprised to see the level 1 flame weapon spell. I cried when I saw its duration. But it got my hopes up that you have added something else worthwile!

Thanks!
If you can maybe message me that would probably be best if you feel like a bit of mentoring.

[Kaeldorn]

I believe it's considered common knowledge that orcs are rather prevalent in this area, so you might want to choose them (eventually). And of course it might be a good idea to consider the most common enemy of mankind as well

Other than that, I find it best to not give any more spoilers. Favored enemies are often an integral part of a ranger's background, and as such choosing them based on a story/personality you have in mind is bound to make roleplay more satisfying when meeting those favored enemies.


Here's a listing of custom spells for rangers that Sundren offers:
http://www.sundren.org/wiki/index.ph...=Ranger_Spells
It's not much, but they can surely be helpful from time to time.


Lastly. you may not want to plan ahead to level 21. Several class abilities/feats have changed, there is currently a soft level cap of 15 (that will be increased to 20 later) and epic level content is liable to be altered before anyone reaches it. This to keep character power in tow as befits a low magic setting.

[Thief Of Navarre]

Pel is a ranger/darkwood stalker so Orcs are an integral part of his racial enemies. Thats only one concept! the nice thing about rangers is that you build a whole character profile based upon his favoured enemies, since a lot of the time you will spend fighting things!

-Some rangers are more balance orientated like druids and might favour undead or abberations or even outsiders since they arnt native to toril!
-Some more like a woodsman or warrior and prefer monsters who incroach upon their lands.
-Others still act like judiciers and might seek to bring evil humanoids or corrupt spellcasters to the law much like a paladin or cleric might!

*edit* Farstrider is a VERY good spell with a huge duration, it makes it easier to flee once pursued and to move about more while using a bow. while it might not make a huge difference to your dual weilding ranger if you plan on spending anymore than a round using a bow its very worthwhile preparing a slot with it!

[Zoberraz]

If you take a look at the wiki and take into account the inhabitants of the valley, you will see:

1- That the Exigo company is currently struggling against the Spittlefist Goblin tribe that is nestled in the Shaharan Hills.
2- Sundren city's storm drain system (sewers) has been plagued with an increasingly large amount of vermin - bats and giant rats - as well as reptilian humanoids known as lizardfolk.
3- The Legion have border forts around the Viridale Forest to curtail the expansion of the creatures within; ranging from Dire Beasts prowling around to the Mossclaw alliance (which includes the Muckspear goblins, the Mossclaw Gnolls, the Grimaxe Orcs and the Stonegrab Ogres).
4- The Necropolis is currently haunted by necromancer cultists of the Dark Advent, whom have raised many undead to do their bidding.
5- Kurz' cartel roam the mountain trails north of Aquor. These bandits include amongst their numbers half-elves, half-orcs and humans.
6- Recent news show that one of Sundren's farming communities, Sestra, has been overrun by snakefolk - monstrous humanoids including naga and yuan-ti, along with reptilian humanoids in the form of a powerful lizardfolk tribe.
7- Human rebels by the name of the "Veritas" are known to have a stronghold atop the Schild Mountains
8- The Mossdale forest is known to house the Bloodmaim Orcs, though there may be other diverse creatures in one would venture deeper in the forest.

The spell Thief-Of-Navarre refers to is actually Longstrider, which will significantly increase your movement for a good while. While it does allow some kiting to be done, the sheer convenience of being able to go everywhere faster is going to make it a mainstay in your spell-list.

You should check ahead of time the prestige classes that Sundren offers, to see in any interest you ahead of time. Do note, however, that Sundren has new prerequisites to many of these, including extra feats which may align you with a faction or note that you have done a certain deed.

You'll probably be glad to know that Sundren has a Druid Glade and a Ranger Outpost (the outpost is elevated on a platform to be concealed into the tree canopy) that also has its own small inn called the Ranger's Rest. That makes the druid and ranger classes rather well supported in this campaign setting.

Two-Weapon Fighting is certainly a viable path to go, though I heartily suggest you forego exotic weapons and go instead for a longsword/shortsword, battleaxe/handaxe or Warhammer/Light hammer combination. Those won't require the extra feat and won't impose a penalty to hit like wielding twin bastard swords would.

[TamurtheLame]

I have played a couple different types of rangers in Sundren and for melee weapons, I think the best one was a dex type ranger with dual shortswords was probably the most versatile and long living. Yes, you might think his damage wasn't that good; however, when dual wielding and getting the bonus feats with two weapon fighting, he hit so many times that when added up, it was pretty damn good. Also, you can take two weapon defense and improved two weapon defense, which provides 2 extra to your AC.

You also would only need to take weapon focus once, for the shortsword, instead of trying to take it twice for two different weapons. However, this all is based on your Rp and concept of your character. But....if you go dex, you need to start at least with a 17 dex and if elven, I would recommend a 19 dex to start.

Dual wielding bastard swords will really kill your AB, I think it would at least be minus 6 on each hand or maybe -4 and -8 on offhand, it is pretty big. Also, as Zoberraz said, you would have to burn a feat for exotic weapon.

Currently, I have a ranger that is bow focused and I think they might actually be more powerful than the two wielder. They get a lot of arrows out, with the special feats and do really good damage (crits in the 30-40 range at 7th level for my guy). They can also use longstrider to run, shoot, run, shoot, and kill targets before they even get to you.

Another point is that there are at least two prestige classes made only for Sundren for rangers, you might want to check them out before creating your ranger.

Hope this helps.

[Product of Void]

Duel weilding is always best to go with dex weapons. You can go with strength basised on a ranger but you loose sheild ac and other. (though it is cool).

With ranger I would figure going for Undead first, then perhaps human, Both are common as dirt in most PWs. After that you might have an idea of things you run into often. *cough* orcs *cough*.

Perhaps mixing the ranger class with say Invisible blade or Swashbuckler would be a good idea. Add in feint and all kinds of fun stuff.

DO not design your build for level 20+. Design for level 15 with possiblity of 20. maybe 21. But for the most part figure somethng that can survie to 5 then have it designed to 15.

If you do decide to go with a strength based ranger keep in mind that if leveling is hard from hunting you CAN level by just rp ticker.

[MrMidas]

Thanks guys I just need to sort out a tech problem before I can log in and at this point feeling like going Dex so might go with a rogue.

[MrMidas]

Grr here's the trouble:

I am in Australia and our internet provider has us on limited monthly useage and for business reasons I cannot go over that. It is way too early in the month for a real big download and I don't know how much the updater uses. Is it possible to get the files manually just so I can keep a better eye on what I am doing?

Thanks!

[Zoberraz]

Through the Sundren Updater, you're looking to download at least 1.01 gig of Hak files. To my knowledge, manual downloads aren't possible thus far.

[Saulus]

Our updater is the only way to get the files, there is no manual option planned or available due to the amount of directories files get stored in. The download is a little over 1GB last I checked.

[MrMidas]

Thankyou. I will have to check back and see how things are going a little later. I will get to play here one day I am sure

[Thief Of Navarre]

Heh, look forward to seeing your character ingame! Most of us are pretty willing to help out if your getting squashed by gobos