Ranger vs. Wizard

[toapat]

If we're looking mere damage, IMO there's not so much difference between "i killed you" and "I overkilled you". Except, in the second case, there's a waste of resources...

the problem is, the optimal ranger for ranged combat has a number of restrictions. Skirmish's 5d6 is precision damage, its very feat intensive, theres a 3 level splash into Scout, you get -2 damage vs casters because theres only 4 favored enemies. you have to move alot each round. They dont get anything from the farshot subline of archery.

the mailman? throws a scorching ray, aimed by divination, at the ranger and kills them from outside their maximum range because the ranger doesnt have Farshot.

Melee rangers and Wildshapers arent even that lucky.

Hide life and the wizard ignores damage?

i dont think that would actually allow the Wizard to win, because i dont believe that partial action was defined in 3.5