Ranger questions. :O (PHB only)

[stormsouldevil]

I'm starting up a new 4e game.

Running an elf and wondering if I should go with dual bastard swords or a double sword/sword staff? (I am hoping to convince my DM to let me. I think he will.)

My thinking on the doublesword is that it'll be more fun and let me grab a bow so I can pinch hit.

Also if there's a pre errata thing to look at either to take advantage of or to avoid that's also appreciated.

[darkbard]

Rapiers for their amazing feat support as light blades. I wouldn't advise trying to mix melee and ranged capabilities except in very, very niche builds, and those, to the best of my knowledge, utilize thrown weapons, not bows and melee weapons. Have you read the Ranger optimization guide?

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthr...&prefixid=wotc

[stormsouldevil]

I've perused most of it, but taken it with a grain of salt since I'm running PHB only

[stormsouldevil]

And will go with out much on the bow. When I get into the point where the specialization starts to outshine I'll make it a pointed thing for my character. A little bummed that he isn't a very good archer.

[Tegu8788]

There is a very select group of Ranger Powers that let you melee with Dex, so you could more easily swap back and forth. But they aren't in the PHB, so that's neither here nor there.

Keeping up multiple magic weapons, and dealing with feats, you'll quickly outpace range with your melee weapons. Now, inherent bonuses can drastically reduce that issue, but still, not ideal.


Now saying that, if you have a decent RBA, grab a bow. It may not be ideal, but it's pretty cheap and there will be a few times when you'll want that range.

[stormsouldevil]

Sounds like a plan.

Either dual long swords and my MC Rogue, or grabbing a double sword.

[ThePurple]

Either dual long swords and my MC Rogue, or grabbing a double sword.

You can't sneak attack with a long sword (Sneak Attack requires a light blade; longswords are heavy blades; there's a feat to allow you to sneak attack with a longsword, but it's in Martial Power) so PHB MC rogue doesn't really provide much. Also, double sword isn't in PHB; it was released in the Adventurer's Vault (and heavily errata'd afterwards).

You've stated the PHB limitation multiple times but you seem to be mentioning a *lot* of stuff that's outside of it, which confuses me.

[stormsouldevil]

You can't sneak attack with a long sword (Sneak Attack requires a light blade; longswords are heavy blades; there's a feat to allow you to sneak attack with a longsword, but it's in Martial Power) so PHB MC rogue doesn't really provide much. Also, double sword isn't in PHB; it was released in the Adventurer's Vault (and heavily errata'd afterwards).

You've stated the PHB limitation multiple times but you seem to be mentioning a *lot* of stuff that's outside of it, which confuses me.

Asking Dm to let the Doublesword slide.

And forgot about the sneak attack issue. Probably go with bastard sword or weapon focus then.

[tiornys]

Bastard Sword isn't bad, but I agree the Rapier is worth serious consideration. Nimble Blade and Light Blade Precision offer you a lot more than the Heavy Blade feats do.

[masteraleph]

Are you playing with later updates/errata? Because the Rapier was a Superior Weapon as printed in PHB1. It got downgraded to Military in later sources.

[stormsouldevil]

Those are some tempting picks...even with Rapier as a Feat

I will take it under strong advisement.

[tiornys]

Those are some tempting picks...even with Rapier as a Feat

Rapier shouldn't cost a feat. It's a military melee weapon, and Rangers are proficient with all simple and military weapons.

[stormsouldevil]

Rapier shouldn't cost a feat. It's a military melee weapon, and Rangers are proficient with all simple and military weapons.

DM is making us use PHB as is. So sadly.... it will be a feat.

[tiornys]

DM is making us use PHB as is. So sadly.... it will be a feat.

Hmm. In that case you might want to go with a STR-WIS build and aim for Pit Fighter. You'd have to pick up heavy armor with a feat, though. Of course, the real payoff isn't until level 16, so that might not be worth it.