Ranger (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

Many ranger archetypes are very atomized; each covers a very narrow field and thus works with many other archetypes. This is because the ranger has some questionable class abilities – spells, favored enemy, and favored terrain. Each of these options has optional rules and archetypes with suggested replacements below.

Combat Style

These additional combat styles are available.

Finesse Style

If the ranger selects finesse combat, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat Agile Maneuvers, Slashing Grace, Vital Strike, and Weapon Finesse.

• At 6th level, he adds Improved Vital Strike and Spring Attack to the list.
• At 10th level, he adds Greater Vital Strike and Wind Stance to the list.

Firearms Style

If the ranger selects firearms style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat: Amateur Gunslinger, Deft Shootist Deed, Extra Grit, Gunsmithing, Rapid Reload.

• At 6th level, he adds No Name, Ricochet Shot Deed, and Secret Stash Deed to the list.
• At 10th level, he adds Leaping Shot Deed and Signature Deed to the list. She can also learn the Dead Shot deed (as the gunslinger class ability) as if it was a feat.

A ranger with this fighting style that lacks the Amateur Gunslinger feat has a maximum and initial grit (as the gunslinger class ability) of one.

Quarterstaff Style

If the ranger selects quarterstaff style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat:

Dodge, Double Slice, Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Defense, and Weapon Focus (Quarterstaff).

• At 6th level, he adds Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Quarterstaff Master, and Tripping Staff to the list.
• At 10th level, he adds Greater Two-Weapon Fighting and Tripping Twirl to the list.

Spear Style

If the ranger selects spear style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat:

Bodyguard, Combat Reflexes, Gang Up, Gory Finish, Improved Initiative, and Stand Still.

• At 6th level, he adds Improved Critical, Shatter Defenses, and Weapon Focus to the list, and the benefit from these feats apply to the boar spear, boarding pike, longspear, shortspear, spear, and syringe spear.
• At 10th level, he adds Impaling Critical and Pin Down to the list.

Throwing Style

If the ranger selects throwing style, he can choose from the following list whenever he gains a combat style feat:

Charging Hurler, Close-Quarters Thrower, Distance Thrower, Sliding Axe Throw, Two-Handed Thrower, and Quick Draw,

• At 6th level, he adds False Opening and Parting Shot to the list.
• At 10th level, he adds Pinpoint Targeting and Shot on the Run to the list.

Favored Enemy

The favored enemy class feature is very situational, and several rules and options are available to correct this if it is felt to be needed.

Equalized Favored Enemy Option

At 5th level, when you select a second type of favored enemy, you can choose to set the bonus against this and all future favored enemies to +4 rather than having differentiated bonuses against different kinds of favored enemies.

Favored Enemy Replacement Options

• Armsmaster Ranger—Weapon specialization
• Crimson Claw—Crimson Assassin ranger
• Guide—Focus on quarry, enhanced terrains
• Horizon Walker—Terrain specialist
• Naffatun—Alchemist hybrid
• Smuggler Guide—Group guide
• Warrior Poet—Bard hybrid
• Woodland Skirmisher—Focus on one enemy & one terrain
• Yokai Hunter—Senses and fights monsters

Favored Terrain

Favored terrain is another questionable class feature with a number of alternates and options presented below.

Equalized Favored Enemy Option

At 8th level, when you select a second type of favored terrain, you can choose to set the bonus with this and all future favored terrains to +4 rather than having differentiated bonuses against different kinds of favored terrain.

Favored Terrain Replacement Options

• Crimson Claw—Crimson Assassin ranger
• Domain Champion—Cleric hybrid
• Deep Walker—Underground terrains
• Lantern Bearer—Anti slaver ranger
• Infiltrator—Imitate abilities of favored enemies
• Low Templar—Mercenary crusader
• Mammoth Rider—Giant beast rider
• Naffatun—Alchemist hybrid
• Shadow Ranger—Has shadows as a favored terrain terrain.
• Shapeshifter—Take on aspects of animals
• Steel Falcon—Guerrilla
• Sun Seeker—Dwarf tunnel ranger
• Urban Ranger—Favors communities
• Warrior Poet—Bard hybrid
• Woodland Skirmisher—Focus on one enemy & one terrain

Spellcasting

Spellcasting is another questionable class feature—many prefer a spell-less ranger. Here are alternatives to ranger spells.

Spellcasting Replacement Options

• Bow Lord—Magical archery
• Canny Ranger—Fencing
• Courier—Enhanced mobility
• Domain Champion—Domain spells
• Hash Slinger—Field cook
• Skirmisher—Mundane tricks replace spells
• Trapper—Sets and removes traps
• Wild Ranger—Wild shape
• Horizon Walker Terrain specialist
• Low Templar—Mercenary crusader
• Mammoth Rider—Giant beast rider
• Naffatun—Alchemist hybrid
• Smuggler Guide—Group guide
• Steel Falcon—Guerrilla
• Warrior Poet—Bard spells

External Links

• Treantmonk's Guide to Rangers in Pathfinder
• Handle Animal Guide

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