Rangers Spells

[akata]

The combination of barkskin and stoneskin for a ranger at level 16 is pretty darn strong though.

+5 natural AC and DR 10/3

Might consider giving barkskin a lvl 4 spellslot as well, just so it will mean a ranger needs to invest in wisdom to be able to combine these two.

hmm cant say I agree with that, rangers cant wear heavy armors (and keep their special abilities) forcing them to put more points in wisdom them the 14 they need to cast lvl 4 spells would in my eyes defeat the idea of giving the ranger the spells and push them towards druid instead

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

A Ranger with less than 14 WIS seems like a terrible idea, to me. Let's not forget that these hunters are supposed to be insightful. Harrumph.

[akata]

A Ranger with less than 14 WIS seems like a terrible idea, to me. Let's not forget that these hunters are supposed to be insightful. Harrumph.

you need the 14 simple to cast 1 lvl 4 spells filatus suggestion is to make Barkskin a lvl 4 spells a well so the Ranger need to put more wisdom in then 14 not saying they should got lower... only reason for that would be if you dont want your ranger to cast spells.. but why post in this thread then

[Filatus]

Ehm.. at lvl 20 rangers gets three lvl 4 spells? That is without taking in any wisdom modifier.

Just trying to balance things here. But if you want a class that can both fight and cast spells, don't complain about needing more than one ability.

[Hellblazer]

hmm cant say I agree with that, rangers cant wear heavy armors (and keep their special abilities)

sorry to say that if a ranger wears medium or heavy armors he lose the benefits of dual wields

forcing them to put more points in wisdom them the 14 they need to cast lvl 4 spells would in my eyes defeat the idea of giving the ranger the spells and push them towards druid instead

as far as I know the more points in wisdom will not only affect the numbers of spells, but also the strength and duration of those spells. And on the rp side of things it will also help the rangers in situation where his wisdom would be needed for him or others.

[twidget658]

Just trying to balance things here. But if you want a class that can both fight and cast spells, don't complain about needing more than one ability.

 
 You are talking about the MOST underplayed class in the ENTIRE game and you are worried about a little balance or making the class too powerful? All but about three rangers are played as rangers but have multiclassed. That is the thing that will hold the straight ranger from getting these other abilities. And seriously, the ranger class has never really been about casting spells. They do fight well, but they cannot go toe-to-toe with anything. A little magical protection will help the class.
 
 As far as the stoneskin/barkskin argument, what is the difference if the ranger casts it or if someone casts it on him/her?

[Filatus]

You are talking about the MOST underplayed class in the ENTIRE game and you are worried about a little balance or making the class too powerful? All but about three rangers are played as rangers but have multiclassed. That is the thing that will hold the straight ranger from getting these other abilities. And seriously, the ranger class has never really been about casting spells. They do fight well, but they cannot go toe-to-toe with anything. A little magical protection will help the class.

Firstly, I doubt they are the MOST underplayed class, always had that feeling about barbarians actually. If you go for straight classes, you'll have a hard time getting a long list of several, barbarians, fighters, rogues even bards because they're just perfect for multiclassing.

But until I actually read hard facts, you won't hear me say that. And a solid yes, balance lays at the very essence of a fun game, so yup, I think it's important. I thought this whole thread was about balancing for rangers?  

My suggestion actually FAVOURS the straight ranger over choosing to multiclass. As it should be, I'm sure you agree on that. A ranger 15 / rogue 5 has one lvl 4 spell, a ranger 20 has three of them. So how do you give something to the straight ranger here, rewarding going full class by giving them some edge in their understanding of nature?

As far as the stoneskin/barkskin argument, what is the difference if the ranger casts it or if someone casts it on him/her?

In a low magic world that focuses on group combat, it's a big difference I'd say.

There's nothing wrong with being passionate about this topic. But I think it's not necessary to be so defensive about it. Balance is your friend!

[stragen]

I still like IDii list but...slightly off current topic and a lot more work.  I would like to see polymorph self for rangers and clerics with the animal domain replace with some like polymorph animal.

I think polymorph self is a great roleplay spell, but it just doesn't make sense with the current forms.  If the forms were animals then it would be great!  

Yeah its too much work to do.

Polymorph Animal:

• Giant Spider
  • This form has a Poison attack.
• Ancient Dire Wolf (same as summons)
[/COLOR]
• This form regenerates Hit Points.
• Something?
[/COLOR]
• This form has True Seeing.
• Cheetah (same as druid form)
[/COLOR]
• This form has an increased movement rate.
• Raven
  • This form has [lore]Take to the Air[/lore]

[Lynn1020]

I think polymorph self is a great roleplay spell, but it just doesn't make sense with the current forms.  If the forms were animals then it would be great!  

That is a great idea!!!

[Dorganath]

I just want to mention something.

I'm currently considering making additional spells available to Rangers, but one thing I won't be doing is adding new spells specifically for Rangers or changing the behavior of any existing spells specifically for Rangers.

[Lord of the Forest]

I just want to mention something.

I'm currently considering making additional spells available to Rangers, but one thing I won't be doing is adding new spells specifically for Rangers or changing the behavior of any existing spells specifically for Rangers.

According to LORE barkskin requires a Holy Symbol to be worn while casting that spell. I know that Aid was altered for rangers to Ranger's Valor as a holy symbol did not make that much sense or something like that.

So in case rangers get barkskin ... would rangers need holy symbols again or will it get altered?

[Dorganath]

I don't know.  As I said, I'm only considering it.  Problem is this:

NWN does not know what class is casting a spell, so in order to make a spell behave differently specifically for rangers, I have to make a new spell for Rangers specifically.  Barkskin is probably a light example, but when we get into things like Ranger-specific polymorph forms, it's a lot more involved.  

So for spell effects, Rangers will have to cope with what everyone else uses.  For spell components/holy symbol requirements, I'll have to see.  No guarantees.

[Lord of the Forest]

Yeah I know. Polymorph for rangers already came up in the past but it would have been quite some workload.

I doubt rangers will moan about a material component, more about an amulet though. There was a reason why it was altered for aid anyways, heh. But then it is not much of a problem as you could simply switch amulets, cast and then switch back or simply consecrate an amulet, hehe.

Anyways, we'll see in the end

[twidget658]

There's nothing wrong with being passionate about this topic. But I think it's not necessary to be so defensive about it. Balance is your friend!

 
 Defensive? Passionate? Perhaps. I have played the ranger class since PNP. I love the concept of the ranger class and it reminds me of the way I was growing up near the woods. Getting up and going out all day walking miles over the country and going through woods until sun down. As I got older, hiking and caving peeked my interest and the Mammoth Cave National Park was a large getaway for me.
 
 I have played a ranger here for 3 years. This thread has been going for a year. I have seen people create rangers and a week later submit for a new character to abondon their ranger character. I have seen good people that played the ranger class just up and leave. Defensive? More like saddened and dishearted. Do I want a powerhouse? No, or I wouldn't have stayed with Rodlin for all these years. I do agree with balance as well, but there are some seriously powerful characters out there and to take a class that is suffering and hesitant to beef it up is a little on the frustrating side. That is all, really. Passionate is a good word for it.
 
 All it boils down to....
 
 
 
 
 
 I just want to stop getting beaten by goblins!

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

This has been implemented! Thanks go to all who discussed this topic, and to those who implemented the idea (including a brand new spell)!

[Lord of the Forest]

We got a brand new spell? ^^

[Dorganath]

Nah...Not completely new, just a customized Barkskin with adjustments for a) not requiring a holy symbol and b) effects based on a ranger's unique spell progression.

[Stephen_Zuckerman]

<<; It has a new name. So it's new. Nyah.

<3

[Desicardo]

I must say, after doing some game time with the new tricks, it has gone far to put rangers back in the game.  Thanks and kuddos to the team for being responsive and implimenting some of these ideas and making adventuring much more enjoyable.