| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Gerath Hoan |
Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 11:18:40
Hi there...
I was offered the opportunity to play in someone else's campaign as
a player for the first time in ages. Wanting to exercise some creativity i intend to revive a long disused character idea and play a Wood Elf Ranger/Druid. However this is calling into question my knowledge of the 3.5 rules system.
My question to the knowledgable scribes of Candlekeep is this: Does the Druid's weapon restrictions mean that i can't use all my martial weapon proficiencies i get from Ranger levels? I know there are specific sanctions for a Druid who wears armour not allowed by their class restrictions, but from the wording of the PHB 3.5 entry, it is unclear whether or not this carries over to weapon selection as well. I've even checked the downloaded FAQ on the Wizards website, but it makes no mention of this issue.
I'm aware that Ranger/Druids of Mielikki are exempt from this restriction, but i am playing a Wood Elf and would prefer to dedicate my character to an Elven god or goddess.
Any opinions from my fellow scribes would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
GH |
| 13 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Purple Dragon Knight |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 22:23:52
Elf ranger/druid? make sure you own a copy of Races of the Wild... the Leafsomething armor might interest you! |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 19:58:24
I was going to mention the Ranger/Favored Class thing, but once the forums went wonky, it kind of slipped my mind . . . |
| Gerath Hoan |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 19:54:57
I'm certainly not motivated by powergaming in my choice here.
I'm really losing out on some of what's most fun about being a druid (more uses of the wild shape ability, high level spellcasting) and losing out on being more powerful in combat (thanks to sacrificing all those Ranger levels). At the same time though, i'm getting what i think is a well rounded and self-sufficient character.
And agreed, the overlap of abilities, such as animal companion and wild empathy, actually makes this particular combination a bad choice for power gamers.
It looks very characterful and a lot of fun though. It really gets my memories of Warhammer Wood Elves going, which should bring out some different roleplaying qualities than my usual D&D Elven characters - and that's always the best reason to choose a particular character concept isn't it? I'm even picking a god i've never used for a priestly character before in Solonor Thelandira, which presents a whole new set of challanges and opportunities.
Let me know what you guys think,
GH
Oh, and whilst i'm thinking, i won't have to keep the levels of the two classes close to each other as some scribes mentioned, because the Ranger is the Wood Elf's favoured class. I could be a Ranger 3/Druid 8 (or whatever) without experience penalty. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 17:09:33
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
quote:
Originally posted by Alparon
still it would be a powerplay character, i don't recommend it
A Druid/Ranger is a perfectly viable combination flavor-wise; what are you going on about?
It's especially viable considering that in 2E, even though druids had to be true N, Mielikki was still served by druid/rangers. |
| Forge |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 16:14:58
Well, also when you consider the overlap of abilities from the 2 classes, Animal Companion, Spells, etc... Hard to consider it a powerplay. |
| Chosen of Bane |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 15:32:46
I don't know if the poster was trying to get a rise out of people, thinks that any multi-classing is powergaming, or is just plane wrong.
There are no two classes that mesh better flavor-wise than the Ranger and Druid (the cleric-paladin maybe be equal).
And from a powergaming standpoint, anytime you lose 10 levels from a strong spellcasting class you are not powergaming. I think a Druid 20 is going to outshine a Ranger 10/Druid 10. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 15:10:22
I don't see any problem with a Druid/Ranger. It's not like in 2E where you gain levels in both. If you're a 10th level Ranger and a 10th level Druid (barring Epic play), you're a pretty well rounded woodlands devoted character - not power gaming at all really.
C-Fb |
| Arivia |
Posted - 05 Dec 2005 : 12:41:03
quote:
Originally posted by Alparon
still it would be a powerplay character, i don't recommend it
A Druid/Ranger is a perfectly viable combination flavor-wise; what are you going on about? |
| Alparon |
Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 18:51:15
still it would be a powerplay character, i don't recommend it |
| Gerath Hoan |
Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 15:19:59
Thanks for the answers guys.
I've not done a lot of gaming in the new 3.5 rules so it was making my head hurt a bit trying to figure out what i could and couldn't get away with. 
I'm happy sticking to the armour restrictions of being a Druid, but with my Ranger levels i'm hoping to make my character into quite the archer.
And yes, i do plan on keeping the levels close enough to avoid XP penalty. I do remember that rule at least! 
Many thanks again,
GH |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 14:47:52
The only thing you might have to worry about is the class restrictions on gaining levels. If you multiclass, you may ake a -10% penalty on experience if the levels are not within one of each other.
C-Fb |
| Arivia |
Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 11:45:03
quote:
Originally posted by Gerath Hoan
Hi there...
I was offered the opportunity to play in someone else's campaign as
a player for the first time in ages. Wanting to exercise some creativity i intend to revive a long disused character idea and play a Wood Elf Ranger/Druid. However this is calling into question my knowledge of the 3.5 rules system.
My question to the knowledgable scribes of Candlekeep is this: Does the Druid's weapon restrictions mean that i can't use all my martial weapon proficiencies i get from Ranger levels? I know there are specific sanctions for a Druid who wears armour not allowed by their class restrictions, but from the wording of the PHB 3.5 entry, it is unclear whether or not this carries over to weapon selection as well. I've even checked the downloaded FAQ on the Wizards website, but it makes no mention of this issue.
I'm aware that Ranger/Druids of Mielikki are exempt from this restriction, but i am playing a Wood Elf and would prefer to dedicate my character to an Elven god or goddess.
Any opinions from my fellow scribes would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
GH
Weapon restrictions don't apply in 3.5-see the second paragraph of Weapons and Armor Profiencies in the druid entry in the PHB for what is restricted. They did apply in 3.0, though(hence the Nature Deities sidebar in F&P). |
| Kentinal |
Posted - 04 Dec 2005 : 11:37:59
The way I understand it, you are not subject to weapon restriction once taking a Ranger level, the chaecter just becomes proficient in more weapons. |
