"Rakel, go on ahead. Scout out the opposition." Dorium needed to know what was lurking around the next corner, and after all, Rakel was an expert in such matters, not he.
"Why do I always get the dangerous part?" exclaimed the halfling.
"Just do it! You ARE an expert after all. What could happen?"
"What if I find something I can't handle?!"
Dorium sighed.
"Fine. Ethillar, go with her."
"Very well," replied a hooded figure, clad in plate.
Rakel exhaled in relief, shortly before disappearing into the shadows. Knowing that this mysterious figure was with her, Rakel could focus on the job at hand.

The idea of this build was to make someone who could sneak along with a rogue, even in plate if circumstances need, and be able to dish out high damage to mobs of sneak attack immune and critical hit immune monsters. This dual wielding ranger can also fill other roles in a party, from a limited archer (after buffing), to a front line fighter, to a limited healer and negotiator. Also, in accompanying a stealthy, dex-based char, you would need a better than average will save, since the rogue might very well get hosed by something like that. I also wanted to be able to take advantage of EWS by using TWF. This requires buffing and hide armor, but it is sufficient for most purposes. It should be noted that in order to do the most damage, this char will need to wear Hide Armor, otherwise the AB is a lower.

I really like Rangers, and Harper Scouts. To my surprise, they combined well enough to create a pretty versatile character. By making full use of HS and Ranger spells, this char can fill a number of roles. There is one other build using these classes, the Harper Ranger. The focus of that build was different enough from mine that I thought I could post.


Rogue's Companion
Ranger 31, Fighter 4, HS 5
Human

PvM, playable 1 to 40

str 16 to 26
dex 10
con 14 to 16
int 14
wis 14
cha 8

1 Ranger1 Luck of Heroes, Strong Soul, Fav En: Undead
2 Fighter1 Weap Foc: Handaxe
3 Ranger2 Iron Will
4 Ranger3
5 Ranger4
6 Ranger5 Fav En: Elementals, Stealthy
7 Ranger6
8 Fighter2 Impr Crit: Handaxe
9 Ranger7 KD
10 Ranger8
11 Ranger9
12 Ranger10 IKD, Fav En: Outsiders
13 Fighter3
14 Ranger11
15 Ranger12 Toughness
16 Ranger13
17 Ranger14
18 Ranger15 Fav En: Dragons, Alertness
19 Ranger16
20 Ranger17
21 Ranger18 EWF: Handaxe
22 HS1 ESF: Move Silently
23 Ranger19
24 Fighter4 WS, EWS
25 HS2
26 Ranger20 Fav En: Constructs
27 HS3 Epic Will
28 Ranger21
29 Ranger22
30 Ranger23 Bane of Enem, Epic Prowess
31 Ranger24
32 HS4
33 Ranger25 Fav En: Dwarves, Great Con I
34 Ranger26 Fav En: Human
35 Ranger27
36 Ranger28 Great Con II
37 HS5 ESF: Hide
38 Ranger29 Fav En: Gnomes
39 Ranger30 Fav En: Halflings, Armor Skin
40 Ranger31

Animal Companion: Dire Boar or Brown Bear or Panther, depending on who travels with you. Greater Magic Fang helps the companion deal out damage.

AC: naked 20
this char is best equiped with full plate. keeping a set of hide armor and a tower shield allows for greater versatility.

AB:
dual wielding 40/35/30/25 & 40/35
single wielding 42/37/32/27
bow 30/25/20/15
AB be be boosted with Aid and Blade Thirst.

Damage:
1-6 + 14 (19-20/x3), 1-6 + 10 (19-20/x3)

max HP: 540

Saves:
Fort 28(32) +1 vs Death Magic (Strong Soul)
Refl 17(21) +2 vs traps (Deneir's Eye)
Will 26(30) +2 vs mind affecting spells (Liira's Heart)
can be boosted by Tymora's Smile by 2 for 5 turns. that is a 34 will save against mind affecting spells. not too shabby for a char without CoT or Pal or BG levels.

Versus Favored Enemies:
AB:
dual wield 42/37/32/27 & 42/37
Damage:
1-6 + 14 + 7 + 2d6 (19-20/x3) = 21 + 3d6

Skills:
Discipline 43 (51)
Heal 20 (22)
Hide 43 (55)
Move Silently 43 (55)
Lore 6 (13) 5 is from Bardic Knowledge
Persuade 14 (13) with Eagle's Splendour this is decent
Search 4 (6)
Spot 40 (44) +7 vs Favored Enemies
Spellcraft 18 (20)
Tumble 40

Equipment:
Full plate, Hide Armor, Tower Shield, dual handaxes, bow

Using stacked Cat's Grace, you can effectively use Hide Armor and dual wield or use a bow.
Using a single Cat's Grace, you can effectively use Full Plate, a Tower Shield and a handaxe.

In full plate, hide/move silently is 47. This can be boosted by +4 with One with the Land, and +10 to Hide with Camouflage. that is a 61 to Hide, 51 to Move Silently. with a +10 to move silently from an item (awfully common in most places that i have seen, and not a very high level item at that), this is ridiculously high for a char in full plate. I recommend sneaking without a shield in plate, and then whip one out when the need arises.

Basically, i just wanted a Str-based stealthy char who could damage, consistently and without buffing, those who are considered a rogues most difficult foes. I am pleased with the result.

let me know what you think.

-c

.... .... .... .... ....

griphook ..Changed fav. enem. at lvl 26 + 34
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"Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement."

Edited By griphook on 09/01/05 14:45

another good build
I think I'd swop 1 of your player-race FEs for Constructs as they are the other main Crit/Sneak-immune monster group
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Teaching men a lesson in combat etiquette. Nifty idea. Well done.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Quote: Posted 08/31/05 20:46:44 (GMT) -- Amazon Queen

another good build
I think I'd swop 1 of your player-race FEs for Constructs as they are the other main Crit/Sneak-immune monster group

Dang! I copied over the older version, where i knew i forgot something. In this post, please replace the FE at level 26 with Constructs, and then the level 34 FE with Humans. This is how I did it when i tested it out, but i forgot to make those changes when i typed it out from the original idea. i really hafta get mee eyes checked...

Naturally, you want Constructs over some other race. Maybe, actually, you should keep giants and drop gnomes, since they are rare as opponents. i chose gnomes and halfling to counteract the small stature bonuses, also due to gnomes and dwarves high constitution (usually). humans is a good choice since everyone and their brother is a human. of course, the FE are totally up to the player, but definately choose constructs before any player races, unless you are pvping.

thank for the catch, my queen.

-c
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"Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." yes, I think in the end choice depends where you're playing
when designing modules or PWs I don't think Halflings or Gnomes get chosen as foes very often but humans, elves (Drow) and dwarves (Duegar) do but in PvP (which I've never played) they would be useful
I sometimes pick Aberrations (some really tough opponents in that group) or Vermin (I hate spiders) but only if I've got the main groups covered already
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Teaching men a lesson in combat etiquette. Great job on creating a unique build!
Great use of the 4 fighter levels to get Epic Weapon Focus.
As for this:
Quote: 
39 Ranger30 Fav En: Halflings

That's just not right! You may as well have chosen:

Quote: 
39 Ranger30 Fav En: Ewoks


Nice job.

Kaliban.
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Have fun storming the castle!
Quote: Posted 09/01/05 02:52:18 (GMT) -- Kaliban99

Great job on creating a unique build!
Great use of the 4 fighter levels to get Epic Weapon Focus.
As for this:
Quote: 
39 Ranger30 Fav En: Halflings

That's just not right! You may as well have chosen:

Quote: 
39 Ranger30 Fav En: Ewoks


Nice job.

Kaliban.

roflmao

if i would have been drinking anything when reading this, my computer would have a glaze of drink over the monitor.

-c
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Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
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