Surprisingly, there's only one other build in the listings with this particular class combination, but it's DEX-based. With that in mind, I thought I'd post this one.

Ranger 26/WM 7/SD 7

Playable 1 to 40, PvM.

Human, any alignment.

STR 14 (28)
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 14
WIS 14
CHA 8

1 )RGR1: Dodge/ Weapon Focus:Handaxe/ FE:Undead
2 )RGR2
3 )RGR3: Mobility
4 )RGR4: STR (15)
5 )RGR5: FE:Constructs
6 )RGR6: Spring Attack
7 )RGR7
8 )SD1: STR (16)
9 )RGR8: Expertise
10)RGR9
11)RGR10: FE:Elementals
12)RGR11: Whirlwind Attack/ STR (17)
13)WM1
14)WM2
15)WM3: Blind Fight
16)WM4: STR (18)
17)WM5
18)RGR12: Improved Critical:Handaxe
19)RGR13
20)RGR14: STR (19)

21)RGR15: Armor Skin/ Epic Weapon Focus:Handaxe*
22)RGR16
23)WM6
24)WM7: Epic Will/ STR (20)
25)RGR17
26)RGR18
27)SD2: GRT STR I (21)
28)RGR19: STR (22)
29)RGR20: Epic Prowess*
30)RGR21: Bane of Enemies
31)RGR22
32)SD3: STR (23)
33)RGR23: GRT STR II (24)/ FE:Outsiders
34)RGR24
35)RGR25: FE:Aberrations
36)SD4: GRT STR III (25)/ STR (26)
37)SD5
38)SD6
39)SD7: GRT STR IV (27)
40)RGR26: FE:Dragons/ STR (28)

*Replaces the FE bonus feat.

AB: +43 (+45 vs FEs) -2 when dual-wielding

Naked AC: 22

Max HPs: 466

Skills (301 points)
Discipline: 43
Hide: 43
Move Silently: 43
Set Trap: 41
Spellcraft: 18
Tumble: 40
Disable Trap: 10
Search: 12
23 points left over.

Saves (vs spells)
Fort: 22 (26)
Refl: 22 (26)
Will: 21 (25)

Advantages

1) Six Favored Enemies, covering almost all (if not all) crit-immune creatures, with Bane and an extra +6 damage vs them. This nicely offsets the loss of any possible critical hits vs these creatures.

2) Decent AB, even when dual-wielding.

3) Good Crit range and multiplier (17-20/x4)

4) HiPS, Evasion, Slippery Mind, Uncanny Dodge II (+2 Refl vs traps), and Shadow Evade.

5) All Ranger spell slots.

6) Reasonably versatile as far as armor choices go. With Cat's, he can confidently wear light armor, or he can opt for medium if the situation warrants. Shield and Expertise are options to boost AC when needed.

7) Traps: he's able to find and recover every trap of which a non-Rogue is capable. He can set Epic traps if he's able to get them.

8 ) Good Hide and MS skills to scout out the area.

9) Animal companion should be effective for at least the pre-epic levels (and good bait in epic levels).

Disadvantages

1) Mediocre saves. Evasion and Slippery Mind are nice additions, but may not be enough to make the difference.

2) Mediocre HPs. At only 466 HPs for a melee character, he may want to consider dropping Blind Fight for Toughness and perhaps a couple FEs for Epic Toughness. This would put him over the 500 HP mark.

3) No heavy armor proficiency. This may not be a big disadvantage, but having that proficiency would certainly add to his versatility.

4) A bit feat-starved. There are several feats I'd like to have been able to fit into the build, but there just isn't room. C'est la vie.

Notes

You could opt for Dwarf for this build as well, which would provide a CON of 16 to start and max HPs of 506. However, you'd lose a feat (either Blind Fight or Improved Crit) and 43 skill points.

If you're not worried about being able to set epic traps, you could shave 20 points off the Set Trap skill (which would allow you to set all non-epic traps) and use those extra points towards Concentration (if there's a need in your environment), cross classing Taunt (for those FEs), or Craft Trap (if your environment supports it).

griphook edited AB + GRT STR typo's
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!

Edited By griphook on 09/22/05 23:40

Another solid build. You certainly found a groove this week, though I wish there were a story to accompany this fellow.

Just one small note: you sold yourself short on your AB, I believe-- it should be 43, 41 Dualwielding.
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Quote: Posted 09/14/05 19:10:10 (GMT) -- grizzled_dwarflord

Another solid build. You certainly found a groove this week, though I wish there were a story to accompany this fellow.

Just one small note: you sold yourself short on your AB, I believe-- it should be 43, 41 Dualwielding.

You are correct, sir! Good catch. Thanks for the kudos. You know, I'm so used to not providing a story that I never even thought to write one. Gotta remember that next time.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!! I don't know if this slipped by everyone, or if nobody wanted to point it out, but I have my GRT STR feats numbered completely wrong:

27)SD2: GRT STR II (21)
28)RGR19: STR (22)
29)RGR20: Epic Prowess*
30)RGR21: Bane of Enemies
31)RGR22
32)SD3: STR (23)
33)RGR23: GRT STR III (24)/ FE:Outsiders
34)RGR24
35)RGR25: FE:Aberrations
36)SD4: GRT STR IV (25)/ STR (26)
37)SD5
38)SD6
39)SD7: GRT STR VI (27)

They should be GRT STR I through IV. Same results, but just a labelling problem...

.... .... .... .... ....
griphook ...Done
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!

Edited By griphook on 09/22/05 23:42

Quote: Posted 09/22/05 21:55:14 (GMT) -- Cinnabar Din

I don't know if this slipped by everyone, or if nobody wanted to point it out, but I have my GRT STR feats numbered completely wrong:

They should be GRT STR I through IV. Same results, but just a labelling problem...

.... .... .... .... ....
griphook ...Done


I noticed.

I had started a reply in Notepad, but I figured if that's all the critique I could muster I should just shaddup and enjoy my ale in peace and quiet!

It's a build that deserves better

Kaliban
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This space for rent One thing about this build. Its a STR based ranger, and that makes it unecessary to take crit immune creatures as FE's. Your damage will be good no matter. Take enemies you will see a lot of instead. Its always circumstantial, but i just wanted to point that out. Grimnir: good point, and good to note.

Kal: tip an ale for Griphook, he deserves it, considering all the typos he's fixed in my build posts!
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!!
Quote: Posted 09/23/05 01:55:38 (GMT) -- Grimnir77

Its a STR based ranger, and that makes it unecessary to take crit immune creatures as FE's. Your damage will be good no matter. Take enemies you will see a lot of instead.

Great point Grimnir77.

Bartender! Get this man a drink! And put it on Cinnabar's tab

Kaliban
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