The recent build Hidden Death by Groml and some research about Ranger/Rogue/SD inspired me this build. Differently from Groml's build this one goes Rogue instead of Assassin and gets more Ranger. Differently from the following and older builds this one is STR based.

Results from pulse cap's build searcher:
Rogue 10/Ranger 25/Shadowdancer 5 by harl3quin
Blade Of The Wilderness /Ranger 26/Rogue 13/SD1 + Ranger 23/Rogue 16/SD1 by Mithdradates
Shadow of the Underdark (Ranger 21/Assassin17/SD 2) & (Ranger21/Rogue17/SD 2) by Mithdradates
Ranger 23/Rogue 10/SD 7 by ThornHawk


So, we've got a STR based Ranger with BoE, 5/6 favoured enemies, 5d6/7d6 sneak attack, HiPS, good sneak skills once you factor Ranger spells in and the possibility to dual wield in light armor with a loss in AC limited to 2 points with a lucky Cat's Grace roll or with Cat's Grace and a minor DEX item. Better DEX gear will just make it easier to wear light(er) armor.

Damage output on a sneak vs FEs is a quite enjoyable 8d6/10d6 +17 per hit (avg 45/52, range 25-65/27-77).
Without sneaks it's still 3d6 +17 (avg 27.5 range 20-35).
Subtract 6 points and you get the damage for your offhand shortsword

Let's get into it.


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Shadowbane v.1 - Ranger(29), Rogue(10), Shadowdancer(1)
Human, any alignment
PvM, playable 1-40

STR: 16 (32)
DEX: 14
CON: 12
WIS: 14
INT: 12
CHA: 8

Hitpoints: 438
Skillpoints: 312
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 22/18/21
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +3, Traps: +1, Evasion
BAB: 29
AB: 44 (melee), 42(dual wielding), 32 (ranged), +2 vs FEs
AC (naked/light armor+shield/medium armor+shield): 22/28/30
Spell Casting: Ranger(4)
Sneak Attack: +5d6


SKILLS
Disable Trap 35(38)
Discipline 43(54)
Hide 43(45)
Move Silently 43(45)
Open Lock 1(3)
Search 2(3)
Set Trap 41(45)
Spellcraft 14(15)
Tumble 40(42)
UMD 36(35)
no points leftover


LEVELING GUIDE
01: Rogue(1): Dodge, Blind Fight
02: Ranger(1): Favored Enemy I, {Dual Wield}
03: Ranger(2): Weapon Focus: Short Sword
04: Ranger(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Ranger(4)
06: Ranger(5): Knockdown, Favored Enemy II
07: Rogue(2): {Evasion}
08: Ranger(6): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Ranger(7): Improved Critical: Short Sword
10: Ranger(8)
11: Ranger(9): {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}
12: Rogue(3): STR+1, Called Shot, {Uncanny Dodge I}, (STR=19)
13: Ranger(10): Favored Enemy III
14: Ranger(11)
15: Ranger(12): Toughness
16: Ranger(13): STR+1, (STR=20)
17: Rogue(4)
18: Ranger(14): Mobility
19: Ranger(15): Favored Enemy IV
20: Ranger(16): STR+1, (STR=21)
21: Shadowdancer(1): Great Strength I, {Hide in Plain Sight}, (STR=22)
22: Ranger(17)
23: Rogue(5)
24: Ranger(18): STR+1, Armor Skin, (STR=23)
25: Ranger(19)
26: Ranger(20): Epic Weapon Focus: Short Sword
27: Rogue(6): Great Strength II, (STR=24)
28: Rogue(7): STR+1, (STR=25)
29: Ranger(21)
30: Ranger(22): Great Strength III, (STR=26)
31: Ranger(23): Bane of Enemies
32: Rogue(8): STR+1, (STR=27)
33: Rogue(9): Great Strength IV, (STR=28)
34: Ranger(24)
35: Ranger(25): Epic Prowess
36: Ranger(26): STR+1, Great Strength V, Favored Enemy V, (STR=30)
37: Ranger(27)
38: Rogue(10): Crippling Strike
39: Ranger(28): Great Strength VI, (STR=31)
40: Ranger(29): STR+1, Favored Enemy VI, (STR=32)


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Shadowbane v.2 - Ranger(26), Rogue(13), Shadowdancer(1)
Human, any alignment
PvM, playable 1-40

STR: 16 (32)
DEX: 14
CON: 12
WIS: 14
INT: 12
CHA: 8

Hitpoints: 426
Skillpoints: 324
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 22/18/21
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +4, Traps: +2, Improved Evasion
BAB: 29
AB: 44 (melee), 42(dual wielding), 32 (ranged), +2 vs FEs
AC (naked/light armor+shield/medium armor+shield): 22/28/30
Spell Casting: Ranger(4)
Sneak Attack: +7d6


SKILLS
Disable Trap 35(38)
Discipline 43(54)
Hide 43(45)
Move Silently 43(45)
Open Lock 3(5)
Search 2(3)
Set Trap 41(45)
Spellcraft 19(20)
Tumble 40(42)
UMD 36(35)
no points leftover


LEVELING GUIDE
01: Rogue(1): Dodge, Blind Fight
02: Ranger(1): Favored Enemy I, {Dual Wield}
03: Ranger(2): Weapon Focus
04: Ranger(3): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Ranger(4)
06: Ranger(5): Knockdown, Favored Enemy II
07: Rogue(2): {Evasion}
08: Ranger(6): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Ranger(7): Improved Critical
10: Ranger(8)
11: Ranger(9): {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}
12: Rogue(3): STR+1, Called Shot, {Uncanny Dodge I}, (STR=19)
13: Ranger(10): Favored Enemy III
14: Ranger(11)
15: Ranger(12): Toughness
16: Ranger(13): STR+1, (STR=20)
17: Rogue(4)
18: Ranger(14): Mobility
19: Ranger(15): Favored Enemy IV
20: Ranger(16): STR+1, (STR=21)
21: Shadowdancer(1): Great Strength I, {Hide in Plain Sight}, (STR=22)
22: Ranger(17)
23: Rogue(5)
24: Ranger(18): STR+1, Armor Skin, (STR=23)
25: Ranger(19)
26: Ranger(20): Epic Weapon Focus
27: Rogue(6): Great Strength II, (STR=24)
28: Rogue(7): STR+1, (STR=25)
29: Ranger(21)
30: Ranger(22): Great Strength III, (STR=26)
31: Ranger(23): Bane of Enemies
32: Rogue(8): STR+1, (STR=27)
33: Rogue(9): Great Strength IV, (STR=28)
34: Rogue(10): Crippling Strike
35: Ranger(24)
36: Ranger(25): STR+1, Great Strength V, Favored Enemy V, (STR=30)
37: Rogue(11)
38: Rogue(12)
39: Rogue(13): Great Strength VI, Improved Evasion, (STR=31)
40: Ranger(26): STR+1, Epic Prowess, (STR=32)


********************


The second build loses a favoured enemy and -12 HPs but gets +2d6 sneak attack, IE and +12 skillpoints (in my case getting +1 to saves vs spells from spellcraft).

Trap skills are there and so is UMD. Some points in Animal Empathy might be a good choice for those low levels.

The saves are poor, IE will surely help such a ref save. Death ward and mind immunity are on your wish list. Stay away from dev critters or just don't let them hit you


**********


One option is getting heavy armor proficiency and drop called shot.

Another option is to go Halfling instead of human, give up Spellcraft and some skillpoints points here and there, focus in daggers, drop called shot, end with +1 AC with the shield, +2 AC dual wielding, same AB, -1 dmg, better stealth skills and become sheriff of the county

A further option is to delay all Rogue lvls to epic for +1 AB at the cost of playability. Wise move for a lvl 40 build though.

Finally you can start with 14 STR, 14 CON, 14 INT, lose -1 AB/dmg and get +40 HPs, +43 skillpoints. Now that I think about it it doesn't look bad...


********************


Feedback and constructive criticism are, as usual, gladly appreciated.


Cheers,
Kail
_________________
Heavy metal
Or no metal at all
Whimps and posers
Leave the hall!

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 07/31/06 02:54

Well done, Kail (as usual - and great to see from you )

On a quick review, I don't see anything that seems to require strength, so wondering why not go dex-based here instead, since you're using a short sword (which qualifies for weapon finesse), and thus can max out hide & m/s with fewer skill points, allowing you thus to max out UMD, too (such an amazing skill it is, as I learned from ya ) I know, dex base hurts the damage factor, but you've some nice spells to compensate for that (plus, you've UMD, spells, and also some cool buffs too, yes?). Rangers gets some really neat stuff, and the rogue (plus the HiPs) is a great touch: that sneak of yours in the second version, the first is also cool, but the second, look at all that sneak damage! Now, that's some hurt: COOL (love it!).

Just a thought; and either way, Kail, great build, as usual, and so good to see you

Oh, and so folks can see what it is that the ranger does get: Click Here

Edited By TyrTemplar on 07/31/06 04:24

What's the point of DEX, I have to ask? A ranger can stealth good enough, and it's all about damage. You might go DEX and give up some playabilty, but rangers definetly works better with Strength. If you say otherwise you haven't tried.

Good build, Pendragon. Go with 29 ranger, will'ya.
_________________
I see the fear you have inside, you can run but never hide.
I will hunt you down and tear you limb from limb.

I run the Pre-Epic Builders guild. Join and share your experience. Lovely.
_________________
"With Europe liberated, the people of the world turned their attention to that old devil, the United States of America [...] We taught that monster of old the true meaning of freedom."
Star Wreck OF COURSE str works best for damage

Me only point there (and just a though, eh?) was that, at the end of the post, Kail was musing about dropping an AB in exchange for more skills; my idea would have netted a few extra skills, at least to max out UMD or something, without having to drop an AB -- indeed, would lead to serious reduction in damage, and with all that stealth anyway, ... and yeah, rangers be neat; totally! Just a musin', and once again, with so many of 'em and all that great sneak, well, for sure, 'tis a great build DEX route is possible of course, but you'll want minimum 13 Rogue levels since you'll be aiming for ED. Rogue 16 would be needed to get in Crippling Strike too and that means losing 2 Ranger's bonus feats. Anyhow Mith's Blade of the Wilderness linked above is exactly such a build.

This said, I always liked my rangers to be strong since AD&D 1st edition

Thanks everyone for the comments!


Cheers,
Kail
_________________
Heavy metal
Or no metal at all
Whimps and posers
Leave the hall! I've always liked my rangers strength based too. I feel like the 3e and 3.5e rules (1D8 hit dice!?!) have significantly wussified them. Anyway, nicely done, I prefer the Ranger 29 variant as well. The only variant I would suggest is that I might drop wisdom by two and raise intelligence by the same so I could pick up another 43 skillpoints, and pick up IKD so I can get more use from my sneak attack. But you lose two levels of ranger spells.
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Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do. Oh, both are nice, although I prefer the second one, he's got Improved Evasion with a low Reflex, so the normal Evasion is almost useless, and you change a favored enemy for 2d6 sneak attack.

Hmmm? Rangers have always had 1d10 hit dice as far as I know, they better keep them that way.

Strong builds Kail, keep them coming. more ranger the better, in my opinion. go with 29. and dropping the strength for a little boost to skillpoints and hp is the way i would go. i just hate to have a ranger you can't stand in for a bit of melee. and when you go strength, you gotta melee.

general applause all around, i think.

-cs
_________________
“If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him...” It isn't a Dwarf, so its OK in my book.
Quote: Posted 08/01/06 23:14:35 (GMT) -- Thaxll'ssyllia

Hmmm? Rangers have always had 1d10 hit dice as far as I know, they better keep them that way.

Nope. Only in AD&D 2nd edition and 3.0 rules. So not exactly always......
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Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG Yeh, they get 6 skill points per level, HiPS (level 17), Evasion (level 9), and a choice to go Two Weapon Style (Imp TWF at level 6) or Archery style (some pansy bow feat at level 6) in the 3.5 rules. The FE damage is nerfed though, and there are a lot more FE categories, so your FE bonuses don't kick in on as many opponents. So yeah, they're still wussified - almost as much as any non-Dwarf character.

Anyway, nice builds Kail. I think I like the 29 RGR version slightly better.
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It's rogue, dammit, ROGUE!!! I'm not a professor like the rest of you here, but in my opinion you should go 14str,14dex,14wis (you need that much to get all the spells),14int,con14, you only lose 1AB and thats not all that much since you'll gain more hps and skillpoints.
Think I prefer the v.2, always been a fan of SA.
You could even drop two Grt str feats for 2 ISA (if you have the opportunity to do so). Will give you more damage vs non-sneak immune folks, specially vs other players.

Nicely done, and its always nice to be an inspiration, or at least make others think. I see both build as viable and IE from the second one is sweet with a lowish ref save and a low bonus to saves vs spells. The increased +2d6 sneak is not bad either and 1 less FE can be quite acceptable depending on the environment. Again, environment dictates choices.

As I said in the OP, going STR 14, INT 14, CON 14 is probably the wisest choice. When I built it I automatically went for 16 STR being this a STR build, but when I was revising the build for posting I realized that going 14 STr meant losing just little (-1 AB/DMG and some carrying capacity) but getting back +40 HPs, +1 Fort and +43 skillpoints (the latter the sweetest).
Personally I wouldn't want to lower WIS and lose 3rd and 4th lvl spells.

IKD is a must IMO if going with the latter stat spread, I agree. Called shot is a nice feat but it can be dropped.

Again thanks to all for the feedback. Pick your build and have fun maiming and killing

EDIT: if it were not for the XP penalty, I would have made this build a dwarf, definitely


Cheers,
Kail
_________________
Heavy metal
Or no metal at all
Whimps and posers
Leave the hall!

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 08/03/06 10:21

Quote: Posted 08/03/06 10:18:00 (GMT) -- Kail Pendragon
Again thanks to all for the feedback. Pick your build and have fun maiming and killing

EDIT: if it were not for the XP penalty, I would have made this build a dwarf, definitely


Cheers,
Kail

Stealthed dwarf?
Thats just so... wrong.

I cant even imagine what gives you such foul thoughts. You need rehab, soon.
Quote: Posted 08/03/06 16:03:30 (GMT) -- Groml

Quote: Posted 08/03/06 10:18:00 (GMT) -- Kail Pendragon
Again thanks to all for the feedback. Pick your build and have fun maiming and killing

EDIT: if it were not for the XP penalty, I would have made this build a dwarf, definitely


Cheers,
Kail

Stealthed dwarf?
Thats just so... wrong.

I cant even imagine what gives you such foul thoughts. You need rehab, soon.

There's nothing dwarves cannot do... except being wussies or Arcane Archers.
Quote: 
Quote: 
Stealthed dwarf?
Thats just so... wrong.

I cant even imagine what gives you such foul thoughts. You need rehab, soon.

There's nothing dwarves cannot do... except being wussies or Arcane Archers.

Oh really? Well we'll see about that then shant we?


Fixed broken quote - Kail Pendragon

Edited By Kail Pendragon on 08/05/06 21:28