Developed from suggestions listed for possible improvements to another build in the forum, which is this one:

Dancing Blades (Ranger 21 / Bard 9 / Red Dragon Disciple 10)
-- johann_howitzer

This is not an isolated class split, but only the second in exact quantity, this does achieve particular differences, noticeably the AB. Here are the others:

Dual Dever (Ranger 29 / Bard 1 / RDD 10)
-- darkfire_arrow01
Draconian Survivor (Ranger 26 / Bard 4 / RDD 10)
-- Der Unbekannte
Dragonbane (Ranger 23 / Bard 7 / RDD 10)
-- Emrill
Brood Of The Mountains (Ranger 28 / Bard 2 / RDD 10)
-- grizzled_dwarflord

Levels 1-40
PvM (as usual no idea about PvP - not my scene really)
Human
Chaotic Neutral (mirroring the usual Bardic route that impacts on the build)
Sharp Teeth Ranger

Bard(4), Ranger(26), Red Dragon Disciple(10), Human

Abilities:

STR: 16 (38)
DEX: 8
CON: 14 (16)
WIS: 14
INT: 14 (16)
CHA: 10 (12)

Progression:
01: Ranger(1): Power Attack, Cleave, Favored Enemy I, {Dual Wield}
02: Ranger(2)
03: Ranger(3): Blind Fight
04: Ranger(4): STR+1, (STR=17)
05: Ranger(5): Favored Enemy II
06: Ranger(6): Weapon Focus
07: Ranger(7)
08: Ranger(8): STR+1, (STR=18)
09: Ranger(9): Improved Critical, {Improved Two-Weapon Fighting}
10: Ranger(10): Favored Enemy III
11: Ranger(11)
12: Ranger(12): STR+1, Extend Spell, (STR=19)
13: Ranger(13)
14: Ranger(14)
15: Ranger(15): Toughness, Favored Enemy IV
16: Ranger(16): STR+1, (STR=20)
17: Ranger(17)
18: Ranger(18): Great Cleave
19: Ranger(19)
20: Ranger(20): STR+1, Favored Enemy V, (STR=21)
21: Bard(1): Armor Skin
22: Red Dragon Disciple(1)
23: Red Dragon Disciple(2): (STR=23)
24: Red Dragon Disciple(3): STR+1, Overwhelming Critical, (STR=24)
25: Red Dragon Disciple(4): (STR=26)
26: Red Dragon Disciple(5)
27: Red Dragon Disciple(6): Devastating Critical
28: Red Dragon Disciple(7): STR+1, (STR=27), (CON=16)
29: Red Dragon Disciple(8)
30: Red Dragon Disciple(9): Great Strength I, (STR=28), (INT=16)
31: Red Dragon Disciple(10): {Darkvision}, (STR=32), (CHA=12)
32: Bard(2): STR+1, (STR=33)
33: Ranger(21): Great Strength II, (STR=34)
34: Ranger(22)
35: Ranger(23): Epic Weapon Focus
36: Ranger(24): STR+1, Great Strength III, (STR=36)
37: Bard(3)
38: Ranger(25): Bane of Enemies
39: Ranger(26): Great Strength IV, Epic Prowess, (STR=37)
40: Bard(4): STR+1, (STR=38)

Hitpoints: 528
Skillpoints: 291
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 25/18/15
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +9
BAB: 30
AB (max, naked): 48 (melee), 30 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 23/31
AC Leather (25) and with Tower Shield (28)
Spell Casting: Bard(2),Ranger(4)

Skill Set:
Animal Empathy 42(43)
Discipline 40(54)
Lore 8(15)
Perform 8(9)
Spellcraft 42(45)
Taunt 43(44)
Tumble 40(39)
UMD 39(40)

You have a further 29 points to do with what you will.

Comments/ Feedback/ Critique if you would be so kind

Edited By I...Samphus on 03/08/07 22:12

Not bad. Can't complain about a good ranger. As always, watch out for modules or PWs which prevent the use of Dev Crit.

The one thing which bugs me is waiting sooo long for BoE. Push back your Bard and RDD levels by one, put a Ranger level there and grab it right away. Then switch AS towards later. I know that damage is not a concern with this much strength, but the immediate 2d6 is a big jump in comparison. And it makes the ranger FE really worth while. Why wait till the end for something which is easily attainable right away. Dev Crit, if delayed, isn't the end of the world, since it takes its time to get there anyways.

Well, just my ranting. Ignore as needed. Otherwise,

-cs
_________________
“If you bring a Ranger with you, it is well to pay attention to him...”
Quote: Posted 03/10/07 00:43 (GMT) -- christian.schnabel


The one thing which bugs me is waiting sooo long for BoE. Push back your Bard and RDD levels by one, put a Ranger level there and grab it right away. Then switch AS towards later. I know that damage is not a concern with this much strength, but the immediate 2d6 is a big jump in comparison. And it makes the ranger FE really worth while. Why wait till the end for something which is easily attainable right away. Dev Crit, if delayed, isn't the end of the world, since it takes its time to get there anyways.

-cs

A great idea, and pushing back Bard/RDD one level would still net Devastating Criticals at level 27.

But all in all, certainly a nice damage-dealing Ranger. a good point well made christian/ mantis. I had missed that entirely for some reason.

I will update this following any further comments made. One more thing: I don't think you net too much from extend spell, as your short turn buffs already will last 26 turns. Perhaps picking up exotic proficiencies and focusing in kukris would be more favourable? Really a personal call, but I prefer the threat range of the kukris. Hmm... fair point.

It was only there to give a better duration for all round/ level based spells (eg. Blade Thirst, Grease, etc.). But I would agree with you I think.

Not sure I would opt for Exotic Proficiency though. Probably Disarm as it provokes an AoO even if it fails. Samphus, I'm not sure you get Disarm quite correct. It lets your opponent get an AoO against you, which is always undesirable unless you have a damage shield up. This build doesn't get Wounding Whispers, so Disarm would only be useful if you actually want to disarm an opponent.

Early AB will be heavily influenced by Weapon Focus, yet you take Cleave very early. I'd take WF and Power Attack at creation, Cleave at level 3, and Blind Fight at level 6. Of course, such early levels are really rather trivial on most servers.

A note to those not familiar with Rangers: 2 Great Strengths are OK, netting 1 more damage and AB, but a really nasty option would be to take more Favored Enemies, depending of course on the server. Expanding BoE seems to me way more useful than simply 1 more damage/AB. And since the same could be said of my Dancing Blades build... maybe it's time I made some tweaks! Johann.... thanks for that. I am trying to remember just what the hell I was thinking.

As for PA and Cleave straight off the bat, I have found it much better at lower levels than another 1 to AB from WF. Particularly when you run into low level encounters with 2+ enemies. Your AB at that level is enough anyway in the main, but getting that extra blow in when you fell one enemy often helps me get through the encounter that much more safely. At the end of the day it is down to preference as all three feats are in the build anyway.

As to the Great Strength Feats, I am with you on the option of taking two further Favored Enemies instead. You still maintain a high unbuffed AB and wonderful damage output.

Edited By I...Samphus on 03/20/07 10:21