Ranger Path: Path of the Stalker

[The Kriv]

Was thinking about a Ranger Path that focused on the more hunter/stalker elements of the Ranger Class, as an alternative to the "Archer" path.

One idea I had come out of the idea of: What if a stealthed ranger could move at "running" speed while stealthed?

It would be a ranger-path that would focus on not being detected (Bonus to Hide/Move Silently) and also an advantage to detection in the form of an added bonus to "spot" skill vs. the Rangers Favored Enemies... and would enable him/her to move swiftly while stealthed to keep up with its prey.

Initially, I was thinking that this ability could be activated as a special ability and tied to the 'natural' areas in the same way that the Ranger's HiPS works, but can only be activated OUT OF COMBAT.

If the character has enough Ranger Levels to activate the HiPS feature, then activating the special ability -also- activates HiPS.

Should the character attempt to activate the ability either -in combat- or in an area that it doesn't qualify for the bonuses, then a default behavior would be simply to enter normal stealth without any of the added bonuses.


For underdark races... the ability would ONLY work in "exterior/underground" locations, giving Underdark characters the ability to use the function of stealthing while moving at standard run speed while underground.


An alternate version could be coded as a "rogue" path that activates ONLY in city/settlement areas.




What would the bonuses look like?

give up their two-weapon fighting feats in exchange for +4 Hid/MS (Same as Gift of Sneak); 10% speed increase when stealthed in qualifying areas*

At level 9: +6 Spot (Like an extra "Gift of Hunter" vs. Favored Enemies); +15% Speed increase (cumulative) when stealthed in qualifying areas* (increasing speed to +25% while stealthed)

At lvl 21: +6 Spot vs. Favored Enemy (total rises to +12) +15% speed increase when stealthed (cumulative) in qualifying areas*
(increasing speed +40% while stealthed) - activating ability also activates Ranger HiPS.

at lvl 28: (The premiere hunter/stalker!) +6 Sot vs. Favored Enemy (Total rises now to +18). Activation of Special Ability applies same speed as normal "run" speed while stealthed *


* = must activate through "Special ability" to gain the speed increase... unable to activate in Combat... same cooldown as HiPS.


even 9 levels of Ranger with the path would be a great compliment to Ranger/Rogues/Assassins... and the ability activated only outside of combat, and surface for surface characters and underground for Underdark characters.

with a small carrot for class-dip, the +6 spot initially works on everything... but at 9 + 21 + 28, the Spot Bonus is only applied versus favored enemies... so you're a LITTLE bit better at spotting everything... and REALLY good at spotting your Favored Enemies.



Thoughts??

[CosmicOrderV]

This sounds like the rogue update.

Increased stealth movespeed: check.
Increase detection skills: check.

Maybe try playing a rogue

Dip SD for HIPS and ranger for tracks, disc, and one more attack per round.

[The Kriv]

This sounds like the rogue update.

Increased stealth movespeed: check.
Increase detection skills: check.

Maybe try playing a rogue

Dip SD for HIPS and ranger for tracks, disc, and one more attack per round.

oh crud.