Class Discussion: Ranger

• Posted by Joshua James January 16, 2012 - 443 views

  

  I am currently at level 13 with my ranger, Sindathiel, and the roleplaying experience so far is a lot of fun and challenging. I've limited myself in what I can pickup, what I can carry on me and how I approach situations. Most of my time has been spent wandering around Rift taking down trappers, bandits and the occasional wolf, protecting the people of the corrupt city safe. I venture into town once in a while to sale unneeded equipment, furs, etc and to get a decent nights sleep in the tavern where I listen to the rumors of the townsfolk.

  When it comes to fights I definitely like to take out my opponents from range and without them knowing that I'm around. If I am quick enough I can take down 1-3 opponents with sneak and eagle eye before they know I'm around. It's a very satisfying feeling and it has a cool factor for me. Unsuspecting bandits talking around a campfire only for three arrows to come out of nowhere and take them out in quick succession. I also want to be able to hold my own in melee but I've noticed in boss fights I have a lot of difficulty. I don't use 2H weapons, axes or maces but I do use a 1H sword and or dagger; block is nice to have against certain opponents. Melee is definitely my weakest area out of my three mains (archery and stealth being the others) but after putting points into illusion, alchemy and restoration I'll concentrate on block / 1H for a few levels.

  It makes sense for the Bosmer to use magic. As Sindathiel comes from a more "tribal" background I can see him using spells such as calm, command animal (racial), muffle, detect life ("Tracking"), healing and healing hands. I don't use them as "direct" spells but as utility to heal himself, avoid fights, sneak and find enemies. It would be awesome to have spells, Druid-esque, that can be used offensively but are also natural in the sense that they involve animals and the environment instead of fireballs. The Midas mod has a few spells of interest but I haven't used them yet.

  Dragons are a problem though. I don't deal out that much damage compared to a beserker build or a mage with the right spells as my specialty seems to be ranged combat and stealth in open areas. Dungeons aren't that bad and I become a rogue but out in the wilderness I excel. Sneaking, kiting and speed work in my favor. Skyrim needs animal companions beyond a dog which could help out majorly and would be canon with fluff. It may be stereotypical but a ranger should at least be able to call upon animals to help him, animal allegiance sounds awesome but the few times I've used it I don't see any animals, and the environment itself. Having a wolf or Sabertooth rush into melee so I could sit back and hit at range would be epic. The animal companion would have to level up along with you so it wouldn't get annihilated of course.

  Overall that is my ranger. He packs light, can engage from range without anything knowing he's there and survive in melee against most opponents. Restoration keeps him alive and illusion confuses. Right now and probably for the next few levels he will be mostly ranged but he will definitely be a hybrid class using melee, ranged and magic to some effect.