Hyborian Ranger
Contributed by T. Devon Sharkey (tdevon@[Link]), who notes that "this was originally a ranger
class I developed and let players use in a Harn based campaign. In case you are not familiar with
Harn, it is a fairly gritty, low-magic campaign setting modeled very closely on 13th century
Europe. I have tweaked it a bit here and there as time has gone on. Herbalism is listed as a new
class feat for the Hyborian ranger. I am developing a fairly involved Herbalism/Herbal Healing
system. It requires the Herbalism feat, which in turn requires that both Healing and Wilderness
Lore have 8 ranks. I am modeling it somewhat on Tracking, inasmuch as it is a feat which looks to
skills for success. In this case, Wilderness Lore will be checked to find the appropriate
plants/animals, and a Healing check will be required to prepare the herbs into a poultice, liniment,
or brew which brings about some type of cure. DCs will vary depending upon terrain and the relief
being sought."
Abilities: Dexterity is important since most rangers where light or no armor and many
of the ranger’s skills and abilities are based on dexterity. Dexterity is also important for
accuracy with missile weapons. A high Wisdom assists in Wilderness Lore and the
related task of Tracking. Strength is important for close combat.
Hit Dice: d8
Class Skills: The ranger’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Animal
Empathy (Cha, exclusive skill), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis),
Hide (Dex), Intuit Direction (Wis), Jump (Str), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Listen (Wis),
Move Silently (Dex), Profession (Wis), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Use Rope
(Dex), and Wilderness Lore (Wis).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) × 4.
Skill Points at each additional level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
All of the following are the class
features of the Hyborian Ranger.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A
ranger is proficient with all simple
and martial weapons, light armor and
shields. Note that armor check
penalties for armor heavier than
leather apply to the skills Balance,
Climb, Escape Artist, Hide, Jump,
Move Silently, Pick Pocket and
Tumble. Also, Swim checks suffer a –1
penalty for every 5 pounds of armor
and equipment carried.
Bonus Feats: At 4th, 11th and 20th
level the ranger gets a bonus feat.
These bonus feats must be drawn
from the following list: Alertness, Dodge, Endurance, Far Shot, Faster Healing*, Great
Fortitude, Herbalism**, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Run, Shot on the Run, Toughness. (*
From Masters of the Wild, ** New Feat.)
Weapon Focus: At 1st level the ranger must choose a listed ranged weapon in which to
focus. The listed weapons are: light crossbow, heavy crossbow, dart, sling, javelin,
shortbow, composite shortbow, longbow, and composite longbow.
Favored Terrain: At 1st level the ranger selects a type of terrain as favored terrain.
While adventuring in this terrain the ranger's deep familiarity gives him a bonus +3
bonus to the following skills: Animal Empathy, Hide, Intuit Direction, Listen, Move
Silently, Search, Spot, and Wilderness Lore.
At 5th level, and every four levels following the ranger gains a new favored terrain.
Additionally, he gains a +1 bonus to any previously selected favored terrain.
Tracking: At first level the ranger gains the feat of Tracking.
Point Blank Shot: At 2nd level the ranger gains the feat of Point Blank Shot with any
ranged weapon in which he has Weapon Focus. When making an attack with a Point
Blank Shot within the listed range the ranger adds +1 to any damage rolls for successful
attacks.
At 7th, 12th, and 18th level the range increment increases for a Point Blank Shot.
Additionally, the damage increases by +1 for each lower range increment. For example,
a 12th level ranger would have a +1 damage bonus up to 90 feet range, +2 from 30 to
60 feet, and +3 when range is 30 feet and under.
Ranged Sneak Attack: Starting at 3rd level a ranger may attempt a ranged sneak
attack on an opponent. Such attacks can only be made against opponents who are
stunned, surprised, off-balance or otherwise would lose their Dexterity bonus to their
AC. Such attacks also require that the ranger be within point blank range to the target.
A ranger with an extended Point Blank Shot may attempt Ranged Sneak Attacks from a
greater range.
A successful Ranged Sneak Attack deals the additional damage listed by the ranger's
level.
A sneak range attack requires careful aim, and is a full round action.
A ranger may flank an opponent to gain this benefit, but in no case can a flank attack be
made from more than 30 feet to gain the benefit of a Ranged Sneak Attack.
Pathfinding: At 3rd level the ranger gains the ability to quickly find the best route
through difficult terrain. If traveling off any trail or road on terrain more difficult than
grasslands/plains a check may be made per hour to find the best path. This is a
Wilderness Lore check with a DC of 20. If successful, the ranger moves as though
crossing grasslands/plains for that hour. For any party member who does not share this
ability there is a +1 to the DC of the Wilderness Lore check. Pathfinding cannot be
accomplished while mounted.
Leve Base Attack Fort Ref Will Special
l Bonus Save Save Save
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Weapon Focust, 1st Favored
Terrain, Tracking
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Point Blank Shot 30 ft.
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Ranged Sneak Attack +1d6,
Pathfinding
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Bonus Feat
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 2nd Favored Terrain
6 +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Ranged Sneak Attack +2d6
7 +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 Point Blank Shot 60 ft.
8 +8/+3 +6 +2 +2
9 +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 3rd Favored Terrain
10 +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Ranged Sneak Attack +3d6
11 +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 Bonus Feat
12 +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 Point Blank Shot 90 ft.
13 +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 4th Favored Terrain
14 +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 Ranged Sneak Attack +4d6
15 +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5
16 +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Ranged Sneak Attack +5d6
17 +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 5th Favored Terrain
18 +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Point Blank Shot 120 ft.
19 +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6 Ranged Sneak Attack +6d6
20 +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +6 +6 Bonus Feat