Dual-wield Ranger

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

I have couple of minor questions regarding this style of Ranger.

First, does anyone know for certainly if Divine Champion grants Tumble? As it is one of the possible multiclass options I would like to know because that means +2 to AC.

Is Mithral Banded Mail now "the thing"? As I understand it's base AC has been upped to 6, which means that Mithral version now allows for 6+4 AC. Until this change, Mithral Breastplate was the best thing for this kind of characters, because it also granted up to 10 AC, but 5+5 option. With Banded Mail, I can save two ability points from Dexterity. So my question is is my math valid, and how hard is to obtain Mithral Banded Mail.

Weapon choice. Preferably something which has Hide and MS bonuses on them, available in shops. What can you recommend?

Multiclass options. I want to retain full CL, so that means either pure Ranger or 26 Ranger + 4 levels of something. I already mentioned DC which would grant me Tumble Access and Two universal saves. Bonus feats would be evened out as I have to take Practiced Spellcaster and I would lose one epic bonus feat from Ranger, as well as another FE group.

Other options would be Assassin or Whirling Dervish, I guess. What do you think? Any advice is appreciated.

[chad878262]

First, does anyone know for certainly if Divine Champion grants Tumble? As it is one of the possible multiclass options I would like to know because that means +2 to AC.

Divine Champion does not have tumble as a class skill.

Is Mithral Banded Mail now "the thing"? As I understand it's base AC has been upped to 6, which means that Mithral version now allows for 6+4 AC. Until this change, Mithral Breastplate was the best thing for this kind of characters, because it also granted up to 10 AC, but 5+5 option. With Banded Mail, I can save two ability points from Dexterity. So my question is is my math valid, and how hard is to obtain Mithral Banded Mail.

I think you mean Mithral Chainmail. Banded Mail is heavy armor so even mithral is medium so no ranger dual wield. Mithral chain will allow 14 DEX + Cats Grace of 15+ item of +3 DEX so is a viable option. (though there is a +4 mithral BP available for purchase...)

Weapon choice. Preferably something which has Hide and MS bonuses on them, available in shops. What can you recommend?

I think only Short Swords and Daggers are available in shops. If you are going STR based, but are not taking OSTWF you could wield a normal weapon in your main hand and a stealth bonus in the off hand. There is an epic Kukri that grants +3 DEX, +4 EB, 1-4 Acid and bonus to hide/MS (+2 I think), if you can find one for sale or trade. The lesser versions give +2 DEX and still give all the other perks except lower EB, if I recall correctly.

Fighter would give you 3 feats and you wouldn't need to take Weapon Focus (if you aren't planning to use the same weapon in both hands), but would not give the bonus to saves. CaveStalker (if you have darkvision) would give some nice benefits for underground, natural caverns (camouflage and hips), if you really want tumble you'll need to go with a different class as DC doesn't get it. Arcane Knight would though...

[Sun Wukong]

Multiclass options. I want to retain full CL, so that means either pure Ranger or 26 Ranger + 4 levels of something. I already mentioned DC which would grant me Tumble Access and Two universal saves. Bonus feats would be evened out as I have to take Practiced Spellcaster and I would lose one epic bonus feat from Ranger, as well as another FE group.

Dragon Slayer is a worthy PRC for your consideration.

Just four levels of that PRC grants you +4 Damage against dragons, so in a way you are not entirely missing out that last favored enemy, then there is the fear immunity, tumble as class skill, and you do not take a hit in your BAB progression.

Other similar enough PRCs would be Anointed Knight/Warrior of Darkness, and Dragonwarrior.

[freekender]

CaveStalker (if you have darkvision) would give some nice benefits for underground, natural caverns (camouflage and hips), if you really want tumble you'll need to go with a different class as DC doesn't get it. Arcane Knight would though...

I have not tested this but, according to wikia, Cavestalker does have Tumble as a class skill. It would be a nice dip for a Ranger.

[AlfarinIcebreaker]

Indeed, but not available to Elves, sadly.

[chad878262]

Indeed, but not available to Elves, sadly.

unless you also dip shadow dancer...which requires 19 DEX, Dodge, and Mobility...so probably not worth it, but it is possible R24/SD3/CS3 gets you HiPS everywhere and Camouflage will work in natural caverns as well as outdoors which is a nice perk, but a costly one.