Ranger/Cavestalker questions

[chad878262]

regards to level 3/7 bonus feats. Only Favored Enemies can be selected regardless of class. My guess is that either the "Bonus Feat" should be changed to indicate that the CS gains a Favored Enemy (not sure if the skill bonus/Damage stacks with Ranger FE's, but I imagine it would), or there should be an actual bonus feats list. While gaining FE's is of benefit to the Ranger, the rather small bonus of +1/+2 to skill/damage for a druid or any other class that goes CaveStalker is not very beneficial.

[freekender]

Regarding animal companion changes/additions, take a look at this thread:

http://bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=49041

I don't know the bonus feats available, but will try to take a look today.

I swear I checked that thread (first place I go to when thinking about a new build). I completely misse that paragraph

Later today I will create a ranger and a druid mixed with cave stalker and post my findings. Thanks for the added detail so I know what I'm looking for.

regards to level 3/7 bonus feats. Only Favored Enemies can be selected regardless of class. My guess is that either the "Bonus Feat" should be changed to indicate that the CS gains a Favored Enemy (not sure if the skill bonus/Damage stacks with Ranger FE's, but I imagine it would), or there should be an actual bonus feats list. While gaining FE's is of benefit to the Ranger, the rather small bonus of +1/+2 to skill/damage for a druid or any other class that goes CaveStalker is not very beneficial.

Thanks chad for taking the time to check this and for pointing to the missed paragraph!

[chad878262]

That's what we're here for! I have submitted a topic in qc to perhaps expand the bonus feats, but it is low priority considering fixes still needed.

[mrm3ntalist]

That's what we're here for! I have submitted a topic in qc to perhaps expand the bonus feats, but it is low priority considering fixes still needed.

Cavestalker is one of the PRCs that will be looked again. There were already some suggestions being made. You can post this new part there.

[Flasmix]

I honestly fail to see why a Druid would take any more than 3 levels in this class.
1) No spell casting progression.
2) No animal companion progression

A 3 level dip still means you need 2 feats to get back on track... Outside of some bonuses to hiding I don't see the appeal sadly.

[Steve]

I took 6 Cavestalker levels on my Druid. Mostly for Gaseous Form, whereat the time, it was not a freely available spell and gave my Druid done unique ability.

There is also the AC bonus, and Underdark Affinity allows all the Druid abilities to work in the UD. I think it is a very interesting PrC, and if it can be improved upon, even better!!

[freekender]

Thanks all again for all useful information!

Just one minor doubt: is Concentracion necessary or recommended for a ranger? I have seen both options in the builder.

[chad878262]

Concentration is always useful for a spell caster. However, rangers have so many useful skills! I personally never take it because with their limited spell slots you can't really afford to rebuff mid combat because all your slots are mostly used up by long term buffing. I think concentration various player to player... I didn't miss it, but mostly only used long term buffs.

[Wyatt]

I also found that I never cast anything in combat aside from maybe blades of fire. If needed I would always just HIPS and then cast. I had zero concentration on my ranger/cavestalker into mid 20's with no problem.

[freekender]

Concentration is always useful for a spell caster. However, rangers have so many useful skills! I personally never take it because with their limited spell slots you can't really afford to rebuff mid combat because all your slots are mostly used up by long term buffing. I think concentration various player to player... I didn't miss it, but mostly only used long term buffs.

I also found that I never cast anything in combat aside from maybe blades of fire. If needed I would always just HIPS and then cast. I had zero concentration on my ranger/cavestalker into mid 20's with no problem.

That exactly is what I was thinking about, but better ask the experienced before trying

[Wyatt]

Some of the harder decisions for me to make with my cavestalker were the feat related ones. I had a heck of a time deciding on whether I wanted to have a very strong pet and thus take natural bond and epic animal companion in the epics or if I wanted to focus more on just my character in combat and add some two weapon defense feats etc. One of the better feats to take if you are going 27/3 is definitely protective bond. Its a free 2 AC with that many ranger levels.

[chad878262]

One of the better feats to take if you are going 27/3 is definitely protective bond

Yes, if you make any Ranger build with 24 or more levels and miss protective ward you did something wrong... Especially if you took Two Weapon Defense, Armor Skin or maybe even LoH (LoH is 1 less AC but +1 to all saves so....), In any case, you should always get Protective Ward!!!

[Wyatt]

Right. Protective ward. Brain fart on the feat name. LoL

[chad878262]

Right. Protective ward. Brain fart on the feat name. LoL

Still very important advice since its not a feat in the stock game!

[freekender]

Some of the harder decisions for me to make with my cavestalker were the feat related ones. I had a heck of a time deciding on whether I wanted to have a very strong pet and thus take natural bond and epic animal companion in the epics or if I wanted to focus more on just my character in combat and add some two weapon defense feats etc. One of the better feats to take if you are going 27/3 is definitely protective bond. Its a free 2 AC with that many ranger levels.

Yes, if you make any Ranger build with 24 or more levels and miss protective ward you did something wrong... Especially if you took Two Weapon Defense, Armor Skin or maybe even LoH (LoH is 1 less AC but +1 to all saves so....), In any case, you should always get Protective Ward!!!

Yup, I took Protective Ward on the build. I decided too to take both Natural Bond an Epic Animal Companion to make the pet stroger.

Which I have not decided yet is the pet itself. The worg and the infernal hound suits the toon, but I do not know what characteristics (feats, etc.) they actually have.