I have been working on the concept. Have finally modified the build to the point that I feel it is a generalized class not specialized. On top of the generalizing I made the class capable of being both roleplayable and effecient ( not extreme ).

Class: Ranger

Specialization: Combat
Favorite Attributes: Strength and Agility

Major Skills
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Alchemy
Athletics
Marksman
Blade
Light Armor
Armorer
Sneak

First thing to note with the class skills is to understand what Ranger is. A Ranger is a wanderer not an Archer. Yes most Rangers can and do use bows for hunting and tracking, but they also train using bladed weapons. Thought I point this out so we are on the same level of discussion.

Next note is about the lack of spell schools. Many will advocate Rangers know spells. Indeed they may. After all years of travel they are bound to pick up a few tricks. As for not having schools of magic has do with the training of a Ranger. They don't focus on magic meaning few will ever master magic.

--apologies for double post on ps3 wont let me post super long string of text--

Last thing to note. Rangers can and know how to repair equipment. Armorer is not waisted. Alchemy is the Rangers method of healing and natural understanding of herbalism. Sneaking is a tool of hunting or tracking which you may do. Athletics is the Rangers conditioning to move swiftly through the forest for long distances. Sure Acrobatics could work, but felt Rangers don't necessarily jump high. So again not a skill a Ranger would master easily.

Hopefully this class build can be noted for its roleplay association rather than individual preference.

I don't know, I wouldn't put Alchemy or Athletics as major skills... Alchemy levels really, really fast, and there's no way to control Athletics - as long as you're moving you're gaining xp in it. But that's just me.

The OP is intending this as an RP character. He's not worried about what will level fast and what won't. It is his vision of what a ranger is to him.

Emphasis mine. =) Had no problem with the RPing, was critiquing the 'efficient' part.

Hmmm, I guess I took efficient to mean effectiveness of the ranger build itself, not in terms of major/minor, level fast or slow, etc. Sorry if I misunderstood him.

It is both efficient and roleplay able. Keyword "AND"

Means you can roleplay still level up without stressing over stats. In this build your combat skills will level faster than Alchemy and Athletics. Why? Because a roleplayer isn't going to sit in town with a Ranger mass producing potions for cash. They are going to make what they will expect to use during exploration. Most often spend time scavenging for ingredients to make potions. After all a Ranger isn't at home in the city life.

For Athletics you are not going to run all the time. Only during combat and time situations.

So your concern is irrelevant if you actually roleplay.

rangers are pretty fun, I used to have an argonian ranger who lived in leyawiin and patrolled the blackwood area

This would be an excelent roleplay in my opinion. And maybe the simple switch of alchemy for restoration or illusion and you'd have an excelent chararcter for efficient leveling too.

Well done!

Thanks for responses. Yes if you so desire to be a control leveler you could add something other than Alchemy. You couldn't replace Athletics do to the integrity of the build would no longer be combat oriented.

I would replace armorer with block. if you can get your hands on a bunch of hammers then you can increase it quickly. Block also comes in handy for close quarters combat and when you need escape. but thats just me. ive had level 30 plus rangers on both Morrowind and Oblivion

I'd also be tempted with Block. But either way, kudos for coming up with a combo that reminds me somewhat of the original (and still the best) Ranger.

Authentic, is how it strikes me. :thumbsup:

This looks real good. Can't wait to start another true ranger.

This is a good build in my oppinion.
I agree with almost all of it except I don't think all rangers wear armor.
So if your ranger doesn't wear light armor then acrobatics would make a nice substitute.

Glad that my work on the concept is appreciated.

I myself fan of classic Ranger ( D&D, LotR, etc.. ).

Should this be added to build compilation topic?

Intrigued what new comments each would have now after few months.

I had a dilemma while playing this class. Few of the races fit the mold of being a Ranger. In my opinion Redguard, Wood Elf, and Imperial are really only suitable races that fit naturally.

I hate using bows, having to buy or find more arrows is a pain.

Plus in the arena, every shot you take is a gold coin down the drain.

Why do the Arena if you felt this way? Not all factions need to be joined. Especially a Ranger. Fighters' Guild and Dark Brotherhood are the two more likely joined based on the Ranger's morale tendencies.

I don't know about you, but I find that I can't go very far on the road without somebody sending me a "gift" of a few arrows, and they usually have a bunch more on their corpses... :wink_smile:

Same thing with gold coins, actually. After you find a few thousand of them, you don't worry much about an arrow here or there.

I like the ranger build, and I like the concept of setting the actual skills you're roleplaying. I do that, too, and use a "Realistic Leveling" mod to eliminate the whole issue.

I have never really had a problem managing arrows.

Although not the subject of this fine thread, a mystic archer can use magic to magnify the damage and reduce the number of arrows required (weakness to poison, weakness to magic, massive poisons, mind control spells, etc).

A ranger, on the other hand, can introduce a fight with a distant poisoned arrow, then do his finish with a blade.

In both cases, once marksman reaches 100, I find the number of arrows required goes down since my focus shifts from using plenty of arrows (to level up marksman) to challenging myself to see how few arrows I can use and still get the job done.

Limiting your character's top level to 30 or less (I use 20) helps conserve arrows because your foes have less hitpoints than they would at high levels. Onced my marksman and agility are 100 and I carry a daedric bow, I won't get any more lethal. I see no reason to allow goblin warlords to run around with thousands of hitpoints to wade through.

I think Dunmer fit brilliantly. If you haven't already, read up a bit of Lore on the Ashlanders of Morrowind and you'll see.

I also think Nords would work quite well. I can imagine a Nord Ranger patrolling the peaks of Skyrim.

My first character is a male-dark elf-ranger, with major skills exactly like that. I really enjoyed it and I think there is no problem with a stat like that. I think he is my best character (you can see him as my avatar). If you play on PC, maybe you could add a mod like portable campsite. I personally also add cyedinhal petshop so that I can have adventures with a tiger (I call him Dahana).

I have a Nord ranger, he lives in applewatch and usually stays in the jerall mountains.

Perhaps he and my Dunmer ranger should go on an expedition somewhere. I can see there being differences in skills used by both.

The moment u wrote 'ranger' i started thinking about some specialisation and skills ....

STR and AGI are just perfect ,though something like a non-existing Wisdom attribute (WIllpower?) would be equally fitting.
Skills match what i thought at first. Maybe giving away Light Armor for Block, but it could stay.

I agree 100% on the spell things - I never used spells in any game that offered Ranger as a class.

Btw, if u want to consider Ranger as a dual-wielder, there is a mod that allows u to do that to some extent (where ur 'shiedl' would be replaced by some short sword, used only for blocking though). the mod is called Evantal's i guess. Oh and it goes without saying that, although most races are good matches for Ranger (as it is a rp choice), I immediately think of Wood Elves.