Ranger Rework by

<div class='cover-header'>Ranger Rework</div>

<div class='cover-footer'>Giving the Ranger its own Identity</div>

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# Ranger
##
Since its first inception, Rangers have received many complaints, which can be summarized as:
* The Ranger does not have a strong core identity.
* Rangers have too many ribbon features.
* Rangers are too weak in combat.
* Rangers are too front loaded. There is little reason to continue past level 5 instead of multiclassing.
* Rangers have too many spells requiring concentration.
* Hunter’s Mark should have been a feature.
* Rogues and Bards are potentially better explorers and trackers than Rangers.
* Beast Master feels clunky and weak.

The purpose of this rework is to address these complaints while minimizing the number of changes to the original class. The goal is to hopefully better implement the game designer’s original vision of the class, and not to completely reimagine it (except for the beastmaster subclass).

For a full, in-depth explanation on all the changes and additions to the class, you can refer to Appendix E: Design Notes. I explained how each feature was addressed. Note that I did not agree with every complaint listed above and explained my reasoning when appropriate. For example, I disagree that the Ranger is weak in combat.

For the core identity of the Ranger, I based the class on the following concepts, adapted from the *Player’s Handbook* and *Unearthed Arcana: Ranger (2015)*.

### Survivors
Rangers can wander a barren wilderness alone for months, living only on what they find. A group with a ranger has a significantly easier time surviving in the wilds.

Key features: Natural Explorer, Favoured Terrain, Herbal Medicine

### Skirmishers
Rangers are often the last line of defense against the monsters that threaten the edges of civilization. They cannot rely on backup, because they are the backup. As such, Rangers often find themselves against unfavourable odds. They balance these odds by harnessing their spells and the full potential of their environment.

Key features: Spellcasting, Primal Endurance, Primal Soul

## Credits
##
Created by **Raymond Hua**

**Cover Art:** Leidora by *Astri Lohne*

**Interior Art:** Untitled by *Yuan Bin Hu*, MtG Seek the Wilds by *Dawn Murin*, Untitled by *Wenqing Yan*, Medicine Man by *zinnaDu*, Connection by *Yuumei*, Bear by *Ivan Laliashvili*, Jon Snow by *Pablo Olivera*, L.O.R.D. by *Xiaodi Jin*, Panther Rider by *Jee-Hyung Lee*, Sacred White Deer by *G-host Lee*, Phase Dolphin by *Lie Setiawan*

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/GyD06WI.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:0px; width:816px' />

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##### Class Name
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | Spells Known | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th |
|:---:|:---:|:---|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
| 1st | +2 | Natural Expertise, Favored Terrain | - | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2nd | +2 | Fighting Style, Spellcasting, Hunter's Mark | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 3rd | +2 | Ranger Archetype, Herbal Medicine | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 6th | +3 | Herbal Medicine Improvement, Primal Endurance | 4 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 7th | +3 | Ranger Archetype Feature | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement, Land's Stride | 5 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 9th | +4 | ─ | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 10th | +4 | Primal Soul | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — |
| 11th | +4 | Ranger Archetype Feature, Improved Hunter's Mark | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| 13th | +5 | ─ | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 14th | +5 | Herbal Medicine Improvement, Exotic Favored Terrain | 8 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 15th | +5 | Ranger Archetype Feature | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 9 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | 
| 17th | +6 | ─ | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 18th | +6 | Feral Senses | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 20th | +6 | Endless Hunt | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |

</div>

## Class Features
As a ranger, you gain the following class features
#### Hit Points
___
- **Hit Dice:** 1d10 per ranger level
- **Hit Points at 1st Level:** 10 + your Consitution Modifier
- **Hit Points at Higher Levels:** 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per ranger level after 1st

#### Proficiencies
___
- **Armor:** Light armor, medium armor, shields
- **Weapons:** Simple weapons, martial weapons
- **Tools:** Herbalism Kit

___
- **Saving Throws:** Strength, Dexterity
- **Skills:** Choose two from Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Investigation, Perception, and Stealth.

#### Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- *(a)* scale mail or *(b)* leather armor
- *(a)* two shortswords or *(b)* two simple melee weapons
- *(a)* a dungeoneer's pack or *(b)* an explorer's pack
- A herbalism kit
- A longbow and a quiver of 20 arrows

### Natural Expertise
You are skilled at navigating the wilderness and living off the land. You gain proficiency in the Nature and Survival skills if you don't already have it. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of those proficiencies.

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<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/rNOAD8A.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:0px; width:816px' />

### Favored Terrain

You are particularly familiar with one type of natural environment and are adept at traveling and surviving in such regions. Choose one type of favored terrain: arctic, coast, desert, forest, grassland, mountain, swamp, or the Underdark. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to your favored terrain, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill that you're proficient in.

You also gain the benefits corresponding to your favored terrain:

#### Arctic
You gain resistance to cold damage.
#### Coast
You gain a swim speed equal to your speed. If you already have a swim speed, your swim speed is doubled. You can hold your breath for twice as long.
#### Desert
You gain resistance to fire damage.
#### Forest
Choose a skill from the ranger skill list that you are not proficient with. You become proficient with that skill.
#### Grassland
Your speed increases by 10 feet.
#### Mountain
You gain a climb speed equal to your speed. If you already have a climb speed, your climb speed is doubled. You do not suffer the negative effects of high altitude.
#### Swamp
You gain resistance to poison damage and have advantage on saving throws against poison.

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#### Underdark
You gain darkvision out to range of 60 feet. If you already have darkvision from your race, its range increases by 30 feet. This feature counts as a racial feature for the purpose of Gloom Stalker's Umbral Sight.

### Fighting Style

At 2nd level, you adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again.

#### Archery
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with
ranged weapons.

#### Defense
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +I bonus to AC.

#### Dueling
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.

#### Two-Weapon Fighting
When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add
your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack. In addition, that second attack no longer costs a bonus action.

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### Spellcasting

By the time you reach 2nd level, you have learned to use the magical essence of nature to cast spells, much as a druid does. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and chapter 11 for the ranger spell list.

#### Spell Slots
The Ranger table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain ali expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

For example, if you know the 1st-level spell *shield* and have a 1st-level and a 2nd-level spell slot available, you can cast *animal friendship* using either slot.

#### Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher
You know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the
ranger spell list.

The Spells Known column of the Ranger table shows
when you learn more ranger spells of your choice. Each
of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For instance, when you reach 5th level in this c1ass, you can learn one new spell of 1st or 2nd level.

Additionally, when you gain a level in this c1ass,
you can choose one of the ranger spells you know
and replace it with another spell from the ranger
spell list, which also must be of a leveI for which you
have spell slots.

#### Spellcasting Ability
Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your ranger spells, since your magic draws on your attunement to nature. You use your Wisdom whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a ranger spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
<div style='margin-top:20px'></div>
 
 <font face='scalysans' size='2'>
 
 <center> 
 
 **Spell Save DC** </font> = <font face='scalysans' size='2'> 8 + your proficiency bonus + 
 
 </center>
 
 <div style='margin-top:-8px'></div>
 
 <center> your Wisdom modifier </center>
 
 <div style='margin-top:12px'></div>
 
 <center>
 
 **Spell attack modifier** </font> = <font face='scalysans' size='2'> your proficiency bonus + 
 
 </center>
 
 <div style='margin-top:-8px'></div>
 
 <center> your Wisdom modifier </center>
 
 </font>

### Hunter's Mark

Starting at 2nd level, you can expend a spell slot to mystically mark a creature as your quarry for 24 hours. The target or its tracks must be visible to you and within 90 feet of you. For the duration of the mark, you have advantage on any Wisdom (Perception) or Wisdom (Survival) check you make to find it. If the target drops to O hit points while the mark is still active, you can mark a new creature with no action required.

The spell slot confers a pool of Huntsman dice, each die having a size of d6. The pool has 2 dice for a 1st-level spell slot, plus an additional die for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5 dice.  For the duration of the mark, after you make an attack roll or damage roll against the marked creature, you may expend any amount of Huntsman dice from your pool and add the roll(s) to the result.

You can only have one mark active at a time. Using this feature on a currently marked creature simply extends the existing mark by 24 hours, and replaces the pool of Huntsman dice with the one conferred by the new spell slot.

> ##### What about the Hunter's Mark spell?
> The Hunter's Mark feature replaces the Hunter's Mark spell. If you don't like this change, feel free to keep the spell and replace the Hunter's Mark and Improved Hunter's Mark features with this:
> ### Hunter’s Mark (v2)
> At 2nd level, you learn the Hunter’s Mark spell. It does not count against your number of spells known. It no longer requires concentration. You can still only have one Hunter’s Mark active at a time. You cannot mark a new creature when the target of your Hunter’s Mark drops to 0 hit points.
>
> Starting at 11th level, if the target of your Hunter’s Mark drops to 0 hit points before the spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn to mark a new creature.

### Ranger Archetype
At 3rd level, you choose an archetype that you strive to emulate: Hunter or Beast Master, both detailed at the end of the c1ass description. Your choice grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 11th, and 15th level.

### Herbal Medicine
At 3rd level, your life in the wilderness has taught you the properties of the plants surrounding you. You know how to gather the right ingredients to produce poultices and medicinal teas of Normal quality.

Each gathering attempt takes 30 minutes. Make an Intelligence (Nature) check with a DC of 12. Make the roll with advantage if you are in possession of a Herbalism Kit. On a success, you collect one ingredient, determined by rolling on the Foraging Ingredients table. On a critical success (succeed by 10 or more), you instead recover 1d4 ingredients, making separate rolls for each on the Foraging Ingredients table. If you are gathering ingredients in your favored terrain, any success is considered a critical success. Gathering counts as a light activity for the purposes of resting and does not interrupt a short rest.

##### **Foraging Ingredients**

| d20  | Ingredient |
|:---:|:-----------:|
|  1-11  | Healing Berries |
|  12-17  | Curative Roots |
|  18-20  | Restorative Herbs |

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The items that you can craft using these ingredients are specified in Appendix A: Herbal Medicine Recipes. For each attempt to craft those items, you must succeed on a Wisdom (Survival) check against the corresponding DC. You must be in possession of your Herbalism Kit. Crafting counts as a light activity for the purposes of resting and does not interrupt a short rest. The ingredients, poultices, and teas lose their potency if not used or consumed within 24 hours.

You can craft poultices and teas of Greater quality at 6th level, and of Superior quality at 14th level.

> ##### Variant: Herbal Medicine
> Herbal Medicine is in fact a simplified version of the Alchemy Almanac by u/heavyarms_. If you are a more experienced player or simply interested in a more developed alchemy system, it is strongly recommended to use The Alchemy Almanac. In this case, replace Herbal Medicine’s benefits with the following:
> * You gather ingredients twice as fast.
> * You double your proficiency bonus for checks made with the Herbalism Kit.
> * Gathering counts as a light activity for the purposes of resting and does not interrupt a short rest.
> * Crafting counts as a light activity for the purposes of resting and does not interrupt a short rest. You can choose to craft impure potions using Herbal alchemy in only 30 minutes. The time required becomes 20 minutes at 8th level and 10 minutes at 14th level. Impure potions lose their potency if not consumed within 24 hours. 
> ##### Variant #2: Primeval Awareness
> If you dislike the complexity of Herbal Medicine, feel free to replace the feature with Tasha's *Primal Awareness*
> ### Primal Awareness
> You can focus your awareness through the interconnections of nature: you learn additional spells when you reach certain levels in this class if you don't already know them, as shown in the Primal Awareness Spells table. These spells don't count against the number of ranger spells you know.
> | Ranger Level  | Spell |
> |:---:|:-----------:|
> |  3rd  | *speak with animals* |
> |  5th  | *beast sense* |
> |  9th  | *speak with plants* |
> |  13th  | *locate creature* |
> |  17th  | *commune with nature* |
> You can cast each of these spells once without expending a spell slot. Once you cast a spell in this way, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

### Ability Score Improvements
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

### Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

### Primal Endurance
At 6th level, your survival on the edges of civilization has trained your endurance and mental focus to new heights. You are proficient in Constitution saving throws.

### Land's Stride

Starting at 8th level, moving through nonmagical difficult terrain costs you no extra movement. You can also pass through nonmagical plants without being slowed by them and without taking damage from them if they have thorns, spines, or a similar hazard.

In addition, you have advantage on saving throws against plants that are magically created or manipulated to impede movement, such those created by the *entangle* spell.

### Primal Soul
At 10th level, your supernatural focus enables you to concentrate on two distinct Ranger spells at the same time. While doing so, you only need to make a single saving throw with disadvantage when trying to maintain concentration on both spells. Additionally, if you lose concentration on both spells as a result of taking damage, you suffer a level of exhaustion.

> ##### Dislike Double Concentration?
> Use Tasha's *Nature's Veil* instead.
> ### Nature's Veil
> You draw on the powers of nature to hide yourself from view briefly. As a bonus action, you can magically become invisible, along with any equipment you are wearing or carrying, until the start of your next turn.
>
> You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

### Improved Hunter's Mark

By 11th level, you have learned to deliver each strike with relentless focus. Whenever you hit a creature under the effects of your Hunter's Mark, you deal an additional 1d6 damage.

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<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/GyD06WI.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:0px; width:816px' />

### Exotic Favored Terrain
At 14th level, your travels in otherworldly environments forced you to adapt to new dangers. Choose one type of exotic terrain: Elemental Planes, Feywild, Shadowfell, Abyss, Nine Hells, or Astral Sea. When you make an Intelligence or Wisdom check related to your favored terrain, your proficiency bonus is doubled if you are using a skill that you're proficient in.

You also gain the benefits corresponding to your exotic favored terrain:

#### Elemental Planes: Elemental Wanderer
You learn the spell *Protection from Energy* if you do not already know it. *Protection from Energy* does not count against the number of ranger spells you know. You can cast it a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once) without expending a spell slot and without maintaining concentration. You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest.

#### Feywild: Light of the Faerie
Whenever you target a creature with *Hunter's Mark*, that creature must succeed a Dexterity saving throw or be under the effects of the *Faerie Fire* spell for *Hunter's Mark*'s duration. On a successful save, that creature becomes immune to being placed under this effect by you for 24 hours.
#### Shadowfell: Shadow Step
When you are in dim light or darkness, as a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is also in dim light or darkness.
#### Abyss: Bloodlust
When you cast a  1st-level *Hunter's Mark*, you can choose to target all creatures of your choice within range, as if you cast *Hunter's Mark* separately for each target. If you do so, you may not transfer the mark if any target drops to 0 hit points. In addition, when you cast *Hunter's Mark*, you may change the spell's damage type to radiant for its duration.
#### Nine Hells: Lord of Terror
When you target a creature with *Hunter's Mark*, that creature must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or become frightened by you until the spell ends. The frightened target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. On a successful save, the creature becomes immune to being placed under this effect by you for 24 hours.
#### Astral Sea: Psionic Bane
When you target a creature with *Hunter's Mark*, the creature must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failure, whenever the target makes an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a d6 and subtract the number rolled from the saving throw. On a successful save, that creature becomes immune to being placed under this effect by you for 24 hours.

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### Feral Senses
At 18th level, you gain blindsight with a range of 30 feet.

### Endless Hunt
At 20th level, you have become an unparalleled hunter. While you have Hunter's Mark active, you regain up to 2 Huntsman dice at the start of your turn. You can never have more Huntsman dice than the size of the pool conferred by the level of the spell slot.

> ##### Not using my variant of Hunter's Mark?
> ### Apex Predator
> At 20th level, you have become an uparalleled hunter. The additional damage from Hunter's Mark increases to 2d6.

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## Ranger Archetypes
The ideal of the ranger has two classic expressions: the Hunter and the Beast Master.

### Hunter
Emulating the Hunter archetype means accepting your place as a bulwark between civilization and the terrors of the wilderness. As you walk the Hunter's path, you learn specialized techniques for fighting the threats you face, from rampaging ogres and hordes of ores to towering giants and terrifying dragons.

#### Peerless Hunter
You learn the Archery fighting style. If you already know the Archery fighting style, choose another option from the Fighting Style class feature.

#### Hunter's Prey
At 3rd level, you gain one of the following features
of your choice.

***Colossus Slayer.*** Your tenacity can wear down the most potent foes. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, the creature takes an extra ld8 damage if it's below its hit point maximum. Vou can deal this extra damage only once per turn.

***Giant Killer.*** When a Large or larger creature within 5 feet of you hits or misses you with an attack, you can use your reaction to attack that creature immediately after its attack, provided that you can see the creature.

***Horde Breaker.*** Once on each of your turns when you make a weapon attack, you can make another attack with the same weapon against a different creature that is within 5 feet of the original target and within range of your weapon.

#### Defensive Tactics
At 7th level, you gain one of the following features
of your choice.

***Escape the Horde.*** Opportunity attacks against you are made with disadvantage.

***Multiattack Defense.*** When a creature hits you with an attack, you gain a +4 bonus to AC against all subsequent attacks made by that creature for the rest of the turn.

***Steel Will.*** You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

#### Multiattack
At 11th level, you gain the following features.

***Volley.*** You can use your action to make a ranged attack against any number of creatures within 10 feet of a point you can see within your weapon’s range. You must have ammunition for each target, as normal, and you make a separate attack roll for each target.

***Whirlwind Attack.*** You can use your action to move up to half of your speed. During this movement, you can make a melee attack against any number of creatures within 5 feet of you, with a separate attack roll for each target. You can only target each creature once. If you are two-weapon fighting, you can attack each target with both weapons.

#### Superior Hunter's Defense
At 15th level, you gain one of the following features of your choice.

***Evasion.*** You can nimbly dodge out of the way of certain area effects, such as a red dragon's fiery breath or a lightning bolt spell. When you are subjected to an effect that allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you instead take no damage if you succeed on the saving throw, and only half damage if you fail.

***Stand Against the Tide.*** When a hostile creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to force that creature to repeat the same attack against another creature (other than itself) of your choice.

***Uncanny Dodge.*** When an attacker that you can see hits you with an attack, you can use your reaction to halve the attack's damage against you.

> ##### Alternative Beast Companions
> If you like this iteration of the Beastmaster but feel too restricted by the beast options, feel free to reskin any of the choices and replace the original animal traits with more appropriate ones. Alternatively, you might want to create an original beast companion from scratch. If you do so, consider what conceptual and mechanical niches your beast would fill that would set it apart from the other options.

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### Beast Master
The Beast Master archetype embodies a friendship between the civilized races and the beasts of the world. United in focus, beast and ranger work as one to fight the monstrous foes that threaten civilization and the wilderness alike. Emulating the Beast Master archetype means committing yourself to this ideal, working in partnership with an animal as its companion and friend.

#### Animal Companion
At 3rd level, you learn to use your magic to create a powerful bond with a creature of the natural world. You can spend 8 hours bonding with a beast that has not yet reached maturity. You normally select your companion from among the following animals: a brown bear, a dire wolf, a giant eagle, a panther, or an elk. Their statistics are specified in Appendix B: Animal Companions.

The animal must already have a strong relationship with you (DM’s discretion). At the end of the 8 hours, the animal companion gains all the benefits of the Companion’s Bond ability. If you perform the ritual with a different animal, then the bond with your previous animal companion disappears. If your animal companion is dead, you may spend 8 hours and at least 25 gp worth of rare herbs to resurrect it as if you cast the True Resurrection spell.

#### Companion's Bond
The companion takes its turn on your initiative. It tries its best to follow your orders and acts independently otherwise. Your companion’s stats are replaced by the ones specified in Appendix B: Animal Companions. It becomes proficient in Strength and Dexterity saving throws. Your companion regains all lost hit points after it finishes a long rest.

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#### Linked Hearts
At 3rd level, your life force becomes intertwined with your companion’s. As an action, you can touch your animal companion and transfer any number of your remaining hit points to it. Alternatively, you can expend 5 hit points to cure your animal companion of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it.

#### Linked Minds
At 7th level, you learn the spell *Beast Sense* if you do not already know it. Beast Sense does not count against your number of spells known. You can cast Beast Sense on your animal companion a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) without expending a spell slot. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

#### Chrysalis

At 11th level, your animal companion has grown to full maturity. Its stat changes are indicated in Appendix B: Animal Companions.

Furthermore, the primal magic that connects you to your animal companion is slowly infusing itself into your companion’s essence. Your animal companion's attacks are considered magical for the purposes of overcoming resistance.

#### Metamorphosis
At 15th level, the primal magic that flows through your animal companion blooms and unlocks a metamorphosis called an Aspect, as specified in Appendix B: Animal Companions.

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/zdcYLtP.png' style='position:absolute; top:00px; left:0px; width:950px' />

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# Appendix A: Herbal Medicine Recipes

#### Healing Poultice
___
- **Preparation Time:** 10 minutes
- **Components:** Alcohol, Healing Berries (1), Cloth, Moss or Leaves
- **Duration:**  1 hour
___
You drench a handful of moss or leaves with alcohol and juice extracted from the Healing Berries. You bind the poultice tightly around the target’s wound using a piece of cloth.

***Normal.*** DC 10, For the duration, whenever the target expends a hit die, instead of rolling, the target regains hit points as if they rolled the maximum number.

***Greater.*** DC 15, Healing Berries (2). In addition to its normal effects, the poultice enables the target to regain 1d4 hit dice at the end of the duration.

***Superior.*** DC 19, Healing Berries (3). In addition to its normal effects, the poultice enables the target to regain 1d8 hit dice at the end of the duration.

#### Curative Tea
___
- **Preparation time:** 20 minutes
- **Components:** Water, Curative Roots (1), a small fire
- **Duration:**  Instantaneous
___
You boil the Curative Roots into a tea enough for one person.

***Normal.*** DC 10, The target is cured of one disease affecting it.

***Greater.*** DC 15, Curative Roots (1) + Healing Berries (1). The tea ends one condition affecting the target. That condition can be blinded, deafened, paralyzed, or poisoned.

***Superior.*** DC 19, Curative Roots (2) + Healing Berries (1). The tea cures the target of all diseases and conditions affecting it. The conditions can be blinded, deafened, paralyzed, or poisoned.

#### Reinvigorating Tea
___
- **Preparation Time:** 30 minutes
- **Components:** Water, Restorative Herbs (1), a small fire
- **Duration:**  Instantaneous
___
You grind the Restorative Herbs and grind them into a tea enough for one person.
	
***Normal.*** DC 15, The target can restore an expended spell slot no higher in level than fifth. The target must spend a number of hit dice equivalent to the spell slot level.

***Superior.*** DC 19, Restorative Herbs (2). The target can restore two expended spell slots in level no higher than 5th. The target must spend a number of hit dice equivalent to the combined spell slot levels.

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/NAwDGQF.png' style='position:absolute; top:-30px; left:-100px; width:950px' />

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# Appendix B: Animal Companions
##

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/uuPdJix.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:0px; width:816px' />

____

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____
> ## Brown Bear
>*Medium (Level 11, Large) Beast, Your alignment*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 11 + proficiency bonus
> - **Hit Points** 6 x level (**Level 11**, 9 x level)
> - **Speed** 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
> - **Proficiency Bonus** your proficiency bonus
>___
>At **Level 11**, ability scores become the ones indicated in **bold**.
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|15 (+2) |10 (+0)|14 (+2)|2 (-4)|12 (+1)|7 (-2)|
>|**19 (+4)**|**10 (+0)**|**16 (+3)**|**2 (-4)**|**13 (+1)**|**7 (-2)**|
>___
> - **Skills** Proficient in Perception
> - **Senses** passive Perception 11 + proficiency bonus
> - **Languages** Understands all languages that you speak.
> ___
>***Keen Smell.*** The bear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
>
>***Sentinel.*** When the bear hits a creature with an opportunity attack, the creature’s speed becomes 0 for the rest of the turn.
>
>***Aspect of Spring (Level 15).*** The bear may transform into an Aspect of Spring (no action required). A soft glow shimmers around the bear and seems to rejuvenate the plant life around it. The transformation lasts for 10 minutes or until the bear chooses to revert to its normal form (no action required). The transformation ends early if the bear drops to 0 hit points. The bear may not use this ability again until it has finished a short or long rest.
>
>***Regeneration (Aspect of Spring Only).*** The bear regains 10 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point.
> ___
> ### Actions
>
> ***Bite or Claws.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* Str mod + Proficiency Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d6+2 piercing (Bite) or slashing (Claws) damage. (**Level 11**) Damage increases to 2d6+4.
>
> ***Gift of Life (Aspect of Spring Only) (Recharge 5-6).*** The bear magically emits green light in a 10-foot radius for a moment. The bear and each creature of its choice in that light regain 2d10 hit points.

\pagebreakNum

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/g6l5tBv.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:150px; width:816px' />

___

\columnbreak

___
> ## Dire Wolf
>*Medium (Level 11, Large) Beast, Your alignment*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 11 + proficiency bonus
> - **Hit Points** 5 x level (**Level 11**, 8 x level)
> - **Speed** 40 ft., (**Level 11**, 50 ft.)
> - **Proficiency Bonus** your proficiency bonus
>___
>At **Level 11**, ability scores become the ones indicated in **bold**.
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|12 (+1) |15 (+2)|12 (+1)|3 (-4)|12 (+1)|6 (-2)|
>|**17 (+3)**|**15 (+2)**|**15 (+2)**|**3 (-4)**|**12 (+1)**|**7 (-2)**|
>___
> - **Skills** Proficient in Perception and Stealth
> - **Senses** passive Perception 11 + proficiency bonus
> - **Languages** Understands all languages that you speak.
> ___
>***Keen Hearing and Smell.*** The wolf has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.
>
>***Pack Tactics.*** The wolf has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the wolf’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
>
>***Aspect of Winter (Level 15).*** The wolf may transform into an Aspect of Winter (no action required). The wolf’s fur turns white as snow and its eyes become pale blue. The air surrounding the wolf covers everything in frost. The transformation lasts for 10 minutes or until the wolf chooses to revert to its normal form (no action required). The transformation ends early if the wolf drops to 0 hit points. The wolf may not use this ability again until it has finished a short or long rest.
>
>***Snow Camouflage (Aspect of Winter Only).*** The wolf has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy terrain.
>
>***Frigid Air (Aspect of Winter Only).*** All enemy creatures within 30 feet of the wolf have disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws.
> ___
> ### Actions
>
> ***Bite.*** *Melee Weapon Attack :* Str or Dex mod + Proficiency Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d8+2 piercing damage. (**Level 11**) Damage increases to 2d8+3.
>
> ***Winter’s Howl (Aspect of Winter Only) (Recharge 5-6).*** The wolf exhales a blast of freezing wind in a 15-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. On a fail, a creature suffers 4d8 cold damage and all attacks against it until the start of your next turn gain advantage. On a success, a creature suffers only half damage.

\pagebreakNum

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/GyD06WI.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:-90px; width:816px' />

______
> ## Giant Eagle
>*Medium (Level 11, Large) Beast, Your alignment*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 10 + proficiency bonus
> - **Hit Points** 4 x level (**Level 11**, 7 x level)
> - **Speed** 10 ft., fly 60 ft. (**Level 11**, fly 80 ft.)
> - **Proficiency Bonus** your proficiency bonus
>___
>At **Level 11**, ability scores become the ones indicated in **bold**.
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|12 (+1) |15 (+2)|10 (+0)|7 (-2)|14 (+2)|7 (-2)|
>|**16 (+3)**|**17 (+3)**|**13 (+1)**|**8 (-1)**|**14 (+2)**|**10 (+0)**|
>___
> - **Skills** Proficient in Perception
> - **Senses** passive Perception 12 + proficiency bonus
> - **Languages** Giant Eagle, Understands all languages that you speak.
> ___
>***Keen Sight.*** The eagle has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
>
>***Aspect of the Sun (Level 15).*** The eagle may transform into an Aspect of the Sun (no action required). The eagle feathers adopt a golden sheen that reflects the light in iridescent colours. The transformation lasts for 10 minutes or until the eagle chooses to revert to its normal form (no action required). The transformation ends early if the eagle drops to 0 hit points. The eagle may not use this ability again until it has finished a short or long rest.
>
>***Iridescence (Aspect of the Sun only).*** The eagle's feathers radiate with aura of the sun, providing bright light in a 60-foot radius and dim-light for an additional 60 feet.
> ___
> ### Actions
>
> ***Beak or Talons.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* Str or Dex mod + Proficiency Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d4+2 piercing (Beak) or slashing (Talons) damage. (**Level 11**) Damage increases to 2d4+3.
>
> ***Wings of the Phoenix (Aspect of the Sun Only) (Recharge 5-6).*** The eagle’s wings erupt in flames as it dashes towards its enemies. The eagle flies up to its speed. All creatures within 10 feet of the eagle during its movement must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 fire damage.

\pagebreakNum

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/QMVlPWl.png' style='position:absolute; top:0px; left:0px; width:816px' />

\columnbreak

___
> ## Panther
>*Medium Beast, Your alignment*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 11 + proficiency bonus
> - **Hit Points** 4 x level (**Level 11**, 7 x level)
> - **Speed** 50 ft., climb 40 ft. (**Level 11**, 80 ft., climb 60 ft.)
> - **Proficiency Bonus** your proficiency bonus
>___
>At **Level 11**, ability scores become the ones indicated in **bold**.
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|14 (+2) |16 (+3)|10 (+0)|3 (-4)|14 (+2)|7 (-2)|
>|**15 (+2)**|**20 (+5)**|**13 (+1)**|**4 (-3)**|**14 (+2)**|**7 (-2)**|
>___
> - **Skills** Proficient in Perception and Stealth
> - **Senses** passive Perception 12 + proficiency bonus
> - **Languages** Understands all languages that you speak.
> ___
>***Keen Smell.*** The panther has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
>
>***Pounce.*** If the panther moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the panther can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
>
>***Sneak Attack. (Level 11)*** Once per turn, when the panther hits a creature while having advantage on the attack roll, the panther deals an extra 2d6 damage. 
>
>***Aspect of the Moon (Level 15).*** The panther may transform into an Aspect of the Moon (no action required). Wisps of shadow mask the panther in darkness. The transformation lasts for 10 minutes or until the panther chooses to revert to its normal form (no action required). The transformation ends early if the panther drops to 0 hit points. The panther may not use this ability again until it has finished a short or long rest.
>
>***Shadow Step (Aspect of the Moon Only).*** When the panther is in dim light or darkness, as a bonus action, the panther can teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space it can see that is also in dim light or darkness. The panther then has advantage on the first melee attack it makes before the end of the its turn.
> ___
> ### Actions
>
> ***Bite or Claws.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* Str or Dex mod + Proficiency Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d6+3 piercing (Bite) or slashing (Claws) damage. (**Level 11**) Damage inceases to 1d6+5.

\pagebreakNum

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/zdcYLtP.png' style='position:absolute; top:00px; left:00px; height:1080px' />

______
______
> ## Elk
>*Medium (Level 11, Large) Beast, Your alignment*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 11 + proficiency bonus
> - **Hit Points** 5 x level (**Level 11**, 8 x level)
> - **Speed** 50 ft. (**Level 11**, 60 ft.)
> - **Proficiency Bonus** your proficiency bonus
>___
>At **Level 11**, ability scores become the ones indicated in **bold**.
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|16 (+3) |10 (+0)|12 (+1)|2 (-4)|10 (+0)|6 (-2)|
>|**16 (+3)**|**14 (+2)**|**14 (+2)**|**7 (-2)**|**11 (+1)**|**10 (+0)**|
>___
> - **Skills** Proficient in Perception
> - **Senses** passive Perception 10 + proficiency bonus
> - **Languages** Understands all languages that you speak.
> ___
>***Keen Sight.*** The elk has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
>
>***Charge.*** If the elk moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 1d4 damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
>
>***Aspect of the Stars (Level 15).*** The elk may transform into an Aspect of the Stars (no action required). The elk's body appears spectral and becomes shrouded in a mystical aura of faerie lights. The transformation lasts for 10 minutes or until the elk chooses to revert to its normal form (no action required). The transformation ends early if the elk drops to 0 hit points. The elk may not use this ability again until it has finished a short or long rest.
>
>***Spiritual Guardian (Aspect of the Stars Only).*** All creatures of your choice within 15 feet of the Elk has their speed halved.
> ___
> ### Actions
>
> ***Ram.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* Str mod + Proficiency Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d4+3 bludgeoning damage. (**Level 11**) Damage increases to 2d4+3.
>
> ***Hooves.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* Str mod + Proficiency Bonus to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d6+3 bludgeoning damage. (**Level 11**) Damage increases to 2d6+3.
>
> ***Expecto Patronum (Aspect of the Stars Only) (Recharge 5-6).*** A barrier of shimmering energy expands in the form of a sphere centered on the elk. All creatures of your choice within 100 feet of the elk are pushed in a straight line away from it until they are 100 feet away.

\pagebreakNum

<img src='https://www.gmbinder.com/images/zdcYLtP.png' style='position:absolute; top:00px; left:00px; height:1080px' />

______
______
> ## Dolphin
>*Medium Beast, Your alignment*
> ___
> - **Armor Class** 10 + proficiency bonus
> - **Hit Points** 5 x level (**Level 11**, 8 x level)
> - **Speed** 0 ft., swim 50 ft. (**Level 11**, 80 ft.)
> - **Proficiency Bonus** your proficiency bonus
>___
>At **Level 11**, ability scores become the ones indicated in **bold**.
>|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
>|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
>|14 (+2) |13 (+1)|13 (+1)|6 (-2)|12 (+1)|7 (-2)|
>|**16 (+3)**|**14 (+2)**|**14 (+2)**|**6 (-2)**|**12 (+1)**|**7 (-2)**|
>___
> - **Skills** Proficient in Perception
> - **Senses** blindsight 60ft., passive Perception 10 + proficiency bonus
> - **Languages** Understands all languages that you speak.
> ___
>***Hold Breath.*** The dolphin can hold its breath for 20 minutes.
>
>***Charge.*** If the dolphin moved at least 30 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a ram attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 1d6 damage.
>
>***
>
>***Aspect of the Stars (Level 15).*** The elk may transform into an Aspect of the Stars (no action required). The elk's body become shrouded in a mystical aura of faerie lights. The transformation lasts for 10 minutes or until the elk chooses to revert to its normal form (no action required). The transformation ends early if the elk drops to 0 hit points. The eagle may not use this ability again until it has finished a short or long rest.
>
>***Spiritual Guardian (Aspect of the Stars Only).*** All creatures of your choice within 15 feet of the Elk has their speed halved.
> ___
> ### Actions
>
> ***Slam.*** *Melee Weapon Attack (STR):* reach 5 ft., one target. *Hit:* 1d6+2 bludgeoning damage. (**Level 11**) Damage increases to 2d6+2.
>
> ***Gift of Life (Aspect of Spring Only) (Recharge 5-6).*** The dolphin magically emits green light in a 10-foot radius for a moment. The dolphin and each creature of its choice in that light regain 2d10 hit points.

\pagebreakNum

# Appendix C: Revised Spells

#### Cordon of Arrows
*2nd-level transmutation*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 action
- **Range:** 5 feet
- **Components:** V, S, M (four or more arrows or bolts)
- **Duration:**  8 hours
___
Choose four points in the ground within range. You shoot a piece of nonmagical ammunition – arrows or crossbow bolts – at each point and lay magic upon them to protect an area. Until the spell ends, whenever a creature other than you comes within 30 feet of any of these four pieces of ammunition for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there, the corresponding piece of ammunition flies up to strike it. The creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 1d6 piercing damage. The piece of ammunition is then destroyed. The spell ends when no ammunition remains.

When you cast this spell, you can designate any creatures you choose, and the spell ignores them.

***At higher levels.*** When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the amount of ammunition that can be affected doubles for each slot level above 2nd.

#### Conjure Barrage
*3rd-level conjuration*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 bonus action
- **Range:** Self (60-foot cone)
- **Components:** V, S, M (one piece of ammunition or a thrown weapon)
- **Duration:**  Instantaneous
___
You throw a nonmagical weapon or fire a piece of nonmagical ammunition into the air to create a cone of identical weapons that shoot forward and then disappear. Each creature in a 60-foot cone must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The damage type is the same as that of the weapon or ammunition used as a component.

#### Lightning Arrow
*3rd-level transmutation*
___
- **Casting Time:** 1 bonus action
- **Range:** Self
- **Components:** V, S
- **Duration:**  Concentration, up to 1 minute
___

The next time you make a ranged weapon attack during the spell’s duration, the weapon’s ammunition, or the weapon itself if it’s a thrown weapon, transforms into a bolt of lightning. Make the attack roll as normal, The target takes 4d8 lightning damage on a hit, or half as much damage on a miss, instead of the weapon’s normal damage. Whether you hit or miss, each creature within 10 feet of the target must make a Dexterity saving throw. Each of these creatures takes 2d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.

All damaged creatures must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn.

The piece of ammunition or weapon then returns to its normal form.

**At higher levels.** When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage for both effects of the spell increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 3rd.

\pagebreakNum

# Appendix D: Alternative Ideas
##
In this appendix, I have listed ideas that I was considering for some of the features. While these ideas ultimately did not make it into my actual update, I would sincerely appreciate any feedback on these as well. Would you prefer some of these features over the actual ones (perhaps after a few tweaks)?

### Favored Terrain
#### Underdark
You learn Undercommon. You gain blindsight at a range of 5 feet.

#### Underdark
You gain proficiency in Stealth if you don't already have it. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make with Stealth.

### Relentless
*6th-level Ranger feature, replaces Primal Endurance*

At 6th level, your survival on the edges of civilization has trained your mental focus to new heights. Whenever you fail a Constitution saving throw made to maintain concentration, you can choose to succeed instead. If you do so, you take 1d12 psychic damage for each level of the spell you are concentrating on.

### Exotic Favored Terrain

#### Elemental Planes: Elemental Bane
Whenever you target a creature with *Hunter's Mark*, choose one of the following damage types: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder. The target cannot benefit from any resistances to that damage type for *Hunter's Mark*'s duration. The creature cannot be placed under this effect by you again for the next 24 hours.
#### Feywild: Master of Illusions
You learn the spell *Mirror Image* if you do not already know it. *Mirror Image* does not count against the number of ranger spells you know. You can cast it a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once) without expending a spell slot. You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest. In addition, you automatically succeed any checks made to discern illusions.
#### Nine Hells: Lord of Terror
You learn the spell *Fear* if you do not already know it. *Fear* does not count against the number of ranger spells you know. You can cast it once without expending a spell slot and without maintaining concentration. You must finish a long rest before you can do so again.
#### Nine Hells: Devil's Sight
You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet. (This would conflict with Feral Senses.)
#### Astral Sea: Psionic Bane v2
Whenever the target of your Hunter's Mark makes an attack roll or a saving throw, you may expend and roll any amount of Huntsman dice from your pool and subtract the roll(s) from from the result. You can expend and roll each Huntsman die before deciding whether to use the next one.
#### Astral Sea: Fortress of the Mind
You gain resistance to psychic and force damage. In addition, you learn the spell *Shield* if you do not already know it. *Shield* does not count against the number of ranger spells you know. You can cast it a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once) without expending a spell slot. You regain expended uses when you finish a long rest.

\pagebreakNum

# Appendix E: Design Notes
##
In this appendix, I will explain if each core issue mentioned in the preamble is valid and how it is addressed with this Ranger Rework.

### No Strong Core Identity
Agreed. Rangers are supposed to be the “best explorers”, but what does that mean exactly? Is it simply tracking? Making sure that the party does not run out of rations? These two roles are situational at best and not compelling for a class’ main purpose. To address this issue, I defined “being good at exploration” as “being good at surviving in the wilderness”. That not only entails tracking and foraging, but also surviving against all the dangers of the wilderness, such as poisons, diseases, random encounters, ambushes, and unpredictable foes. When travelling, a Ranger should make the party feel safer, and not simply enable the party to save some coin by not buying rations.

Combat-wise, the Ranger did not have its own niche. Its role was an ineffective split between the Rogue and the Fighter. I asked myself the question: How would the harshness and unpredictability of the wilderness shape a Ranger’s fighting style? The Ranger’s adversaries are often monsters that range unpredictably in numbers, strength and type. Rangers can only survive by improvising and adapting to their surroundings. Instead of simply fighting head on, they would use everything at their disposal to exploit their enemies’ weaknesses and downplay their strengths. I settled on the role of a martial character with an arsenal of utility and battlefield control powers. Many of the Ranger’s spells already focus on that: fog cloud, entangle, spike growth, wind wall, etc. As such, I guided my combat-oriented features to better enable the support of these spells in combat.

### Too Many Ribbon Features
Agreed. The fact that one of the Ranger’s core features was Favoured Enemy, a ribbon ability,  made the class seem very unattractive. The solution of the Revised Ranger does not work either, as adding combat bonuses limited to a situational ability made the class very lopsided. At first, I wanted to make Favoured Enemy give concrete mechanical bonuses that can apply in any situation but synergized very well against specific enemies (similar to the design principle behind Favoured Terrain). Then I came to the realization that all of the Hunter subclass’ abilities do that already. Therefore, I removed that feature entirely.

Unlike others, I do not believe that Natural Explorer was a ribbon ability. It mostly seemed that way because few tables follow the wilderness survival rules that closely.

\columnbreak

### Weak in Combat
Disagree. If you do the math, even without any feats, Rangers completely outperform the other classes in DPR until level 11. From level 11 onwards, it is consistent with the highest DPR classes in the game. For instance, at level 5, the Ranger with TWF, Colossus Slayer, and Hunter’s Mark can consistently deal 3 x (1d6 + 5) + 3d6 + 1d8 which averages at 40.5 damage per round. That is already above the 40 average damage (disregarding crit) that a fighter has from level 11 to 19.

The reason why they seem weak is that Ranger’s damage output does not increase much past level 5, which makes sense since they already deal way too much damage early on. This Rework addresses this issue by subtly rebalancing the damage output to be on average lower in the earlier levels and slightly higher in the later levels.

BTW, Hunter’s Mark and Colossus Slayer are not even situational abilities, since players usually only focus on marked creatures and the 3 attacks per round almost guarantee that Colossus Slayer will be triggered. The lengthy duration of Hunter’s Mark also almost guarantees that the Ranger can almost always have it active during combat. In fact, Rangers even sometimes find themselves unable to expend all spell slots by the end of the day.

### No Exciting High Level Abilities
Agreed. Other than Feral Senses, the high level abilities are either too weak (Foe Slayer), weaker version of spells (Hide in Plain Sight vs Pass Without Trace), or weaker copies of other classes’ abilities that come way too late to be exciting anymore (Vanish). I replaced them for the most part with features that better support the martial controller role. The rebalancing of the damage should also make the later levels more exciting.

### Too Many Concentration Spells + Hunter’s Mark Should Be A Feature
Agreed. Hunter’s Mark is so powerful that concentrating on it is a must. The fact that 28 out of 55 ranger spells require concentration means that the Ranger will almost never use any other spell, which is a shame. Even spells like Lightning Arrow or Hail of Thorns require concentration for some reason. However, without concentration, Hunter’s Mark, which already produces insane amounts of damage at all levels, would be completely broken.

From my understanding, the designers wanted the baseline Ranger to be weaker in combat than a Fighter but with more versatility (from spells). The Ranger would have a limited resource that could be used to either boost damage (make them closer in DPR to a fighter), or provide other utility. The choice should not be automatic, but made with careful consideration. An overpowered Hunter’s Mark that required concentration prevented this vision from coming true.

\pagebreakNum

My solutions: (1) Enable double concentration. The level at which it is gained and the specific nature of Ranger spells should not make it too out-of-line hopefully. (2) Remove concentration requirement from Hunter’s Mark but prevent it from transferring to other targets. While the damage output is still high, it is now limited (akin to a Divine Smite). The balance comes from the limited amount of Spell slots. The high cost of Hunter’s Mark no longer makes it an automatic choice. Rangers can also finally concentrate on other spells. At level 11, I returned the ability to transfer the mark, since at that level the damage is in-line with the other classes.

### Not Actually Best Explorers
In terms of tracking and foraging, agreed. The skill monkey classes (rogues and bards) have expertise, which enable them to surpass Rangers in the survival skill. However, by broadening my definition of “good at exploring” as I explained in the “No Strong Core Identity" section, the problem is no longer as significant. Nevertheless, I also gave expertise to Nature and Survival in the new Natural Explorer feature.

### Beastmaster Is Clunky
Agreed. I completely overhauled this subclass. I wanted to focus on the bond between the Ranger and the companion. I wanted the companion to feel like an actual character, by giving it a sense of progression and aging. Its relationship with the Ranger should also be developed over time. I have the personal complaint that at high levels, when the player characters are fighting archfiends, krakens, liches and dragons, having an ordinary wolf at your side does not make much sense anymore. As such, I wanted to make them much more badass at high level. I hope you like my spin on it! Please check the balancing though, I am unsure about that. At early levels, the damage should be comparable to other subclasses’ level 3 features. At level 11, the damage boost is hopefully also in-line with the other subclasses (I am mostly worried about this level). I tried to balance the level 15 abilities by limiting the number of uses to 1/short rest, 10 minutes at a time, and recharge 5-6.

Keep in mind that since animal companions are separate creatures from the Ranger, calculating DPR is not as straightforward as summing everything together. Indeed, the damage boost from the animal companion lasts only until the animal companion falls unconscious. The animal companion might not always attack the same creature as the ranger either (damage that is spread out is not as effective).

### Hunter Subclass Should Have An Extended Spell List
Not sure. I think Hunters should be the more martial of the subclasses. However, it might be true that without it, it is weaker than the XGtE subclasses. As such, I added the Archery fighting style and made both multiattack abilities accessible. I also buffed whirlwind, since previously it was an objectively inferior attack to volley.

\columnbreak

### Notable Features Explained

#### Hunter's Mark
Most agree that Hunter's Mark should have been a feature. However, some prefer to make it completely separate from spells and limit its number of uses to be equal to the wisdom modifier. My problems with that are:
* It doesn't scale well. Wisdom modifier barely changes across the levels. It would be too powerful at early levels and too weak at later levels.
* It was made a spell for a reason. It should compete with the other spells for resource management. Otherwise, it would be overpowerd at early levels.
* Too much complexity to add another system to the Ranger when it is otherwise not necessary.

The upgrade at level 11 provides a much needed buff to their high level combat potency and gives a strong reason not to multiclass.

#### Herbal Medicine
One of the problems with exploration is that it is often resolved with a couple of skill checks. While the original Ranger had features that helped those skill checks, they are too passive. The Ranger still plays identically to the other classes when it comes to exploration. As such, the Ranger does not **feel** like an explorer. The purpose of Herbal Medicine is to provide a flavorful and **active** way for Rangers to contribute to exploration.

#### Primal Endurance + Primal Soul
The game designers said that Rangers should derive a lot of their combat potency from their spells. The change to Hunter's Mark helped that a lot. The purposes of these features is to help that even more. Since a large amount of Ranger spells seemed focus on utility and battlefield control, I believe that a martial controller is a perfect fit for the Ranger mechanically. Having double concentration brings that role to life. Primal Soul is designed to prevent spells like *Hail of Thorns* and *Lightning Arrow* from interrupting spells like *Spike Growth* and *Fog Cloud*. It also provides the option for greater battlefield control at great cost for Rangers in truly desperate situations.

####  Exotic Favored Terrain
When I posted my first version of Ranger Rework, u/Malkezial proposed the Exotic Favored Terrain feature, which I thought was genius. Unfortunately, implementing this feature has been extremely difficult and is one of the reasons why it took me so long before I published my next update. I wanted to mimic the design principle behind Favored Terrain: give Rangers bonuses that are thematically related to the terrain, but applicable everywhere.