Improved Ranger Summons/Familiars

[Ghost6989]

I think most ranger may agree that the summons we have access to are not worth the SP at times, at higher levels to get access to summons that are generally weaker than most things you will encounter at level. I think the time has come to change them, or get rid of them and implement a new summon system. So either increase the strength and level of animals summoned or try this.

Familiars.

How Familiars would work would you can summon from a list a group of familiar animals that boost certain skills or have certain buffs. For instance.

Falcon: Perhaps +5 to spot, maybe increased bow speed.

Cat: Perhaps a small boost to dex, or maybe a dodge bonus to AC

Rat: Maybe boost melee attack speed or give +1 or +2 to dmg/att

Bat: Perhaps a small HP Bonus. At later levels perhaps it could even give a lesser vampirism effect to weapons.

Familiar Animals cannot directly attack so have 0 chance of dying or even being hit. Unless their masters die of course. You could perhaps use the models for bats already for falcon and of course bat. And perhaps a shrunken version of lion for cat, and rat obviously = rat.

All these could be given tiers and replace the current summon system as summon familiar spells. or perhaps could be enhancements. I just find it sad that most summons are miles ahead of our small array of choice. If implemented these would have to be available to all Rangers, no certain prestige class I think should have access to specific ones and not the others. Even if certain ones do benefit them greatly. This is just an idea, I hope someone takes the time to read this and at least admit the Ranger summons are lacking a much needed boost in power.

[kyleann]

Ranger summons do blow, you've got that right for sure. They should be equal to Summon Monster spells at least...Then again, summoning in general is weak in DDO other than Earth and Air Elementals.

It would be nice to have a familiar's system if it worked properly, for example you start our with a cat at level one but by the time you are level 20 your cat has become a Tiger, Lion, or Panther and each has different ability boosts. The problem I see, however, is that other classes would have access to these and not just Rangers. Mages traditionally would have a familiar, whereas Rangers have Animal Companions.

The thing I truly dread is that every single Drow Ranger would be rocking the Panther...

Boosting charms, summons, and the whole Nature element of the Ranger class would be nice. It would make soloing more enjoyable and also could prove useful in certain levels where having a few extra "helpers" wouldn't hurt your party. I'm for this idea. Also, these abilities would be a good testing ground for Druids, who should be able to summon any creature a Ranger is able to.

[Ghost6989]

Well i think Animal Companion is a better way to put it. But yes Rangers and possibly druids (if we ever see them) Will benefit from these. if this was implemented and proved succesful then wizards and sorc could get some of their own. But for now I think the pressing issue is that Rangers have been given an unfair deal, I cannot see why as they aren't exactly overpowered. I mean sure they do really good DPS but so do wiz and sorc and they have incredible summons at the highest levels.

[ProdigalGuru]

I could get behind this.

SWG had something similar.



Edit: less summons means less lag, too.

[Musouka]

Sure, bring in the companion, then rewrite rangers to only get bow feats or TWF feats. Since it was stated before that they give rangers both to make up for the missing companions.

[Yokido]

You're right, cr3-4 monster's at level 20 are ridiculously useless even with full buffs and/or augment summoning.

"Nature's Ally, 50sp to activate, 30 minute duration. You summon a familiar to fight along with you, if it falls in battle, it's cry will attract another familiar to take it's place."
^This

And

Increase the CR, or give new more powerful types of creatures.
/signed

[Ghost6989]

Sure, bring in the companion, then rewrite rangers to only get bow feats or TWF feats. Since it was stated before that they give rangers both to make up for the missing companions.

Then make the summons stronger, I mean really why even have them if the CR is way to low. Frankly I dont think feats would need to be rewritten simply to solve a problem with a specific spell that isn't overpowered. It doesnt matter if Rangers get feats to make up for missing companions, we have the ability to summon things that are basically pointless. I mean why waste the mechanic of the spell on something most people only summon because it looks cool.

[Musouka]

Then make the summons stronger, I mean really why even have them if the CR is way to low. Frankly I dont think feats would need to be rewritten simply to solve a problem with a specific spell that isn't overpowered. It doesnt matter if Rangers get feats to make up for missing companions, we have the ability to summon things that are basically pointless. I mean why waste the mechanic of the spell on something most people only summon because it looks cool.

Your OP included two suggestions. Buff the Summons, and the Familiar, or as 3.5 D&D calls it an Animal Companion.

I understand that if they do bring in the animal companion, it should practically be at 3/4ths of the power or survivability of the Ranger, at the same time the ranger should take care and make sure nothing completely bad befalls their companion without penalty.]No one would want a Companion that just dies every time you do an at level elite quest. However, summon monsters/natures ally should always be weak, as they are more of a distraction for the summoner than they are a total powerhouse for you to just summon and walk away. Though some more HP would actually be nice, even if they don't actually get stronger.

In order to do the Animal Companion, it would have to be an animal you choose at creation, and only that animal will level with you.

[Shanadeus]

Animal Companions as "permanent" summons that you choose from lvl 1 and can only switch out every 5 levels (or just make it a feat that need to be exchanged) that are significantly stronger than regular summons like Musouka is saying.

Would be worth implementing as Druids could make use of it too and become a lot more attractive to the players.

[masterzzan]

never winter nights had a nice companion in them. but it will increase lag. i suggest you will only summon them in quests. like hirelings.

[Musouka]

never winter nights had a nice companion in them. but it will increase lag. i suggest you will only summon them in quests. like hirelings.

That's a very good point. Though, I believe they're getting it refined better and better with each update. Especially on how they're fixing bugs within the hirelings.

[Nerate_Mireth]

At the very least up the longevity of the current summons. A level 19 Ranger summons a Razor Cat in Weapons Shipment....First spawn and Devil looks at Razor Cat. Razor Cat has a heart attack and dies on the spot. Meanwhile, Level 19 Sorc has summoned an Air Elemental. Air Elemental zips over and knocks down the devil and keeps it on the ground while the melee pound on it.

I've seen this repeatedly. Yet Rangers can "charm" animals that do more damage and are more useful even if it is for only 5 minutes max before it turns on you. This is just wrong.

[Qezuzu]

I've seen this repeatedly. Yet Rangers can "charm" animals that do more damage and are more useful even if it is for only 5 minutes max before it turns on you. This is just wrong.

A ranger should always stock up on an army of Wolves and Lions in epic Small problem before going after the Earth Elementals Or hyenas in Chains of Flame