In light of the controversy surrounding the Revised Ranger for D&D 5E, I thought I’d share my ideas concerning the “alternate class features” that have been touted as a solution.
With this concept, a ranger can opt to take an alternate class feature in place of the analogous one at that level.
Expert Hunter
You have significant experience studying, tracking, hunting, and interacting with a certain type of creature. This creature is either commonly found in the wilds, or poses a significant threat to wilderness areas. In addition to the normal benefits conferred by Favored Enemy, you also gain the listed benefit.
Each time you select this feature, you gain a bonus language.
- Beast. You gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill. Double your proficiency bonus when making ability checks related to Animal Handling.
- Celestial. You gain resistance to radiant damage.
- Construct. You gain proficiency with one type of artisan’s tools, and gain the ability to cast the mending cantrip as if it were a ranger spell.
- Dragon. When you are subjected to an effect that targets an area and allows you to make a Dexterity saving throw to take only half damage, you can use your reaction to take half damage if you fail.
- Elemental. The first time you take acid, cold, fire, or lightning damage each turn, you can use your reaction to gain resistance to that damage type until the start of your next turn.
- Aberration, Fey. When you would make a saving throw to avoid being charmed, you can use your reaction to gain advantage on the saving throw.
- Fiend. You gain resistance to fire damage. If you already have resistance to fire damage, you gain resistance to poison damage.
- Giant, Monstrosity. You can move through a hostile creature’s space if it at least one size category larger than you.
- Humanoid. You gain proficiency in the Investigation skill. Double your proficiency bonus when making ability checks related to Investigation.
- Ooze, Plant. You can use your reaction to end the grappled or restrained conditions.
- Undead. You gain resistance to necrotic damage.
If selected, this feature replaces Favored Enemy. You can select this feature any time you would select a Favored Enemy.
Wilderness Explorer
You are a master of navigating the natural world, and able to react with swift and decisive action when attack. You ignore all natural difficult terrain, and gain the following benefits when traveling for an hour or more:
- Difficult terrain doesn’t slow your group’s travel.
- Your group can’t become lost except by magical means.
- You remain alert to danger when engaged in another activity while traveling.
- If traveling alone, you can move stealthily at a normal pace.
- You find twice as much food as you normally would when foraging.
- While tracking other creatures, you also learn their exact number, sizes, and how long ago they passed through the area.
At 6th level, you gain advantage on initiative rolls.
At 10th level, during your first turn of combat, you have advantage on attack rolls against creatures that have not acted yet.
This feature can replace Natural Explorer and its improvements at 1st, 6th, and 10th level.
Survivalist
You gain proficiency in the Nature and Survival skills if you did not already have it. Double your proficiency bonus when making checks related to these skills.
This feature can replace Primeval Awareness.
Fleet of Foot
As the Revised Ranger feature.
This feature can replace Land’s Stride.
Camouflage
As the Revised Ranger’s “Hide in Plain Sight” feature.
This feature can replace Hide in Plain Sight.
Prime Hunter
As the Revised Ranger’s “Foe Slayer” feature.
This feature can replace Foe Slayer.
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