Ranger (character class)

A ranger is a type of warrior appearing in fantasy fiction and role-playing games.

Rangers are usually associated with the wisdom of nature. Rangers tend to be wise, cunning, and perceptive in addition to being skilled woodsmen. Many are skilled in stealth, wilderness survival, and tracking. Archery and swordplay are common to rangers, though there are many instances where rangers use a variety of weapons, skills, and sometimes magic or have a resistance to magic.

Main article: Ranger (Dungeons & Dragons)

In Dungeons & Dragons, rangers typically worship a nature god or goddess, and they take a role similar to druids by protecting nature and slaying foul creatures. Rangers gain attack bonuses against certain creatures through the choosing of a "Racial Enemy" such as spiders, hobgoblins or gnolls. In addition, rangers have access to divine magic and an animal companion to aid them in battle.

Typically, rangers are inclined to solitude, particularly from commoners, as in the Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien. Rangers tend to prefer the company of fellow rangers, and they are extensively trained. However, good rangers will often act as the guardians of others - whether appreciated or not - by repelling "evil" forces and protecting the weak.

The most famous fictional rangers are Aragorn and Drizzt Do'Urden.

Ranger archetype

Rangers tend to be skilled warriors with dark personalities. Often rangers are veterans of wars, or have lived in the woods their entire lives. They tend to be rather stoic, accepting what fate throws at them rather than rage against it. In many stories or games where elves exist, elves are (or would be) the best rangers due to their natural way of life.

Rangers tend to be poor soldiers due to not often dealing with people. Their perception and cunning are better suited as a front-line leader (Lieutenant - Captain) or as a solo fighter against a small number (1-3) of fighters at a time.

Rangers skills in books and games can include and are not limited to:

• Skilled with the bow, usually because they use them so often, for the hunting of wild animals. It has been noted that this might also be a play on their seclusion: they would rather be far away from things rather than close.
• They tend to be well versed in other forms of combat however, most notably dual-wielding short swords or long knives. In Dungeons and Dragons 3.0, rangers get a free feat for dual-wielding weapons. This has been changed in 3.5 to make it an option instead.
• Stealth
• Detecting or laying traps
• Taming, calming or charming animals
• Tracking and leaving no trail to be tracked
• Knowledge of herbs for medical and poisonous uses
• The art of healing (magical or medical) due to their self reliance
• Land and nature related magic and enchantments or the ability to recognize them or resistance to them
• In some definitions, rangers may have some understanding of the divine arts, though not as great an understanding as that of a druid. Rangers' connection to druids is often compared to that of clerics and paladins; the one being a magic-user, the other more of a martial artist, but both still sharing mutual interests.

Rangers in many books tend to have a wide range of skills not usually used in games due to maintaining a balanced system of play.