Unless I'm mistaken the changes to Ranger Path level spread (from 1/5/9 to 2/7/12) are in some ways not optimal - in that you can get most of these feats way earlier by just taking them outside of the path.
I'd suggest that if you're playing an archer ranger or a dual weapon ranger you want your rapid shot or your improved 2 weapon fighting feats as soon as you can get them. Not just for build optimisation but because, well, that's your base character concept.
The idea of ranger paths are nice - guiding your ranger to be focused as a RP element - but the execution might need looking at here.
If I can make a *better ranged or 2 weapon character (as my based concept) outside of the path - then I probably will. And the whole RP concept behind the paths is made redundant.
Maybe I'm missing something but the paths as they are no longer seem that appealing?
*better being subjective but a human rogue or fighter with the right dex, for example can, get point blank shot and rapid shot at level 1, and this seems better base for an archer melee concept that you could still build up in a 'ranger' like way than "my ranger has studied the way of the archer to be the best at what he does! see he he gets point blank shot at level 2 and has rapid shot at *checks notes* level 7!"
I'd suggest that if you're playing an archer ranger or a dual weapon ranger you want your rapid shot or your improved 2 weapon fighting feats as soon as you can get them. Not just for build optimisation but because, well, that's your base character concept.
The idea of ranger paths are nice - guiding your ranger to be focused as a RP element - but the execution might need looking at here.
If I can make a *better ranged or 2 weapon character (as my based concept) outside of the path - then I probably will. And the whole RP concept behind the paths is made redundant.
Maybe I'm missing something but the paths as they are no longer seem that appealing?
*better being subjective but a human rogue or fighter with the right dex, for example can, get point blank shot and rapid shot at level 1, and this seems better base for an archer melee concept that you could still build up in a 'ranger' like way than "my ranger has studied the way of the archer to be the best at what he does! see he he gets point blank shot at level 2 and has rapid shot at *checks notes* level 7!"