Favoured Enemy suggestion

[Wrexsoul]

So, this idea is one I had some time ago; I nearly posted it, but something came up and I forgot about it. Now, reading through the huge post in General discussion, I figured it was a good time to finally get around to it!

This suggestion isn't completely fleshed out with details, so please judge the general concept and not the numbers.

What I had in mind was... Focused Enemy is something you excel at hunting; Something you have trained against, experienced fighting a lot, know a lot about, right? I have always found it a bit boring that the only benefit from favoured enemy is straight up damage/ab and easier detection. What if it, instead of giving you extra damage, gave you bonuses that would be of particular benefit against overcoming the particular abilities and circumstances tied to the group of creatures in question? Focused Enemy: Vermin could instead of damage give you a bonus to Fortitude saves against poison when fighting them, perhaps immunity to the Web spell, Aberrations would give you extra will saves against mind affecting. Undead hunters might get a positive damage bonus to their attacks versus them to bypass DR, and so on.

Basically, instead of a flat, boring, across-the-board damage bonus, rangers would get bonuses tailored to what it is they specialize in hunting, offering a much more flavourful, and less "mechanical" benefit from picking a feat that is supposed to, to a certain degree, define your character. This would also let the DM's tailor the bonuses to never be overpowered easily enough.

I might edit this later and add some specific suggestions to what bonuses could fit each category, but to be honest I am sure there are mechanics savvy people out there who could come up with much better stuff than I, and I have to go eat breakfast!

[Egon the Monkey]

Wrex, you also get +1 damage, Spot, Listen and Taunt per 5 levels. The Taunt can be handy. I'd agree though that bonuses for the more esoteric enemies would be cool. Give them at L5 Ranger.

FE: Animal. +2 EFUSS Wilderness Survival, double meat from harvesting.

FE: Elemental. 5% Fire, Acid, Lightning, Electric Immunity, +1 Fire, Acid, Lightning, Electric saves.

FE: Construct. +2 EFUSS Engineering, +1 Set and Disable Trap, +1 Open Lock.

FE: Vermin. +2 Poison Saves, Spell Immunity: Web (or if possible immunity to the Web Bolt).

FE: Kobold. Uncanny Dodge III (That's just +2 saves vs traps, it doesn't preseve your DEX bonus), +1 Poison Saves.

FE Undead: 5% Negative Energy Immunity, +1 Disease and negative saves.

[EfUA_undercover]

I like that idea a lot!

[derfo]

i think op's idea is a cool solution