RANGER

by christopher Taylor

The wilderness is a place full of dangers, but for those who know its ways, it also presents a way of life far more free than the strictures of city dwelling.  The Wood Elves, of course, live within the forests of Loren, but there are also those among mankind who have chosen to call it home.

Rangers are among these, so-called because of their travelling nature, few of them having any place that could really be called home.  They are quite familiar with travel across the forests of the Old World, and with methods of survival despite hazards, whether natural, artificial, or magical.

As a part of a group of Warriors venturing into the dungeons under the Worlds' Edge Mountains, a Ranger would certainly be out of his element.  However, he is still quite proficient with the bow, and his finely-honed skills of stealth can be quite handy -- in addition to his assistance as a guide during the hazardous journeys back to Settlements between adventures.

STARTING AS A RANGER

Any player may start the game as a Ranger rather than one of the Warriors in the Warhammer Quest box.  All of the rules for creating a new Warrior apply unless stated elsewhere in this Warrior pack.

The Profile of the Ranger is as follows:

Wounds

1D6+7

Move

4

Weapons Skill     

4

Ballistic Skill

4+

Strength

3

Toughness

3

Initiative

5

Attacks

1

Pinning Roll

3+

Equipment

Black Arrow
The Black arrow is a finely-crafted arrow is not magical, yet it is destined to one day be used to fell a mighty Monster.  When used with a bow, it will automatically strike its target, inflicting 3D6 Wounds.  Use once, then discard.

Weapon

Sword and Bow, causing 1D6+3 Wounds each.

Armor

None.

Special Rules

Any time a Trap event is encountered, roll 1D6.  On a roll of 6+, the Ranger spots the trap in time and warns the affected Warrior so that he is unaffected.  The Ranger is an expert at ambush and tracking, if there is an ambush, the Ranger rolls a D6, on a 6, the ambush is foiled and does not occur as normal. 

The Ranger is treated as an elf for purposes of treasure, locations, and events, although he cannot use any item nor go any place that only elves are able to, unless noted below.

ADVANCED RULES

In the advanced game, you can keep your Ranger from game to game, building up his character as he progresses from adventure to adventure.  This section of the rulebook gives you all the rules for taking your Ranger right up to battle-level 10, including special rules for visiting Settlements, training, and more.

Equipment

The Black Arrow is a powerful weapon that has been passed down from generation to generation for years, and always can be recovered, as part of its enchantment.  The Black Arrow may only be used once per adventure, however, and its power is spent for a time.

Armor

The Ranger may use any armor and shield that he finds or may purchase, but will tend to use lighter armor so that he can move faster and maintain his stealth.  As such, it is rare to find a Ranger with any armor heavier than chainmail.

Weapons

Rangers may use any weapons, but will prefer bows and swords in general.  They will avoid any chaos weaponry or Chaos Artifacts.

Rangers and Treasure

Rangers are able to use any treasure not specifically limited to a given race, and as such may use spell casting treasures.  However, items that affect POW are useless to the Ranger, and he may not get any practical use from them other than selling the item.

Travelling to settlements

Rangers have an intimate knowledge of the lay of the land and as such one is rarely lost or confused by terrain.  While travelling with a Ranger, the group of Warriors cuts 1 week off the travel time to settlements (this reduction is not cumulative with any other reduction).  In addition, any result of Lost or Wrong map is ignored on a roll of 4+ by the Ranger.  The ranger personally ignores any weather-based effects on a roll of 3+ on a D6.

Special Rules

Due to their skill in tracking and trapfinding, any adventure that requires the party to find or track a target should be shifted in the favor of the ranger, such as +1 to the roll, or choosing a tile more than once.  For example, Event 44-46 in the Catecombs of Terror is Escape or Die!  This event requires the Warriors to scramble for a mechanism to reverse a horrible trap that entombs them each room they enter by drawing a Warrior Counter, and comparing that to the one searching.  In this case, the Ranger would be able to draw another tile if his is not chosen, but must take the second choice.  These events vary, but in general the Ranger should receive a slight advantage due to his special training.

RANGERS IN SETTLEMENTS

The Ranger can visit most any normal location in a town, although he will have nothing to do with the Gambling Hall.  Rangers are welcome in the Elvish Quarter, and can make purchases there as normal, with the exception that all items have a stock number of one higher… the elves keep their best stock for their kind.  Rangers are also able to visit the Wood Elf Camp, should you have the Elven Wardancer Warrior Pack, and if you have the Elven Ranger Warrior Pack, the Ranger can visit the noble house, found on a 10+.  Unlike the Elven Ranger, he is not tempted by the goods he sees, but he must give a larger tribute, 2D6x50 gold in total, although a piece of treasure would suffice (not a useless trinket).

In addition, the Ranger may visit the Sacred Grove should the Druid Warrior Pack be used.  This is found on an 8 or less by the settlement (roll 3 dice for a city, 2 for a town, etc), representing the scarcity of the sacred grove in heavily settled areas. 

The Sacred Grove

There are some special locations in the Grove, including the Circle of Stones, The Elders, and the Druid Herbalist.  Each of these are present on a roll of 10-, based on the settlement nearby (village, town, or city).  Should the Ranger find these, he may visit them, and any elves can visit these as well.

The Circle of Stones

Worshipping neither gods nor daemons, the Druids revere nature and the planet its self.  Thus, the circle of stones acts as their temple, a place for the Druid to meditate, learn, and commune with nature.  The Ranger can come and leave his respects, although he will not typically hold the same beliefs.  A Ranger may leave a sacrifice at the circle, consisting of a piece of treasure or D6x50 gold, and meditate for a day.  Within the circle, the Ranger may receive special knowledge or benefits from his time of contemplation, rolling on the table below:

2D6 Roll Result
2 The Rangers' time is fruitless, no result other than a feeling of peace and contentment
3 The Ranger spends a day of meditation at the circle, and comes away at peace, +1 fear rolls for the next adventure (does not affect terror rolls)
4 The life force of all the earth flows through the Ranger, he may ignore any one blow that would otherwise kill him next adventure.
5 The Sun shines on the Ranger, and once in the next adventure he can call on its warmth and life for 1D6+1 wounds healed
6 The strength of an lion fills the Ranger, once in the next adventure he can have a turn of +1D6 Strength
7 The soft light of the moon fills the Ranger's heart, for the next adventure, he has 6+ magic resistance (on a roll of 6 or better the spell is ignored)
8 The Ranger's weapon gains spidery runes, and ignores 1 point of armor for one whole combat next adventure
8 The Ranger's clothes are imbued with the strength of the stones, for the next adventure, they act as armor for +1 toughness.
10 The Ranger learns much of the ways of animals, for the next adventure, the Ranger deals +1 wound on a roll of 5 or 6 to hit.
11 The Ranger is granted health and life, gaining D3 wounds Permanently
12 The stones respond well to the sacrifice, filling the Ranger with Natural power, he is +1 BL for all checks this next adventure.

The Druid Herbalist

Within the Sacred Grove, the Ranger may visit the herbalist, an alchemist and gardener of expert skill and taste.  This herbalist is often an elf, and he sells potions and herbal extracts for a dear price that the Ranger might use in his travels.  The Stock number given is, unlike normally, the amount that the Ranger must roll on 2D6, regardless of the nearby settlement size.

Herbal Product

Amount

Stock

Cost

Effects

Elixir of Energy

1-2

7

75

+1 attack D3 turns

Elixir of Healing

1-6

5

40

Heal 1D6+2 wounds

Elixir of Life

1-2

8

100

Raise Dead

Elixir of Protection

1-3

6

50

+2 Toughness D6 turns

Elixir of Strength

1-3

5

50

+1 STR for D6 turns

Elixir of Swiftness

1-2

5

50

+1D6 move for 1 turn

Elixir of The Wind

1-2

7

50

fly for 1 turn

Elixir of Unvenom

1-3

6

40

Negate, reverse poisons

Extract of Mulith

1-3

8

75

Heal 1 wound/turn until 1 POW

Extract of Pasamar

1-3

6

60

-1 to be hit by undead

Extract of Thalotic

1-2

7

80

Magic Resistance 6+ until 1 POW

Healing Herbs

1-6

5

150

makes 1D3 healing potions

Syrup of Athelan

1-3

7

75

Destroys door/porticullus/grate, etc

Syrup of Cassanix

1-3

8

200

Does D3 for D6 turns, no mods if Hits target on roll of range +

The Elders

The Ranger elders are revered men of great knowledge and training, very tuned to the natural forces of the world.  They recognize the value of the Ranger’s work, and will help purify him for further work, healing any illness, disease, and poisoned state for half the cost stated in the event.  This healing takes a week of meditation and herbal treatments, however, although the progress of such an illness is halted (so progressive poisons and diseases will not advance during the week of healing).  For a gift of a treasure or gold of D6x50 the Elders will also heal the Ranger of any disfigurement such as a missing limb or eye.

TRAINING

The Ranger starts at battle-level 1, as a Novice – you will find his Battle Level Table later in this pack.  All the rules for Warhammer Quest still apply in the advanced game, unless specifically stated otherwise.

A Ranger spends his time in the Wilds training, rather than at a location in a settlement.  To do so, he meets with a fellow Ranger and the two work together with his skills, often training each other in what they have learned.  Training actually is an intensive week of patrolling and using skills as if on an adventure, but with a closer level of scrutiny and trying new ideas.  The Ranger hunts, travels, sets and finds traps and snares, tracks enemies, and destroys evil where he finds it with his companion.

This fellow might not be as advanced as the Ranger, but only one will be in the area at any given time.  Roll on this chart for the Ranger’s Training:

Roll

Result

2-5

The Fellow Ranger is less skilled than yourself, and can only train in the single skill and your battle- level.

6-10

The Ranger is about your battle-level, and can teach you a few new tricks, Roll a D6, and add or subtract up to the amount rolled when rolling on the skills table below

11-12

This Ranger is very skilled, and spends time with you training in advanced Ranger skills.  Roll on the Advanced Training table below for the result.

 

ADVANCED TRAINING

Roll    

Result

2-4

The Ranger finds you annoying and slow-witted, and leaves halfway through your training, you learn nothing more than your base battle-level and the skill, but the time was not a waste, add or subtract 1 from the roll to choose a skill

3-7

This Ranger trains you well, Roll a D6, and add or subtract up to the amount rolled when rolling on the skills table below.  In addition, when rolling wounds up, you may re-roll any roll of 2 or less until you roll something higher than 2.

8-10

This Ranger is very skilled, choose the skill you learn on the table that you desire.

11-12

The Ranger teaches you skills you normally cannot learn.  Roll on any one Warrior skill table that you have access to, rerolling any spell or magical skill that you cannot use.  Whatever the result, the Ranger cannot use magic normally.

The Ranger has the following skills available to him as he goes up his Battle-Levels.  To determine which specific skill he learns when given the opportunity roll 2D6.

2

Sureshot

This skill allows you to re-roll any one of your Warrior's missile attacks which has missed.  This skill may be used once per turn.

 

3

Ignore Poison

Toxins of all kinds are neutralized by the Ranger’s affinity with nature, ignore any poison results or wounds.

 

4   

Herblore

The Ranger’s Knowledge of herbs and plants is extensive, enabling him to identify them and their products with accuracy and skill.  The Ranger with this skill is able to identify unknown herbs, plants, potions, and springs before testing them (roll as if the potion was used before drinking).  In addition, this allows the Ranger to create 1 more potion from Healing Herbs when used.

 

5

Ambush

If Monsters enter a room that your Warrior is already in (i.e., an Event card drawn as a result of a roll of 1 in the Power Phase) and if there are no other Monsters already in the dungeon section, your Warrior has time to hide (the model may be removed from the board) and may reappear after the Monster models have been placed.  He may immediately gain a free attack before anyone else can act (with the exception of spellcasters), before going on to the normal Warriors' Phase.  This ability does not apply when encountering monsters lying in wait in a room the Warriors have just entered.

 

6

Rapid Fire

This skill gives your Warrior +1 Attacks per turn with a missile weapon.

 

7   

Hunting

The Ranger is able to find means to support himself during a stay at a Settlement by spending a small portion of his day hunting in the countryside, not having to pay daily Living Expenses, whether he's inside the Settlement or biding his time outside.  On a roll of 1 on 1D6 per day, he can manage to cover the other Warriors' expenses for the day as well.  In addition, any wilderness event that requires a roll for survival or gathering food is automatically successful

 

8

Power Shot

This skill allows your Warrior to fire his bow with increased power, adding additional wounds to the damage inflicted by battle level:

Novice               

+1

Pathfinder          

+2

Ranger              

+3

Ranger Lord       

+4

 

9   

Evade

This skill gives your Warrior the ability to dodge incoming blows by stepping to one side.  If a Monster successfully hits your Warrior, roll 1D6.  On a score of 1, 2, 3 or 4 he hits your Warrior as normal.  On a score of a 5 or 6 your Warrior can evade the blow by stepping into any empty adjacent square.  If there are no squares free he must take the blow as normal.

 

10

Pathfinder

The Ranger is able to find his way out of any maze, dungeon, or deep safely.  With this skill, the Ranger adds 2 to his rolls for Escape from the Dungeons, and subtracts a week from travel time to Settlements (minimum travel time is one week).  In addition, Wrong Map and Lost results in events are treated as Uneventful Weeks.

 

11  

Trapper

You hold up your hand, halting the Barbarian before he blunders into the deadly trap.  Examining the trigger, you pull out your tools and get to work.  Perhaps this device could be used to your favor....

When a trap is encountered, it may be detected in time now on a roll based on the Ranger’s battle-level, regardless of which Warrior would have encountered the trap.  Furthermore, your Warrior may attempt to jury-rig the trap in such a way so that it may present a problem to any Monsters who waylay the Warriors while in this room.

Novice                5+
Pathfinder           5+
Ranger               4+
Ranger Lord        3 +

On a roll of 1 on 1D6, the attempt fails, and your Warrior sets off (and is targeted by) the trap.  On a roll of 2 or 3, the trap is disabled harmlessly.  On a roll of 4 or more, the trap will go off whenever a Monster Event occurs in this room, targeting a random monster if applicable.

 

12  

Pinion

    This skill allows your Warrior to trade in multiple attacks for one single, carefully aimed shot.  If the target is successfully hit, and is standing directly in front of, or adjacent to, a wall, roll an extra 1D6 after rolling

damage.  If the score is 4 or less, the shot simply causes normal damage.  On a 5+, the shot causes normal damage and pins the target to the wall.  The target may do nothing for the rest of this turn as it struggles to free itself.

 

EVENTS WHILE TRAINING

Unlike normal training, the Ranger actively engages in normal activities as he trains, and may have events that occur while in progress.  Roll on this table once during the training to see what unusual event occurs during training.

Roll

Event

3

The Ranger and his companion come upon a horde of Chaos seeking to sweep across the area.  Roll below:

1-2 The Horde scouts discover you and you are captured, but manage to escape… but all training time is for naught, no battle-level nor skills are achieved.
3-4      You manage to slip out with vital information and warn the authorities of the area, and spend the week fighting with the local armies against the hordes of Chaos.  Nothing is learned, but you earn one treasure card and D6x50 gold in the process, and do not gain a battle-level nor learn any skills.
5 Your information allows the local forces to strike and shatter the Chaos horde, sending them to their hidey holes and dank dungeons to plot again.  You receive your training and D6x20 gold in reward.
6 You infiltrate the camp and assassinate the leaders of the horde, sending them into disarray.  Your companion and you make off with a treasure card and D6x50 gold, and the horde disperses.  In addition, you learn your battle-level and all skills that entails.

4-5

Your hunting discovers a camp of bandits, roll a D6, recording this Bandit Number.  Then roll a D6 and add your WS to this result.  If the amount is less than the Bandit Number, you are defeated and lose half your money and 1 item of treasure you didn’t manage to hide.  If the amount rolled is greater than the Bandit Number, you defeated enough to chase them off, and celebrate your victory with some of their loot, D6x20 gold.  If the roll is double their number, you not only broke their attack, but destroyed their base and are lauded by the locals, all settlement expenses such as daily costs and event-based costs are negated.

7-9

You join a Wild Hunt for a time, and with them may find the Hidden Spring.  If you do not have the Elven Wardancer Warrior Pack, ignore this event, and treat it as uneventful

10-12     

Uneventful, nothing unusual happens in your travels

13-15

Your companion and you come upon a demolished village, the dying citizens manage to tell you the creatures that did this horrible deed.  Roll on the monster level table one higher than your Battle-Level for a creature type.  Your Ranger now hates this creature type, and is –1 to hit, but +1 attack against them.

16-18

In your travels, you encounter another Ranger, who helps with your training.  Upgrade the Ranger you are with by one type (one higher on the chart for ranger companion).  If your Ranger is already more experienced, then add 1 to the roll for training with him.

BATTLE LEVEL TABLE

BL

GOLD

TITLE

MOVE

WS

BS

STR

DAM

WNDS

INIT

ATT

LUCK

WILL

SKILLS

PIN

1

0

Novice

4

4

4+

3

1D6

1D6+7

5

1

0

3

1

3+

2

2,000

Pathfinder

4

4

4+

3

1D6

2D6+7

5

1

1

3

2

3+

3

4,000

Pathfinder

4

4

3+

4

1D6

2D6+7

6

2

2

4

3

3+

4

8,000

Pathfinder

4

4

3+

4

1D6

3D6+7

6

2

2

4

4

3+

5

12,000

Ranger

4

5

3+

4

2D6

3D6+7

7

2

2

4

5

2+

6

18,000

Ranger

5

5

2+

4

2D6

4D6+7

7

2

3

4

6

2+

7

24,000

Ranger

5

5

2+

4

2D6

4D6+7

8

3

3

4

7

2+

8

32,000

Ranger

5

6

2+

4

2D6

5D6+7

8

3

3

4

8

A

9

45,000

Ranger Lord

5

6

1+

4

3D6

5D6+7

8

3

3

5

9

A

10

50,000

Ranger Lord

5

6

1+

4

3D6

6D6+7

8

4

4

5

10

A

The Ranger could represent one of a wide range of character archetypes, from the environmentally-sensitive type who gives lectures on respecting nature to the practical survivalist to the hardy woodsman who appreciates a good mug of ale and a good laugh.  While he sneaks about, however, the temptation should be avoided to simply turn this into yet another sort of rogue or thief. Rangers, while not necessarily paladins in terms of morals, should still have some degree of upright standing as heroes.  While they may use their stealth to spy on the enemy, to use it simply out of sheer cowardice or an excuse to take advantage of fellow Warriors would be misguided.

Generally, a Ranger is pretty good with the sword (or at least he has a pretty good head start), and respectable with the bow as well, but his real strength in terms of role-playing is his different look on life and the Warhammer World.