When it comes down to it my issue with the PHB ranger is that it doesn't feel like it has a distinctive enough identity. Every class has something interesting and unique to offer, and while I wouldn't say the Ranger has absolutely nothing interesting going on, the class still feels to me like a weird fighter with some nature stuff on the side. When I'm constructing a character I always find myself wondering "Why this over the other options?"
When I look at the ranger in the PHB, I have difficulty giving that question a good enough answer. When I look at this ranger, I definitely feel like I have something.
I've never been a fan of Rangers having spells by default, especially not in 5e. In 5e it feels like the inclusion of spells causes the non-spellcasting elements of the Ranger to suffer much more than it allows them to shine. I absolutely agree that a Ranger without spellcasting needs something, some defining mechanic, and I think Survivalist Dice do a very good job of giving Rangers something distinctive and interesting.
I do acknowledge that there are places where this Ranger blurs a bit close to the Rogue, but I don't think that's a bad thing at all because it still feels like a Ranger. It's kind of like how the Paladin and Cleric dance a bit close at times, but the Cleric is still distinctively a Cleric and the Paladin is still distinctively a Paladin.
Basically, I really like this. I've been looking at it for a while and it really feels good to me. I don't think it's perfect as a fully-completed character class but I think it's fantastic as a demonstration of what can be done to make a Ranger feel like a Ranger.
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