This mod adds another Lone Wolf scenario with a ranged unit as a main character. Doesn't require any DLC to run. However, Bests and Exploration DLC is needed if you want to craft new ranger gear.

It allows you to play as a ranger (hunter), combining some pros and cons of other scenarios. Although, none of the bonuses or maluses are as high as in those other scenarios. See the Pros/Cons sections below for details.

I tried to make this mod balanced and lore-friendly, with proper character introdution. Although I didn't have time to playtest it much, so it may be quite hard, maybe even harder than Hedge Knight's Lone Wolf, especially later in the game. Scenario is of course not ment to be played solo and you should hire some melee fighters to keep you safe as soon as possible.


Starting character is based on a hunter, with some stats (melee attack, defences and bravery) buffed by few points to increase his survivability but not make him very OP. Ranged skill was not buffed comparing to hunter, but it has 3 talent starts. Same for Initiative.

There's optional mod version with unlocked few perks right from the start (Pathfinding, Bow and Axe Masteries) to make the game a little easier and allow for spending extra points on some other fancy or defensive perks. Since this character is quite fragile it may be hard to keep him alive in late-game, so I do not consider it as a cheat. What's more, axe mastery makes the ranger useful even in encounters with archery-proof enemies like the Ancient Undead.

The starting ranger has a hunting bow, a hatchet and some custom gear - hood and leather armor. New items are mainly for the looks and have good, but not awesome stats. Hood gives 80 protection at -4 stamina cost, while armor is 90 protection at -8, so it's comparable with other gear which can be normally bought. I wanted to give the ranger a decent protection while keeping the feel of a woodsman. As of version 1.1 new items can be crafted at Taxidermist using direwolf pelts and spider silk. New recipes are available only for rangers.


Changelog:
Update 5 - 2020.08.29: version 1.4 - fixed wolf pet events not firing up.
Update 4 - 2020.08.18: version 1.3 - for game version 1.4.x.x, changes in the events, new items and recipies - see Articles section for detailed changelog.
Update 3 - 2019.05.23: version 1.2 - added hawk companion, new event, new armor and crafting recipe. Wolves buffed - see Articles section for detailed changelog.
Update 2 - 2019.05.21: version 1.1 - added wolf and direwolf companions, new events and
crafting recipes - see Articles section for detailed changelog.
Update 1 - 2019.05.19: added optional OP (overpowered) version of the mod. Start as a veteran 11lvl character with three perks already unlocked (Pathfinder, Bow and Axe masteries)



Scenario characteristics:
(not all are listed in-game due to limited window space)

Pros:
- Ranger: Start as a lone, experienced hunter.
- Pathfinder\Tracker: You travel faster and see footprints from futher away. (not as fast as Poachers and not as good tracker as Beast Hunters)
- Former Hunter: Has a very small chance of finding extra loot when fighting beasts. (less than 1/3 the chance Beast Hunters have)
- Protector: Starts with good relations with one of the villages.
- Animal Friend: Each ranger has a small chance of taming a wolf/direwolf. Player ranger has a chance of getting a hawk pet.
- Woodland gear: Knows some unique crafting recipes.

Cons:
- Forest Guardian: Hates poachers and raiders. (Cannot recruit poachers nor raiders, but has small chance of finding other rangers to hire instead)
- Travel Light: You can carry fewer items in your company's inventory. (-10 to inventory size)
- Wolfpack: Can never lead more than 18 men.
- Villager: You start with decreased funds. (1/2 of normal funds)
- Avatar: If your ranger dies, the campaign ends.



Additional rangers available for hire compared to hunters:
- higher hiring cost, slighly lesser daily wages
- have small chance of starting with better gear (ranger's hood and leather armor)
- lower health and stamina, but higher melee skill, bravery and defences
- ranged skill has bigger spread, average should be slightly lower than for hunter

So overall the unit is slightly better, but more expensive and it's also much harder to find.



Requirements:

- runs fine without any DLC
- you need "Beasts and Exploration" DLC if you want to craft the ranger items


Installation:

- just drop one of the zip files into your game's Data folder (eg. steam\steamapps\common\Battle Brothers\data). No need to unpack it.

- optionally you can adjust some scenario settings to your liking by editing "settings_ranger.nut" file included in "scripts\config" folder.

Known conflicts:

- mod doesn't modify any of existing game files so it shouldn't conflict with other mods. Although there might be problems with mods which add custom starting scenarios due to limited in-game window size, so I suggest using only one such mod at a time.



Please report any bugs you'll find and feel free to post comments and suggestions on how to improve the mod. Thanks and have fun.