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I've been searching these forums for a ranger build but I've seen so many ideas and shreds of ideas I really need some answers and I want to delve into creating a ranger and making this thread all about the ranger.

Now the reason I picked up Neverwinter Nights 2 again after a few months is simply because I've read The Icewind Dale trilogy and I loved it so much I actually wanted to make a Drizzt character myself.

But Drizzt is something best described in the book itself as a perfectly toned fighter with a background that makes him the legend he is

Now what do I want out of this ranger?

- I want a dual wielding ranger probably scimitars (twinkle and icingdeath?) but I don't know if there are good scimitars in the game, so I need a choice in weapons preferably a focus on one type of weapon.

- I want a long rage opening, not much more than that but I want him to be able and shoot some arrows before the enemies come to close and switch weapons when they do for the real action

- I don't like stealth, I don't have the patience for it and I like jumping into the action.

- I want to be able and use some of the following skills but I don't know which ones are possible with a ranger: Tumble, diplomacy, search and disarm traps, appraise, use magic device and lore. Now the least important are lore, appraise and perhaps use magic device but being a powergamer the rest I would prefer if possible.

- I want a nice melee character (okay powergamer) with a bit of roleplaying fun!

What do I need to know?

Race: What race and why?

Stats: Now I've seen threads about people using strength with two weapon fighting and improved two weapon fighting but don't you need dexterity when using it? And what should be your max dexterity seeing as an armor can have a certain max bonus. I would greatly like starting attributes and what points to put where in each level I go up.

Skills: Which skills and why? Even if I have picked most above, I would like to know what skills are good for a ranger.

Gear: What should I look out for and why? I won't be using alchemy, crafting or enchanting so what you find in shops and enemies is all I will have.

Weapons: What kind of weapons should I use and thus where should I put points into?

Pet: What kind of pets are there and which one should I pick?

Partymembers: Elanee, Khelgar and either Grobnar or Cassavir but I don't know which one would be best, probably Grobnar seeing his incredible bonus and I think he was a fair ranged fighter right?

I hope this can become a very complete rangerbuild and hopefully a more conclussive answer than all the shreds found within the dozen threads speaking about ranger/thief/fighter/barbarian blends.

Now what do I want out of this ranger?

- I want a dual wielding ranger probably scimitars (twinkle and icingdeath?) but I don't know if there are good scimitars in the game, so I need a choice in weapons preferably a focus on one type of weapon.
> there are more arcane long-sword weapon than all others. such as "slay blade"

- I want a long rage opening, not much more than that but I want him to be able and shoot some arrows before the enemies come to close and switch weapons when they do for the real action
> buy an elevn bow.

- I don't like stealth, I don't have the patience for it and I like jumping into the action.
> it is useless .i steal everyone , and get seldom powerful item.

- I want to be able and use some of the following skills but I don't know which ones are possible with a ranger: Tumble, diplomacy, search and disarm traps, appraise, use magic device and lore. Now the least important are lore, appraise and perhaps use magic device but being a powergamer the rest I would prefer if possible.
> hide, and tumble. or listern and spot.
hide, if you shot a enemy , and he come to you, hide yourself. and attack him again.
tumble, you can run around enemy without be attack
listern,spot for reveal invisiable creature and attack them.
search, disarm, traps, appraise can let your party member Neeska to do it.


- I want a nice melee character (okay powergamer) with a bit of roleplaying fun!
> two-weapon fight style will suit for you.

What do I need to know?

Race: What race and why?
elf, immunity sleep, spot+1


Stats: Now I've seen threads about people using strength with two weapon fighting and improved two weapon fighting but don't you need dexterity when using it? And what should be your max dexterity seeing as an armor can have a certain max bonus. I would greatly like starting attributes and what points to put where in each level I go up.
>no worry, when you advanture, you will find a boots that DEX+3, and you will find a belt that STR +6, or let your party member to create magic item for you.
just focus DEX.

Skills: Which skills and why? Even if I have picked most above, I would like to know what skills are good for a ranger.
>hide,move silent (primary); tumble,listen,spot,search(second)

Gear: What should I look out for and why? I won't be using alchemy, crafting or enchanting so what you find in shops and enemies is all I will have.
>light armor.

Weapons: What kind of weapons should I use and thus where should I put points into?
>a long-sward and dagger for two weapon fight, a bow for long rang attack.

Pet: What kind of pets are there and which one should I pick?
>choise what you like.


Partymembers: Elanee, Khelgar and either Grobnar or Cassavir but I don't know which one would be best, probably Grobnar seeing his incredible bonus and I think he was a fair ranged fighter right?
Elanee = Khelgar = Cassavir (fighter style)
Grobnar is best for all party when attack a lot of enemy.
he can auto cast some spell on you, that will protect you.



I hope this can become a very complete rangerbuild and hopefully a more conclussive answer than all the shreds found within the dozen threads speaking about ranger/thief/fighter/barbarian blends.

>how about try my crazy idea........
a powerful warlock with archer feat
two public feat (no class limit) are "point blank shot" and "rapid shot"
these two feats will build any class (figher, wizard, sorcerer or ...) become a archer alike!!
if you are really like bow/arrow, add another "many shot" feat, then your character will become as powerful as Ranger.
beside,
warlock has many spell which like temporal increase DEX +4 , or increase all saving, or invisiable for 24 hours, even eldrith doom, these will superme then a Ranger.
and if a warlock lack of arrow, he/she can also cast a eldritch spear which is far 250 feet as bow/arrow rang.
and without arrow quantity limit.

have fun ^^"

Well not only was your reply very very confusing due to the lack of structure but you didn't read a single thing I wrote. I'm asking for a very specific build and you give me a completely different one....

People if possible give it a bit more structure and look at what I'm actually asking.

stats: pump dex.... that's not an answer

Sadly that's the kind of answer you would expect around here and if you think that was bad, have a look at my thread.

Hopefully someone will come up with a proper response, because i'm interested in playing a ranger myself.

> there are more arcane long-sword weapon than all others. such as "slay blade"

Ok that's good to know

> buy an elevn bow.

Not really precise is it? How about a location?

> it is useless .i steal everyone , and get seldom powerful item.

Right.... this sentence makes sense I don't want to stealth or pick pocket people....

> hide, and tumble. or listern and spot.
hide, if you shot a enemy , and he come to you, hide yourself. and attack him again.
tumble, you can run around enemy without be attack
listern,spot for reveal invisiable creature and attack them.
search, disarm, traps, appraise can let your party member Neeska to do it.

Seeing as reading is difficult for you, I do not want Neeshka in my party, I don't want hide and the rest granted is what I will take but I already said so...

>no worry, when you advanture, you will find a boots that DEX+3, and you will find a belt that STR +6, or let your party member to create magic item for you.
just focus DEX.

Nice English... and like I said I won't be using alchemy, crafting or enchanting.... and just focus dex?? So minimal str, int, con, wis, char and just max out dex all the way, sounds like sound advice....

>hide,move silent (primary); tumble,listen,spot,search(second)

AGAIN I don't want to use stealth...

>light armor.

Yeah seeing as a ranger can only use light armor....

So how about you learn how to read before you actually make a comment? And no I'm not looking for a warlock build I was very very specific in my request.

I played around with a couple of ranger builds last night and here's what i've come up with (level details coming as soon as i have time to write them down).

Ok, the whole build is made with the campaign in mind, so here goes:

race: human - 1 extra feat at character creation, no stat penalties (or bonuses)
alingment: neutral good

two weapon fighting style

(at startup)
str: 16 (boost when leveling up)
dex: 14 (boost with bracers of dexterity)
con: 12
int: 12
wis: 14 (boost with periapt of wisdom)
cha: 10 (boost with nymph cloak)

Doesn't need any more than 14 dexterity as he will be wearing studded leather armour (+5 max dexterity bonus) and with a dexterity boosting item (bracers of dexterity or something, i forgot the name) you can achieve the full +5 bonus.
Instead focus on boosting strength as this is primarily a melee character.
Other stats you should boost with items are wisdom (periapt of wisdom) for more spell slots and more potent spells, and charisma (nymph cloak) for diplomacy.

As for skills i chose concentration, diploamcy, heal, listen, lore, search, spot, survival and tumble. Since diplomacy and tumble are not ranger class skills they will be restricted to half of normal ranger skills.
To avoid having to spend 2 skill points on them choose able learner feat on startup also choose skill focus (diplomacy). Later you should also choose the negotiator feat to boost diplomacy even further. That with the help of nymph cloak and finch's fine chapeau (buy it from deekin) should make him a capable diplomat.
Tumble should be boosted by dexterity (bracers of dexterity) and boots of tumbling (greater boots of tumbling). Having a high tumble skill allows you move around in combat freely and eliminates the need for mobility and spring attack feats. Dodge feat should be taken anyway as it gives you a +1 dodge bonus to armour class.

As for weapons the optimal combination is a longsword (main hand) and a short sword (off hand). Take the longsword fighting feats (weapon focus, power critical, improved critical) and if you have a spare feat left over choose weapon focus (short sword).

Favored enemy: choose reptilian humanoids first as you will be fighting lizardfolk mostly in the begining, undead should be next (plenty of undead throughout the game) followed by humans and outsiders. The last favored enemy feat should be monstrous humanoids.

This is as much as i can remember right now, for animal companion i really couldn't decide but i think that the wolf's knockdown ability can be useful early in the game. Spells i really can't remember right now.

I realise that this isn't the exact build you're looking for but maybe you will find something in this build that you can use in yours.

Full level progression list and more in depth explanation coming soon.

A couple of posts have been deleted. If you have a problem with another member then take it to PMs. Further, implying someone has impaired intelligence simply because they do not find a post helpful could easily be classed as flaming. something with is not tolerated at GameBanshee. Keep things friendly and civil, if you can't respond in this way then do not make the post.

Now, having said that, can we get back to discussing the Ranger build that De_Priester wants help with, bearing in mind the specific things he wants when replying. Any further attempts at flaming or if things get out of hand and I will issue infractions which may lead to suspension of posting privelages.

But if you do put more points into dexterity and take weapon finesse or something like that, won't you do more damage that way? And with two weapon fighting don't you need more dexterity (not for the requirement since rangers get it anyway) in order to actually hit something?

Weapon finesse only applies to small weapons and with it the best weapon you will be able to use is the short sword. Strength determines how often you hit with melee weapons not dexterity, dexterity does the same for ranged weapons. with weapon finesse your dexterity determines how often you will hit with melee weapons BUT NOT HOW MUCH DAMAGE YOU MAKE (sorry for the caps).

Two weapon fighting feat reduces the penalty for using two weapons to -4 with both hands and if you use a light weapon on the off hand (like the short sword) you will reduce it further to -2 for both hands. improved and greater two weapon fighting reduce the penalties even more and grants you a third attack.
So with a -2 penalty you will be able to hit plenty.

In my opinion two weapon fighting is more effective with strength and a small weapon in the off hand than with dexterity and weapon finesse.

1st I would like to say that the main poster here needs to learn a little humility and not tear someone apart for "trying" to help.

But as to your post...

I played a dual-wield ranger/assassin/rogue to level 18 taking mainly dex as an attribute, specializing in longswords, and taking mainly "fighting" feats. I very rarely had any "hiccups".

I know thats not a full breakdown of what you were looking for, but thats kind of my point. Play the game! Thats why you bought it right, to play? You can't really "ruin" your character with a couple of bad choices, because even if you do, you have the support of the rest of your party. And you do NEED your party. There are mobs in this game that you need spells and such for, you arent just going to stand toe-to-toe with them.

So again, I would just suggest you play the game and find out for yourself rather than ask people to post every intricacy of the game for you...you're bound to have more fun that way anyways.

*Unfortunately I don't happen to have a complete build exactly what you want. But I do have some ideas for you to create your own build.

Now the reason I picked up Neverwinter Nights 2 again after a few months is simply because I've read The Icewind Dale trilogy and I loved it so much I actually wanted to make a Drizzt character myself.

But Drizzt is something best described in the book itself as a perfectly toned fighter with a background that makes him the legend he is

Now what do I want out of this ranger?

- I want a dual wielding ranger probably scimitars (twinkle and icingdeath?) but I don't know if there are good scimitars in the game, so I need a choice in weapons preferably a focus on one type of weapon.

* You can always craft some sweet scimitars. Just have Elanee or Quara take Craft Arms and Armor.

- I want a long rage opening, not much more than that but I want him to be able and shoot some arrows before the enemies come to close and switch weapons when they do for the real action

* Rangers choose ONE combat style (archer or dual wield) you already want dualwield so if you want ranged feats needed to become a good archer (rapid shot, point blank) maybe pick up 2 levels of fighter for feats or even make it 4 for Weapon Specialization (scimitar or longbow). 8 levels of fighter for Greater Weapon Focus. I wouldn't take less than 11 ranger levels because you want 3 favored enemeies, a maxed fighting style, and evasion.

I would recommend focusing on melee. It is more powerful.

- I don't like stealth, I don't have the patience for it and I like jumping into the action.

* Ok don't take Hide or Move Silently then.

- I want to be able and use some of the following skills but I don't know which ones are possible with a ranger: Tumble, diplomacy, search and disarm traps, appraise, use magic device and lore. Now the least important are lore, appraise and perhaps use magic device but being a powergamer the rest I would prefer if possible.

* Tumble is cross class. You might take a level of monk since you will have a high wisdom (or maybe not). Search is a class skill. Diplomacy I'm not sure. Disable traps is cross class and you cannot disable DC 20 traps without rogue levels in your build. Appraise not sure. Use magic device - cross class. Lore Yes.

You could take a level of rogue at first level and take able learner feat. Rogue has access to most skills and able learner lets you take a skill as if it were a class skill. Read the manual for details.

- I want a nice melee character (okay powergamer) with a bit of roleplaying fun!

* Ranger isn't the strongest meleer. Sorry but you will have to multiclass to become uber. It is good against favored enemies and gets a lot of skill points and some special abilities. And it is pretty good all around.

Race: What race and why?

* The best is drow but you take a -2 ecl penalty which is horrible in the OC at early levels. I like Wood elf since favored class is Ranger and you get +2 Str +2 Dex and Keen senses.

Stats: Now I've seen threads about people using strength with two weapon fighting and improved two weapon fighting but don't you need dexterity when using it? And what should be your max dexterity seeing as an armor can have a certain max bonus. I would greatly like starting attributes and what points to put where in each level I go up.

* Normally you need dex 19 for greater TWF but a ranger gets the feat without worrying about stats once they reach ranger 11. So you can build str based dual wielding rangers. Of course you still want some AC for armor class. Craft a mithril breastplate +5. You can still use evasion in that.

Skills: Which skills and why? Even if I have picked most above, I would like to know what skills are good for a ranger.

* Survival helps your tracking ability. Search, spot, and set traps are good Ranger abilities. The rest depends on if you multiclass. For example no tumble or appraise or diplomacy for ranger. Have an NPC take craft trap if you want to build traps (although you do find quite a few).

Gear: What should I look out for and why? I won't be using alchemy, crafting or enchanting so what you find in shops and enemies is all I will have.

* No. You should use crafting. Don't you want the best equipment?

Weapons: What kind of weapons should I use and thus where should I put points into?

* If you are dual wielding you take a -4 penalty for using 2 medium weapons. 2 short and you take -2. Shortswords are a natural dualwielding weapon to avoid AB penalty (which is really important...it means you have 10% more hits).

But if you want to be drizzt then take scimitars?? Longswords would be good for long weapons too.

I would take shortswords. But I usually make a Ranger with HIPS and backstab so base damage doesn't matter as much to me.

Pet: What kind of pets are there and which one should I pick?

* Just take whichever one you think is cool. They are more a distraction than a powerhouse.

Partymembers: Elanee, Khelgar and either Grobnar or Cassavir but I don't know which one would be best, probably Grobnar seeing his incredible bonus and I think he was a fair ranged fighter right?

* All of those are good. Elanee has good AOE. Khelgar is a ripped warrior. Cassavir has the special abilities of a pally like smite and divine might. Grobnar can use a inspiration that will make all of your many dualwielded attacks more likely to hit.

I hope this can become a very complete rangerbuild and hopefully a more conclussive answer than all the shreds found within the dozen threads speaking about ranger/thief/fighter/barbarian blends.

* Sorry I don't know what you want. I can answer questions but you need to make your own build. And you CAN look up things like what skills a ranger gets. You don't need someone to do it for you:laugh:

Here's a full build I made this morning. It does use death attack (like sneak attack) but untill level 20 don't worry about stealth just use it flanking. You get HIPS at 20 which rocks. The reason I wanted some death attack was that dual wield gives you seven attacks. You get 3 death attacks before they notice you since combat is broken into 3 phases.

Commando Assassin (Ranger 2/Fighter 8/Assassin 8/ Frenzied Berserker 2)
Race: Wood Elf
Alignment: Neutral or Chaotic Evil
PvM 1-20

Advantages
-4D6 Death Attack. 3 attacks in first combat segment: 3/2/2
-Hide in plain sight. I like this for defense too.
-Improved uncanny dodge. The build can avoid sneak attacks from a low level rogue.
-Frenzy
-Many feats
-Many attacks - 7 attacks. 8 when frenzying.
-Keen Senses
-Supreme Cleave

Disadvantages
-Horrendous Will Save
-Low AB
-Low AC

Note
-Scimitar (a medium weapon) is chosen despite the -4 Dual wield penalty because I don't think power attack works with light weapons (according to what I have read)

Base Attributes
STR 18 (20)
DEX 17 (20)
CON 12
INT 12
WIS 10
CHA 8

Final Level Distribution
Ranger 2
Fighter 8
Assassin 8
Frenzied Berserker 2

Attribute Bonuses
4, 8, 12 increase DEX
16, 20 increase STR

Leveling Guide and Feat Distribution
Level 1: Ranger 1: Bully, Power Attack, {Favored Enemy: Undead}
Level 2: Fighter 1: Cleave, {Tower Shield}
Level 3: Fighter 2: Weapon Focus (scimitar), Knockdown
Level 4: Fighter 3
Level 5: Ranger 2: {Two Weapon Fighting Combat Style}
Level 6: Fighter 4: Weapon Specialization (Scimitar), Great Cleave
Level 7: Frenzied Berserker 1: {Frenzy, Toughness}
Level 8: Frenzied Berserker 2: {Supreme Cleave}
Level 9: Assassin 1: Improved Two Weapon Fighting, {Use Poison}
Level 10: Fighter 5
Level 11: Assassin 2: {Uncanny Dodge, Poison Save +1, Ghostly Visage}
Level 12: Fighter 6: Greater Two Weapon Fighting, Extended Rage
Level 13: Assassin 3
Level 14: Assassin 4: {Poison save +2}
Level 15: Fighter 7: Extra Rage
Level 16: Assassin 5: {Darkness, Improved Uncanny Dodge 2}
Level 17: Fighter 8: Greater Weapon Focus (Scimitar)
Level 18: Assassin 6: Blind Fight, {Poison save +3}
Level 19: Assassin 7: {Invisibility}
Level 20: Assassin 8: {HIPS, Poison save +4}

Final Attributes
STR 20
DEX 20
CON 12
INT 12
WIS 10
CHA 8

BAB 18

AB (mundane scimitar x2)[with frenzy]:
Main-21,16,11,6 [24,24,19,14,9]
Off-21,16,11 [24,19,14]
Damage(mundane scimitar x2):
Main- 7 [10] + 1d6
Off- 4 [6] + 1d6

*for +5 scimitar add 5 to AB/damage

AC

19 in studded leather
36 in mithril Breastplate +5, ring protection +5, amulet natural armor +5

Final Saves
Fortitude 16
Reflex 16
Will 4

Hitpoints: 208

Skillpoints 105

Hide 23(28)
Intimidate 8(8)
Lore 1(2)
Move Silently 23(28)
Search 4(7)
Set Trap 5(10)
Spot 23(25)
Survival 8(8)
Tumble 10(15)


Skillpoint Distribution
Level 1: Hide 4(4), Move Silently 4(4), Search 4(4), Set Trap 4(4), Spot(4), Survival 4(4), Save 4
Level 2: Intimidate 5(5), save 2
Level 3: Intimidate 1(6), save 4
Level 4: Intimidate 1(7), Lore 1(1), save 5
Level 5: Hide 4(8), Move Silently 4(8), Spot 4(8)
Level 6: save 3
Level 7: Survival 4(8), save 2
Level 8: save 5
Level 9: Hide 4(12), Move Silently 4(12), Spot 2(10)
Level 10: Intimidate 1(8), save 2
Level 11: Hide 2(14), Move Silently 2(14), Spot 3(13)
Level 12: save 3
Level 13: Tumble 8(8)
Level 14: Spot 3(16), Tumble 2(10)
Level 15: save 3
Level 16: Hide 4 (18), Move Silently 4(18)
Level 17: save 3
Level 18: Hide 3(21), Move Silently 3(21), Spot 2(18)
Level 19: Hide 1(22), Move Silently 1(22), Spot 3(21)
Level 20: Hide 1(23), Move Silently 1(23), Set Traps 1(5), Spot 2(23)

you may want to consider:

Classes Ranger(11), Frenzied Berserker(5), Fighter(4)

Race Race: Wood Elf

Special Ranger Combat Style: Two-Weapon Fighting

Abilities STR: 17(22)
DEX: 15
CON: 12
WIS: 13
INT: 12
CHA: 10

RF {Keen Sense}

Legend

Level Lvl 01: Ranger(1): Luck of Heroes, FE: Undead, {Track}
Lvl 02: Ranger(2): {Two-Weapon Fighting (Ranger TWF)}
Lvl 03: Ranger(3): WF (Scimitar), {Toughness}
Lvl 04: Ranger(4): str+1, (STR=18)
Lvl 05: Ranger(5): FE: Outsiders
Lvl 06: Ranger(6): Power Attack, {Impr. Two-Weapon Fighting (Ranger TWF)}
Lvl 07: Fighter(1): Cleave, {Tower Shield Proficiency}
Lvl 08: Fighter(2): str+1, Great Cleave, (STR=19)
Lvl 09: Fighter(3): Pow.Crit. (Scimitar)
Lvl 10: Fighter(4): Impr.Crit. (Scimitar)
Lvl 11: Ranger(7)
Lvl 12: Ranger(8): str+1, Two-Weapon Defense, {Swift Tracker}, (STR=20)
Lvl 13: Ranger(9): {Evasion}
Lvl 14: Ranger(10): FE: Humans
Lvl 15: Ranger(11): Point Blank Shot, {Greater Two-Weapon Fighting (Ranger TWF)}
Lvl 16: Frenzied Berserker(1): str+1, {Frenzy 1}, (STR=21)
Lvl 17: Frenzied Berserker(2): {Supreme Cleave}
Lvl 18: Frenzied Berserker(3): Rapid Shot
Lvl 19: Frenzied Berserker(4): {Deathless Frenzy}
Lvl 20: Frenzied Berserker(5): str+1, {Enhanced Power Attack}, (STR=22)

Data Hitpoints: 228
BAB: 20
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Reflex/Will): 17/12/10

Skillpoints: 125
Max. Melee AB: 27 (Scimitar), Max. Ranged AB: 22



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As for your skills put points where you want, but just so you know a lot of the skills you want to get dont work too well with the ranger class.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Weapons:
My advice to you is to turn one of the spell casters into a weapons crafter

so later on in the game you can craft two kick ass scimitars

good enchantments to use are [limit of 3]

+2d6 dmg vs Evil
+1d6 fire dmg
+5 enchantment
+1d6 acid dmg
and one of the vampiric regenerations

I.E. one of them could have:

+5 Enchantment bonus
+2d6 dmg vs Evil
+1d6 fire dmg

The other one could be like :
+5 enchantment bonus
+1d6 acid dmg
+ (5, 10, or 15) Vampiric Regeneration


for your bow i strongly recommend one with a high Mighty rating so your STR will help with the damage.

personal favorite: Uthgardt Heavy Bow

Attack Bonus [+ 4]
Mighty [+ 6]
Massive Criticals [1d6]

-----------------------------------------------------------
Also the feats Point Blank Shot(lv 15), and Rapid Shot ( lv 18) are purely subjective and can both be replaced by any other feats. reason for including them is you said you wanted to shot some arrows b4 the enemies get to you, rapid shot will help with that, but in order to get rapid shot you need pointblank shot.{ unless you get an item that gives you the feat}

-----------------------------------------------------------------
equipment:
Bracers of Dexterity +8 ( +8 DEX) -> helps archery and defense
Periapt of Wisdom +8 ( +8 WIS) -> more spells
Belt of Storm Giant Strength ( +10 STR)
USE LIGHT ARMOR or you will lose your Combat style.

** cant remember if you can find/ craft these items in game so if you cant, there is always the DebugMode and spawning them.