Interesting comparison between two fictional types of warrior combined with practical thoughts. I loved the special effects in this one too, your production values are ever upwards. For mobility and armour, you might want to investigate jack chains. They are quite unusual and rarely seen in fantasy images, but used a lot historically.

A key part of a witcher's look is their school medallion. You pick one of those up, and even if you lose the breastplate or modify the look, as long as you have it and the sword(s), your profession is still clear. I would even say your ranger gear would be a perfectly suitable witcher outfit if you had your medallion and a back scabbard.

In Tolkeins universe it must be remembered the rangers are Noble rangers. They are not just trained rangers but trained knights as well and depending on their current duty they will be able to tool up from light kit as a light infantryman doing long range patrols right up to being a heavy cavalryman (as demonstrated by Faramir and Aragorn). This should not be too surprising as hunting, running around the woods with bows, crossbows, swords, javelins and spears was the preserve and sport of the medieval nobility. A ranger is just playing further into it with more sneaky long range patrol SAS vibes. Which is a pretty awesome concept.

I've been working on a ranger kit for the past fifteen years, but you've given me the inspiration to get back at it.

I love this video. Taking the Ranger vs. Witcher angle was original and I can understand why you enjoy the ranger more. I did kinda laugh when you mentioned that you felt like your character changed while in Witcher armor because IMO Geralt is a loner and not very social. But again this was a good video.

I think the ranger works with the added armour as depending on the area you are patrolling you may require it. And a ranger as a highly trained elite soldier is going to have acsess to it. If they fight in a pitched battle alongside their king's army I'd expect them to look like a retinue archer with good quality armour or even as a noblman(as many of Tolkeins rangers are). And from there you can work all the way back to long range patrolling in essentially no armour but using their instincts and skills to avoid a fight, make sure a fight is heavily favoring them before starting it(like slipping back to camp and telling the lads to tool up for a night attack). I always imagine rangers working in small teams. With pairs of rangers carrying out most patrols etc together, and them being based from a mobile patrol camp(which is still typically 6-8 rangers), its less romantic than the idea of the lone ranger but it actually sounds much much more practical. And then you also have room for the COMPLETE BADASS LONE RANGER! Because if everyone is 'the ranger' no-one is 'the ranger' they just become 'rangers' as it'd be common practice and what you expect to see at that point think about it. In the witcher 2 i really liked Geralts brigandine armour set. But especially for a character like a witcher i think the armour system could be more balanced; its flat better than all the rest with no penalty. There should be trade offs in mobility and protection.

Interesting comparison. Ranger kit is truly versatile because it's just so basic and functional. Also, nice as a base to play NPCs. Just add a face cove, and you can play a bandit, for example. What I didn't experience, personally, is that armor makes you less sociable. In my experience, that has more to do, with how you picture the character you're playing in your head. Witchers tend to be more lone-wolf types. Rangers too, though my Ranger turned out one of the most social characters I have played. But so did the armored knight I played. I always pictured the knight as a diplomat and leader (Obi-Wan from clone wars was a huge inspiration for that character.) So, that was, what I was striving for. Coincidental, in February I'm going to a Witcher larp with my ranger. I imagine I can do well, compared to all the Witchers because it's just much easier to hunt monsters with a bow and arrow, rather than a long sword. I love long sword, but monster hunting is much easier, if you can do it from a safe distance. And in terms of knowledge, tracking skills and masterful use of tactics, there is not much difference between a ranger and a Witcher. I feel larp Witchers are handicapping themselves to adhere to Witcher lore by using longswords as their primary weapon. For hunting, bows, crossbows and spears are much stronger weapons.

I am a simple person. I see a Kramer video on Rangers, I click. I was not disappointed. :)

Both outfits really looks great and really gives me some inspiration for something id like to wear. That said thou i must admit that Ranger outfit is my favorite so far.

So, when is the next installment of the “Lone Ranger” coming out? I, as well as a lot of your subscribers, would love to see a continuation of your adventures.

2 belts!!! yes!!!!!, I found it so usefull, also an extra belt helps keep cloak in check so you can hold it back out of the way of arms etc....

I do like the homemade duster. It makes you look like how I expect Halbarad to look; very epic. The rest of the video is good too. Although I’ve never been a big fan of The Witcher, I love their look and think it’s very iconic to the genre.

As a Pole I would go with witcher one... Just because our landscapes and culture is so much closer to world in Witcher books and games (fu netflix) than Middle Earth. Yet, there is plenty of things you can use in ranger AND witcher costumes that are common (boots, pants, some elements of armor). Love both, both are fantastic anyway.

Really cool to see someone appreciate Rangers Apprentice, I haven’t seen much love for that series online but that was arguably the series that got me into fantasy

The Ranger is one of my go-to classes, besides the Norse Warrior, the Barbarian, and Paladin to name a few, I actually have 2 Rangers in Skyrim, male and female both Bosmer (Wood Elves)

Fun and informative, my favorite kind. BTW, I think you'd look good with witcher eyes. I've definitely learned that layers are important, especially if you don't have a lot of money/time/ability to make sure you have what you need. A few basic pieces can go a long way.

I do find it funny that you base your witcher aesthetic solely on Geralt from the witcher 3, considering that there are several other witchers in the game that look differently. I thought the most obvious give away for a witcher where the 2 swords, the amulett, and the cat eyes. Great costume though.

Handy comparison. That makes sense. The ranger is inherently a highly versatile mode of life, it makes sense that his garb would be the same. I do have an undeniable love for the idea of the ranger in particular. There's so much potential for exploring new remarkable possibilities with that kind of role.

Comment to sate the algorithm. Interesting to consider the practical, "off character" aspects of a costume like making your way through a crowd. I've found that being taller tends to influence others to voluntarily make way. Walls, not so much though.

Intersting video as always, I have a feeling I requested this a while back.....

Interesting and high quality as always, kramer; thanks for what you do!

Great video. Even if you don't end up making/using the two outfits, it's a really good place to start comparing the different elements in an outfit. Definitely starts a conversation

I love your channel. I've got a Ranger kit I've been working on it needs some more layers.

“That was just a cut for time” cracked me up - so suave! Almost made me believe you. Loved the video!

Cool comparison! :)

What's funny is that in books there is not a single mention of Geralt wearing armor (unless you treat a leather jacket as one, but doubt it is a case, and Geralt bought it due to fashion, not practical reasons).

Latest version of the ranger outfit looks awesome man! I must concur on the back scabbards, I've found it much easier and more comfortable at festivals to have my sword at my side than on my back for navigating buildings and crowds. But love the back scabbards for wilderness travel! -Dan

The ensemble at 6:23 is very much cooler looking than the earlier loadout at 6:18, awesome job

You rock both looks! Your hair is also versatile!

Great video! You look great in both kits, but I honestly think the Ranger kit fits you the best, since it looks very loose and mobile. I am still working on my Dúnedain outfit myself, currently looking for a pair of boots, and a pipe, then the outfit will finally be complete. After that, I'm planning on making a Witcher-outfit too :)

I belong to a group that reenacts Rangers in Middle Earth. I generally don't wear armor. If I do, it's a simple padded aketon under maile, sometimes with a coif, sometimes not. I tend to use a single-hand sword (old unlicensed Del Tin Glamdring), a spear or quarterstaff, usually the latter, these days a sling or javelins more often than bows. I'm getting rather long in the tooth so my big warbows are harder to handle than used to be. :) I have a jerkin, though it is wool rather than leather. My tunics tend to be more Norman in style than anything else. Boots are soft and high, for the most part. I do have vambraces, both with padded palm strips. A nice hooded cloak of the old Celtic/Roman style or a cowled hood complete things. Nice video! Love the comparison! Another good video. :)

In the same way that police or military wearing bulletproof vests or body armor, it puts out a sense of defensiveness and intent or preparation for combat, wearing armor suggests that you are ready for or expecting a fight to take place….

So inspirational. I want a ranger kit!

Glad to hear Ranger's Apprentice getting some love.

I would love to see you do an Araluen Ranger specifically at some point 😊

Hmmm... I had never really thought about the comparison of versatility in costumes before, but it's interesting, Dwarven fells-ward (basically the same job as ranger) is not the only gear set I have but it's by far the one I use aspects of in other things the most, maybe it's just that the wilderness wandering character gives you a versatility and layering that can be more easily used in other costumes? and while a ranger kit done well can take a long time to put together, it is the best place to start because you can use it in so many other ways

Pretty neat intro

Very timely video as I’m currently struggling to settle between a Witcher or Ranger setup.

This is also really handy tidbits for character designers.

Yay, just as I concluded that there is nothing that interests me is up on YT - your vid surfaced!

Looks great 👍

very interesting video ! I think that " the more you dress like a witcher the less you can fight like one " argument only applies to the game version of Geralt ( and netflix series but let's not go there.. ). In the books, Geralt wears a leather jacket and regular clothes, nothing like what's shown in the games where he can look like a tank in some cases, think Ursine armor and even the poster armor. So, I'd say that dressing like a Witcher and fighting like one is totally doable IF you don't go for the video game look. Looking forward to more videos from you Kramer ! Love from Switzerland

Another amazing video👍 Yeah, the Witcher is basically a specializer warrior that can survive in the wild, whereas the Ranger is a wilderness survival expert that can fight. Also interesting thing I noticed while watching this, your ranger outfit doesn't even necessarily need to be classified as such, several of your variations are just general medieval-style clothing. That could explain why it feels more comfortable and versatile.

I noticed you mentioned restrictive mobility on the chest plate, so I went to take a look at the ursine armor. On looking at more pictures of it, I noticed that the beginning versions have stitches running along them while later versions had rivets along the same lines. I wonder if that's a leather encased "chest"-coat of plates. That would potentially increase mobility for someone who attacks as acrobatically as a Witcher does. Might help with your closed off feeling slightly as well. Leather wouldn't catch fire easy and wouldn't sear your skin like the bare metal would if you had exposed metal plates. Just a thought on your musings and looking at the models.

for my witcher-inspired character, I just used a leather tunic above an undertunic, along with leather braces. I still need to figure out how to make a back-sheathed sword work with a cape, because they are both extremely important to me to get the witcher feel. (I am also mostly relying on the books, as I am not a video gamer and the Netflix show is... not amazing at this.)

The problem with the comfort and range of motion is why witchers don't generally wear proper armor; relying on prepared potions, speed and traps. Geralt, as always, is a marked exception to that general rule. Especially in the third game, where he has slowed down noticeably due to age and chronic injury. That's likely why he relies more on armor than his absolutely hellish speed. On a different note, I recently grabbed a pair of Joined Hose off of medieval collectibles; they're called "15th century pants". They have the same flap-front as the hunting trousers in TW3, and they're a wool blend for only 51USD. Might want to check it out.

worth noting that in the books, geralt doesn't wear any armor beyond an ordinary leather jacket and gloves. they're studded with silver, though this would only affect monsters that get to grips with him.

Love that gambeson

I’ve always like how u can turn ur base layer to Witcher or middle earth by just adding or takening off ur top layer

I am curias could the brest plate be worn under the top coat? Would that keep the ranger look with a bit more armor underneath? Love the looks btw.

like the comparison. tried to look for one of these for D&D since Ranger is the Monster Hunter type of Class so a Witcher type of character would be a Ranger but since but since people wanted a more 1:1 witcher type class the Mutant Blood Hunter became a thing

Hi! Where did you get your Gambeson and or do you have a pattern?

Well to be fair, witchers originallly were meant to wear just a lether jacket with studs and bracers (at least Geralt) which provides minimal protection but plenty of freedom in moving around the battlefield. Witcher armor You chose to wear is purely from the games and even in those it is meant to be the heaviest kind of armor that Witcher would wear (Ursine Gear). So in my opinion, if You would wear a Ranger Gear You showed in this video but still kept the sword on your back, You would still represent a witcher pretty well. Overall, great video mate

You should check out the "Echoes of Fate" book series as well as their prequel series "The Ranger Archives" for a new version of a fantasy Ranger/ Witcher. All books are by Philip C Quaintrell.

when I think about the witchers they are going to gravitate into one of to modes 1- hunters of large animals ( kill by means of traps and poisons and long range projectile weapons ) 2- heavy infantry ( kill by blunt force trauma and edged weapons at close range ) the likely customers of the witcher are probably going to prefer hunter witchers over heavy infantry because the amount of collateral damage will be far lower and an unuseful hunter is far far less likely to have an angry monster come back looking for revenge .

Have you analyzed the starting armor set from the Witcher 3 for practicality-mobility and protection? Has anyone? Does the movement Gerald demonstrates in the game make sense with the armor?

Interesting to compare the 2 and thinking about it, the idea does make sense. I am heavily biased in favor of the ranger, having spent my youth and early adulthood as I did. However, that aside, I'd still go with the ranger. The witcher might "look cool", but is not based in practical reality. I'm not refering to potions or genetics. He was created as the fantasy of an author who thought that a pirouette is a useful move in combat...

i have always wanted to have the time and money to experiment with armors. Plastic and leather will probably be the extent of my crafting,

Cool comparison but the removable sleeves I'm not to familiar with is there a place to acquire some?

I wonder if you would be considering using a buff coat with removable sleeve for either your Witcher or Ranger apparel.

The ranger garb is definitely the coolest. Just my opinion.😎

gr8 vid

Nice

I personally like rangers better in general, and they are more versatile. And speaking of costumes, I have a question. In The Two Towers film I noticed some of the Rohirrim wearing a coat of mail that look like fish scales. Do you know if this “fish-scale-mail” was an actual, historic thing or just something the movie directors thought would look cool?

If I were to go to an actual LARP, I’d probably want to play a fencing scholar. I’m more of a fencer by training, and I’d need to lose a ton of weight to pass as any kind of warrior, much less fit into any kind of armor.

Having wore chainmail, if you start striding towards someone, the extra few stone of weight youre carrying emans its difficult to slow down, and so if your tall, this can make your posture/gait very intimidating....which isnt soemthing i rememebred untill just now.

1:31 Watch that thigh, ranger! You're exposing yer leg. I agree that a higher level of armor can affect our mood. Dwarves love as much armor as we can get our hands on, and we are infamous for being stand-offish grumps. But in our case, it's sort of a "chicken or the egg" kinda thing. Are we grumpy because of the armor, or do we seek out the armor because we know its wearers seem to be a little more miserable all the time? 😉 Ah, yes, the Ritchers and Wangers. They throw all the grandest parties!

Where did ya get the witcher gambeson? Been looking for a garment like that for a while

What gorget set are you wearing in this video? 2:06 @ living anachronism

i feel like a witcher without his armor still looks like a witcher. just depends if you have cat eyes and your weapons on your back. also just using bear armor as a reference feels kinda weird as there are multiple styles of witcher armor and most of them if not all are easier to wear than the bear armor

Maybe you've shown that in another video and I just couldn't find it but how do you attach the removable sleeves?

I first started wanting to be a dragon rider, but with how hard that was I went spell sword with dragon elements.

Any way to get a tutorial on how to make a jerkin like the one you have for your ranger kit?

you demonstrate WHY fantasy is JUST THAT fantasy. Reality works, because it evolved

"You, there, what is you profession?" "I'm a potter, sir." "And you, Arcadian, what is your profession?" "Sculpture, sir." The point here... "Where are you going? What are you doing?" If it is war you seek, specialize in the dealings of blood. But if you do not know what lays before you, and wish to build upon the land, train your citizens to be ready for battle. For a people that know how to protect their own land will fight far better then an army ordered to conquer.

YOU READ RANGER'S APRENTICE!?!?!??! I never thought I'd find anyone here who actually does! 2nd edit: great vid btw

I'd like to hear your thoughts on Netflix's The Last Kingdom. 9th century England, Saxons fighting Danes. But mostly because the main character looks a lot like you...

In terms of character aesthetic and functionality, It is a tie for me, as the Ranger and Witcher gear are good for their specific purposes and both professions have their own flexible variations that tell the viewer what it is the Ranger or Witcher are currently dealing with. I imagine that the Ranger with the coat is either in a chilly and/or wet climate. A Witcher wearing plated armor is facing a foe that does a lot of damage.

the song at the start made me remember the bardcore cover of unholy

It would be nice to make a crossover of ranger and witcher!

Some of your issues maybe that you are looking at them as different things. In D&d terms witchers would be rangers of a specific type. In 5e there is a monster hunter path, the gloom stalker path as well could be a witcher character.

A point that I think might be lost is, the Witcher outfit/costume is supposed to look intimidating. In a world where humans are generally outclassed by everything else, they would want to project an image. You look bigger, broader, tougher. There's a psychological edge there. You look more like a threat. I know, because my larp gear I'd designed to make me look more like a threat, my actual character is pretty weak. But he doesn't look like that. No, he looks like a threat so you focus on that, while the guy with the good weapon is doing all the damage.

Commenting for the algorithm.

So a Witcher is basically a medieval Judge Dredd.

🏹🏹

👍👍👍👍👍

odd to think the man I met at Reckoning was not the man you had originally intended. Who, I wonder, will I meet next year?

You look so much like Luke Evans as Bard in The Hobbit

As long as you can carry some chicken sandwich and some skooma, you´ll be fine.

Have you heard? Epic armoury now has curved swords. *Curved* . *Swords* .

In many way a wiItcher is more like a subclass of ranger. I can see witchers looking like a ranger most of the time until it is time to handle the target.

Witcher chest need to cover your stomach to help from getting disembowel

Kramer I sure would not want to use witcher armour your belly is exposed and a slash there would empty out on to the ground :( but love your vids Merry Christmas too

Aragorn would just stab Geralt while he spins his sword.

You know, with the Witcher kit, you might want to try a shoulder cloak or cape and look into the cloak fighting styles to add to things

Clothes maketh the man, or the character anyway.

Just a comment for the algorithm

Something that will help with the shoulders. Gorget should go under the breastplate not over it. It's something fantasy/historicalish media get wrong constantly

Oh me God he's got a back scabbard someone call shad and skall we need to start the next great weeb war with an army of edgelords

First comment!