I don't really like it deviating from AD&D rules, which I gather it does. But I also think it's kind of neat and helps balance it against the fighter/cleric.
The Ranger is actually not that great of a class to begin with. Its counterpart, the Paladin, has more useful tools. Kits, too.
Charm Animal just doesn't really matter in this game, and even less in BG2/TOB. You're basically giving up grandmastery and a faster XP table to cast Cure Light Wounds a few times a day by the time you have more than 100 HP. Multiclassed, you would get it even later, if it followed the rules.
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The Ranger is actually not that great of a class to begin with. Its counterpart, the Paladin, has more useful tools. Kits, too.
Charm Animal just doesn't really matter in this game, and even less in BG2/TOB. You're basically giving up grandmastery and a faster XP table to cast Cure Light Wounds a few times a day by the time you have more than 100 HP. Multiclassed, you would get it even later, if it followed the rules.