Elf Pure Ranger

[Isillion]

Hi All

I've been wondering what to do with my 1st life level 13 Elf Ranger. To show how long ago it has been since I used her, she still has mental toughness for AA requirements! So, I'm looking to LR her but what to do...

1. I REALLY don't want to splash monk and make a monkcher! I have my fair share of monk splashes and I'm quite the casual player so EE is not going to be a concern.
2. Ideally I want to keep her pure ranger for flavour (notice my nationality?) and nostalgia. My main concern here is all the feats I would like - mainly overwhelming critical and it's requirements. This seems to be the main build question
3. I have a +2 STR tome. I'm pretty sure I can make a +3 DEX tome from the anniversary cards.
4. Main style of play is to be ranged. Happy to take melee feats / requirements as long as it's not detrimental to ranged play style
5. Survivability - I want the displacement DM. Have a question mark as to whether Extend is necessary
6. I've no idea what's optimal between the AA and DWS trees. T5 AA doesn't look as appealing on face value as DWS - could be wrong

My initial thoughts

32pt 1st life Elf Ranger - Lawful Good

STR 16 (+2 tome) - min +5 levels for OC
DEX 18 (potential +3 tome)
CON 14
INT 10 (I like a stealthy play style so hoping to max Move Silently, Hide, Heal, Concentration & Balance)
WIS 8
CHA 8

1. PBS
3. DM
6. Precision
9. IC Ranged
12. Empower Healing
15. Power Attack
18. Cleave
21. Combat Archery
24. Great Cleave
27. Overwhelming Critical

I'd be interested to see a DEX build without using Grace, ignoring STR and all the requirements for overwhelming critical

My knowledge of Epics is pretty much nil as my highest level character is 20

Many thanks in advance

[unbongwah]

IMHO, Overwhelming Crit isn't worth the 4-feat cost on a purely ranged toon; OTOH, it's still not worth going purely ranged on a pure rgr vs monkcher. So to some extent it's a question of max effectiveness vs sticking with a flavor choice.

When it comes to Slaying Arrow, remember that it will proc up to 4 times during Manyshot and that the Vulnerable procs from Imp Shock Arrows will apply to its dmg. It is also multiplied by crits, so say hello to Adrenalized Slaying Arrows. In terms of burst DPS, nothing else comes close for a rgr.

Since you're already LG, you may with to consider a pally splash: that gets you Div Grace, access to Div Might (with Bane of Undeath Twisted), and LoHs to power Light the Dark while in US. And as an elf, you can take the racial AA tree if you really want the AA capstone.

If you do take the Shadow DM, I definitely recommend taking Extend as well. The U19 overhaul moved Displacement to Gtr Shadow DM and you can only get 4 uses of Gtr DM from racial tree (+1 if you have eChimera's Crown equipped). At lvl 28, each use of Displacement lasts 168 secs., so four uses is 672 secs. (11.2 mins); Extend would double that 22.4 mins.

[Siccan]

IMHO, Overwhelming Crit isn't worth the 4-feat cost on a purely ranged toon; OTOH, it's still not worth going purely ranged on a pure rgr vs monkcher. So to some extent it's a question of max effectiveness vs sticking with a flavor choice.

When it comes to Slaying Arrow, remember that it will proc up to 4 times during Manyshot and that the Vulnerable procs from Imp Shock Arrows will apply to its dmg. It is also multiplied by crits, so say hello to Adrenalized Slaying Arrows. In terms of burst DPS, nothing else comes close for a rgr.

Since you're already LG, you may with to consider a pally splash: that gets you Div Grace, access to Div Might (with Bane of Undeath Twisted), and LoHs to power Light the Dark while in US. And as an elf, you can take the racial AA tree if you really want the AA capstone.

If you do take the Shadow DM, I definitely recommend taking Extend as well. The U19 overhaul moved Displacement to Gtr Shadow DM and you can only get 4 uses of Gtr DM from racial tree (+1 if you have eChimera's Crown equipped). At lvl 28, each use of Displacement lasts 168 secs., so four uses is 672 secs. (11.2 mins); Extend would double that 22.4 mins.

I agree

[Isillion]

IMHO, Overwhelming Crit isn't worth the 4-feat cost on a purely ranged toon; OTOH, it's still not worth going purely ranged on a pure rgr vs monkcher. So to some extent it's a question of max effectiveness vs sticking with a flavor choice.

When it comes to Slaying Arrow, remember that it will proc up to 4 times during Manyshot and that the Vulnerable procs from Imp Shock Arrows will apply to its dmg. It is also multiplied by crits, so say hello to Adrenalized Slaying Arrows. In terms of burst DPS, nothing else comes close for a rgr.

Since you're already LG, you may with to consider a pally splash: that gets you Div Grace, access to Div Might (with Bane of Undeath Twisted), and LoHs to power Light the Dark while in US. And as an elf, you can take the racial AA tree if you really want the AA capstone.

If you do take the Shadow DM, I definitely recommend taking Extend as well. The U19 overhaul moved Displacement to Gtr Shadow DM and you can only get 4 uses of Gtr DM from racial tree (+1 if you have eChimera's Crown equipped). At lvl 28, each use of Displacement lasts 168 secs., so four uses is 672 secs. (11.2 mins); Extend would double that 22.4 mins.

As I'm refusing to go monkcher does this leave the pure build I originally posted viable (as a mix ranged and melee character). Not sure what to drop to get extend in though... just looked in wiki and 'Horizon Shot' in DWS core puts you always in PBS range so guessing I could drop / swap PBS? Seems expensive to get to with AP's

[unbongwah]

Not sure what to drop to get extend in though... just looked in wiki and 'Horizon Shot' in DWS core puts you always in PBS range so guessing I could drop / swap PBS? Seems expensive to get to with AP's

PBS is a pre-req for Combat Archery and w/out it you don't get the +1[W] bonus for being in PBS range, so I would keep it if you still intend for this to be a primarily ranged toon.

[Irongutz2000]

Hi All

I've been wondering what to do with my 1st life level 13 Elf Ranger. To show how long ago it has been since I used her, she still has mental toughness for AA requirements! So, I'm looking to LR her but what to do...

1. I REALLY don't want to splash monk and make a monkcher! I have my fair share of monk splashes and I'm quite the casual player so EE is not going to be a concern.
2. Ideally I want to keep her pure ranger for flavour (notice my nationality?) and nostalgia. My main concern here is all the feats I would like - mainly overwhelming critical and it's requirements. This seems to be the main build question
3. I have a +2 STR tome. I'm pretty sure I can make a +3 DEX tome from the anniversary cards.
4. Main style of play is to be ranged. Happy to take melee feats / requirements as long as it's not detrimental to ranged play style
5. Survivability - I want the displacement DM. Have a question mark as to whether Extend is necessary
6. I've no idea what's optimal between the AA and DWS trees. T5 AA doesn't look as appealing on face value as DWS - could be wrong

My initial thoughts

32pt 1st life Elf Ranger - Lawful Good

STR 16 (+2 tome) - min +5 levels for OC
DEX 18 (potential +3 tome)
CON 14
INT 10 (I like a stealthy play style so hoping to max Move Silently, Hide, Heal, Concentration & Balance)
WIS 8
CHA 8

1. PBS
3. DM
6. Precision
9. IC Ranged
12. Empower Healing
15. Power Attack
18. Cleave
21. Combat Archery
24. Great Cleave
27. Overwhelming Critical

I'd be interested to see a DEX build without using Grace, ignoring STR and all the requirements for overwhelming critical

My knowledge of Epics is pretty much nil as my highest level character is 20

Many thanks in advance

The best way rangers work in combat r to melee 90% of the time, then pull ur bow out when manyshot is off cooldown. I have a pure ranger with 41 points spent in tempest ( capstone ) and enough in deep wood to get sniper shot. I run EE's a lot and the strickly ranged path is very very underwhelming due to the doubleshot pen after manyshot..

I would drop precision and pick up quicken, maximize is stronger then empowered healing ( unless ur using cocoon ). I also do not have PBS or combat archery instead I took dodge and imp crit piercing.

If u want a pure ranged toon, artificers and monkchers r the way to go. A ranger however can twf with the best of them AND has manyshot which works well with snipershot and adernilines

[Isillion]

Thanks all for your input. To clarify I want to be more ranged 'focused' but more than happy to melee (I already have a melee focused ranger - Tempest Warpriest). Feats seem to be the main problem and the only options I can see are dropping some to stay pure ranger or splashing fighter for the feats (with a minor splash of pally for DM maybe). To contradict myself maybe even 15/3/2 Ranger/Monk/Pally - monk for feats and run speed (I hate being slow!)

[WeiQuinn]

I have a 32-point Chaotic good Elven Ranger that went ranged focus with Deepwood Stalker. I even went so far as to take the Shadow Dragonmark for Displacement (I don't have Extend, so I can't speak to that). Feats are a bit tight so I wound up dropping Improved Critical: Slashing and dual wield two Oathblades (which are keen).

As for feats, I have Point Blank Shot, Least Dragonmark of Shadow, Oversized Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Critical: Ranged, Empower Healing, Maximize, Quicken, Combat Archery, Skill Focus: UMD and Blinding Speed. I took Perfect Two Weapon Fighting at 26 and will take Doubleshot at 28. I am in the process of capping Fury of the Wild, having already capped Shiradi Champion and Primal Avatar.

I did take Grace on this character, but I didn't dump his Strength (started at 15 with 5 ability increases and a +3 tome). He started with a 17 Dexterity (one ability increase and a +3 tome along with 6 from enhancments). Constitution of 14 with a +4 tome along with a Wisdom of 12 and +2 tome. I think Intelligence and Charisma started at 10, both of which have +2 tomes (Charisma may have started at 8?). He has maxxed Spot, Hide, Move Silently, Heal and had 11 ranks of UMD (along with a +2 skill tome) prior to Epic levels.

I originally intended to run in Shiradi, but since the introduction of Primal Avatar, I took all the two weapon fighting from there, along with Fast Healing from Fury, makes him pretty sturdy when he needs to melee.

He used to use a Triple Positive Longbow until he got his hands on a Pinion... now I just use the greensteel for undead.

He also took the summonable arrows, Morphic arrows stance and all 3 tiers of spellpoints from Arcane Archer and the first Tempest core ability. I try to mostly range, but he can hold his own when he has to melee.

[Romaniac]

after experimenting with ranger I did spent a TR into Elven Pure Ranger - Deepwood Stalker

DEX focus

Elf 19 pts (Aerenal Grace)
AA 7 pts (Morphic Arrows)
DWS 43 pts (capstone)
Tem 11 pts (Graceful Death/ Impr Reaction)

Until getting to lvl 20 for capstone / Epic destinies it was a balanced AA + DWS for better crowd control and sneak attack shots (Bluff / Sniper Shot)
After reaching 20 complete respecc' and Shiradii Champion, Twist of Fate: Cocoon, Favourite Enemy, Fast Healing

DWS first looked gimpy but after a while I started to prefer it over AA. We all know the Elemental Arrows and Arrow of Slaying niceties.
But with Horizon Shot (capstone), Improved Decption, Sneak attack bonus items, Sniper Shot and Bluff the path is faster killing than I experienced with an AA focused ranger.
All such and Double Rainbow give a massive dmg burst with Manyshot, Much better than I recall from the previous AA build.

The AA magic shots are burst & crit related, the DWS bluff+sneak attack non-magic burst & crits which is quite balanced.
One Arrow of Slaying during Manyshot is favoured by many ranger players,
I challenge such with Horizon Shot, multiple bluff effects for Ranged Sneak Attack while Manyshot.

Merciful Shot first looked pretty much useless, it took a while to get the shot sequences trained to become useful.

First I was worried about potential spellpoint drain - but after playing this ranger now on epic content I am pretty self-efficient, having enough SP to toss supporting heals to my group/raid fellows without gimping my own playstyle.

The melee and ranged play is pending on the skirmish situation, both benefit from DWS Killer effect and if applicable from Favourite Enemy (7) bonuses.

Just wanted to share that experience as alternative to Elf pure ranger on Tempest or AA build focus..

[xberto]

The best way rangers work in combat r to melee 90% of the time, then pull ur bow out when manyshot is off cooldown.

That is not the case with my play style. If your all-out specd for range, everytime to you put the bow down you lose what you've spec'd for (Sniper, Aimed, horizon, arrow imbues, inferno, whatever, etc etc..)

The game is so much more dynamic than DPS on a red named. So much depends on the group your with, quest your running, mobs your fighting and MOST importantly, your individual play style. My pure Ranger is a dedicated archer and does just fine being full time ranged (not implying that I'm playing some optimal-solo-everything epic build). I've got some blades in the arsenal that I can use but why? 90% of the time, my ranged is more viable. Maybe I'm just lazy because my Pinion /w toggles and arrow imbues is effective at killing everything and I never need to swap weapon.

I'll trust that with your build and style, melee 90% of the time might be better. I don't however think your 90% statement applys to most ranged specd archers.

For the OP, I skipped out on the whole Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Overwhelming Critical thing and went all out dex, with Epic reflexes, Epic Doubleshot, Epic Spell power positive. If your going pure Ranger and want to be mostly archer, I think you get more bang for a single feat with Doubleshot than 4 feats for OC. The extra healing power and no-fail reflex saves are real nice too.

Pew pew-pew!!!!!!!!!

[Irongutz2000]

That is not the case with my play style. If your all-out specd for range, everytime to you put the bow down you lose what you've spec'd for (Sniper, Aimed, horizon, arrow imbues, inferno, whatever, etc etc..)

The game is so much more dynamic than DPS on a red named. So much depends on the group your with, quest your running, mobs your fighting and MOST importantly, your individual play style. My pure Ranger is a dedicated archer and does just fine being full time ranged (not implying that I'm playing some optimal-solo-everything epic build). I've got some blades in the arsenal that I can use but why? 90% of the time, my ranged is more viable. Maybe I'm just lazy because my Pinion /w toggles and arrow imbues is effective at killing everything and I never need to swap weapon.

I'll trust that with your build and style, melee 90% of the time might be better. I don't however think your 90% statement applys to most ranged specd archers.

For the OP, I skipped out on the whole Power Attack, Cleave, Great Cleave, Overwhelming Critical thing and went all out dex, with Epic reflexes, Epic Doubleshot, Epic Spell power positive. If your going pure Ranger and want to be mostly archer, I think you get more bang for a single feat with Doubleshot than 4 feats for OC. The extra healing power and no-fail reflex saves are real nice too.

Pew pew-pew!!!!!!!!!

If they would remove the double shot pen from many shot, I may agree with u. How ever after many shot theres a 1 min time that u r doing next to NO dps. All of those ap u spent in AA to get the double shot is wasted! I tried to play a pure ranged ranger and was cool in full groups with a lot of melees or crowd control. Trying to play this toon with out them is very bothersome. I also run a lot of EE's to were u really notice the dps deference.

I play in fury of the wild with over whelming force, charge up epic moment anf let them have it with a manyshot.

Each to there own but until they change the double shot pen if u don't have monk lvls u r gimping urself by using a bow 99% of the time.

[Maelodic]

If they would remove the double shot pen from many shot, I may agree with u. How ever after many shot theres a 1 min time that u r doing next to NO dps. All of those ap u spent in AA to get the double shot is wasted! I tried to play a pure ranged ranger and was cool in full groups with a lot of melees or crowd control. Trying to play this toon with out them is very bothersome. I also run a lot of EE's to were u really notice the dps deference.

I play in fury of the wild with over whelming force, charge up epic moment anf let them have it with a manyshot.

Each to there own but until they change the double shot pen if u don't have monk lvls u r gimping urself by using a bow 99% of the time.

I don't agree with everything you've said but unfortunately unless you can get your doubleshot high enough to forgo Manyshot until your epic moment, your overall DPS isn't going to be enough to do anything in epic elites- it's why I switched to melee ranger from primarily ranged.

I have no idea why they nerfed that so hard- should have nerfed 10k stars if they wanted to get rid of the supreme power of monkchers.

[Irongutz2000]

I don't agree with everything you've said but unfortunately unless you can get your doubleshot high enough to forgo Manyshot until your epic moment, your overall DPS isn't going to be enough to do anything in epic elites- it's why I switched to melee ranger from primarily ranged.

I have no idea why they nerfed that so hard- should have nerfed 10k stars if they wanted to get rid of the supreme power of monkchers.

Because the ranger class is free Buy monks now!