Is Tempest Ranger still the best TWF char with U5?

**Vulgari** · 06-29-2010, 03:46 AM

With update 5, is the following statement describing the Ranger class in the compendium valid?
http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Class:Ranger

"They are the best class at two-weapon fighting, using a weapon in each hand."

I haven't really been able to see what those on lam have determined but I suspect that a tempest III ranger is outclassed by a capstoned kensai fighter just based on the update notes I read (or even perhaps a dual wielding monk or rogue?).

Would like feedback from those who have been able to run the numbers.

**JDCrowell** · 06-29-2010, 04:06 AM

Here is a quote from the release notes for Update 5 in regards to TWF:

Attacks with two handed weapons performed while moving no longer perform Glancing Blows.
Two Weapon Fighting attacks (weapons or unarmed) have been optimized for performance and balance.
Off hand attacks now have a chance to proc (trigger) off of any main hand attacks based on the number of two weapon fighting feats (and related enhancements) you possess. (Instead of being predetermined on certain attacks in the attack chain.)
A character with no two weapon fighting feats has a base 20% chance to proc off-hand attacks.
The Two Weapon Fighting, Improved Two Weapon Fighting, and Greater Two Weapon Fighting feats now grant a +20% bonus to proc off-hand attacks.
Ranger Tempest I and II now grant a +10%/+20% bonus to the chance to proc off-hand attacks when dual wielding instead of a bonus to attack speed.

I'm going to miss the attack speed, but from what I saw playing tonight, my Tempest I Ranger is still very fast with his Kopeshes and have yet to see a drop off. From what I was hearing from guys in Lam was that Tempest II was getting 100/100 main hand to offhand hits with TWF and a pretty good drop off with off-hand attacks with Tempest I. It seems Tempest is still going to be a wrecking ball and a force to be reckoned with, but I'm not sure with Kensai as I have no experience there.
Hope that helps a little

**Sinni** · 06-29-2010, 04:20 AM

the most dps most probably is some multiclass and that has been like that quite a long time now and i guess it will stay like that. the drawback you have is that those builds generally are much more vulnerable to game changes than plain pure class builds.

**Meriadeuc** · 06-29-2010, 06:00 AM

It looks like rangers with at least tempest II are going to still be the best at TWF specifically, because they will be the only ones who can get off-hand attacks 100% or the time. Other prestige classes will be able to get higher double-strike rates (which apply to all fighting styles) then you get with tempest III, however. Depending upon the specific weapons that are being used, a higher double strike rate with a lower off-hand rate or even with at two-handed weapon may end up causing more damage than tempest III. There also may be combinations of Tempest II and other prestige classes that give the 100% off-hand chance along with a better double-strike chance than tempest III.

**Consumer** · 06-29-2010, 09:41 AM

Rangers weren't and never will be the best, that 100% offhand will never matter while they have no haste boosts, minimal strength and other damage sources to increase their DPS.

The difference between a Ranger and TWF Fighter could reach over 100 DPS in favor of the Fighter depending on 20 or 18/2 and the builds pre U5, now the difference is reduced but the superiority of the fighter is still there.

Don't worry, Rangers have bows!!!

**Aaxeyu** · 06-29-2010, 10:21 AM