Ranged Combat in DDO

[dragons1ayer74]

I know this isn’t the first post about ranged combat in the suggestion area, nor do I have any delusion about it being the last but after hearing the great ranged discussion on the last DDO cast it got my mind thinking. Ranged combat in DDO is currently quite weak and needs some attention. Here are a few suggestions some inspired by the show others ideas that I have had for some time. Ranged combat in DDO is currently sub-par yes it has great burst damage potential for 18 seconds at a time if you are built for it every minute and fourty seconds. Ranged combat should not replace melee but it should really be a feasible option especially for a character that invests heavily into it.

Rate of Fire
Increase Rate of Fire for all ranged combat by 10% this is a broad sweep that effects the animation for all ranged combat including throwing

Decrease Ranged Hate Generation
Ranged attack should generate the same hate as melee attacks.

Double Shot
Add in double shot, akin to double strike system, for all ranged combat including thrown weapons. Some ranged speed boosting enhancements could be balanced or changed to affect this.

New Feat: Ranged Power Attack
Add a ranged power attack feat to the game would work for all ranged/thrown weapons.

New Feat: Off Hand Throw
Add a two weapon throw feat to the game would allow character to throw weapons from their off hand.


Overhaul Many Shot
Make it a stance like Power Attack or Combat Expertise.
Stance Shoots 1 additional Arrow (this never increases).
Stance greatly increases double shot % perhaps +10 for each point of BAB while in stance.
In stance user suffers an attack penalty (-½ per BAB)


Standard X-Bows
Increase base damage and critical multiplies (and or critical ranges) on all non-repeating crossbows.

Fix Deepwood Sniper
Fix level 1 and add the other two levels of the prestige class. With AA the way it is there is little or no reason to ever take Sniper. You could have some fun with different things they could do. Sundering shots, Pinning shots, right arrow for right target shot (by passes any DR). Currently AA is decent and finished, Sniper is weaksause.

Ammuntion
Make random drops higher bundles say 100 instead of 20
Allow a way to craft custom ammunition
Allow a way to add/enhance returning % to consumable weapons (arrows/bolts/thrown)
Add raid loot ammunition and thrown weapons
Make smart quivers, perhaps raid loot or crafted that will auto load strongest bane/slayer ammunition for current weapon against current foe.

[Marcus-Hawkeye]

It would be nice to see most of what you have said. I know they had mentioned a ranged combat overhaul some time ago, but who knows when they will actually get to it. I hope they don't consider that "STR mod to hit" feat for thrown weapons a fix for ranged combat...

[Dylvish]

All in all a nice collection of good ideas I have heard, and a couple of new ones too.

/signed

[h4x0r1f1c]

No. Ranged combat is OP. They don't run on SP.

If built right they're as good as a decent melee and can be so from a safe distance.

If you think ranged combat needs boosting then you don't know how to play one.

[AltheaSteelrain]

No. Ranged combat is OP. They don't run on SP.

If built right they're as good as a decent melee and can be so from a safe distance.

If you think ranged combat needs boosting then you don't know how to play one.

I would agree with you if not for my experience dealing with the buggy switching in between melee /ranged weapons during questing makes me want these overhauls as well.

[shores11]

[QUOTE=dragons1ayer74;3346518]I know this isn’t the first post about ranged combat in the suggestion area, nor do I have any delusion about it being the last but after hearing the great ranged discussion on the last DDO cast it got my mind thinking. Ranged combat in DDO is currently quite weak and needs some attention. Here are a few suggestions some inspired by the show others ideas that I have had for some time. Ranged combat in DDO is currently sub-par yes it has great burst damage potential for 18 seconds at a time if you are built for it every minute and fourty seconds. Ranged combat should not replace melee but it should really be a feasible option especially for a character that invests heavily into it.
QUOTE]

/not signed

The reason why I will have to disagree is because ranged combat is not really broken or in need of a fix. Currently ranged combat can provide nearly as much damage overall as most melee combat and that is without many shot. I have lead many groups in kills with only a good bow (earth x3 from shroud) and a specc'd out ranger.

I have been on many all ranger quests/raids and have never seen the bosses fall as fast. If just some of what you suggest is put into place ranged combat would simply replace melee because there would be no reason to melee at all.

I love my ranger's (I have 2) and play them often but I would never want them to dominate combat more than a melee fighter, paladin or barbarian would.

[AltheaSteelrain]

Just fix the melee/ranged weapon switch delay and I'm good.

[toughguyjoe]

No. Ranged combat is OP. They don't run on SP.

If built right they're as good as a decent melee and can be so from a safe distance.

If you think ranged combat needs boosting then you don't know how to play one.

Your experience in the PVP pit does not at all equate to knowing ANYTHING about ranged combat.

Ranged combat is much better than it used to be. It still needs an attack speed buff to make it a "real" DPS option.

[dragons1ayer74]

For those that say ranged combat is great as currently implemented, would this statement still be true if there was no arcane archer?

Ranged combat as a whole has issues but I do think turbine did a great job with the AA prestige class, I also feel AA should not be the only ranged option.

[salmag]

Increase ROF.
Change Manyshot to 10 secs with a 30 sec cooldown.
Implement DWS ii & iii (Ranger specific, not archery).

[Stonen]

I like your double shot idea, kinda like twf, but for ranged. Maybe with improved and greater double shot to bring up the feat cost for it.
It would be nice if more classes could be good ranged combatants. Not just AA. The gap between close combat dps and ranged combat dps is too big for most classes.

Biggest problem for me is kiting tho. People can just run in circles shooting at monsters to stay out of harms way. Decreasing running speed while shooting would solve this. Decreasing dps at the same time is even better.