newbie Rang build questions

[Esgeyl]

hi, so i'm fairly new to this game and dnd alltogether.

I'm fixed on going for an Elf, Arcane archer, and most likely pure ranger.
And its very possible i will do enough soloing for it to be benefited at least partially in my build

I tried to read everything usefull (and also some flame about rangers being bad, and ranger players being bad etc..)
and i want to make things at least half right, so i want to get some confirmations on what i learned.

Stats:
i know i want: 14 CON
i know i need 11 WIS to cast lvl1 spells (and 14 for lvl2?), the question is, should i get this from the start, or solve it with items later?

and i'm not sure how much DEX and STR i should take, like 16dex 16str?
lets pretend i'm going for the 28points build, but i might consider paying for the 32.

Enhancements and Feats:
i'm pretty clear on what feats and enhancements to choose, so i get to the arcane archer on lvl6, and for now, i'm not planning it much further than lvl10 for the time being,

but i guess i will just continue with getting ranged, favored, meelee dmg, favored def, dex enh, ranger devotion and AA stuff

Ability increase:
i guess ability increase should go into dex

Favored enemies:
and good choice for favored enemies(in this order) are undead, elemental, evil outsider, giant, ???(no idea what will i do endgame)

Skills:
now i'm not completely sure what i should get here mainly.
My guess is each lvl get 1 heal and 1 balance.
and the rest divide between hide, move silently, jump and spot.

and should i get search(soloing part) or is it like, unless i spent alot points there, it wont do me any good anyway later on ?

-----
so am i doing things right?

[unbongwah]

A few pointers:

WIS: most ranger builds dump-stat this and rely on items to hit WIS 14 for lvl 4 spells; base 8 + 6 item = 14. You won't have access to your 1st-lvl spells until you have a +3 WIS item or get Owl's WIS cast on you, but it lets you beef up other stats instead. I would only raise WIS if you were going for a monk splash and wanted the extra AC.

STR vs DEX: STR boosts your DPS & melee to-hit (unless you take Finesse), DEX boosts your ranged to-hit. Most will tell you to go STR-based; between your elven & ranger bonuses to DEX, you shouldn't have too much trouble boosting it high enough, letting you focus on upping your DPS instead.

Skills: it depends on your priorities, but on a pure ranger I would go for max Spot, Balance, Hide, MS, and either Concentration or UMD, with a rank of Tumble for good measure. Without a rogue splash you can't find most traps, so Search would only be good for secret doors; and you can find those with a Detect Secret Doors clickie. Jump is useful, but as a ranger you can self-buff with Jump spell, so no need to spend pts on it.

Favored Enemies: usual suggestion (roughly in order) are Undead, Giants, Evil Outsiders, Constructs, and Elementals.

Here's my bog-standard 28-pt elf AA ranger build:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Elf Female
(20 Ranger) 
Hit Points: 282
Spell Points: 385 
BAB: 20\20\25\30\30
Fortitude: 15
Reflex: 19
Will: 5

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    23
Dexterity            17                    24
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                     8
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Mental Toughness
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity I
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack I
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack I
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity I


Level 7 (Ranger)


Level 8 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider


Level 11 (Ranger)


Level 12 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Damage II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity II


Level 13 (Ranger)


Level 14 (Ranger)


Level 15 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 16 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Ranger)


Level 18 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack


Level 19 (Ranger)


Level 20 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Elemental
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Master of Archery
Enhancement: Elven Dexterity II
Enhancement: Elven Enchantment Resistance II
Enhancement: Valenar Elf Melee Attack II
Enhancement: Elven Ranged Attack II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage III
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage IV
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Ranger Dexterity III

Specced for TWF w/scimitars; for rapiers take IC Pierce instead of Slash and Aerenal enhs instead of Valenar. With 32 pts I would probably start 18 / 16 / 14 / 8 / 8 / 8 (i.e., max STR, -1 DEX).

[PolarisNC]

Stats:
i know i want: 14 CON
i know i need 11 WIS to cast lvl1 spells (and 14 for lvl2?), the question is, should i get this from the start, or solve it with items later?

Get your wisdom with items. The only issue in my mind is whether to start with 8 WIS or 10. You won't have a +3 WIS item at lvl 4, so if you start at 8, you'll be relying on Owl's Wisdom potions and clickies for casting spells. This isn't impossible, but I find it annoying. Finding a +1 WIS item by then is trivial, on the other hand.

You won't need a 14 WIS until you're casting 4th level spells, so you have plenty of time to find items for that either way.

P.S. Heal is useless.

[MindCake]

You won't have a +3 WIS item at lvl 4, so if you start at 8, you'll be relying on Owl's Wisdom potions and clickies for casting spells.

OTOH, at this level "spells" you'll be casting are: Ram's Might.
A 3/day owl's wisdom clickie should be enough to keep you buffed for over 10 minutes. Which should be about enough for quests at this level.

[Target-Practice100]

I am currently trying out a strength based Elf AA ranger that is primarily ranged, with reduced DEX. Starting stats are -

STR - 18
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 8
WIS - 14
CHA - 8

Currently at level 14 with self buffed rams spell, and a +2 STR ship buff I have a STR of 30 (32 with Rage). I have also dropped a +2 Tome on STR and the other 3 main stats. At 30 STR my level 14 ranger easily and regularly crits with a +1 bow for around 90 -114 HP, and the best crit I did with a STR of 30 was 145 HP. I should add that my level 14 has the Bloodstone trinket that gives a +6 to critical hits, which definately helps get the quite often and regular over 100 HP hits.

With the 5 DEX enhancements the Elf gets, and a +6 DEX wearable I should hit a DEX of 30 at around level 20. Even at its current DEX of around 26, I do not miss very often, even when moving and firing, which as a ranged ranger I do quite a lot.

Also, my AA rangers all have a base WIZ of 14, which gives them high SP as they level, and makes them very self sufficient. Also they wear a WIZ item as well. At level 11 I use the Totemic Lavalier from the Orchard of the Macabre which will give you 100 SP (by collecting 20 tapestries from rare chests), and later a Wizardry helm for 125 - 150 SP. My level 20 ranger has 795 SP, and my level 14 over 550 SP using this item. Plenty of SP for self buffs, self healing, and some barkskin and jump for the party. And everyone likes barkskin and jump. For me, a ranged ranger without decent SP is handicapped, and limited for both group and solo play.

The skills I use are Spot, Jump, Balance, Heal, Move Silently & Hide (in that order of importance). When making the toon put 2 points into Tumble just enough to activate the skill, your DEX will then add to it as you level.



Hope this helps.

[NaturalHazard]

there are actually min level 4 +3 stat items?

[NaturalHazard]

I am currently trying out a strength based Elf AA ranger that is primarily ranged, with reduced DEX. Starting stats are -

STR - 18
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 8
WIS - 14
CHA - 8

Currently at level 14 with self buffed rams spell, and a +2 STR ship buff I have a STR of 30 (32 with Rage). I have also dropped a +2 Tome on STR and the other 3 main stats. At 30 STR my level 14 ranger easily and regularly crits with a +1 bow for around 90 -114 HP, and the best crit I did with a STR of 30 was 145 HP. I should add that my level 14 has the Bloodstone trinket that gives a +6 to critical hits, which definately helps get the quite often and regular over 100 HP hits.

With the 5 DEX enhancements the Elf gets, and a +6 DEX wearable I should hit a DEX of 30 at around level 20. Even at its current DEX of around 26, I do not miss very often, even when moving and firing, which as a ranged ranger I do quite a lot.

Also, my AA rangers all have a base WIZ of 14, which gives them high SP as they level, and makes them very self sufficient. Also they wear a WIZ item as well. At level 11 I use the Totemic Lavalier from the Orchard of the Macabre which will give you 100 SP (by collecting 20 tapestries from rare chests), and later a Wizardry helm for 125 - 150 SP. My level 20 ranger has 795 SP, and my level 14 over 550 SP using this item. Plenty of SP for self buffs, self healing, and some barkskin and jump for the party. And everyone likes barkskin and jump. For me, a ranged ranger without decent SP is handicapped, and limited for both group and solo play.

The skills I use are Spot, Jump, Balance, Heal, Move Silently & Hide (in that order of importance). When making the toon put 2 points into Tumble just enough to activate the skill, your DEX will then add to it as you level.



Hope this helps.

I just use a pearl of power 10 for the 100 sp, then swap it out when ive finished buffing everyone when I was low level, then i got the bracers of the glacier, for more sp, also swap it out for other stuff when ive finished buffing, unless i want to proc the fire sheild. I also got the whats it called trinket from weapons ship ment to get back sp in emergencies and also a spell storing ring. Also got a con op item for soloing.

dont forget you can up your jump and spot with ranger spells so maxing them might not be so important.

[unbongwah]

Also, my AA rangers all have a base WIZ of 14, which gives them high SP as they level, and makes them very self sufficient.

At lvl 20, a pure rgr with WIS 20 (base 14 + 6 item) has 397 base SPs; the same rgr w/WIS 14 (base 8 + 6 item) has 310 SPs. I.e., every 2 pts of extra WIS gives you 29 extra SPs at endgame. That's a pretty poor return on those 6 stat pts you put into WIS, IMHO, particularly when there are Wizardry tiems etc. to boost your SPs as well.

At level 11 I use the Totemic Lavalier from the Orchard of the Macabre which will give you 100 SP

Wait - seriously? OK, you're the first person I've ever seen tell someone not to take a Minos Legens. There are lots of SP items in DDO; Heavy Fort + Toughness, OTOH? Much harder to come by.

[karl_k0ch]

I am currently trying out a strength based Elf AA ranger that is primarily ranged, with reduced DEX. Starting stats are -

STR - 18
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 8
WIS - 14
CHA - 8

How reliable is your ranged to-hit? Which are the numbers you typically miss a shot on?

there are actually min level 4 +3 stat items?

Bound to Account, as a Chain Reward from the Attack on Stormreach Chain.

[Esgeyl]

thx for the advices guys

[barecm]

If you want to eventually run epic, you will want more dex so you can hit things. That being said, you shoul probably be at least a 32 point build via a TR before trying that anyway. For getting to level 20 and not running too much elite and no epics, high str is better.

[Target-Practice100]

@ unbongwah - I told the OP NOT to use a Minos Legends? Really? Strange, I must have missed that part in my own post. What I actually wrote was that I use the Totemic Lavalier for more SP, and where the OP can get it from. Your claiming that this must therefore mean that I am telling the OP what NOT to use is nothing more than your imagination. You appear to be making the assumption that I use this item 100% of the time and do not swap it out after buffing. And again, you base this on what exactly? At no time in my post did I state that this is the case. It is one thing to comment on what I have said, but it is not helpful to interpret this to mean something else that is unrelated to what I actually wrote.

Moreover, you state that there are lots of SP items in DDO, why then is the TL not a legitimate item to use for more SP?


@ karl_k0ch - I have not yet gone into the numbers for To-Hit, but so far the toon appears to be hitting much the same as a previous DEX based build I originally created. The accuracy seems reliable so far, but may not suffice for higher levels. Manyshot I think requires a decent DEX to be most effective, but if coupled with a too low STR means getting lots of hits, but few decent crits. This was the problem with my previous DEX based build. What I am looking for is the sweet spot for stat points for getting a good To-Hit, decent damge output, and usable SP for self sufficiency. While there is nothing new in this, for me its still a learning process.

@ barecm - I totally agree with you - ranged rangers seem less viable in the higher level quests, unless they have a decent STR to deal out some damage. Problem is, at that level a high DEX is essential. How to balance the 2 is the great question when building a ranged ranger.

[unbongwah]

I told the OP NOT to use a Minos Legends? Really? Strange, I must have missed that part in my own post. What I actually wrote was that I use the Totemic Lavalier for more SP, and where the OP can get it from.

Fine, fine, I misinterpreted what you wrote - mea culpa. I still think taking anything other than a Minos is a waste of tapestries, however.