Help me gear my first ranger

[Binn05]

Hello,

As I created my first ranger, I'd like some hints about which gear to aim for him.

He's a Dwarf Tempest using 2 Dwarven axes, level 12, banking level 13.

I'd like advices about GS slots, weapon types, alchemical itens, epics... well, I'm sure you ranger guys knows a lot more than me about what's good for a ranger.

Also, don't forget to talk a little bit about bows, because I'm really noobish at ranged combat

Good game.

[pyntsized]

Since you are going tempest d-axe, I would suggest getting a very basic bow for ranged combat. I'd go for a burst/lacerating longbow if you could find one, or get a holy longbow.
More than likely, if you are tempest, just use bow every 2 mins for manyshot burst dps. Other than that, stick with melee.

for GS d-axe, i'd stick with either min II's or Lit II's, your choice. once you hit level 16, using 2 Templar's Justice's or a combo of GS and Templar's Justice would be nice.

[BOgre]

Dwarf Tempest using 2 Dwarven axes
...
Also, don't forget to talk a little bit about bows, because I'm really noobish at ranged combat

Re: Dorf Rangers. Can't comment, I'm a khopeshi human.

Re: Bows
First suggestion would be the Silver Longbow. (hover over that image)
It doesn't seem like much at first, but this bow can do you pretty much right up to endgame. You're right at the level to go get it also - The Church and the Cult

Next would be Bow of Sinew. (no compendium entry) Wiki Link. Your go-to DR breaker (in combination with appropriate metaltype arrows). This bow, though not THE most powerful base damage, will stay in your golfbag to endgame at which time you'll replace it with:

Roadwatch Bow. Wiki Link
The link shows the Level 25 (Epic Elite) version, but the lower versions are all good as well.

Top o' the heap would be Pinion Cloud-piercer. Wiki Link
It pretty much speaks for itself as the top endgame bow. Do look up it's set bonus perks and shoot for those when you get yourself capped.

Your choices from Green Steel / Alchemical / random loot / Auction House between now and cap are really a matter of preference and budget. Paralyzing is nice, especially with Manyshot and ImpPreciseShot. Bow of the Silver flame has that handy 'blunt' damage type. House C challenge bows are very sweet, situationally. House C raid Elemental bows are very very nice, and oh so customizable. Worth checking out. And Greensteel is fairly easy to grind out for a decent RadII/LitII/TriplePos. All solid choices, totally your preference based on playstyle.

[Glenalth]

Hello,

As I created my first ranger, I'd like some hints about which gear to aim for him.

He's a Dwarf Tempest using 2 Dwarven axes, level 12, banking level 13.

I'd like advices about GS slots, weapon types, alchemical itens, epics... well, I'm sure you ranger guys knows a lot more than me about what's good for a ranger.

Also, don't forget to talk a little bit about bows, because I'm really noobish at ranged combat

Good game.

Greensteel weapons are still good if you plan on spending a lot of time leveling after you get them. Otherwise just keep an eye out for good random loots.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of unique dorf axes out there...
Templar's Justice is decent at level 16 for +4, 4d6 damage per hit, 4d6 per crit, and a small DoT proc. It's not difficult to farm a pair of them either.
Axe of Famine has some weird synergies with fighting beholders, but not terribly useful otherwise.
Sever is another debuffing weapon with no added damage.

Once you get into the epic levels, get a set of Duergar Waraxes. +6, 3[1d10], double threat range, 2d6 damage per crit, and one random effect of Ex Combat Mastery, Shatter 10, Stunning 10, Vertigo 10, or Tendon Slice 10%. If you didn't take any extra combat feats having Vertigo 10 and Tendon Slice 10% can still work fairly well.
The Epic Templar's Justice aren't particularly nice and you can find better loot-gen, but you can slot silver into them and have decent DR breakers for most content that way. If you have decent levels in crafting, you can skip these things entirely.


On the bow side of things...
If you have Improved Critical Ranged, look for things with expanded threat ranges like Silver Longbow or Bow of Sinew. Then Epic Thornlord or Pinion after level 20.
Otherwise, Bow of Sinew is still pretty decent at 19-20/x4, seeker 8, and ranged threat mitigation for your manyshots until you get into epic ranges. Then just look for the loot-gen bow that adds the most extra damage on regular hits. Keep an eye out for weapons that are doubled up on the fancy prefixes/suffixes that combine effects such as Scintillating of Mauling.

[Binn05]

for GS d-axe, i'd stick with either min II's or Lit II's, your choice. once you hit level 16, using 2 Templar's Justice's or a combo of GS and Templar's Justice would be nice.[/IMG]

Re: Bows
First suggestion would be the Silver Longbow.

Next would be Bow of Sinew.

Roadwatch Bow.

Top o' the heap would be Pinion Cloud-piercer.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of unique dorf axes out there...

Thanks for helping. With this list of bows I have some idea what to look for.


And what about other slots, any nice equipment for rangers?

[BOgre]

Thanks for helping. With this list of bows I have some idea what to look for.


And what about other slots, any nice equipment for rangers?

You'll figure that out as you go, but shortlist might be:

head: Minos/GStriplePos
Neck: Kilau's(ToD set)
Trinket: Voice of the Master/Bloodstone
Cloak: Mabar/Envenomed
Armor: All kinds of Robes or Outfits/Duelists Leathers/Red Dragonscale/Dragontouched...
Bracers: PDK/Scorched/Tharnes/
Goggles: GS Concordant Opposition/Tharnes/Drow Smoke
Gloves: PDK/Tinkers/so many other choices
Boots: Cannith of Propulsion/Corrosion/Kundarak Delving
Rings: Kilau's/Buccanneer

There are really dozens of ways to gear your ranger. Again, playstyle and preference. You want strength and dex boosts, wisdom for your spell casting, dodge bonuses, Seeker bonus, Sneak attack bonuses, etc. You also want to be able to swap in items to help trap/sneak/raise dead/haste/heroism... As I say, you'll come accross all kinds of great gear as you quest and meet other rangers. READ THE WIKI a lot and look at the named items, item sets, etc....

[Inouk]

A few things I really liked for leveling up:
bracers of wind (challenges) - starting from 4 and up you have perma-blur (and as early as 14 you get air guard)
frozen tunic (challenges 8+) - freezing ice effect will make targets helpless, you take less damage and they take more
parasitic breastplate (madness chain, 14) - add +10 reflex or displacement guard (or get 2 pairs for both like I did)
torc - easier for a TR, but on a melee toon you'll never run out of mana for heals
ring of the stalker (challenges 14+) - add vorpal against humanoids, 'nuff said
minos legens (orchard, 11+) - a must for any character while leveling
charged gauntlets (chrono, 5+) - what's not to like about more damage

and of course a myriad of crafted items as need for stats, weapons, whatever.

[Binn05]

You'll figure that out as you go, but shortlist might be:

head: Minos/GStriplePos
Neck: Kilau's(ToD set)
Trinket: Voice of the Master/Bloodstone
Cloak: Mabar/Envenomed
Armor: All kinds of Robes or Outfits/Duelists Leathers/Red Dragonscale/Dragontouched...
Bracers: PDK/Scorched/Tharnes/
Goggles: GS Concordant Opposition/Tharnes/Drow Smoke
Gloves: PDK/Tinkers/so many other choices
Boots: Cannith of Propulsion/Corrosion/Kundarak Delving
Rings: Kilau's/Buccanneer

A few things I really liked for leveling up:
bracers of wind (challenges) - starting from 4 and up you have perma-blur (and as early as 14 you get air guard)
frozen tunic (challenges 8+) - freezing ice effect will make targets helpless, you take less damage and they take more
parasitic breastplate (madness chain, 14) - add +10 reflex or displacement guard (or get 2 pairs for both like I did)
torc - easier for a TR, but on a melee toon you'll never run out of mana for heals
ring of the stalker (challenges 14+) - add vorpal against humanoids, 'nuff said
minos legens (orchard, 11+) - a must for any character while leveling
charged gauntlets (chrono, 5+) - what's not to like about more damage

Thnak you again