Ranger - Better to go INT or DEX

[skaught78]

Just got my ranger to epics. All through heroics I used the harper tree for INT to hit and damage, but wondering if it may be better now to go with DEX. I took one level of rogue for trapping and am going to +1 it out and go 14 Ranger 6 fighter for some extra feats. I just dont see the point of taking the last 6 levels of ranger.

Anyway, Whats better?

[aGarde]

Well, I like dex better, as you get better reflex saves, and ranger can use dex to hit/damage.. some synergy with reflex there and I think, not sure, but bow speed / ROF may be influenced by dex. I'd like to know too

As for Fighter levels, I dunno, you give up 20% double shot, but maybe you can make up for that by going Efl-AA.

I'm also not the person to be responding here, as I've not built a ranger/bow toon before.. I'm just looking at doing it my next life, so I'm interested in what folks have to say.. DWS gives sneak attack + extra damage to favored enemies. I'd really like to know how to build a really good archer/bow (not repeater/great xbow) toon.. I'm still looking at it

[unbongwah]

14 Ranger 6 fighter for some extra feats. I just dont see the point of taking the last 6 levels of ranger.

You didn't mention if you were melee or ranged, but pure ranger is all about the last two core Enhancements in your primary tree. There's a couple of extra perks too - like two more Favored Enemies and extra level 4 spells - but it's the Enhancements which seal the deal.

As for INT vs DEX: the primary drawback to INT-based on a pure ranger is you need to spend at least 12 APs in Harper for tier-3 Strategic Combat, which is fewer APs for other trees. E.g., 42 Tempest / 31 DWS / 7 Harper is a good option for a pure Tempest that's STR- or DEX-based; whereas the INT ranger would do something like 42 Tempest / 26 DWS / 12 Harper, losing Mark of the Hunted. It's not a dealbreaker, but the extra DPS from MotH is a nice perk.