Looking for a ranger build.

[noxx007]

So I'm looking to play something I haven't played before. I usually do light armor builds with SWF or THF. A lot of bard stuff too. I have never played a ranger or done much with TWF or Heavy armor. So I want my next life to be some sort of TWF/Ranger using heavy armor. Multiclassing is fine, I kinda prefer it over pure ranger.. (just feel like I could get more utility/survivability with multi) Any suggestions or recommendations for a build of this type? I've been gone for a while, maybe a year or so, so I'm not up to date on all the newest changes. Any help would be nice!

Also, preferably something that doesn't slog through heroics. A build that does well start to finish. thanks.

[Kaboom2112]

Pure is best, the capstone is strong and there's PRR improvements in enhancements that make them non-squishy.

What's your preferred race and weapon type?

[Fedora1]

Pure is best, the capstone is strong and there's PRR improvements in enhancements that make them non-squishy.

Sorry OP I know this wasn't what you requested, but I would agree that pure is best. I enjoyed running the iconic Aasimar Scourge, it was like a pure ranger with Lay on Hands.

Since you start at 15 there is no heroic slog unless you want to eke out every last ounce of favor on lower level quests. I just do the fast stuff to get the first two Coin Lord and Kundarak favor.

I am currently running a fighter life going 14 fighter/6 ranger on the Scourge with heavy armor. To be honest it doesn't feel as strong as the pure ranger build. You could try 14 ranger/6 fighter (or less fighter if you plan on taking the ranger T5 enhancements).

[Kaboom2112]

I am currently running a fighter life going 14 fighter/6 ranger on the Scourge with heavy armor. To be honest it doesn't feel as strong as the pure ranger build.

Because it isn't

You could try 14 ranger/6 fighter (or less fighter if you plan on taking the ranger T5 enhancements).

It won't be better, nothing 6 fighter levels gives you is better than the 18 Core and Capstone. I mean unless you really need feats badly.

Pally 15/Ranger 5 is pretty decent, tougher with more threat is you really insist on having a heavy armor tempest.

[unbongwah]

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...-a-Tempestadin

EDIT: there is also a pal 15 / rgr 5 build in my drow paladin thread.

[Kaboom2112]

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...-a-Tempestadin

I'm not sure I can recommend a Bladeforged to anyone with the current meta that is Reaper.

[noxx007]

Ok So as far as feedback to you guys go...
First of all I'm thinking Khopesh's since I wanted to go STR Build, since I don't think DEX would be ideal in heavy armor? Probably human...for heal amp.
I was interested in a non-pure ranger mostly b/c I liked the idea of getting defender stance for more HP/PRR/MRR. The pally cross sounds good...15/5 for both holy sword and zeal...T5 tempest. So I'm guessing.. 39-40 pts in tempest. 23? I think in DWS for the killer enhancement for double strike. And that leaves me like 17? I think for sacred stances (which is...13 pts? I think) and 4 for human heal amp? Looking at the other build and kinda assuming the best way to stretch between dps and the survive nodes I want. Plus I do get lay on hands...pally saves. However..

I didn't notice ranger gets lesser vigor healing. So I might look more into that..idk..I just feel like pure ranger would lack survive/sustain compared to a multiclass version. Plus I really want to do heavy armor/TWF. It's a build I've never done...or ranger. So I really just want the 3 in one.

[Fedora1]

First of all I'm thinking Khopesh's since I wanted to go STR Build, since I don't think DEX would be ideal in heavy armor? Probably human...for heal amp.

I also really like khopeshes on a STR based tempest.

I was interested in a non-pure ranger mostly b/c I liked the idea of getting defender stance for more HP/PRR/MRR. The pally cross sounds good...15/5 for both holy sword and zeal...T5 tempest.

So you are actually looking at a Pally build, versus a ranger build then. I also can't remember if Holy Sword only affects the main hand weapon now, seems like it was changed in the last year or so, but it might just be that it no longer affects shields/orbs/ranged weapons so just something to check.

Also, you will need at least a 17 dex in order to take Improved TWF and Greater TWF. If you stayed ranger and picked these up as class feats you wouldn't need the minimum dex requirement, but since you are stopping at L5 the only one you can take is the standard TWF feat you get as a ranger (which normally has a minimum 13 dex pre-req).

and 4 for human heal amp?

In order to get the two Improved Recovery of HA from the human tree you need to spend 12 points, 10AP is pre-req for the T3 one and it costs 2AP.

[Suppoko]

I'm not sure I can recommend a Bladeforged to anyone with the current meta that is Reaper.

What build do you recommend? I have been away for many years and am relearning the game

[Tilomere]

Also, preferably something that doesn't slog through heroics. A build that does well start to finish. thanks.

neutral good Wisdom based 12 ranger, 7 cleric, 1 FvS Aasimar Scourge tempest, dual wielding Scepter of Healing > Forgotten Light > Forgotten Light (Epic).

Free TWF feats + DoD + Quicken + Quick Draw + Evocation + Spell Pen Feats + Luck Domain (displacement) + Extend (for displacement) + IC:B

17 AP Aasimar Destroyer of Dead +1 Multiplier Stacking
24 AP DWS Advanced Sneak Attack/Killer +1 Range
35 AP Tempest DoD +1 Multiplier full offhand stat
4 AP Warsoul Divine Will


Quicken + Quick draw let you cast soundburst/BoGW and get back to melee quickly.

Wisdom to hit, 1.5 wisdom to dmg, AoE stun spam, and Forgotten Light has extended critical range base.

Play in DC for +5 caster levels, and twist balanced attacks, spell penx2, cocoon against drow until you get to BoGW at level 24.

Otherwise, play in LD twisting Balanced attacks, Evo, Sense Weakness, Cocoon

CC undead/outsiders with alignment spells. Stun everything including plants/constructs with Balanced Attacks.

Epics: ESpell Pen, bogw, OC, PTWF, Mass Frog, Dire Charge, Earth, Dpic DR

[Kaboom2112]

What build do you recommend? I have been away for many years and am relearning the game

Pure 20 is strong

Pally 15/Ranger 5 does less damage but is more survivable.

If you have a gazillion PLs to make up for it Pure 20 is better, 15/5 is tougher. Both are good.

[Vish]

Ok So as far as feedback to you guys go...
First of all I'm thinking Khopesh's since I wanted to go STR Build, since I don't think DEX would be ideal in heavy armor? Probably human...for heal amp.
I was interested in a non-pure ranger mostly b/c I liked the idea of getting defender stance for more HP/PRR/MRR. The pally cross sounds good...15/5 for both holy sword and zeal...T5 tempest. So I'm guessing.. 39-40 pts in tempest. 23? I think in DWS for the killer enhancement for double strike. And that leaves me like 17? I think for sacred stances (which is...13 pts? I think) and 4 for human heal amp? Looking at the other build and kinda assuming the best way to stretch between dps and the survive nodes I want. Plus I do get lay on hands...pally saves. However..

I didn't notice ranger gets lesser vigor healing. So I might look more into that..idk..I just feel like pure ranger would lack survive/sustain compared to a multiclass version. Plus I really want to do heavy armor/TWF. It's a build I've never done...or ranger. So I really just want the 3 in one.

I would go pure. Aasimar for lay on hands
Khopeshes, str, light armor for dodge.
Play with others,
You will be welcome and tear it up

[FuryFlash]

Wisdom based 14 ranger, 5 cleric, 1 FvS Aasimar Scourge tempest, dual wielding Scepter of Healing > Forgotten Light > Forgotten Light (Epic).

Free TWF feats + DoD + Quicken + Quick Draw + Evocation + Spell Pen Feats + Luck Domain (displacement) + Extend (for displacement) + IC:B

17 AP Aasimar Destroyer of Dead +1 Multiplier Stacking
24 AP DWS Advanced Sneak Attack/Killer +1 Range
35 AP Tempest DoD +1 Multiplier full offhand stat
4 AP Warsoul Divine Will


Quicken + Quick draw let you cast soundburst/BoGW and get back to melee quickly.

Wisdom to hit, 1.5 wisdom to dmg, AoE stun spam, and Forgotten Light has extended critical range base.

Play in DC for +5 caster levels, and twist spell pen against drow until you get to BoGW at level 24.

Otherwise, play in LD twisting Evox2, Sense Weakness, Cocoon

Nice build. Also a very interesting weapon choice, as I hadn't seen those maces before - allows for a cool wisdom-based split like you have here, without having to use weapons that are absolute trash (given the extended threat). I've noticed that you've been adding soundburst to a lot of your builds recently - does hitting the DCs require a lot of gearing through heroics? Definitely seems less new player friendly, but strong if you know what you're doing.

[Fedora1]

Nice build. Also a very interesting weapon choice, as I hadn't seen those maces before - allows for a cool wisdom-based split like you have here, without having to use weapons that are absolute trash (given the extended threat).

Harder to get, but I have a pair of Phosphors (with Ruby of the Vampire Slayer slotted in each) that tear things up in heroics. Perfect Scourge weapon at ML14.

[Tilomere]

I've noticed that you've been adding soundburst to a lot of your builds recently - does hitting the DCs require a lot of gearing through heroics? Definitely seems less new player friendly, but strong if you know what you're doing.

You're just gona hafta try it out for yourself!

How much AoE CC would say, a leveling tempest ranger otherwise have? Plus it comes packed with displacement! How is that not new player friendly?
Plus you get Mass Frog instant kill for raid crystals and totems and tougher mobs. How much instant killing would a ranger otherwise have?

Mmm, 2 more cleric, 2 less ranger. Now we can CC undead and reapers with alignment spells as well.

[Tilomere]

Mmm swap in balanced attacks for plants + undead + construct stunning. Take an Evo twist out. I think that polishes it off perfectly.