Tempest rangers for all folks old and new ~ R10 Viable Tempest ranger build

[Strimtom]

[QUOTE=Strimtom;6142047]*Up to date for U53*

Hello and welcome to my quick and dirty tempest ranger builds for those who want a good melee for getting into R10. I will be posting my build, as well as 2 first life viable builds. Note, the first life viable builds are 32 point builds. If you are a 28 point build DONT GO INTO R10! Go get some favor and unlock 32 point builds, it isn't that hard yo.

If you want to do R10 with these builds:

• Get all the items first. The items make your character, go farm them and then try it.
• Be aware you will die a lot. This character takes practice, and so deos R10. Once you get the hang of it it will get easier.
• No, this is not a solo build. This is for grouping. You are a hella strong glass cannon and you need support to make the pieces work.

Video of my build in action

Strimtom's Double Smash

Character name: R10 Tempost Ranger
Classes: 20 Ranger, 10 Epic
Race: Aasimar Scourge · · ·Alignment: Lawful Good

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · 15% · · ·Displacement:· ·25%
Str:· · 18· · 2 · ·62 · · ·HP:· · · ·1578 · · ·AC:· · 67
Dex:· · 14· · 2 · ·35 · · ·PRR: · · · 161
Con:· · 16· · 2 · ·49 · · ·MRR: · · · ·54 · · ·+Healing Amp:· ·123
Int:· · 10· · 2 · ·16 · · ·Dodge: · 21/28 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · 30
Wis:· · 12· · 2 · ·30 · · ·Fort:· · ·157% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · 30
Cha:· · ·8· · 2 · ·14 · · ·SR:· · · · · 1 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 25
DR:
Immunities: Fear, Magic Missiles, Energy Drain, Freedom of Movement, Death Effects, Freedom of Movement

Racial Past Lives
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Past Life: Aasimar
Past Life: Drow


Saves:
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Fortitude:· · · · ·55*
· vs Poison:· · · ·56*
· vs Disease: · · ·56*
Will: · · · · · · ·36
· vs Enchantment: ·37
· vs Illusion:· · ·36
· vs Fear:· · · · ·36
· vs Curse: · · · ·36
Reflex: · · · · · ·48*
· vs Traps: · · · ·49*
· vs Spell: · · · ·48*
· vs Magic: · · · ·48*
Marked with a * is no fail on a 1 if required DC met

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Ranger(1) · · · ·Standard: Dodge
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Construct
2 · · Ranger(2) · · · ·
3 · · Ranger(3) · · · ·Standard: Mobility
4 · · Ranger(4) · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
5 · · Ranger(5) · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Evil Outsider
6 · · Ranger(6) · · · ·Standard: Knight's Training
7 · · Ranger(7) · · · ·
8 · · Ranger(8) · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
9 · · Ranger(9) · · · ·Standard: Spring Attack
10· · Ranger(10)· · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Human
11· · Ranger(11)· · · ·
12· · Ranger(12)· · · ·Standard: Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
13· · Ranger(13)· · · ·
14· · Ranger(14)· · · ·
15· · Ranger(15)· · · ·Standard: Precision
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Plant
16· · Ranger(16)· · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
17· · Ranger(17)· · · ·
18· · Ranger(18)· · · ·Standard: Quicken Spell
19· · Ranger(19)· · · ·
20· · Ranger(20)· · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Elemental
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Perfect Two Weapon Fighting
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Toughness
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Crush Weakness
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Damage Reduction
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Doublestrike
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Strength: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Epic Fortitude
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Ethereal Plane

Skills
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Skill Points· · ·24 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7· 7 ·7
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20· Total Buffed
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Balance · · · · · 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · ·11.0 · 43.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 27.0
Concentration · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 62.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 25.0
Disable Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 23.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Heal· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 56.0
Hide· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 44.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 76.0
Listen· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 42.0
Move Silently · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 44.0
Open Lock · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 32.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 22.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 23.0
Search· · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 47.0
Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 23.0
Spot· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 65.0
Swim· · · · · · · · ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·3· ·21.0 · 89.0
Tumble· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 32.0
Use Magic Device· 2 ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ ·½· ½ · · ·11.0 · 33.0
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Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
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Enhancements: 80 APs
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Aasimar: Scourge of the Undead - Points spent: 17
Core1 Stronger Bonds I
Core2 Ability I: +1 Strength
Tier1 Scourge Weapons
Tier1 Improved Recovery I
Core3 Stronger Bonds II
Core4 Ability II: +1 Strength
Core5 Stronger Bonds III
Tier2 Improved Scourge Weapons
Tier3 Greater Scourge Weapons
Tier3 Strike Down the Dead - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Destroyer of the Dead
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Tempest - Points spent: 42
Core1 Shield of Whirling Steel
Tier1 Whirling Blades I
Tier1 Improved Defence - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Improved Reaction - 3 Ranks
Core2 Tempest
Tier2 Improved Parry - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Whirling Blades II
Tier2 Improved Dodge - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Action Boost: Haste Boost - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Whirling Blades III
Core3 Graceful Death
Tier3 Improved Mobility - 3 Ranks
Core4 Deflect Arrows
Tier4 Elaborate Parry - 3 Ranks
Tier4 The Growing Storm - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Whirling Blades IV
Tier5 Whirling Blades V
Tier5 Dance of Death - 3 Ranks
Tier5 Dual Perfection
Tier5 Cuts: Tempest: A Thousand Cuts - 3 Ranks
Core5 Whirlwind
Core6 Dervish
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Deepwood Stalker - Points spent: 21
Core1 Far Shot
Tier1 Increased Empathy - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Versatile Empathy - 2 Ranks
Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
Core2 Sneak Attack
Tier2 Survivalist I
Tier3 Survivalist II
Core3 Called Shot: Exposing Strike
Tier3 Favored Hunter - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Thrill of the Hunt - 3 Ranks
Core4 Advanced Sneak Attack
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Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 12 permanent Destiny Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legendary Dreadnought - Points spent: 34
Core1 Fearless
Tier1 Dread Mantle
Tier1 Dire Attack: Dire Charge
Tier1 Epic Tactics - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Push Through The Line - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Shrug Off Punishment - 3 Ranks
Core2 Weaponmaster
Tier2 Combat Brute
Tier3 Momentum Swing
Tier3 Strike Twice - 3 Ranks
Core3 Thick Skinned
Tier4 Untouchable
Tier4 Kick While They're Down - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Strike with Fear
Tier4 Lay Waste
Tier5 Legendary Rally: Legendary Rally (Melee)
Tier5 Dusk Surge
Tier5 Action Hero
Tier5 Overpower: Pulverizor
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Grandmaster of Flowers - Points spent: 4
Core1 Inner Focus
Tier1 Strike with Poise - 3 Ranks
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Shadowdancer - Points spent: 14
Core1 The Darkest Luck I
Tier1 Cover of Darkness - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
Core2 The Darkest Luck II
Tier2 Dance in the Dark - 3 Ranks
Core3 The Darkest Luck III
Tier3 Shadowcaster: Shadowstriker
Tier3 Grim Precision - 3 Ranks
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Spells· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · School· · · · ·DC
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Ranger Spells
L1: Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L1: Longstrider · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L1: Merfolk's Blessing· · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L1: Ram's Might · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 30
L2: Barkskin· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 31
L2: Hold Animal · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Enchantment · · 31
L2: Owl's Wisdom· · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 31
L2: Protection From Energy· · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 31
L3: Cure Moderate Wounds· · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 32
L3: Neutralize Poison · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 32
L3: Remove Disease· · · · · · · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 32
L3: Wild Instincts· · · · · · · · · · · · · Divination· · · 32
L4: Animal Growth · · · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 33
L4: Cure Serious Wounds, Mass · · · · · · · Conjuration · · 33
L4: Freedom of Movement · · · · · · · · · · Abjuration· · · 33
L4: Longstrider, Mass · · · · · · · · · · · Transmutation · 33
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Spell Like / Special Abilities
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Healing Hands · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Wild Empathy· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
Dimension Door· · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
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Equipped Gear Set: Standard
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Armor · · · · Legendary Wildcard· ·Drops in: Quest: Security Detail
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Part of the Family
Belt· · · · · Direwolf Belt · Drops in: U48: Feytwisted Chest
· · · · · · · Green: +10 Sapphire of Resistance
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Boots · · · · Legendary Deepsnow Boots· ·Drops in: U48 Quest: A Frosty Reception
· · · · · · · Green: +32 Sapphire of Defense
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Bracers · · · Brand of Kalok Shash· ·Drops in: Raid: Too Hot to Handle, Masterminds of Sharn Saga reward
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Blue: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Sucker Punch/One Against Many: +2 Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Prowess: Melee Power(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: Dreadbringer: Melee Power(Rare Version)
Cloak · · · · Legendary Cloak of Winter · Drops in: U48 Quest: Comabtting Corruption
· · · · · · · Green: Sapphire of Good Luck + 3
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Gloves· · · · Legendary Hammerfist· ·Drops in: Quest: Blown Deadline
· · · · · · · Blue: +12 Diamond of Wisdom
· · · · · · · Legendary Part of the Family
Goggles · · · Legendary Tinkerer's Goggles· ·Drops in: U47 Raid: Legendary Master Artificer
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (Intelligence EIQ): Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Tyrannical Tinkerer
Helmet· · · · Legendary Crown of Snow · Drops in: U48 Quest: Legend of the Lost Locket
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Necklace· · · The Family's Blessing · Drops in: Raid: Project Nemesis
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Blue: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Part of the Family
Ring1 · · · · Legendary Celestial Ruby Ring · Drops in: Quest: The Same Old Song
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (SDI): +13 Dexterity
· · · · · · · Green: +10 Topaz of Melee Power
Ring2 · · · · Legendary Celestial Sapphire Ring · Drops in: Quest: Best Laid Plans
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (DIC): +13 Constitution
· · · · · · · Yellow: +5 Diamond of Insightful Strength
Trinket · · · Legendary Crocodile Tooth · Drops in: U50: Quest: Swim at your own risk
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Saltmarsh Explorer
Weapon1 · · · The Everstorm, Maelstrom Courser· ·Drops in: Raid: Too Hot to Handle
· · · · · · · Red: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Almost There (UD): Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Finishing Touch: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Sucker Punch/One Against Many: +2 Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Sucker Punch: Melee Power(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: Prowess: Melee Power(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 4: Prowess: Strength(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 5: Prowess: Attack and Damage(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 6: Prowess: Critical Attack and Damage(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 7: Dreadbringer: Melee Power(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 8: Dreadbringer: Strength(Rare Version)
Weapon2 · · · Lamplighter · Drops in: U47 Raid: Legendary Vision of Destruction
· · · · · · · Red: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Orange: Empty augment slot
Trinket2· · · Restricted by another item in this gear set
Trinket3· · · Restricted by another item in this gear set

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Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, please let me know if I made some mistakes or if you need something clarified. There are 100% some typos in here at least.

[Swimms]

Lol @ the video of the build in action. Love your builds even though I will probably never make this one. I did however make both a "forceful hand" and multiple iterations of your AA. Thanks for your efforts.

[Swimms]

Lol @ the video of the build in action. Love your builds even though I will probably never make this one. I did however make both a "forceful hand" and multiple iterations of your AA. Thanks for your efforts.

Edit-watched the rest of the video, initially thought it was 10 minutes of insta death.

[Kaboom2112]

The feat selection is terrible, but the rest of the build is decent

[Thrudh]

Why maces with the first STR build? Are those really the best weapons in slot?

Why do you say the DEX build only does 70% of the damage of the STR build? Can't one get DEX nearly as high as STR? What else is different?

For the DEX build, I would suggest

Scion of the Ethereal Plane (+1 to sneak attack for every 3 points of Hide) instead of Scion of Arborea (+20 Melee and Ranged Power).

I can get around 130 Hide with maxed out Hide and Camouflage on a Dex build (160 for 3 minutes if you have the Rogue PL feat) and that's some serious extra damage since melee power affects sneak attack...

Probably more than the 20 melee power from Arborea.

[AbyssalMage]

Why maces with the first STR build? Are those really the best weapons in slot?

Because scourge gains huge bonuses using them. It's probably the best weapon set for any Scourge TWF which can dip into their Racial Tree.

Scourge

[Coffey]

Great build Strimtom!

I like the way you use Dire Charge and Improved Trip during R10s good adds to the build.

Dex build is missing Killer. A new player would not have close 100% doublestrike to leave that out of their build.

You have the wrong IC for Dex Scimitar and Str Khopesh builds .9. . . . : Improved Critical: Bludgeoning

Edit: Ghost Touch looks awesome for Reapers!

[Strimtom]

Why maces with the first STR build? Are those really the best weapons in slot?

Why do you say the DEX build only does 70% of the damage of the STR build? Can't one get DEX nearly as high as STR? What else is different?

For the DEX build, I would suggest

Scion of the Ethereal Plane (+1 to sneak attack for every 3 points of Hide) instead of Scion of Arborea (+20 Melee and Ranged Power).

I can get around 130 Hide with maxed out Hide and Camouflage on a Dex build (160 for 3 minutes if you have the Rogue PL feat) and that's some serious extra damage since melee power affects sneak attack...

Probably more than the 20 melee power from Arborea.

The issue is a dependance on sneak attacks for damage. Any scenario where you are denied sneak attacks you lose a lot of damage.

As an example one of the quest in which getting denied your sneak attack is very bad is the quest Grim and Barrett. In this Quest at the very end fight while you're attacking the end boss there are these shrubberies that get up and attack you. The shrubberies aren't being tanked by the tank because the tank has to tank the boss at ranged so that you don't die to Divine wrath and as a result it is your responsibility is to kill the shrubberies as quickly as possible. The shrubberies since they'll be focused on you will be completely immune to your sneak attacks and having less damage means the shrubberies die slower. Fairly often they spawn as very dangerous Champions like Heroes Souls which are basically immune to Critical Hits and get their health back, as well as hitting for over 6k.

This is one many examples where I prefer flat damage over sneak attack. When the most never hit you, it is awesome, but if you have aggro your sneak attacks stop working, especially against plant creatures (which there are a lot of at level 30!)

Typos are fixed (hopefully). Should be slashing for the scimitar build.

[Thrudh]

The issue is a dependance on sneak attacks for damage. Any scenario where you are denied sneak attacks you lose a lot of damage.

Note that Exposing Strike from Deepwood Sniper gets you no-save sneak attack for 4 seconds every 6 seconds. Works on bosses and red-names too.

[Thrudh]

Because scourge gains huge bonuses using them. It's probably the best weapon set for any Scourge TWF which can dip into their Racial Tree.

Scourge

+1 sacred crit multiplier is the main thing (Destroyer of the Dead), and you have to go 17 APs deep into the racial enhancements to get it.

Is +1 crit multiplier really enough to overcome the fact that most maces aren't very good weapons?

[Kaboom2112]

Is +1 crit multiplier really enough to overcome the fact that most maces aren't very good weapons?

After extensive testing the mace build came in behind the people using real weapons by a noticable margin.

Mace usage on a scourge is a trap.

[Coffey]

So after IC, scourge and ranger enhancements you are at 18-20/x3 with the heavy maces, kopeshes are 16-20/x4 and scimitars are 14-20/x3.

The heavy maces you have listed say the critical threat range of the weapons does not stack with IC feat?

Edit:

For the DEX build, I would suggest

Scion of the Ethereal Plane (+1 to sneak attack for every 3 points of Hide) instead of Scion of Arborea (+20 Melee and Ranged Power).

I can get around 130 Hide with maxed out Hide and Camouflage on a Dex build (160 for 3 minutes if you have the Rogue PL feat) and that's some serious extra damage since melee power affects sneak attack...

Probably more than the 20 melee power from Arborea.

This would add up to a lot of extra damage youre right.

[Strimtom]

+1 sacred crit multiplier is the main thing (Destroyer of the Dead), and you have to go 17 APs deep into the racial enhancements to get it.

Is +1 crit multiplier really enough to overcome the fact that most maces aren't very good weapons?

+1 multi, the are considered good and ghost touch, +6 melee power, +5% offhand doublestrike, and free oversized twf. Its more than just +1 multi from the tree, and dr breaking is essential for R10 since damage gets reduced to 0 a lot if you can't beat dr.

So after IC, scourge and ranger enhancements you are at 18-20/x3 with the heavy maces, kopeshes are 16-20/x4 and scimitars are 14-20/x3.

The maces are 17-20x4. 20x2 base, +1 threat from keen, +1threat from deepwood stalker, +1 threat from pulverizer (LD passive), +1 multi from aasimar tree, +1multi from tempest. Always check your math!

I am not asserting that this build is the best build for ranger or that maces are better than kopeshes. I am having success with maces because of the effects on the maces (high base damage rating and armor penetration and dr breaking) and because I can ignore bludgeoning dr issues, like from stone guard champions.

[mikarddo]

The feat selection is terrible, but the rest of the build is decent

Maybe you or someone else would be interested in posting an alternate set of feats then?

[CaptainPurge]

Those Strahd khopeshes would be nice.

[Coffey]

The maces are 17-20x4. 20x2 base, +1 threat from keen, +1threat from deepwood stalker, +1 threat from pulverizer (LD passive), +1 multi from aasimar tree, +1multi from tempest. Always check your math!

I am not asserting that this build is the best build for ranger or that maces are better than kopeshes. I am having success with maces because of the effects on the maces (high base damage rating and armor penetration and dr breaking) and because I can ignore bludgeoning dr issues, like from stone guard champions.

Thanks for clarifying this. Looking forward to the next stream and classic character build you were talking about rolling with

[QuantumFX]

RE: Khopesh v. Mace.
- Why not both? Legendary mobs can have 100+ DR/damage type. Having both options will only leave you sad when you hit DR/Piercing.

For your not Aasimar builds:
- Why not drop 2AP into Vistani to pick up FE: Undead there? You can use the freed slot to pick up another common foe type.
- Same thing for FE: Animal in Falconer.

Note that Exposing Strike from Deepwood Sniper gets you no-save sneak attack for 4 seconds every 6 seconds. Works on bosses and red-names too.

- It also works after you hit Dance of Death.

[Coffey]

RE: Khopesh v. Mace.
- Why not both? Legendary mobs can have 100+ DR/damage type. Having both options will only leave you sad when you hit DR/Piercing.

I was thinking about the very same idea the other day. Ranger is very versatile this way.

[DrawingGuy]

My own two cents:

Weapon Choice:

STR based Khopesh (Calamity) - When you have no other source of Vulnerability, these win the DPS contest

DEX based Scimi (Vulkoor's Edge) - When you have other sources of Vulnerability, the additional DEX for Ethereal along with solid Scimi choices have this on par with Calamities. There are also amazing CC weapons that you can use DEX based: Flow and the new Reflection of the Frostblade. Haven't crunched the numbers on Vulkoor vs Nightshard, but I suspect Vulkoor still wins (metalline bypass is nice as well). In any case, the CC options, especially Flow, works well enough that you can solo pretty well.

STR based Mace (Beacon of Night/Day) - These fall a fair bit behind DPS wise, even with Scourge bonus. However it is still important to carry blunt weapons of some sort for bypass reasons, and Scourge helps prevent them from being as big of a DPS loss.



I would also like to talk about going WIS based via Falconry. While a Tempest doesn't really care about DCs, so doesn't benefit as much as a Monk/ranged/divine would, there are still some compelling reasons:

- Aasimar and Aasimar Scourge heals scale multiplicatively with WIS, and is the key to having high reaper self healing potential
- Mass Frog is a strong ability, and if you have the past lives/reaper tree for spell pen, can be very effective even without feats. Certainly more useful than Tactician
- Applies to all weapons like STR does, but is also boosting WILL saves with investment.

With No Mercy, you'll end up with higher trash DPS on everything CCed, but lower on bosses/non-CCed due to the loss of DWS investment. The new Frostblade (assuming it isn't glitched down to a 35DC like Epic Freezing is) presents a Dire-Charge > 6 seconds to freeze everything under your burst combo that could carry No Mercy into the general win zone even solo, which is where you'd want the stronger Aasimar heal anyways. However outside of Aasimar, I'd stick to STR or DEX only.



Race:

Aasimar Scourge has the boost to Maces (STR/WIS) or Light Maces (DEX), Oversized feat for a small boost to attack (does not qualify you for DEX to attack/damage on anything), free Undead FE, ghost touch, and the highest burst potential under Divine Form

Aasimar gives you passive Vuln stacking no matter your weapon choice as a Fallen, Quick Draw for quicker recovery from casting heals, and up to +5 STR under Purpose if you're STR based. Vuln Stacking is not to be underestimated, so Fallen Aasimar will out-DPS anyone that does not have a different source for it.

Elf is great for DEX builds as they max out DEX, boost accuracy (high reapers need all you can get to avoid grazing hits), and have a Displacement clicky.

Wood Elf gives up the Dragonmark Displacement option of Elf, but loses the CON penalty and has a STR option for someone rolling STR and wanting the accuracy bonuses. 5% doublestrike, a 10% action boost to speed for free with a tumble, and a strong attack/damage tree is nice too.

Half-Orc has action boosts, lock bash, and brutality for helpless damage. I consider this a top-tier damage option.

Human I really think is second-fiddle to Aasimar for Tempest. You don't really need the feat or action points, and Aasimar/Scourge gets the heal amp along a powerful self heal and a form that boosts DPS. It's far from a weak choice, but any Aasimar option is simply better.

Plenty of other options, but I don't think they bring as much to the table. Technically Helf would work well, but they're too ugly to count.



Scion of Ethereal vs Scion of Arborea

Scion of Ethereal is very strong. SA damage scales at 150% of MP, so it can easily translate to 200+ damage per hit -- even on non-DEX builds. Obviously that gets downscaled by Reaper, but so does Arborea's affect. On anything that is not SA immune, it is no contest - especially as you have a reliable way to apply it with Exposing Strike.

I really would only take Scion of Arborea if there are one of two conditions:

1) There is no way you can fit Hide items without major sacrifice (and even then it is debatable)
2) You are mainly running content with SA immune targets such as RL raids



Gear

I realize you may have some inefficiencies due to using some existing Slavers gear, but there are definitely some improvements you could make:

- Executioner's Helm really can't be beat for DPS. It gives Seeker, 5% damage from Fury, SA from Insightful Deception, along with Qual Combat Mastery. Rolling with an Executioners + Legendary Bracers of the Fallen Hero will be better... especially when you're on the higher end of Doublestrike. This is including even when not under Fury. When on boss fights, you could swap on a Slavers with 17 STR and a Packbanner as you would not need Stunning at that point.

- Sheltering 45 is 100% useless on a gear setup that is giving you 50 PRR / 52 MRR. If you already have CON/DEX/STR/WIS covered (which you don't on your setups), then there is always False Life.

- Ward Inscribed Pendant may be a source of CON, but it is breaking up Adherent set bonus option and Fleetfoot is a strong defensive boost as it gives 20 WIS for Will saves and Wind Through the Trees for no-save knockdown on anything attacking you.

This is the setups I would suggest:

STR Based:
Goggles: Precision Lenses
Helmet: Legendary Executioner's Helm
Necklace: Fleetfoot Necklace
Trinket: Echo of Ravenkind
Cloak: The Invisible Cloak of Strahd
Belt: Braided Cutcord
Gloves: Molten Silver Gauntlets
Boots: Slave Lords Crafted - False Life 68 (or INT 17 for a lazy KtA), Accuracy 28, Hide 22 (or Vertigo 20 if you use Trips), Quality STR 4 (or Qual CON)
Bracers: Legendary Bracers of the Fallen Hero
Ring 1: Band of Insightful Commands
Ring 2: Ring of Nightfall
Armor: Mist Laden Vestment

You could do boots with FL 68, Accuracy 28, Vertigo 20, Qual STR 4 for trash, and a STR 17, Accuracy 28, Hide 22, Qual STR 4 (or CON) for bosses so you can swap to Lorefueled Packbanner.

If Dodge is needed, flip boots and Trinket and put CON 17 on Slavers
Trinket: Cannith Crafted - Dodge 15, Heal Amp 61, Insightful DEX 7 (or Ins Seeker)
Boots: Softsole Slippers


DEX based:
Goggles: Van Richten's Spectacles
Helmet: Legendary Executioner's Helm
Necklace: Fleetfoot Necklace
Trinket: Cannith Crafted - Dodge 15 (or Spell Saves 12 or Melee Alacrity 15, Heal Amp 61, Insightful DEX 7
Cloak: Legendary Shadowhail Cloak
Belt: Braided Cutcord
Gloves: Molten Silver Gauntlets
Boots: Slave Lords Crafted - CON 17, Accuracy 28, Stunning 20, Quality PRR 11
Bracers: Lorefueled Packbanner
Ring 1: Band of Insightful Commands
Ring 2: Ring of Nightfall
Armor: Mist Laden Vestment

There is also this setup. It will come at a slight DPS loss due to no longer having Ins Deception SA, and no Heal Amp or Dodge, but has other advantages:
Goggles: Cannith Crafted - Seeker 15, Accuracy 23, Insightful Seeker 7 (or Ins WIS 7)
Helmet: Wind Howler Mask - Insightful DEX 9, Relentless Fury, Doubleshot 12, Tendon Slice 16%
Necklace: Fleetfoot Necklace
Trinket: Echo of Ravenkind
Cloak: Legendary Shadowhail Cloak
Belt: Braided Cutcord
Gloves: Molten Silver Gauntlets
Boots: Slave Lords Crafted - Sheltering 45, Devotion 185, Stunning 20, Quality PRR 11
Bracers: Lorefueled Packbanner
Ring 1: Band of Insightful Commands
Ring 2: Ring of Nightfall
Armor: Mist Laden Vestment


WIS based
Goggles: The Masque
Helmet: Legendary Executioner's Helm
Necklace: Fleetfoot Necklace
Trinket: Trinket of Freewill - Insightful WIS 9, MRR 52, Spell Resist 46, Mind Control Immunity
Cloak: Legendary Shadowhail Cloak
Belt: Braided Cutcord
Gloves: Molten Silver Gauntlets
Boots: Legendary Flightfoot Greaves
Bracers: Lorefueled Packbanner
Ring 1: Slave Lords Crafted - CON 17, Accuracy 28, Stunning 20, Qual WIS 4
Ring 2: Legendary Cursebane Ring (or Legendary Deathwarden for healing)
Armor: Mist Laden Vestment

If you need Dodge, you can make the following changes:
Trinket: Cannith Crafted - Dodge 15, Heal Amp 61, Insightful WIS 7
Cloak: The Invisible Cloak of Strahd

[Coffey]

My own two cents:

Great class writeup man! You answered a lot of questions i have wanted to ask.