Elf Ranger synergy: An examination of old and new.

[spifflove]

Elves and Rangers have a unique synergy. As a returning player, I will examine and test both old and new ideas as much as is possible. I will examine strength and dex Rangers as trap monkeys and check the merits of old builds to the new meta. (As far as I have time)

First the Retribution Ranger (the original max dps glass canon to be recorded)
Elf true Neutral (with umd)
32 pts (drop trap monkey if 28 pts)
1 Rogue/1 Barbarian/18 Ranger
Str 18 plus level ups.
Dex 10
Con 12
Int14
Wis 14
Cha 08

Skills
Spot 1 point per level
Search 1 point per level
Disable 2 points per level
Umd 2 points per level

Feats
Favored enemy undead, construct,evil outsiders in that order
1) stun
3) power attack
6) knights training
9) ic slash
12) elven dragon mark
15) ic ranged
18) open

Strat: Use great swords and great axes until a pair of Retribution long swords can be attained at level 8.
Res twice as a horc barb then continue as a pure Wood Elf Ranger.

Edit: Melee Rangers can be very challenging to new players. I myself began as a ranged ranger. Very new players should start as ranged then thf barbarian before going to other melee types.

[spifflove]

Next a current meta dex ranger

The Temptrist (super Illuminati build)
Elf true Neutral (with umd)
32 pts (drop trap monkey if 28 pts)
1 Rogue/1 Barbarian/18 Ranger
Str 08
Dex 20 plus level ups
Con 12
Int14
Wis 14
Cha 08

Skills
Spot 1 point per level
Search 1 point per level
Disable 2 points per level
Umd 2 points per level

Feats
Favored enemy undead, construct,evil outsiders in that order
1) point blank shot
3) precision
6) elven dragon mark
9) ic slash
12) ic ranged
15) dodge
18) empower healing

Strat: Use scimitars. Res once as an elf then go to epic levels as a pure wood elf ranger.

[spifflove]

Finally a compromise

The Elfsploiter
Elf Lawful Neutral
32 pts (drop trap monkey if 28 pts)
1 Rogue/1 monk/18 Ranger
Str 15 plus level ups
Dex 16
Con 12
Int14
Wis 14
Cha 08

Skills
Spot 1 point per level
Search 1 point per level
Disable 2 points per level
Umd 2 points per level

Feats
Favored enemy undead, construct,evil outsiders in that order
1) point blank shot
3) precision
6) weapon focus slash
Monk level: whirling blades
9) knights training
12) ic slash
15) ic ranged
18) zen Archery

Strat: Use Great axes until whirling blades. Res twice as a horc barb then epic levels as a pure ranger wood elf.

[spifflove]

The Retribution Ranger levels 1-4: I started with the ember ax and got the great crossbow from the collaborator quest. I joined a permadeath group and things went well at first. I got to level 2 ok swinging my great axe. I dodged many lightning bolts and danced with an elite ogre. I stared blankly at a kobold shaman on a shelf but did not range him for some reason.

At level 3 things were feeling good. We went to Tangleroot. My guildies pulled the mobs with ranged attacks and I attacked them in the sides and rear along their kite lanes. Spot helped a lot. But I was getting tired. Then I saw a guildy die. Then I made the fatal mistake of stepping in front of a hobgoblin ranger (ironically).

I had been one shotted. I left the guild and went to the nearby ogre cave in the gorge. I ranged the ogers there and cleared the cave. This concluded testing for levels 1-4.

[spifflove]

Temptrist level 1-4
I again grabbed the korthos great crossbow and joined a permadeath guild. I range piked through the content quite easily. I went back to Tangleroot. I was never in danger even where my previous character died. But I was a little bored. My first test was when I took a wrong turn in a Cerulean Hills quest and ended up face to face with an earth elemental. I whipped out a keen shocking great sword as my guildies came to the rescue. They laughed. I guess they didn’t expect the little elf to whip out a huge sword? Anyway even with precision the damage was low. The same thing happened in stk.

At level 4 we returned to Tangleroot. Not having spoken to the teleport toon I got left behind. I made my way into Tangleroot. I made a wrong turn and ran into the same hobgoblin ogre and his tripping wolf. I whipped out my great sword with all my 08 strength. Lol. That high dex save helped against lightning bolts but when trip came to shove (4 balance rank) it failed.

I left the guild and returned to korthos to pick up the body feeder scimitars x2. I tested myself protecting the cannith crystal on elite. My str ranger won easily but my dex build could not protect it even 1 level higher. I noticed I had a potion of bulls strength and a web clicky from the water works and I successfully protected the crystal.

I began to pug with a true ress’d wizard. She with her arcane skelly and cleric hireling and me with my korthos great crossbow.

Soon we were doing harbor reaper. I used my body feeder scimitars on reaper giant scorpions and they kept me alive though it was close. We did the tome on reaper and my pug pal was fried by the lightning bolt trap. I had a flash back to my fist toon: a bardcher. Ten years ago I did the same thing: I dodged the trap. I did the intelligence rune (“you didn’t think I was just a pretty face” echoed from the past). I ranged the skelly. I use the. Body feeders on the zombies. It was close. We arrived at the shrine and I remembered what a ranger’s chief job was: To carry the soul stones! I told my pug the gear I had and he said: “oh my reaper points!”

[spifflove]

I am on the elfsploiter. I again join a permadeath guild. My guildies want me to do Sharn as a level two. What could go wrong? I’m forced to pike with the korthos great crossbow. No problems until level 3 when an ice storm twice takes me to 1 hp. I don’t know how things will go from here, but a balanced ranger is the direction I am leaning!

Enhancements of note:
Arbalester, sharpshooter from the mechanic tree.
Elven accuracy 1.

[TFerguson]

What are you gaining that beats the Tempest capstone with your splashes?

[spifflove]

What are you gaining that beats the Tempest capstone with your splashes?

Excellent question! Just a better leveling experience actually. Epic levels would require the pure ranger for the dervish capstone unfortunately. I would prefer a system where you could splash and still get the capstone say at level 22 but it is what it is.

For an example of what I mean I noticed the pug wizard mentioned above actually waited for me to disable traps in Reaper mode where he was jumping through them before that.

Also if you are ch.. er prudent like myself it may be awhile before wood elf becomes available. For example I just picked up keep on the borderlands. Way worth it especially in permadeath with uneven population periods.

[Enderoc]

[QUOTE=spifflove;6448099]Elves and Rangers have a unique synergy. As a returning player, I will examine and test both old and new ideas as much as is possible. I will examine strength and dex Rangers as trap monkeys and check the merits of old builds/QUOTE]

I would try Wisdom based max listen skill and until Horizon Walker goes live...it will at least up the DC of paralyzing arrows.
Unless you are focusing on tempest of course.
One of my pet peeves of people testing horizon walker was them not utilizing paralyzing arrows...its like tell me you dont know how to play a ranger without actually telling me you dont know how to play a range
Pretty sure one could get paralyzing arrows, horrizon tier 5 plus wisdom to hit and damage

[CrackedIce]

Deleted.

[CrackedIce]

[QUOTE=Enderoc;6448215]

Elves and Rangers have a unique synergy. As a returning player, I will examine and test both old and new ideas as much as is possible. I will examine strength and dex Rangers as trap monkeys and check the merits of old builds/QUOTE]

I would try Wisdom based max listen skill and until Horizon Walker goes live...it will at least up the DC of paralyzing arrows.
Unless you are focusing on tempest of course.
One of my pet peeves of people testing horizon walker was them not utilizing paralyzing arrows...its like tell me you dont know how to play a ranger without actually telling me you dont know how to play a range
Pretty sure one could get paralyzing arrows, horrizon tier 5 plus wisdom to hit and damage

You do realize that for testing HW purposes, folks were only interested in DPS output. Once DPS has been tested (and confirmed), it makes sense to branch out and add utility (such as AA paralyze arrows).

In fact, personally, I am only interested in making AA (paralyze) DPS more effective and easily see HW helping with that.

In either case, AA most definitely needs a revisit to modernize the tree.

Aside for that, to finish out the bow pass, I am convinced that putting IPS back to 100% (Precise shot added damage has come a long way) combined with making death arrow from AA tier 5 and DWS headshot from tier 5 a setup function rather an actual attack such that "next attack will receive the death arrow or headshot buff", it would put Archers back to the similar playstyle they had previously.

[spifflove]

I would try Wisdom based max listen skill and until Horizon Walker goes live...it will at least up the DC of paralyzing arrows.
Unless you are focusing on tempest of course.
One of my pet peeves of people testing horizon walker was them not utilizing paralyzing arrows...its like tell me you dont know how to play a ranger without actually telling me you dont know how to play a range
Pretty sure one could get paralyzing arrows, horrizon tier 5 plus wisdom to hit and damage

23 action points is a steep price to pay for paralyzing arrows on a melee build. Still a ranger should have some ranged ability. I would like to try this on one of my builds possibly the elfsploiter since the progression is slower. Otherwise my inclination is to just use a paralyzing bow if needed. Listen might be a little too much to afford but I see the value on a ranged ranger.

By the way, what does a pure ranged ranger do when face to face with a big ugly mob in a crowded room?

[spifflove]

My dex ranger faired poorly piking with reaper levelers. At level four I tried to flank a line of fiendish lions but dps with the body feeder scimitars was very poor and I died. Level 5 brought some relief with Valenar Grace. Damage boosted but to hit was only ok even with precision. Dps on reaper was poor but I could handle being swarmed by giant scorpions and other trash mobs in three barrel cove.

Key enhancements: Valenor Grace (adds dex to damage).
Eleven weapon training 4 (bonuses to scimitars and short bows).

I began to use a keen short bow as the korthos great crossbow began to disappoint. (Though I never bothered to enchant it for additional 1d4 force criticals)

[Enderoc]

introduce 4 levels of wizard max spellpower to empower your force arrows add ice storm to your spell list now you can play...The Storm on the Horizon having FOM and all you may as well kite into a snowball fight
Not really a party favorite but it would be a blast solo "of course this could be a stay away from my kills spell"
Alternatively you can dip into a Sorcerer Savant for elemental damage outside force and gain one specific spellpower for your imbued arrows

[spifflove]

introduce 4 levels of wizard max spellpower to empower your force arrows add ice storm to your spell list now you can play...The Storm on the Horizon having FOM and all you may as well kite into a snowball fight
Not really a party favorite but it would be a blast solo "of course this could be a stay away from my kills spell"
Alternatively you can dip into a Sorcerer Savant for elemental damage outside force and gain one specific spellpower for your imbued arrows

Great tactic! Sounds fun for solo. I have learned to keep my bow out at all ranges except point blank and it has improved my survival and fun.

I can’t change the title but here is a similar thread for ranged rangers: https://forums.ddo.com/forums/showth...e-Elven-Ranger

[spifflove]

Scimitars vs Longswords:

A Scimitar crits on 18-20 or 15% of time for double damage.
A Longsword crits on 19-20 or 10% of the time for double damage.
Add knights training and it becomes triple damage but at the cost of one feat..

So over the same time period all other factors being equal and discounting base weapon damage and discounting that extra feat a Scimitar user would use a scimitar would crit for 6 times damage (x2 x3) vs 6 times for the longsword (x3 x2).

Seems equal right? However we must count the non critical hit that the Longsword would get over the same time period which edges out the Scimitar.

IC slashing means the Scimitar crits 12 times (x2 x 6) and the Longsword 12 times (x3 x4) but now the Longsword counts two extra normal hits over the same time period.

So which one is better? Depends on how feat starved your build is. Also depends on how much strength vs dex augmentation you can find. Also going dex will allow you to dump strength but then again there are more ways to augment strength over dex.

Finally Knight’s training puts the Longsword on par with the Khopesh for the same feat cost and Elven enhancements make the Elf the max point target dps toon in the game!

[spifflove]

Since so far leveling builds have been discussed, and the only meta elf ranger is of the pure wood variety, it becomes apparent that you can build ranger into any class you desire by following this template:

2 Rogue/6 Ranger/X whatever past life you want.

Dusting off my first life 2 Rogue/6 Ranger/10 barb I found I could respec all the tempest enhancements I wanted except the capstone. I had to accept no knights training as that feat was introduced after this build and I entered the fleshmaker’s laboratory elite.

I had no problem with the trash mobs using my paralyzing body feeders, easily handling the lightning bolts because of evasion and tempest; and the constructs went down fast with metalline and adamantine. I was confounded by the main trap but ran through it happy that I did not skimp on my dexterity(also had mobility and spring attack). I thought the arrows were part of the trap but when I recovered i ran from bowman to bowman paralyzing them until the fire went silent.

I updated my lfm stating I had bypassed the hard trap and a 16 pally joined and we finished the quest. He probably did more dps than me with all his past lives and Uber gear still i can’t help but note that he made sure I had bypassed the main trap before joining. Dinged 19 one level to go.

[spifflove]

I would like to introduce to you to a build for people who want to play hardcore with an elven ranger and survive without Uber twitch skills:

The Hardcore Ranger
28 pts because that’s what you get in HCL
Elf 2 Barbarian/18 ranger (credit: Unbongwa)
Str 16 plus level ups
Dex 14
Con 12
Int 08
Wis 14
Char 8

Feats
1) Dragonmark
3) precision
6) Knights training
9) ic slashed
12) dodge
15) mobility
18) spring attack

The easy button is to use blood tribute to survive the big fights. I used this trick to solo proof is in the poison on permadeath using a rogue splashed barb build (the Conan build).

There is no room in this build for point blank shot, but it is assumed you will be using longswords or great axes at short range.

Note: This is a variant of the original Retribution Ranger. Another variant that i posted before would have two levels of monk with wf slashed and whirling steel.

[spifflove]

I got a chance to test the Elfsploiter today in permadeath. After a misadventure in Red Fang Realer 2 I decided to take the monk level at level 3. My build was 1 Rogue/1 Ranger/1 monk. I had 2 points in mechanic, 2 in elf and 4 in the tempest tree.

I bought 2 regular longswords and was delighted to be centered with them. My armor consisted of starting rags. I had an aid clicky. Not wanting to break sun stance, I shelved my Korthos great crossbow and did not range. I took the right hand (slightly harder) path in the Cerulean Hills. The build performed well cutting down the the mobs including one named in the thieves den with little difficulty. The fiendish lions went down without problem by attacking their flanks and rear. I got held in the waterfall cave possibly due to sun stance but escaped without retreating all the way out of the cave.

Using the shrine I then tested the left hand path. I used a plus one maul of vampirism and the keen great crossbow. Things went smoother from the ranged to melee flow and a bit of range from the maul. Surprisingly the maul did not do any better than the plane swords and I was more easily hit if they did get a chance. (The maul did crit 4 times in the orc cave including a named muddying the testing waters somewhat)

I see the potential in this elfsploiter build and contrary to what had been popular opinion the historic exploiter is not dead. Even might be viable at end game on a ranged ranger. (Zen archery). Certainly trumps a fighter splash.

[spifflove]

After my Shade barbarian was baited into a trap and died I began to think of how to make a 28 pt ranger work in hardcore league. I had to dump strength but waiting for dex based scimitars was out of the question. Then I remembered how one quick witted poster pointed out that monks could apply dex to long swords as soon as level 3 using the ninja tree. So here is the build:

Sexy Dexy (apologies to the original owner of the character of the same name)
28 pt hard core league elf
20 dex plus level ups
12 con
14 wisdom

Level 1: Ranger
Feat: weapon focus slash: favored enemy undead
Level 2: Monk
Feat: Whirling blades
Level 3 Monk
Feat: Zen Archery: Precision
Level 4: Monk
Level 5 and up: Ranger

Currently at level 5 and loving it. Feels as good as a full tempest ranger starting at level 4. Mobs go down easily but the drawback is 10 con in wind stance. Still with only two crafted plus 2 longwords a great feel. Another drawback is low ki generation. A groupie was amazed to note that I was centered and said he learned something new. Ac is good, still testing.