Curse

Amy Awien · Feb 26, 2011, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Good to read you're trying to overcome your scepticism and test new builds. There'll be lots of build-testing after the recent changes

I don't thing the attrib split is a problem, you need only 13 in expertise and a major - or maybe even two - is not a problem for a Ranger. The gain from the second weapon will likely outweigh the loss of one or two point from BM.

Bar space is tight, yes. I find that when bringing three pet attacks, they see less use, stuff usually dies rather quickly. For the same reason, I don't think you need more then two bowattacks - so when looking for a build, you'd have 3 'free' slots to tweak with.

But I mainly H&H - human monks sound like they have ego-problems - and hench monks are quite up to the task of keeping my wolf alive, which would explain why I don't worry too much about him.

miriforst · Feb 27, 2011, 07:48 AM // 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy Awien

Good to read you're trying to overcome your scepticism and test new builds. There'll be lots of build-testing after the recent changes

I don't thing the attrib split is a problem, you need only 13 in expertise and a major - or maybe even two - is not a problem for a Ranger. The gain from the second weapon will likely outweigh the loss of one or two point from BM.

Bar space is tight, yes. I find that when bringing three pet attacks, they see less use, stuff usually dies rather quickly. For the same reason, I don't think you need more then two bowattacks - so when looking for a build, you'd have 3 'free' slots to tweak with.

But I mainly H&H - human monks sound like they have ego-problems - and hench monks are quite up to the task of keeping my wolf alive, which would explain why I don't worry too much about him.

Yes i forgott to mention that hybrids are easier to play in AI parties. Also i have more widely been using a build this year consisting of a infuriating heat ranger bar with a support rupt, volley, brutual strike (which is awesome even at low ranks) or scavenger strike (bye energy problems) ogy's cry, comfort and never rampage alone for Ias. This way i work as a supportive SY spammer (not as good as an imbagon since i miss TnTf but its better than nothing. Ive played through some Hm dungeons including Kathandrax with it and our hero setupt is okay. But mostly this is because we are using a highly over defensive team. We got me as infuriating supportive SY, my brother as flashing blades SY and a panic gwen, defensive spirit set razah, unyielding aura prot thalkora, reapers mark healing livia, unsteady ground zhed with wards and an optional minion master/paragorn/Roj. I use my pet in that build mainly to get the Ias but when using BS i still deal spikes of damage and when using SS i have for the most part no energy problems. And thanks to that the AI heals and prots my pet as well as any player and the defensive spirit set works for my pet i do not have much problem until the really hard content.

Fay Vert · Feb 27, 2011, 01:32 PM // 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by ensoriki

It's not mandatory here, but right now BM is pretty effective as far as ranger options go.

OMG. I know I am on a downer these days as to howe poor rangers are. But even I didn't think the profession was so useless as this.

If BM is the best option for a ranger then they really are down the toilet, how did ANet let that happen? It seems for me these days being a ranger is all about finding skills on a secondary profession that synergises with 3 PvE skills and 1 ranger skill.

Lishy · Feb 27, 2011, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fay Vert

OMG. I know I am on a downer these days as to howe poor rangers are. But even I didn't think the profession was so useless as this.

If BM is the best option for a ranger then they really are down the toilet, how did ANet let that happen? It seems for me these days being a ranger is all about finding skills on a secondary profession that synergises with 3 PvE skills and 1 ranger skill.

Beast Masters are the best option because beast masters are actually very good. I mean, pets deal +50 damage AND deep wound in one skill. Then they have attack skills like Brutal Strike which deal 100+ damage in HARD MODE? All this while letting you spam Death Blossom or something.

Kunder · Feb 28, 2011, 09:00 PM // 21:00

My barrage build, gives you the best AoE damage:

Barrage
Distracting Shot
Save Yourselves
Ebon Battle Standard of Honor
For Great Justice
Serpent's Quickness
Antidote Signet

1 free PvE slot. Used to be BUH, now that doesn't work for H/H (though it works fine if someone else has it). Just keep up SY through FGJ + SQ, spam barrage with splinter weapon on you. Almost as good of SY spam as imbagon actually, you have the advantage of being able to remove blind on yourself and being further away from enemies due to bow range.

My hybrid build, good single target + potential AoE:

Enraged Lunge
Scavenger Strike
Save yourselves
Ebon Battle Standard of Honor
For Great Justice
Comfort Animal

This leaves 2 slots open for your bow stuff and/or 1 PvE skill. Volley used to be in there along with BUH, but now that BUH is changed it could very well be better to bring something like Triple Shot + NRA, or adding in a preparation. Haven't really played with my Ranger much since the derv update to test this, been a bit distracted

.

ensoriki · Feb 28, 2011, 09:24 PM // 21:24

Pets should get melee hero AI to remove that delay. MoX never gives me a delay before he attacks he just does it. Then let me flag my pet and I can be happy.

Buns United · Mar 08, 2011, 11:32 PM // 23:32

Ever since the IA update my Ranger's only been stuck to one build anyway. And with single target damage dealers now losing Asuran Scan as a buff, I guess I'm more on par with other physhical damage builds then ever before.

As for the build;
marks:8+1
ws: 11+1
exp: 11+1+1

Incendiary Arrows [elite]
[optional]
Ignite Arrows
Serpent's Quickness
Dwarven Stability
"For Great Justice!"
"Save Yourselves!"
Ebon Battle Standard of Honor

The idea is to have maximum upkeep of your ward, even at minimal title rank. With the faster recharge also helping out when your h/h party moves out of it, or when mobs start kiting.
Ignite Arrows + big spirit/minion army means that you can pretty much control enemy movement, as they'll start kiting the second time you hit them. It's bad for AoE abusing teams, but great for ranged caster setups. Where the melee won't even get close to your party. Not to mention the spike with IA+IA+EBSoH+Splinter.
For Great Justice helps keeping up SY, and SQ helps giving FGJ better uptime.

Now, without IAS and using Incendiary Arrows on recharge, with a recurve bow (recommended for the arc/refire rate) you can use IA every two hits. Not too bad, still no barrage but it's nearby range with preps.

Enjoy!

Marverick · Mar 09, 2011, 01:03 AM // 01:03

Theoretically pet should be better than a Warrior's if you look at their skills. What warrior skill unconditionally causes deep wound and adds 47 damage and has a 5s recharge? What warrior skill adds 66 damage when target's health is below 50% and has a 5s recharge? What warrior skill gives you a maintainable, nonremovable 33% IAS AND +10 damage?

However unless your enemy just sits there, pointless theory is pointless. And if you're doing any decent amount of damage you will be killing things fast, so your enemy is not just sitting there. This is why master of damage is a bad test for pet DPS because it does not reflect reality.

Pets should get a non-elite skill with 5s recharge that allows them to shadowstep to a target and cripple it. Oh and all the interrupts and stuff that require hitting during a spell should be 1/2 activation...

Ignite Arrows + Incendiary Arrows + EBSoH is a lot of fun and does decent damage, esp. when you add in 3 Ranger heroes running it and Orders/Splinter. Seems like that's the only option for damage now.

saint666 · Mar 09, 2011, 02:58 AM // 02:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lishy

Beast Masters are the best option because beast masters are actually very good. I mean, pets deal +50 damage AND deep wound in one skill. Then they have attack skills like Brutal Strike which deal 100+ damage in HARD MODE? All this while letting you spam Death Blossom or something.

Thing is, it's so annoying waiting for your pet to attack when you're chasing a mob yourself, by the time it attacks the enemy is dead already, you're better off slapping GDW on it and letting it mind it's own business and you do your own thing.

Point blank shot, zojun's shot and glass arrows looks it packs a lot of damage, up to 60 armour ignoring dmg on 3s cool down if you're into turreting, comparable to power attack if not better.