Curse

dhawke20 · Jun 01, 2009, 03:26 PM // 15:26

Lately, I've been feeling like a major failure as a ranger. I'm still fairly new to Guild Wars, about 5 months or so and I haven't quite found my niche yet.

For the most part, I've loved a half-range Melandru's Resilience build.

[apply poison][point blank shot][zojuns shot][savage shot][distracting shot][melandrus resilience][optional][optional]

I've experimented with some similar builds, usually using either apply poison or poison tip signet when using prep removing skills like barrage.

I'm using 70 Armor with all Survivor Insignias, 1 Sup Vigor rune, 1 Sup Expertise rune and the rest Vitae. My health is at 525. I typically use a longbow with poison string.

I want a ranger that has a high damage output and decent defense. The reason I use short range skills is because I typically find myself in the thick of battle anyway and I figured I might as well use skills that can do +40 dmg with only 5 energy cost, not to mention a pretty fast recharge time.

The main problem I seem to have is not being able to deal out damage fast enough, especially with groups with good self heals + nukes, such as the group of saltspray dragons and rockhide dragons in Archipelagos (the ones with the ele dragon boss).

I've been googling my brains out looking for sites with decent ranger builds and comprehensive explanations of weapon and armor mods. (I don't carry 4 different weapons for 1 build and change constantly, it gets too confusing I think)

Any thoughts or criticism is welcome and I thank you in advance.

siadina · Jun 01, 2009, 04:48 PM // 16:48

i would advise you to look up the Broad head arrow builds, or the toucher builds *i know i know i just love that build* As for dmg were usualy the ones *i mean rangers* that support and backup the dmg dealers. ohh almost forgot the Splinter Barrage build is also a hoot with a vamp bow *grin* Add a good hero tank and chunk those arrows where they can do the most good.
Sia

Expherious · Jun 01, 2009, 05:45 PM // 17:45

EERRRRAA Barrage-Attack
Whirling Defense/Lightning reflexes-defense
Then I like to take a MM hero and a Rt hero with Wailing wepon for lotsa interupts and splinter for damage, Rangers are easy to play dude

sigshane · Jun 01, 2009, 05:50 PM // 17:50

Well, I am nearly un-stoppable with the following build:

[Penetrating Attack][Sundering Attack][Prepared Shot][Kindle Arrows][Hunter's Shot]["I Am The Strongest"][Optional] <-- ( I use either Radiation Field or Troll Unguent for 8th slot, depending on companions)

with Elite Kurzick armor, mostly survivor and radiant insignias, and minor runes of marksmanship, expertise, and beast mastery, attunement, and a major vigor.

I use a fiery bow of fortitude, long for pulling, then switch to short for close range butt-kicking. The fiery string really packs a punch when combined with Kindle Arrows and "I Am The Strongest!". You just have to keep an eye on your energy. Use Prepared Shot every chance you get WHILE KINDLE ARROWS IS ACTIVE to quickly refill your energy.

Take along a Healer and a couple Discordway Necros, and you may never die again!

lewis91 · Jun 01, 2009, 06:37 PM // 18:37

i love using:
"I Am the Strongest"
Barrage(E)
and sometimes i used dwarven stability with lightning reflexes for some faster shooting.
"Save Yourselves" for some areas i know will be a pain.
Throw Dirt for areas of alot of melee.
Savage and Dshot just to interrupt eles with their high power skills.

And sometimes i take out a defense skill, just to put in splinter for some lovely damage.

I use urgoz' longbow because it has my favourite skin ever.
But i do sometime switch to a vamp bow, because that is beautiful with very bunched up mob.

Hybrid Meteroa · Jun 01, 2009, 07:57 PM // 19:57

http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Build:R/any_Barrage_Ranger

I like to run something similar to that, plus Splinter Weapon.

LordGanon · Jun 02, 2009, 05:41 AM // 05:41

".....all Survivor Insignias,.... 1 Sup Expertise rune and the rest Vitae. My health is at 525. I typically use a longbow with poison string."

FIRST: Use PvX Wiki and Official Guild Wars Wiki

Second: I would look up an area before venturing off into it because it might have some strong enemies *kinda helps me to find what build i want to use*
~PVE radiant seems best with ranger IMO; Super Expertise exchange with Minor for hp after changing survivor runes, and if you still need nrg vitae --> attunement
~and Rangers shouldnt have great self heals; thats why you have Monks, Rits, and N/Rt if you find the right build.

~Ranger is my main and oddly enough for damage i use a variant of http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Build:R/D_..._Strike_Ranger
~and i like to use Candy/Cupcakes to help 1) raise my sweet tooth 2) its fun to run at 33% constantly 3) help fights

~Lewis 91 has a nice build set up I am the strongest is Barrage's best friend along wtih Nightmare Weapon and Splinter Weapon

Hope i helped you a bit :P

EinherjarMx · Jun 02, 2009, 05:29 PM // 17:29

Now that I started zquesting with my ranger I just go pew pew along with 2 of the 3 sabway necs and a monk, then grab some monk and ele henchies and thats it

i go 14 marks and 13 exp

prepared shot, sundering attack, penetrating attack, keen arrow, triple shot, rapid fire, distracting shot and the spirit that makes your arrows go faster (dammit i got it out of mind)

gw_poster · Jun 02, 2009, 05:40 PM // 17:40

if you've access to EOTN pve-only skills, I highly suggest some of the damage buffing ones such as [ebon battle standard of honor] or [asuran scan], or even [great dwarf weapon] to buff the melee in your party....but most importantly, use [pain inverter] for those nasty saltspray dragons or any other high-damage output ele monster (or boss)...if you use a lot of h/h, they like to clump up which will actually work to your advantage when [pain inverter] is triggered, those dragons will explode in one hit (from themselves!)

if you can't get those skills, then [Broad Head Arrow] with [epidemic] and [distracting shot], [savage shot] will keep the casters at bay for long enough or at least until your heros/hench/other party members can kill them. I also like to take a mes hench to help with the interrrupts. Rangers aren't known for their high damage output, but rather their ability to interrupt, spread conditions, and excellent defense. You can concentrate on a damage build, but you would be negating the more positive attributes of playing ranger. But, to each his own - just have fun and play the game how you want

Don Ico · Jun 02, 2009, 09:47 PM // 21:47

[Penetrating Attack] - [Sundering Attack] - [Needling Shot] - [Prepared Shot] - [Expert's Focus] - [Asuran Scan] - [I Am the Strongest] - [Ural's Hammer] + 1 Hero with Splinter Weapon + 1 Hero with Judge's Insight = lol.

Put up your preperation before battle, cast Asuran Scan on the mob you'd like to kill and then press : 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 3 -3...

Armor:

Radiant Marksman Mask + Minor Marksman
Radiant Chest + Attunment - or Survior Chest + Vitae
Radiant Gloves + Supior Vigor
Radiant Pants + Minor Expertise
Radiant Boots + Vitae

Attributes:

Marksmanship: 12 + 1 + 1
Expertise: 12 + 1

Weapon:

Sundering Hornbow of Fortitude

...you saw it here first...

Asimo · Jun 03, 2009, 01:54 PM // 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Ico

Put up your preperation before battle, cast Asuran Scan on the mob you'd like to kill and then press : 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 3 -3...

Wouldn't you be wasting Prep Shot by starting your chain with it?

Targren · Jun 03, 2009, 04:38 PM // 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Asimo

Wouldn't you be wasting Prep Shot by starting your chain with it?

Not really. You've already burned the energy for the prep + Asuran scan (which doesn't benefit from Expertise) + prep shot.

I used to do it the other way around too, but then it would get annoying when I would do TOO well and end up with a dead bad guy before I got my prep shot off, so ended up starting the NEXT chain with prep shot anyway.

Don Ico · Jun 03, 2009, 05:37 PM // 17:37

I start off with it because: a) I've used Expert's Focus, Asuran Scan, I am The Strongest, and Ural's Hammer already. and b) because it's my only bow attack that isn't a 1 second fire rate. If you start with Penetrating-Sundering-Needling you'll have to a delay between Needling and Prepeation shot plus the re-fire rate of the hornbow. and c) you want to end with needling shot to spam it till your target dies.

makosi · Jun 03, 2009, 05:41 PM // 17:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Ico

Armor:

Radiant Marksman Mask + Minor Marksman
Radiant Chest + Attunment - or Survior Chest + Vitae
Radiant Gloves + Supior Vigor
Radiant Pants + Minor Expertise
Radiant Boots + Vitae

Attributes:

Marksmanship: 12 + 1 + 1
Expertise: 12 + 1

Weapon:

Sundering Hornbow of Fortitude

...you saw it here first...

Why not switch to 14 Expertise and 13 Marks for cheaper Penetrating/Sundering Attacks? And Radiant insignias don't actually provide a benefit over the course of a battle that lasts longer than 10 seconds; switch to survivor instead.

Don Ico · Jun 03, 2009, 09:36 PM // 21:36

I just think that 570 health and 35 energy looks cool, it satisfies my OCD haha.

Marverick · Jun 04, 2009, 02:47 AM // 02:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by makosi

Why not switch to 14 Expertise and 13 Marks for cheaper Penetrating/Sundering Attacks? And Radiant insignias don't actually provide a benefit over the course of a battle that lasts longer than 10 seconds; switch to survivor instead.

More marks = more energy gain from Prep Shot plus more damage as well

hmmm I run full survivor and superior marksmanship for prep shot builds usually... one sup doesn't really hurt in PvE when you're a ranger..

Laraja · Jun 07, 2009, 09:46 PM // 21:46

One thing that gave me a huge fun boost on my ranger was learning to UW trap. That is so unbelievably fun, I can't tell you, you just have to experience it and your mouth will fly open and you'll see tons of those beautiful yellow numbers flying, everything around you will die instantly and you'll say "HOLEEE SH*T!" and laugh your ass off.

Then I learned to PvP on my ranger and that's another whole level of fun and skills.

Keep going, don't give up! Ranger FTW! Go team! LOL.

Beomagi · Jun 08, 2009, 01:08 PM // 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhawke20

[apply poison][point blank shot][zojuns shot][savage shot][distracting shot][melandrus resilience][optional][optional]

I've experimented with some similar builds, usually using either apply poison or poison tip signet when using prep removing skills like barrage.

So there's your issue. What's the goal? Degen? heavy damage from pbs?

You've got roughly +40 damage (good) every 2.4 seconds(ouch) from the longbow + skill combo with no ias. You do degen of 4 (not enough, but can be developed) and your elite is made useless by an attentive monk that would clear up what ails you. If you're going this way, go all the way. Glass arrows will add another +20 giving you +60 bonus damage on each half range attack. Take ias and you'll get both shots off followed by a normal attack in a cycle. The few skills used also will let you bring a pet - which means you can bring NRA, scavengers, poison signet - giving you minor degen, increased bonus damage, increased attack speed, and energy from the pet. Take the interrupt of your choice for slot 8.

What expansions do you have?
If you go poison shot, you won't have any need for apply poison. Still 4 degen is a little weak - but you can use spirit of toxicity and barbed arrows for a 1 second recharge, 5 energy, 9 degen attack - this makes it easy to spread degen through the entire enemy team. Of course toxicity can work against your team. If you want single target hell, poison signet + burning arrow gives you 11 degen (capped at 10) for up to 7 seconds. that's 140 damage in those 7 seconds alone.

Of course there's prepshot-penetrating1-penetrating2-savage/needle/power... which is an energy giving easy 1234 combo. Damage is quite good too. Add on read the wind and you're talking +35 bonus damage on 3 skills with shots coming off pretty quickly.

If you want to take an attack skill for adding damage, crossfire is decent, as it's low recharge and ignores blocking. Penetrating/dupe are good as they're decent damage and fast recharge. Additionally, being skills with cast time, you can use them after a regular attack for a very quick extra attack.

Consider read the wind (use a flatbow if using this for 2 second attack) with penetrating attack + dup for similar single hit damage compared to your half range setup. you'll attack far faster though. Read the wind's bonus damage is just like a minor attack, in that it ignores armor.

If you want to do more than degen, grab some attack speed boosts. Never rampage alone is pretty sweet - sure it does need a pet however you can use one to your advantage with scavenger strike getting you energy. lightning reflexes with dwarven stability is a pretty nice combo too.

For further determination of which serves me better - heavy attacks ias, cast time, I normally make an excel sheet during the planning phase. columns indicate start of an attack, actual fire, recharge, bonus, and average raw strike. Helps when I'm formulating.

Here's an example

Code:

t=00000...noias pbs longbow +40.........33% ias normal attack (flatbow)+ 10(read the wind)
t=1.333.................................ias normal attack is fired! use penetrating1 +35
t=2.000.................................penetrating1 is fired! next is a normal attack +10
t=2.400...pbs1 fired, next pbs2+40......................................
t=3.333.................................ias normal attack is fired! next is penetrating2 +35
t=4.000.................................penetrating2 is fired! next is a normal attack
t=4.800...pbs2 fired!pbs1 nr, normala...................................
t=5.33..................................ias normal attack fired!penetrating 1 still nr! regular attack next!
.
.
.

So though you get more bonus damage from pbs1/2, ias + penetrating1/2 nets 4 attacks by the time pbs nets 2. Bonus damage from rtw is 40 (4 hits), 2 attacks at say +25, and 4 raw strikes - so it's 4 attacks + 90 bonus.

vs using 2 pbs (+40x2 bonus) + 2 attacks - adding poison, It's 4 degen over 5 seconds or another 40 damage (2 attacks + 120 bonus).