Curse

ZeeSquared · Jun 21, 2011, 11:18 AM // 11:18

I'm a ranger at heart. I love the class for both PvE and PvP. I decided to start the former after taking a break and noticed that things have changed since six years ago. The last ranger group quest I remember doing was Temple of Primeval Kings. Oh how I miss those Ranger Barrage groups that were formed back then. Great times.

Enough chatter, though! Things have changed with the addition of heroes ... and I was hoping I could get some help fine tuning this Hero Barrage build. I don't claim that this build is innovative, because to be honest I found what I liked on GWPvX and took unique ideas from Khomet Si Netjer and Leberecht Reinhold (Burning + Scavenger Strike for E) and slapped them together. There are comments within the respected class builds.

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1. Ranger / *
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Beast Mastery: 10
Expertise: 8 (7 + 1)
Marksmanship: 15 (12 + 1 + 2)

o Distracting Shot
o Barrage {E}
o Needling Shot
o "I Am the Strongest"
o "Dodge This!"
o "Scavenger Strike"
o "Call of Protection"
o "Comfort Animal"

COMMENTS:
How does this look for the main ranger? What would you change? The goal I was going for was low E (energy) skills so I could Barrage more often. Each skill is 5 E and of course the ranger ones are dropped to 3 E due to Expertise.

I find myself using Barrage first then hitting 4, 5, and 6 before opening up with another Barrage (rinse and repeat). I then use Needling Shot for survivors that are below 1 / 2 health.

Would you use Ebon Battle Standard of Honor instead of "Dodge This!"? I found that with the former I would run out of energy quite often. What about Needling Shot? Yay or nay?

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2. & 3. Ranger / Paragon
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Beast Mastery: 10
Expertise: 8 (7 + 1)
Marksmanship: 15 (12 + 1 + 2)
Command: 4

o Distracting Shot
o Barrage {E}
o Needling Shot
o Scavenger Strike
o Call of Protection
o "Fall Back!"
o "Comfort Animal"
o "We Shall Return!"

COMMENTS:
Same concept as above. The heroes don't use it in the same combo as I do (heh). I noticed that Needling Shot works awesome with them when used right. They sometimes use it before 50% health though. Perhaps Keen Shot?

I put the resurrection skills on these heroes since I figured they would have the energy for it.

With these heroes the build has 3 versions of the skill "Fall Back!" Too much? The constant speed boost is fun I must admit.

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4. Paragon / Monk
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o Blazing Spear
o "Go for the Eyes!"
o "Find Their Weakness!"
o Burning Refrain
o "They're on Fire!"
o "Fall Back!"
o "Empathic Removal {E}"
o "We Shall Return!"

COMMENTS:
I consider the Paragon the main hero in the group. Without her the concept sort of falls apart. The Paragon is inspired by Khomet Si Netjer.

I tried the damage anthems but I wasn't feeling them for some reason. So I saw Khomet's post and fell in love with the Burning Barrage concept.

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5. Mesmer / Necromancer
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o Power Drain
o Panic {E}
o Mistrust
o Waste Not, Want Not
o Drain Enchantment
o Mark of Pain
o Enfeebling Blood
o Weaken Armor

COMMENTS:
Your standard Panic {E} mesmer.

But this is where I'm confused. Should I use this hero for Curses as well? I feel that - at least for hard mode - I need a hero with interrupts and something in Curses.

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6. Necromancer / Ritualist
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o Order of Pain
o Dark Fury
o Blood Bond
o Cultist's Fervor {E}
o Life
o Mend Body and Soul
o Spirit Light
o Protective Was Kaolai

COMMENTS:
Your standard orders with healing.

The elite doesn't sit well with me for some reason though. What would you choose? Would you change this hero to use Curses instead and use Spiteful Spirit {E} for hard mode?

What of the healing? Perhaps change him to Channeling for another Splinter Weapon?

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7. Necromancer / Monk
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o Animate Bone Minions
o Death Nova
o Jagged Bones {E}
o Putrid Bile
o Masochism
o Shield of Absorption
o Protective Spirit
o Aegis

COMMENTS:
Your standard minion bomber with protection.

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8. Ritualist / *

o Splinter Weapon
o Ancestor's Rage
o Bloodsong
o Signet of Spirits {E}
o Spirit Siphon
o Mend Body and Soul
o Spirit Light
o Protective Was Kaolai

COMMENTS:
Your standard Signet of Spirits {E} ritualist with heals.

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NOTES:
Some of the heroes don't have attribute points posted. I change them often to see what suits them better. If you could recommend attributes for the ones that are missing that'd be awesome!

From using this build as-is I've come to the conclusion that I'd be happier if it was optimized. I don't know the current meta and what works or not thus I could use all the help I can get because I do like the idea of Barrage groups. I'm going through the storyline on normal to catch up but afterwards I want something to do missions, dungeons, and vanquishes fast - or at least painless - in hard mode (utilizing Rangers and Barrage). If it works out I also want to provide a clearing / running service if this build is up to the task.

I noticed that this build falls apart when mobs aren't balled up. Thanks to Wenspire's videos I learned proper lessons in pulling. Bombarding packs of mobs is so fun! Soooo fun! *EVIL GRIN*

Thanks for your patience in reading this.

pogi8 · Jun 21, 2011, 11:42 AM // 11:42

its not bad, but for you i shouldn't use needling shot.
use Triple Arrow (luxon/kurzick) instead. more usefull i think.
and yes panic + Curses goes good together, but IMO make it N/Me with panic as these skills are energy consuming and soul reaping will be a nice effect.
also if you're going to rupt alot, put Frustration somewhere in. its a nice addition (every time they get rupted they take dmg) but idk if it would fit in with the attributes. (Illusion;Soul reaping; Curses;Domination... might aswell make it instead of the Rit [see later] )

I'm also not sure wether you should use I Am The Strongest or Ebon Battle Stadard Of Honor... it boosts the whole party.

and since you're more going to spike things i should leave the SoS out and go for a more healing proffesion instead; maybe an Icy Veins necro with ritualist heals. Icy Veins is a nice addition if you ask me...

and about the necro with the blood elite; i should change it aswell; maybe a rit restoration elite.

anyway should be nice but i think you will need some micro'ing with MOP and the barragers.

GoodLuck.

Fly

HigherMinion · Jun 21, 2011, 01:10 PM // 13:10

Shouldn't be running out of energy using Barrage with a Zealous bow. Any other bow and yeah, you'll run out fast just spamming Barrage.

Drop Dark Fury on your Orders bar, seems not much depends on it. Mark of Fury and drop Life for Well of Blood.

The Minion Bomber is quite standard; but you really are wasting your elite there. Divert Hexes, Restore Condition, Empathic Removal; whatever, but bring something useful.

Panic is meh for general PvE. You already have PS...

@above; Icy Veins is terrible. thx.

Demon of FIRE · Jun 21, 2011, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Just make sure you're using a zealous bow and you should have no energy problems. Also, trying to ball up the foes more is a good idea to get the most out of your zealous bow and Barrage's damage. Taking splinter weapon to increase your AoE damage is also a good idea, as the heroes will prioritize putting up spirits before applying splinter weapon on you.

Gabs88 · Jun 21, 2011, 06:17 PM // 18:17

Heroes don't efficiently spam barrage anyhow, so may as well go with Volley and save the elite slot for something else.

This build is decent for a hero: http://www.gwpvx.com/Build:R/any_Enraged_Volley_Hero

Wenspire · Jun 21, 2011, 07:58 PM // 19:58

I would not run lower than 13 in Expertise if you want to fuel barrage. Ebon Honor would also benefit your nearby allies so would be a better choice, IMO. Also, if you are encounting EN problems, try using a zealous string.

Regarding ranger heroes, if you want them to focus on using Barrage, do not give them any other attack skill (interupts and pet attacks are ok though). They will cycle to whatever attack skill is available at the time and will not use Barrage as often.

Just my $0.02...