Curse

vader · Aug 07, 2010, 02:53 PM // 14:53

I've started playing my PvE Ranger again and have been experimenting with different builds for her. One that I think may have potential uses a core of these skills:

Glass Arrows (E)
Triple Shot
Dual Shot
Splinter Weapon

The thing about this build so far is that it requires nothing in Marksmanship (except for your bow requirement). I'll probably add an interrupt to this but what do you think would also work well with this (if its even a viable build).

Desert Rose · Aug 07, 2010, 03:12 PM // 15:12

Give Splinter Weapon one of your heroes instead, it's not that great on a physical. Otherwise a build based on these 3 skills is not the absolute best, but quite solid.

Your weapon damage is determined in two steps:
1. Is the req fulfillled? Yes: Base damage is listed damage. No: Base damage is the damage of a beginner weapon.
2. Is your weapon mastery below or above 12? For each point below 12 your base damage is decreased by ~8%, for each point above your base damage isincreased by ~3,5%.

Lore · Aug 07, 2010, 06:04 PM // 18:04

Asuran scan can be of some help

Xiaquin · Aug 07, 2010, 06:19 PM // 18:19

Yeah if you're after damage you're not gonna want to skimp on Marksmanship. After testing, I noted that DS and TS are about the same DPS as spamming Sundering and Penetrating attack (rank 5 on TS, 12 expertise, 12 marksmanship). I was a bit surprised at this, but this is only testing against Master of Damage and you need to take into account a real battle where enemies will be armored.

Overall, I'd say it depends what you want. Faster, higher damage single shots will make good spikes on demand but over 30 seconds will wreck your energy. Personally, I'm still in the camp that just uses buffs and would only go to Needling, which ignores armor, to finish an enemy off, but, it's just one school of thought. I'd recommend another damage boost besides Glass Arrows, such as IaTS or AS, and it would work well in a build where you want staying power.

Orange Milk · Aug 09, 2010, 01:19 PM // 13:19

Glass Arrows
Point Blank Shot
Zojun's Shot
Asuran Scan
"I am the Strongest"
D-Shot

Expertise 12 +1 +3 (less if you are scared)
Marksmanship 12 + 1

Your Dshot will hit for over 100 and energy is not a problem.

I like to use Dwarvan Stability and Lightning Reflexes in the other two slots.

Amy Awien · Aug 09, 2010, 04:40 PM // 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xiaquin

Yeah if you're after damage you're not gonna want to skimp on Marksmanship.

That depends, against high armor your weapon base damage is less meaningfull, while bonus damage from skills becomes more important.

Xiaquin · Aug 09, 2010, 05:50 PM // 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy Awien

That depends, against high armor your weapon base damage is less meaningfull, while bonus damage from skills becomes more important.

Agreed, but I would never want to go below 12 if I was trying to run a bow damage build. With rune/head piece there's no reason to.

*

I've been testing in PvE with GA, IatS, AS with Dual/Triple Shot. I've been impressed, but add that my ranks in Asura and Norn are both 10, so, it's sort of a no-brainer that 2-300+ damage from the skills are possible. It's a fun change from trying to Needle <%50, though interestingly this works best on enemies >50% HP.

Khomet Si Netjer · Aug 24, 2010, 11:42 AM // 11:42

glass arrows works very well but energy is tight; you might want to try this instead.

ranger/paragon
marksmanship 12+1+1
expertise 12+1
command 3

go for the eyes
find their weakness
triple shot
dual shot
prepared shot
expert focus
i am the strongest
ebon battle standard of honor

This hits very hard... prep up with 6-7-8 then activate triple shot and find their weakness at the same time (and GFTE as well, if it is charged). This can deliver more than 300 damage instantly, even in hard mode... 200+ from the three arrows with buffs and an additional 100 from the deep wound. Dual Shot is almost as good and Prepared Shot keeps your energy high so you can spam attacks all day. With these buffs active you are hitting for +44 bonus damage with autoattacks and even more if you have Orders, Brutal Weapon, Great Dwarf Weapon, etc. Highly recommended. You can swap "I Am The Strongest" for Asuran Scan if you want. I find that the enemies die so quickly that Asuran Scan doesn't work as well. Ebon Battle Standard of Honor affects all party members so you can transform henchmen and heroes into heavy hitters as well! Note that heroes can run this bar with a few modifications and almost the same effectiveness... replace Triple Shot with Forked Arrow, I Am The Strongest with Distracting Shot or Crossfire, and EBSOH with Favorable Winds or Winnowing.