Curse

Astraeos · Dec 15, 2010, 04:56 PM // 16:56

I started playing GW a couple of weeks ago, and I'm playing a ranger PC in the Prophecies campaign. I seem to have hit a wall in trying to get by the Frost Gate mission. Are there any tips out there in how to set up a non-20th level PC that doesn't have access to the whole ranger skillset?

My character is a Ranger/Elementalist with access to most (all?) of the skills accessible up to the Frost Gate misssion. I may be able to make it through the basic mission, but I've been trying to do the bonus missions as well, and keep getting party-wiped by a group of 2 or 3 Dolyak Riders and several Stone Summit warriors.

I don't have the precise distribution of attribute points that I'm using (writing this from work... shhh!), but I'm trying a build something like this:

Level 14

Marksmanship: 11 + 1 ?
Expertise: 5
Wilderness Suvival: 3

Skills
Favorable Winds
Kindle Arrow
Power Shot
Point Blank Shot
Lightning Reflexes
Troll Ungent
Comfort Animal
Resurection Signet

He's using AR 40 armor, and a customized long-bow (Marksmanship 5 required).

Anything recommendations for changes in terms of build or equipment? Any Elementalist attributes skills (maybe earth for earth armor, ward against melee, and stone daggers?).

In terms of tactics, I've tried to use the bow to pull a few of the Stone Summit warriors away from the mob. It seems to work, but shortly after engaging them with the party, the Dolyak Riders and the rest of the Stone Summit warrios pile on and it becomes a blood bath.

Thanks for any tips you've got.

Zawk Tirson · Dec 15, 2010, 05:10 PM // 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astraeos

I started playing GW a couple of weeks ago, and I'm playing a ranger PC in the Prophecies campaign. I seem to have hit a wall in trying to get by the Frost Gate mission. Are there any tips out there in how to set up a non-20th level PC that doesn't have access to the whole ranger skillset?

My character is a Ranger/Elementalist with access to most (all?) of the skills accessible up to the Frost Gate misssion. I may be able to make it through the basic mission, but I've been trying to do the bonus missions as well, and keep getting party-wiped by a group of 2 or 3 Dolyak Riders and several Stone Summit warriors.

I don't have the precise distribution of attribute points that I'm using (writing this from work... shhh!), but I'm trying a build something like this:

Level 14

Marksmanship: 11 + 1 ?
Expertise: 5
Wilderness Suvival: 3

Skills
Favorable Winds
Kindle Arrow
Power Shot
Point Blank Shot
Lightning Reflexes
Troll Ungent
Comfort Animal
Resurection Signet

He's using AR 40 armor, and a customized long-bow (Marksmanship 5 required).

Anything recommendations for changes in terms of build or equipment? Any Elementalist attributes skills (maybe earth for earth armor, ward against melee, and stone daggers?).

In terms of tactics, I've tried to use the bow to pull a few of the Stone Summit warriors away from the mob. It seems to work, but shortly after engaging them with the party, the Dolyak Riders and the rest of the Stone Summit warrios pile on and it becomes a blood bath.

Thanks for any tips you've got.

Just some tips that might be useful...

Don't take too many side quests at once. They add spawns to that area, and those new spawns will probably overwhelm you.

I'd drop the pet. With no ranks in Beast Mastery, when he dies, he'll disable all your skills for a long time.

Try Ignite Arrows instead of Kindle. You'll do some AoE damage, and will hurt the enemy even if you miss!

Dual shot with Ignite Arrows would be pretty powerful. But expensive!

Which brings us to the point of Expertise. Expertise is very useful since it'll let you use skills more often. I seem to recall keeping most of the attributes that I was using fairly close to each other, so perhaps you should try to even all them out, but favoring Expertise.

Xiaquin · Dec 15, 2010, 06:08 PM // 18:08

I agree about the pet: no damage, skill blackout when it dies and, without attribute points into Beast Mastery, Comfort Animal can't keep it alive. Depending on its level, you could invest more in Beast Mastery and use the animal companion control panel to target lock and start aggro to "tank", but I think it would greatly reduce your own effectiveness.

Expertise could be higher, rank 7 and 9 will bring down base 10 energy costs as well as improve some of your current skills.

The biggest handicap at this point is the henchmen. Choices here are few but can make a difference. Stefan has a shout to raise the party's armor. Reyna won't offer a lot of damage, but is durable. Claude can enchant Alesia to give her energy regeneration.

Of course, the bonus for a mission is optional. You're free to come back when you're more powerful and go for it, and the 1000XP, while nice, isn't that big of a difference when you can be doing more missions and secondary quests.

Hikimi · Dec 15, 2010, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Well there's a few things you can do, as has been mentioned don't bother with your pet unless you've got plenty of spare points to go into it.
Also if at all possible then try to get other players to help out, they'll be far better help than hte henchmen, they'll aggro like crazy unless you really keep an eye on them.
I'm getting back intot eh game afetr a few years away and I'm going through hte main game over for the sotry with my warrior so I'll happily help out with this and if you want I'll play the rest of the game with you too.
COntact me in game on one of these

A brother in battle
H I K I M I
tiny little bones

Maybe hear from you soon XD

Olle · Dec 15, 2010, 06:26 PM // 18:26

If you need any help, ill be glad to help

!
just Pm Oscar The lord, and ill help you out, teach you some stuff

Cadarn · Dec 15, 2010, 06:51 PM // 18:51

Same here Elwing Cadarn is the IGN I'm playing mostly on Saturday's evening GMT+1

and Ranger is my beloved main.

gremlin · Dec 15, 2010, 06:55 PM // 18:55

2 points come to mind

The pet if probably your main problem not just for the reason's stated but because it will interfere with pulling the enemies.
Being a melee creature he is going to get too close and cause the rush you have experienced.

The Doylak riders can be almost unbeatable when their are a number of them.
Being able to take them down singly is far easier so pulling is essential.

Other wise do as suggested leave the bonus till a later date.

Uriel_Wolfblood · Dec 15, 2010, 08:02 PM // 20:02

send me a whisper in game and I'll help you through it and give you some pointers on being a ranger.

Add Uriel Wolfblood to your friends list and send me a whisper.

Amy Awien · Dec 15, 2010, 09:29 PM // 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astraeos

... I've been trying to do the bonus missions as well, and keep getting party-wiped by a group of 2 or 3 Dolyak Riders and several Stone Summit warriors.

Yeah, those are a pain if they heal each other. If you don't manage to pull them apart they're not for a first time pc.

Dolyaks follow you longer then other Stone Summit, you might try a very long pull.

Quote:

Anything recommendations for changes in terms of build or equipment?

Enchantment stripping, interrupts, scourge healing. Without heroes and only distracting shot for yourself you might want to take the mesmer hero, Dunham - one of the more useful henchman.

Astraeos · Dec 16, 2010, 02:54 PM // 14:54

Thanks for all of the tips. I've tried again with a bit more success. I got through the Dolyaks (there were four of them in the mob!) by fighting, losing half the party, taking down a ballista to reset res signets, and then engaging the Dolyak's again. I dropped the pet as suggested and added distracting shot to the bar which helped quite a lot by disabling annoying Dolyak "heal other" spells for a bit. But the henchmen must have been pretty weakened by the death penalties (do they have death penalties?) because I got taken down trying to enter the gate for the plans. Alas...

To all of those who offered to help with the mission. Thanks! I've added you to my friends list and will keep an eye out for you in-game.

Amy Awien · Dec 16, 2010, 03:44 PM // 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astraeos

... henchmen ... do they have death penalties? ....

Yes, afaik they suffer death penalties.

gremlin · Dec 16, 2010, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astraeos

Thanks for all of the tips. I've tried again with a bit more success. I got through the Dolyaks (there were four of them in the mob!) by fighting, losing half the party, taking down a ballista to reset res signets, and then engaging the Dolyak's again. I dropped the pet as suggested and added distracting shot to the bar which helped quite a lot by disabling annoying Dolyak "heal other" spells for a bit. But the henchmen must have been pretty weakened by the death penalties (do they have death penalties?) because I got taken down trying to enter the gate for the plans. Alas...

To all of those who offered to help with the mission. Thanks! I've added you to my friends list and will keep an eye out for you in-game.

Just as well the wintersday festival starts very soon.
Chance to get some candy canes which can be used to remove death penalty.

AtlaWolffriend · Dec 16, 2010, 07:30 PM // 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astraeos

... and added distracting shot to the bar which helped quite a lot ...

No matter what other skills you put on your bar, distracting shot should ALWAYS have a home there when you're using a bow as your primary weapon.