Curse

RiceMaN003 · Jan 07, 2008, 07:23 PM // 19:23

I just started a ranger today. however, i have no idea what kind of build to run. Basically i want a ranger for PvE and utilizes a pet, has good defense, and does damage.

im not sure if this is possible or not, but it be great if it is. I was thinking of a thumper with axe maybe, but i wasnt sure. anyways any feedback would be great

The Way Out · Jan 07, 2008, 07:37 PM // 19:37

You really can't beat barrage with a pet. I would go that route... maybe with Ele as a secondary and throw a fiery bow string with conjure flame. Sounds good? Does anyone have a similar build?

Pyro maniac · Jan 07, 2008, 07:39 PM // 19:39

R/P with spear does some damage
pet: [skill]Heal as One[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill], Never rampage Alone
spear: [skill]Spear of Lightning[/skill] [skill]Blazing Spear[/skill] [skill]Disrupting throw[/skill] etc
other PvE skills: You move like a dwarf, Finish Him, I am the Strongest, Dodge This, etc
and of course: [skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

RiceMaN003 · Jan 08, 2008, 02:08 PM // 14:08

is it possible to do it with an axe?

Pyro maniac · Jan 08, 2008, 02:15 PM // 14:15

it, however this is what you wanted:

Quote:

Basically i want a ranger for PvE and utilizes a pet, has good defense, and does damage.

spear chucker does it the best =)

With an axe you might want to stick this on a bar:
[skill]Cyclone Axe[/skill] + [skill]Triple Chop[/skill]
or
[skill]Cyclone Axe[/skill] + [skill]Expert's Dexterity[/skill]
combined with [skill]For Great Justice[/skill], you can keep up Save Yourselves.
Add some stances: [skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill], [skill]Natural Stride[/skill] and you're done.

but imo spear works better

Wakka · Jan 08, 2008, 02:31 PM // 14:31

Hammers defo my fave

the good ol' thumper build..

[skill]Hammer Bash[/skill][skill]Crushing Blow[/skill][skill]Bestial Mauling[/skill][skill]Rampage As One[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

Left one skill out as I never like giving people full skill bars ^^ Do with it what you want

Although since your gonna be running it in PvE, if you have Eye of the North it gives you access to some pretty powerful skills that can enhance the Thumper. You could try...

[skill]Bestial Mauling[/skill][skill]Rampage As One[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

Or something to that effect lol

CassiusDrehyg · Jan 08, 2008, 03:01 PM // 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakka

Hammers defo my fave

the good ol' thumper build..

[skill]Hammer Bash[/skill][skill]Crushing Blow[/skill][skill]Bestial Mauling[/skill][skill]Rampage As One[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

Left one skill out as I never like giving people full skill bars ^^ Do with it what you want

Although since your gonna be running it in PvE, if you have Eye of the North it gives you access to some pretty powerful skills that can enhance the Thumper. You could try...

[skill]Bestial Mauling[/skill][skill]Rampage As One[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Resurrection Signet[/skill]

Or something to that effect lol

You could run this, but if you did, you'd be doomed to being bad at this game forever. In my opinion, Wakka should go back to SWGB and play RM with himself.

There are many Barrage/Pet builds available. Go ahead and run one, since it's perhaps the most useful Ranger build available for PvE happy land. Most of these builds come with a copy of Whirling Defense, an overpowered Weapon Spell and deal AoE damage (Obviously).

Wakka · Jan 08, 2008, 03:05 PM // 15:05

Quote:

In my opinion, Wakka should go back to SWGB and play RM with himself.

Only played it by myself because no one had the balls to play me

I always try and beg new players not to play Barrage, its a mindless skill that requires nothing other than hammering on the 1 key. It teaches you nothing about the game. Granted a thumper doesnt teach you much about the Ranger class it does get players used to frontline play.

Please dont use Whirling Defense though.

CassiusDrehyg · Jan 08, 2008, 03:09 PM // 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakka

Only played it by myself because no one had the balls to play me

I always try and beg new players not to play Barrage, its a mindless skill that requires nothing other than hammering on the 1 key. It teaches you nothing about the game. Granted a thumper doesnt teach you much about the Ranger class it does get players used to frontline play.

Please dont use Whirling Defense though.

To be honest, it doesn't really encourage them to play Frontline either. It encourages them to run spirit-based gimmicks. You can't really say that running after a target with Rampage as One up and mashing Hammer Bash and Crushing Blow teaches people about melee, am I right?

Whirling Defense is pretty nice. What about Natural Stride? It's a personal favourite of mine.

Oh yeah, I forgot; It teaches them how to maintain a spirit. Behold the elite standard of play that requires! :O

Wakka · Jan 08, 2008, 03:16 PM // 15:16

No spirits in them builds mate lol sorry this isnt HA

Theres more to frontlining than whats on your skill bar

As for Whirling Defense the long recharge sort of kills it, I suppose it would be alright if you ran it with Dwarven Stability to keep it up for longer but I dont like WD for its long recharge time. NS is one of the best Ranger skills in the game. Keep it on your skill bar.

MasterSasori · Jan 08, 2008, 03:24 PM // 15:24

If you're new to the game, Barrage is probably one of the easier elites to begin with. Later you can add Rt as your secondary for splinter weapon; this Barrage/Splinter is really good with the pet.

I don't recommend Whirling Defense unless you're trapping. Lightning Reflexes and/or Natural Stride should suffice.

If this isn't what you're looking for, there are other traditional roles for the ranger. This includes interrupting, condition spreading, trapping. Rangers are pretty versatile, so basically have fun with it and try to stick with a traditional role in the beginning before venturing out to explore new horizons.

Wakka · Jan 08, 2008, 03:28 PM // 15:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterSasori

If this isn't what you're looking for, there are other traditional roles for the ranger. This includes interrupting, condition spreading, trapping. Rangers are pretty versatile, so basically have fun with it and try to stick with a traditional role in the beginning before venturing out to explore new horizons.

Ignore the rest of this entire thread and just read this. Its all you need ^^

CassiusDrehyg · Jan 08, 2008, 03:28 PM // 15:28

Even with Dwarven Stability (I personally don't like PvE-only skills, but go on) at the maximum, it only lasts just over half of the recharge. It's a case of using it effectively, as you would with Natural Stride.

I'd like to agree with you on your point that there's more to Frontline than what's on your skillbar, but since 99% (Actually 100%) of all players who run thumpers are talentless...

Also, take into account what MasterSasori said. Think about the traditional roles of a Ranger, try them, and get used to them. You'll enjoy that much more than running around like an idiot spamming attacks.

Wakka · Jan 08, 2008, 03:35 PM // 15:35

No harm in a discussion on the side I suppose.

Quote:

Even with Dwarven Stability (I personally don't like PvE-only skills, but go on) at the maximum, it only lasts just over half of the recharge. It's a case of using it effectively, as you would with Natural Stride.

Natural Stride does exactly what its meant to. Its a quick get away from harms path. Its short duration, speed buff and block allow you to quickly kite away. The recharge, only 12 seconds, allows you to do it on a regular basis. Its one of the best Ranger stances in the game imo.

The long recharge time of Whirling Defense doesnt allow you to do this in anyway. If anything it encourages you to run into a group of enemies with it up offering you bonus damage when hit by projectiles. I would be interested in how to use this effectively. Unless your a stand in "one spot the whole battle" player, NS should be a lot more useful.

CassiusDrehyg · Jan 08, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44

Before Natural Stride was introduced into the game, Whirling Defense was a more common Ranger skill. Natural Stride, introduced into the game as a completely imbalanced skill, allowed for a near permanent speed buff and 50% block chance for next to zero energy. It's been nerfed since, but let's be honest, it's still in need of retouching. If you're not a slash rank deer, you'll have probably seen Whirling Defense on Ranger Spike bars, for example.

I was thinking more along the lines of general PvE, since being able to cover Apply Poison's cast time with a blocking stance doesn't really count for much there.

Wakka · Jan 08, 2008, 03:50 PM // 15:50

Quote:

I was thinking more along the lines of general PvE, since being able to cover Apply Poison's cast time with a blocking stance doesn't really count for much there.

It does however allow you to quickly reposition yourself to stay out of harms way. Whirling Defence I suppose allows you to do this. Only once every 60 seconds though.

EmptySkull · Jan 08, 2008, 07:16 PM // 19:16

Not sure which chapters you own but these are cross chapter builds. And if your ranger is young you won't have alot of these skills anyway. But maybe the following builds will give you some ideas and goals to strive for. So equip what you have and add in other skills that you know. Really though when it comes PvE. Just do something that you have fun with. My builds are by no means Uber nor exclusive. If you come up with a nice synergizing build , 1k gold pieces say it's already been thought up. Anywho here ya go.

If you want damage, Splinter/Barrage, Hands down is the AoE winner here:
Since you insisted on a pet I put that in for you. Which I used to run. But I stop bringing a pet a long time ago. I want a Beast Mastery Staff, but that is been discussed elsewhere. But until Anet offers one(never), I won't go beast mastery.

PvE builds
Splinter Barrage
Here is a info page on bows and the differences.
Use a Flatbow. Zealous bowstring. 15^50 inscription +30 grip.
Full Radiant insignias
Channeling Magic (12)
Minor in Marksmanship with Marksmanship Head piece (10+2 total)
Minor in expertise (8+1 total)
2 attunement runes with a superior vigor or what ever you can afford.

[skill]Splinter Weapon[/skill][skill]barrage[/skill][skill]Crossfire[/skill][skill]Distracting Shot[/skill][skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill][skill]Throw Dirt[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill]
Template code: OggkYJXYmKyDGbx0bfMFHUzmh2A
This build works best with a tank to round up all the agro. Although casters will tend to stand close together without a tank. Cross fire works well with your pet as he/she is an ally. You could also change up the bow string to fiery and change out Splinter Weapon to Conjure Flames. To get the added bonus from that.

Single target spike:
Here is a info page on bows and the differences.
Use a Flatbow. And switch to a short bow for close up foes. Fiery bowstring. 15^50 inscription +30 grip.
Full Radiant insignias
Fire magic (9)
Minor in Marksmanship with Marksmanship Head piece (10+2 total)
Minor in Expertise (8+1 total)
Minor in Wilderness Survival(9+1)
1 attunement rune with a superior vigor or what ever you can afford.

[skill]Ignite Arrows[/skill][skill]Conjure Flame[/skill][skill]Burning Arrow[/skill][skill]Needling Shot[/skill][skill]Distracting Shot[/skill][skill]Throw Dirt[/skill][skill]Storm Chaser[/skill][skill]Favorable Winds[/skill]
Template Code: OgYUoyLizsOvGbhutV+YQNHHsDA
Pick a target have your prep and enchantment up. Fire Burning Arrow then Needling shot every time they recharge, til target is below 50% then spam Needling Shot. Level 20 with 60 armor dead in about 12-16 seconds. You could trade Throw Dirt or Storm Chaser for [wiki=text]Poison Tip Signet[/wiki] for more degen.

Interupter:
Always carry either a recurve or short bow for interupting.

With a Silencing string and +5 energy inscription. With a +30 health grip.
Full Radiant insignias
Illusion (10)
Minor in Marksmanship with Marksmanship Head piece (12+2 total)
Minor in expertise (8+1 total)
2 attunement runes with a superior vigor or what ever you can afford.

[skill]frustration[/skill][skill]Broad head arrow[/skill][skill]distracting shot[/skill][skill]needling shot[/skill]||[wiki]Disrupting Shot[/wiki]||[skill]favorable winds[/skill]||[wiki]Rapid Fire[/wiki]||[skill]antidote signet[/skill]
Template code: OgUTE0LmZqnyV6xoViC8LE7Y1AA

RiceMaN003 · Jan 08, 2008, 09:38 PM // 21:38

well i actually have all chapters, but my ranger is pretty new. Anyways thanks all for the feedback so far

Amy Awien · Jan 09, 2008, 09:01 AM // 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakka

NS is one of the best Ranger skills in the game. Keep it on your skill bar.

It does require a decent investment in Wilderness Survival while Whirling Defense is in expertise. Putting points into WS alongside Beastmastery, Hammermastery and Expertise for a 4-5 second of 50% blocking doesn't seem worth the loss in the other attributes. Whirling Defense does not have that disadvantage.

For a Beastmaster I'd suggest staying away from hammers and use pet and bow, or pet alone.

blue.rellik · Jan 09, 2008, 10:23 AM // 10:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amy Awien

It does require a decent investment in Wilderness Survival while Whirling Defense is in expertise. Putting points into WS alongside Beastmastery, Hammermastery and Expertise for a 4-5 second of 50% blocking doesn't seem worth the loss in the other attributes. Whirling Defense does not have that disadvantage.

For a Beastmaster I'd suggest staying away from hammers and use pet and bow, or pet alone.

But WD has a massive recharge