Curse

jon0592 · Oct 06, 2006, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Don't go telling me "prep r teh useless nubz0r g0 get barrage" I don't want to get posts that say quick shot or barrage or punishing shot is the 1337. I want to know the best {E} preperation.

SnipiousMax · Oct 06, 2006, 09:56 PM // 21:56

Melandru's Arrows, for the bleeding and the fact that the condition for the +damage is easy to meet. That's really the only one I'd consider.

Wolydarg · Oct 07, 2006, 03:32 AM // 03:32

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Expert's_Dexterity
could be a potential elite, easier to find a build than all the other elite preps(besides the melandru's arrows from hell which totally owns), but I think my favorite elite prep will always been Melandru's Arrows, they freakin own. Brings a rangers dps to a warrior on enchanted monks(boonies come to mind as being always enchanted), but they have a lot harder time kiting =P

Craze Horse · Oct 07, 2006, 04:03 AM // 04:03

Melandru's Arrows hands down. Others above explained.

Sir Mad · Oct 07, 2006, 11:17 AM // 11:17

Hmm as most of the rangers I always bring a prep when I dont use barrage of course, but I don't think there is an elite prep that is worth sacrificing the elite slot IMO if you compare them to the non-elite preparations.

Kindle, read the wind, apply poison, seeking arrows are all great preparations as save the elite slot for another skill.

Now my favourite prep WOULD BE Incendiary arrows if the duration was longer... If you find another ranger to play with you could have him bring pratice stance, you incendiary arrows and both take arcane mimicry - I've never tested but it sounds interesting.

Wolydarg · Oct 07, 2006, 08:56 PM // 20:56

Aidan has practiced stance.

I just think it's too much of a hassle for a not-godly elite...

SnipiousMax · Oct 07, 2006, 10:53 PM // 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolydarg

I just think it's too much of a hassle for a not-godly elite...

Agreed. I believe it's an incredibly underpowered elite...

Rera · Oct 08, 2006, 12:13 AM // 00:13

Sure, until it appears on a CG ranger. Then everyone starts whining and moaning.

Former Ruling · Oct 08, 2006, 12:36 AM // 00:36

Elite Prep? The only one that should even exist right now is Melandru's Arrows. Bleeding plus Big +dmg on enchanted foes.

Wolydarg - Expert's Dexterity pretty much blew for ranger skills. For bow attacks it makes them cost alot more than you can handle over time (Bow attacks tend to be expensive, like 10-15e, becuase they know you'll Expertise it down anyway, so with expertise gone because of this they can drain you fast), and what attack other then Debil Shot is used that has a recharge more than 7-8 secs?

No - Expert's Dexterity is for Ranger/*some attacking class* combo. Thumper that spams (literally!) Irre. Blow, /Assassin that makes up for long recharges on dagger attacks, etc.

Still not that good, but better than trying to use bow attacks under it.

Wolydarg · Oct 08, 2006, 03:31 AM // 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Former Ruling

snip

I just thought it'd be easier to put on a bar than incendiary arrows or marksman's wager, I also didn't see Scavenger's Focus(whose damage output is just a little bit higher than RTW yet merits an elite status despite requiring a condition and not giving a speed boost = sucks.), and Trapper's Focus(forgot about this skill the instant I capped it, I remember thinking this skill would be leet for trappers, man was I wrong).

So in the end, I think the elite prep of choice will still proably be Melandru's Arrows unless buffs and nerfs and thrown around. Who knows? Maybe people will find a use for Marksman's extremely high energy output or make use of Expert's Dexterity...

Sir Mad · Oct 08, 2006, 01:32 PM // 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolydarg

Aidan has practiced stance.

I just think it's too much of a hassle for a not-godly elite...

Aidan uses practiced stance with kindle, which is useless. Combined with chocking gaz or incendiary arrows (with arcane mimicry) it lets you have the prep active all the time.

Evilsod · Oct 08, 2006, 01:40 PM // 13:40

Trappers Focus is still useful. Been as its not a stance it works nicely with SQ--->Whirling Defences. If your not actively trapping Oath Shot is no use. If your actively trapping huge groups you won't get a single trap off, even with Whirling up. I've found it great for Urgoz, most trapping is done before the enemies are around but if you wanna quickly get 1 down while Thorn Wolves are charging you down been uninterruptable can save your ass.

Francis Demeules · Oct 08, 2006, 02:03 PM // 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolydarg

So in the end, I think the elite prep of choice will still proably be Melandru's Arrows unless buffs and nerfs and thrown around. Who knows? Maybe people will find a use for Marksman's extremely high energy output or make use of Expert's Dexterity...

Marksman Wager: Damn good is you take concussion shot with you. I mean, all your shot are almost free with 10 expertise only. So you can use other skills without worrying about your energy. And yes, I saw rangers which they had energy problems, even at 12 expertise.

Expert's Dexterity: Its fine for me, more attack skills used, more it costs your energy. Good way to use 5 energy attack skills often. Works with any skills (even melee), just to know that.

Scavenger's Focus: Good if you have hunter shot, pin down with you or have someone which he creates conditions for you. Even with low damage, its easy to make a single condition.

Trapper's Focus: Its good when you know you will always being interrupted. I know ppl use Oath to recharge traps and Whirling defense, but in Faction in the Luxon area, Archer Nagas use Seeking arrows, Whirling defense is not very effective than that, including for Oath shot when they put in Escape stance.

Glass Arrows: The debate topic where people who says Melandru Arrows is better than Glass Arrows. Glass Arrows do the reverse with some difference. Do + dmg and bleed on blocking foes (Melandru is bleeding and do + dmg on enchanted foes). The condition is applied if the foe blocks, Melandru arrows has some difficulties to pass throught Aegis. And I saw during the NPE the enemies block often so, I can say the GA has is own utility.

Even the majority will say Melandru Arrows, I stay with Incendiary Arrows. Interrupt and burning is 2 thing casters hate the most. If the foe is below 50% hp, you can use needling shot for more interrupt and constant burning for 8 long seconds.

.... and using Arcane Mimicry as a R/Me isn't a bad idea either with Aidan or a co-op ranger.

Evilsod · Oct 08, 2006, 02:17 PM // 14:17

Scavengers Focus is useless. Its a conditional increase in damage that only barely out does Read the Wind.

I don't remember seeing a great deal of enemies blocking attack in the Nightfall preview... the bleeding spread onto different targets whatever happens will over time create more damage than Glass Arrows could.

I Brother Bloood I · Oct 08, 2006, 02:18 PM // 14:18

If it came down to elite... id uhh... melandrus arrows i guess. Works good with dual shot easy to meet conditional especially on monks. Incendiary next because burning does alot of dmg and it interupts. Marksman wager is cool if u use it with needling shot for huge nrg. Glass arrows last.. cuz i havent capped it =P.

Wolydarg · Oct 08, 2006, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Incendiary does 42 (3 secs of burning times 14 health degeneration a second) damage of burning at 12 expertise and up, so I guess it's not that bad of an elite but devoting two slots just so you can use it seems kinda..sucky for me. Not to mention most bows don't have a refire time of 3 seconds, meaning you'll most likely overlap your shots. And melandru's has the added pressure of being able to do 150sh damage with dual/savage on a boonie in about a second =P.

They better buff scavenger's focus, though. Conditions aren't rare, but for an elite that requires a condition, it should be stronger than RTW by more than 1 dmg...if anything get rid of its elite status, maybe people would use it then. Doubt it since RTW still remains as an awesome non-elite prep.

I can see a use for Trapper's Focus now in PvE such as those damn 40+ Maddened Warden mobs, but too bad it's not good enough to warrant use in PvP.

Right now, aside from Scavenger's Focus, all the elite preps can see use somewhere(besides maybe glass arrows - too conditional). The thing is that Melandru's Arrows needs only one slot, giving it an advantage over incendiary. Incendiary is an elite simply because of its superiority (+42 damage every 3 seconds if burning is not mended) over its little brother, Choking Gas.

Francis Demeules · Oct 08, 2006, 04:30 PM // 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evilsod

Scavengers Focus is useless. Its a conditional increase in damage that only barely out does Read the Wind.

Its a way to be a "Conditional Beast Archer" too. Maybe change for every conditions, do +X dmg (Max X)

All elite are good in their point. It just people sets their preference based on stats and descriptions. You use badly a skill, you will tell it sucks, you use it correctly, you will say the same thing like me. Every skills has a purpose. I can't see why Anet created something useless.

For me, I try to see outside the main ideas of everyone to let at least the other skills their places in GW.

PS: I can't tell which one is the best preparation, all depend the build you use.

Evilsod · Oct 08, 2006, 04:42 PM // 16:42

Definatly not that. +x damage for every condition isn't that good for a ranger. Sure they can scope the widest variety of conditions having access to Bleeding, Poison, Cripple, Blind and Daze. But its impossible to create all of them. Bleeding/Poison = Apply Poison/Hunters Shot. 1 been a prep so useless.
Traps? You wouldn't then be using high BM and attacking a target.

It might be better if moved to Wilderness Survival. Beast Mastery only has 1 real use outside of pets and thats Tigers Fury. That might be an advantage as you can run an IAS without having to do 4 attribute lines. Sure it can be used in combination with Poisonous Bite... but that just makes the elite even worse.

Its conditional damage really should be moved more in line with that of Melandrus Arrows. It could be a really powerful Prep when used with Screaming Shot(?) and Tigers Fury. As it stands its not worth running at all.

o1000mph1 · Oct 08, 2006, 05:59 PM // 17:59

Melandru's Arrows whips all other preperations. The only problem is that it doesnt last long enough. Combine it with poisonous bite and other damaging skills and its ownage on a stick. I, personally use it with my ranger in ascalon arena to keep the competition up and it owns.

Sir Mad · Oct 08, 2006, 09:27 PM // 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolydarg

Incendiary does 42 (3 secs of burning times 14 health degeneration a second) damage of burning at 12 expertise and up, so I guess it's not that bad of an elite but devoting two slots just so you can use it seems kinda..sucky for me. Not to mention most bows don't have a refire time of 3 seconds, meaning you'll most likely overlap your shots. And melandru's has the added pressure of being able to do 150sh damage with dual/savage on a boonie in about a second =P.

(...)

Incendiary is an elite simply because of its superiority (+42 damage every 3 seconds if burning is not mended) over its little brother, Choking Gas.

Incendiary arrow is a WS skill, not expertise. The duration of the burning doesn't matter generally as it's not the kind of skill you can spam around. Targetting the same foe, he will catch fire again whenever you hit him, so you can keep him burning till he dies. Also, Incediary arrow interrupts any action. Chacking Gaz interupts spells.

Again I'm posting about it only because for some reason the OP wants to use an elite preparation. I'd usually go with a normal preparation and save the elite for something else.

Quote:

Melandru's Arrows whips all other preperations. The only problem is that it doesnt last long enough. Combine it with poisonous bite and other damaging skills and its ownage on a stick. I, personally use it with my ranger in ascalon arena to keep the competition up and it owns.

[RANT]This is why I hate Ascalon Arena, and all the Misters Droks armor Von Poison Arrow.[/RANT]