Curse

Salvatore Costa · Apr 15, 2007, 02:00 AM // 02:00

Ok...so my friend convinced me to get guild wars and i got all 3, that was yesterday. So, today ive gotten it installed and im wondering what profession to choose. I came from WoW and i was a beastmastery hunter so im thinkin maybe a beastmaster ranger? are they good dps, if not what is theyre role? I like to pvp if that helps. If you dont think a ranger is for me plz refer me to a different class that is ok-good dps and is ok in pvp.

thx in advance,
Salvatore

Amy Awien · Apr 15, 2007, 07:10 AM // 07:10

Yes, you can create a Beastmaster ranger and they are among the rangers with the highest DPS. But damage is not what rangers are usually good at, they have different strength, like interruption and solo/duo strikes.

But I'll add a few notes. Guildwars allows you to change your characters build, his skills, almost everywhere. This means you do not need to focus on one specific role - though you may do so if wanted. A Beastmaster in one mission, an interrupte in another.

True beastmasters are not very much used in PvP, the pets have too much a will of their own, and are, in a way, to vulnerable. But you can try, they can provide good pressure and utility.

Cathode_Reborn · Apr 15, 2007, 08:10 AM // 08:10

If you want a high DPS and use of beastmastery, a thumper might be perfect for you.

A "bunny thumper" is a hammer-wielding ranger who fights with his pet. They move and hit fast. The pet is there to increase damage and also needed for other things. The problem with this setup is that this type of ranger is best used in a team since it can't heal itself well. Bunny thumpers are used often in pvp.

Rangers are also used for other things in pvp. They usually spread poison to the entire opposing team to pressure them while interrupting their attempts to cast spells with bow attacks.

Salvatore Costa · Apr 15, 2007, 02:54 PM // 14:54

ok, well by your replies i think i might try a ranger even though they seem more interupt oriented. ill play support on him while i make another guy for dps...maybe an assasin. And thanks cathode_reborn but i dont think a "thumper" is for me. But...do you guys know a good secondary profession for a ranger? and if you guys are pretty experianced could you give me some tips on ranger (lvling build, secondary etc. etc.)

thx,

Salvatore

sabutai · Apr 15, 2007, 04:47 PM // 16:47

i asked this before, seems just about anything works....and if it doesnt then just switch it in any town

so far dps stinks on mine, even full marksmanship....my mesmer was killing faster

moriz · Apr 15, 2007, 05:12 PM // 17:12

rangers are pretty good at doing anything. except maybe healing your teammates.

much of a ranger's DPS will come from conditions, although it is quite possible to design a ranger with pretty good upfront damage (the "machine gun") ranger, for example.

as for secondary, it doesn't really matter too much. if there's room, you can go /mo for mending touch. excellent for self condition removal.

for leveling, just grab whatever build you want and get a few heros/henchmen and kill stuff. the real builds will only appear after you reach level 20.

eggs0wn · Apr 15, 2007, 06:07 PM // 18:07

Apply Poison+Burning Arrow anyone?

Amy Awien · Apr 15, 2007, 09:34 PM // 21:34

Yeah, works nice. Add bleeding and if they happen to be bunched up, epidemic.

A beast master can do very well, Enraged Lunge kicks for ~100 every 5 seconds, add a few skills for bow and fangs and you have >3000 HP/minute, sustainable indefinitely. Not bad, likely better then the Burning Arrow variations.

A monk secondary is never really wasted, even if it's just for the hard rez in pickup groups. In all chapters you'll be able to switch secondaries later on.

crime.mob · Apr 16, 2007, 09:25 PM // 21:25

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only. Though of course it can be increased with preparations and conditions, it is still bad for a physical attack and adds low pressure (with a pet things are different , but then again i would use a spear or hammer on my beastmaster to maximize damage).

Bow attacks are, however, great for interupts and strategic conditions like daze and such. With moves like burning arrow and conjure flame, you could yeild high damage but not as much as a spear or anything closer up. The pro to a bow is that you get to attack far to very far away from your target to get strategic advantages and stuff (you can also attack multiple people easier).

Teh [prefession]-zorz · Apr 16, 2007, 09:29 PM // 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by crime.mob

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only. Though of course it can be increased with preparations and conditions, it is still bad for a physical attack and adds low pressure (with a pet things are different , but then again i would use a spear or hammer on my beastmaster to maximize damage).

Bow attacks are, however, great for interupts and strategic conditions like daze and such. With moves like burning arrow and conjure flame, you could yeild high damage but not as much as a spear or anything closer up. The pro to a bow is that you get to attack far to very far away from your target to get strategic advantages and stuff (you can also attack multiple people easier).

what good builds are there that dont use preperations besides barrage?

Amy Awien · Apr 16, 2007, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Eh ... is there any good reason why you would not use a preparation (besides barrage)?

drupal · Apr 16, 2007, 11:01 PM // 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by crime.mob

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only.

Ever heard of Needle Shot?

Sophitia Leafblade · Apr 17, 2007, 01:35 PM // 13:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by crime.mob

rangers have a really crappy dps with the bow only. Though of course it can be increased with preparations and conditions, it is still bad for a physical attack and adds low pressure (with a pet things are different , but then again i would use a spear or hammer on my beastmaster to maximize damage).

I would disagree with that, the right built Rangers can delivery great dps, for example an Echoed Sundering Attack + Penetrating Attack build can do continuous high damage hits even without preparations or weapon spells or enchants on them. The Aforementioned Needling shot builds or quickshot based builds or Conjure x based builds to name but a few. Even numerous Barrage based builds can deal great dps. Yes Rangers are amazing interuptors, trappers etc. but like Warriors (aka the tank) when the're needed to be they can also be amazing pressure or spike dealers.

XvArchonvX · Apr 17, 2007, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophitia Leafblade

I would disagree with that, the right built Rangers can delivery great dps, for example an Echoed Sundering Attack + Penetrating Attack build can do continuous high damage hits even without preparations or weapon spells or enchants on them. The Aforementioned Needling shot builds or quickshot based builds or Conjure x based builds to name but a few. Even numerous Barrage based builds can deal great dps. Yes Rangers are amazing interuptors, trappers etc. but like Warriors (aka the tank) when the're needed to be they can also be amazing pressure or spike dealers.

No matter how much you spam Sundering/Penetrating attack, you won't get pressure damage like a dervish or warrior can tbh. Even a Paragon with a spear build can deal more physical damage since they have a more sustainable IAS (Aggressive Refrain or Soldier's Fury) and can also apply Deep Wound. Bow rangers make up for this with their increased ability to apply lasting degen conditions along with some of the best interupt skills in the game. Barrage is the exception for damage dealing, but only applies to certain PvE scenarios.

If you want to discuss spiking, then you have a different discussion altogether. You can have poor dps and still be able to put on a great spike. Rangers CAN deal a very strong spike, but it's generally much easier to counter than other methods of spiking and is therefore no longer really seen in PvP much anymore.

Sophitia Leafblade · Apr 17, 2007, 02:15 PM // 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by XvArchonvX

No matter how much you spam Sundering/Penetrating attack, you won't get pressure damage like a dervish or warrior can tbh. Even a Paragon with a spear build can deal more physical damage since they have a more sustainable IAS (Aggressive Refrain or Soldier's Fury) and can also apply Deep Wound. Bow rangers make up for this with their increased ability to apply lasting degen conditions along with some of the best interupt skills in the game. Barrage is the exception for damage dealing, but only applies to certain PvE scenarios.

I dont pretend Warriors or Dervishes cant do good pressure damage because they can but i would not definitely say a ranger cant pressure like they can. For example in SF ive yet (keyword is yet cause im sure there probably are ones that can) to see a warrior or other class that can out deal my ranger attacking the Dwarves and Dredge, Even the Ele in the team couldn't deal out as much damage as my ranger.

ArKaiN · Apr 17, 2007, 06:55 PM // 18:55

Thumpers are as good or better at pressure than any Dervish. I can say that for certain because I have both a dervish and a ranger and I CAN play both well in pvp.
Not sure about a Warrior.

XvArchonvX · Apr 17, 2007, 07:05 PM // 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophitia Leafblade

I dont pretend Warriors or Dervishes cant do good pressure damage because they can but i would not definitely say a ranger cant pressure like they can. For example in SF ive yet (keyword is yet cause im sure there probably are ones that can) to see a warrior or other class that can out deal my ranger attacking the Dwarves and Dredge, Even the Ele in the team couldn't deal out as much damage as my ranger.

There are three big reasons that BP rangers are used in SF. The first is that a BP group can make good use of Barrage in SF since there are a lot of big mobs that can be controlled by pet and minion blocking. Also, the inclusion of pets, as said, assists in aggro control along with minion production. Finally, they have a stronger defense than a nuker. Before AI was nerfed, people used to put a warrior up to tank and have an ele nuke the mob. Since aggro can't be controlled as easily, people use rangers.

Arguing that a bow ranger can produce good dps as a Barrage ranger is very area specific. If there are 6 enemies bunched up at every shot, then a Barrage ranger of course has great dps, but this doesn't happen everywhere and is only really a valid tactic in PvE.

@ ArKain:
The debate was about bow rangers. There is no doubt that a Thumper can produce good pressure. If they couldn't, they wouldn't be near as popular in PvP, especially after the RaO nerf.

Fallen Nephilim · Apr 18, 2007, 08:26 AM // 08:26

imho, Rangers have good spike damage, but not very sustainable DPS unless under specific circumstances (foe under 50% HP, grouped mobs)

Corpselooter · Apr 18, 2007, 02:57 PM // 14:57

Splinter Barrage, Conjure barrage. If you are going for pet only, i advise you to take a R/P, they also attack at range, with an pet. But Rangers are mostly recognized for 3 aspects: Interruption, conditions and barrage. Not much besides that.

Program Ftw · Apr 18, 2007, 03:34 PM // 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by drupal

Ever heard of Needle Shot?

Needleshot is horrible DPS.

Thanks,
Pr0gram~