Curse

Chthon · Oct 08, 2007, 05:16 PM // 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aldric

Well it would be 20DPS if he used that skill then sat around for the rest of the time but that was the damage from a single skill.

I don't really enjoy playing as BM but from the builds I've read they do have higher than normal DPS for a ranger - roughly 60-70 is easily very achievable

Correct. Beastmastery is going to give you the best DPS against a single target among ranger builds. And quite possibly the best sustainable DPS against a single target in the game (though it might lose out to a conjure dragon slasher, idk).
Unfortunately, amazing DPS to a single target doesn't mean very much. PvE is all about using AoE damage that multiplies your DPS; and PvP is all about spiking -- more Damage In One Second (DIOS) than Damage Per Second (DPS).

(Which leads me to a stupid pun: "In PvP, DIOS is God." Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

Anyway, a beastmaster is still better than a hammer warrior at doing pretty much the same thing, so they aren't totally useless. (Devona gets into groups, doesn't she?) And they're a lot of fun. They just aren't in the same tier as splinter barrage (PvE) or ranger spike (PvP).

Shuuda · Oct 08, 2007, 07:04 PM // 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by KazeMitsui

beast master is lame imo cause pet = dumb even with controls

Well, that puts them above the level of the average PuG. Atleast ya can call a pet back too you.

Tyla · Oct 08, 2007, 09:20 PM // 21:20

beast master builds are fun with rit weapon spells...*great dwarf weapon* hey look,kd ftw(also thumper is quite fun in pve lol)

Marverick · Oct 08, 2007, 11:41 PM // 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chthon

Correct. Beastmastery is going to give you the best DPS against a single target among ranger builds. And quite possibly the best sustainable DPS against a single target in the game (though it might lose out to a conjure dragon slasher, idk).
Unfortunately, amazing DPS to a single target doesn't mean very much. PvE is all about using AoE damage that multiplies your DPS; and PvP is all about spiking -- more Damage In One Second (DIOS) than Damage Per Second (DPS).

(Which leads me to a stupid pun: "In PvP, DIOS is God." Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

Anyway, a beastmaster is still better than a hammer warrior at doing pretty much the same thing, so they aren't totally useless. (Devona gets into groups, doesn't she?) And they're a lot of fun. They just aren't in the same tier as splinter barrage (PvE) or ranger spike (PvP).

I beg to differ.

[skill]Expert's Dexterity[/skill][skill]Golden Lotus Strike[/skill][skill]Fox Fangs[/skill][skill]Death Blossom[/skill][skill]Great Dwarf Armor[/skill]
And then if you have a high Delver rank, go with [skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill][skill]Dwarven Stability[/skill]
Otherwise go with [skill]Drunken Master[/skill] you don't need to be drunk for it, 15% ish IAS works fine.

That's ~70-85 DPS against the Master of Damage guy by spamming Golden Lotus > Fox Fangs > Death Blossom, NOT INCLUDING the AoE damage caused by Death Blossom. No Enraged Lunge build is going to do that, at least not until they fix that horrific bug with Great Dwarf Weapon, and even then you have no AoE damage.

The Shelf · Oct 09, 2007, 12:00 AM // 00:00

Marverick, I think we're talking about pure ranger builds, not r/whatever builds. I rarely use a secondary class with my ranger, and for pure single target damage, nothing can beat a beast master ranger if you're not using any secondary stuff.

Marverick · Oct 09, 2007, 01:25 AM // 01:25

The game allows you to use secondary professions, and if you don't use your secondary then too bad for you I guess...
Unless you specifically need your secondary for something else, which I doubt you do since you "rarely use a secondary class", then there's no reason not to if doing so gives you better efficiency.

Taala · Oct 09, 2007, 02:50 AM // 02:50

My favourite PvE build.

Pulling out damage from Enraged with a pet that can tank too. It's just fun to play.

Atomos · Oct 09, 2007, 04:37 AM // 04:37

Awe whats with all the hate of beastmasters

i love using beastmaster builds in AB. Best memory was i was fighting this assasin, he used flashing blades, to cover up his healing signet. THEN BOOM my pet hit him for 250 dmg, and he was screaming cheater!! cheating!! Also most people tend to ignore the pet, which means, bye bye enemies!

TwinRaven · Oct 09, 2007, 04:48 AM // 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taala

My favourite PvE build.

Pulling out damage from Enraged with a pet that can tank too. It's just fun to play.

I use a variation of this build....often with Run as One instead of Call of Haste....less damage over time, but it gives me a full time sustainable running skill...great when running edges for cartography titles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chthon

Unfortunately, amazing DPS to a single target doesn't mean very much. PvE is all about using AoE damage that multiplies your DPS;

BTW....Beasties are usually "tank" builds....the purpose of any good tank is to draw enemy attention away from squishy targets so the AoE can take effect....suggesting that a Beastie build isn't effective because it only deals with one target at a time (not true with Melandru's Assault) is short sighted. The pet taking damage instead of squishies is VERY useful in PvE. Why do you think people bring tanks? A tank that can deal damage as well as take it....well....twice the butter on your toast...

RPGmaniac · Oct 09, 2007, 05:00 AM // 05:00

That assassin overlooked one crucial clause in Flashing Blades: "chance to block while attacking". Lol

I don't like builds that entirely rely on pets for damage. To me that takes away the whole point of being a ranger since most beastmaster builds just have you auto attacking (with the bow's somewhat low base DPS). Here's a build I've been using lately in PvE:

[wiki]Sloth Hunter's Shot[/wiki][skill]Ferocious Strike[/skill][skill]Troll Unguent[/skill][wiki]Never Rampage Alone[/wiki][skill]Run As One[/skill][skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Charm Animal[/skill][skill]Rebirth[/skill]

Attributes:
Beast Mastery: 12+1
Expertise: 9+1
Marksmanship: 8+1+1
Wilderness Survival: 8+1

Basically you're splitting your offense between your pet and yourself, which I feel is a crucial part to a beast master: you AND your pet fighting as one. Ferocious strike provides unlimited energy while you slam the target with Sloth Hunter's Shot (~+50 damage if they aren't using a skill, which is pretty often). This also provides a nice spike if you time it right, easily hitting over 100 at times (this is me using an Elder Stalker, so imagine what the number could be with a Dire pet). I use Zelnehlun's Longbow because of it's sundering (though I would use a 15^50 bow if I had one). Never Rampage Alone provides constant IAS for you and your pet, further enhancing your DPS (the health regen is secondary, but still can't hurt, right?). Run as One is optional, I only use it to get around. You could put in other skills like Call of Protection or another attack or even an interrupt. I'm not saying Ferocious Strike is better than Enraged Lunge, but it performs well.

Atomos · Oct 09, 2007, 06:06 AM // 06:06

And its all thanks to this lovely skill [wiki]Otyugh's Cry[/wiki] well it is that skill, but i dont know why it doesnt show the updated version :/

Rathcail · Oct 15, 2007, 03:12 AM // 03:12

M. Bison goes down too.

Chthon · Oct 15, 2007, 02:59 PM // 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marverick

I beg to differ. <posts assassin build>

That's an assassin build that happens to be on a ranger. Not a ranger build.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwinRaven

BTW....Beasties are usually "tank" builds....the purpose of any good tank is to draw enemy attention away from squishy targets so the AoE can take effect....suggesting that a Beastie build isn't effective because it only deals with one target at a time (not true with Melandru's Assault) is short sighted. The pet taking damage instead of squishies is VERY useful in PvE. Why do you think people bring tanks? A tank that can deal damage as well as take it....well....twice the butter on your toast...

Pets tank well. 105 AL plus 21 damage reduction can suck up a lot of damage. But they're not as smart as a human-controlled warrior for advanced aggro control tactics like corner blocking. (Well, they're probably smarter than some warriors....) And minions serve the "mindless meatshield" role with more coverage and more damage too. In tanking, like in damage dealing, a beastmaster is very fun, is usually good enough, but is not "the best."

dont feel no pain · Oct 16, 2007, 06:38 PM // 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floski

Absolutely nothing.

lol you beat me to it... well i wanted to say that XD

Omniclasm · Oct 17, 2007, 12:19 AM // 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marverick

I beg to differ.

[skill]Expert's Dexterity[/skill][skill]Golden Lotus Strike[/skill][skill]Fox Fangs[/skill][skill]Death Blossom[/skill][skill]Great Dwarf Armor[/skill]
And then if you have a high Delver rank, go with [skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill][skill]Dwarven Stability[/skill]
Otherwise go with [skill]Drunken Master[/skill] you don't need to be drunk for it, 15% ish IAS works fine.

That's ~70-85 DPS against the Master of Damage guy by spamming Golden Lotus > Fox Fangs > Death Blossom, NOT INCLUDING the AoE damage caused by Death Blossom. No Enraged Lunge build is going to do that, at least not until they fix that horrific bug with Great Dwarf Weapon, and even then you have no AoE damage.

So we have proved the Assassins have better DPS than a beastmaster. yay?

Marverick · Oct 17, 2007, 12:32 AM // 00:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omniclasm

So we have proved the Assassins have better DPS than a beastmaster. yay?

It's a R/A build, how is that Assassin? The build doesn't work on Assassins in case you haven't noticed....

MisterB · Oct 17, 2007, 01:39 AM // 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marverick

It's a R/A build, how is that Assassin? The build doesn't work on Assassins in case you haven't noticed....

Yes, it does work on Assassins, with a different elite, obviously. Take your pick:[skill]Moebius Strike[/skill] or [skill]Assassin's Promise[/skill]. You posted an Expertise Assassin build.

The only thing I like about Beastmaster is the pet can't get DP in PvE. Still not enough use for me to take him. As Cthon pointed out, they deal great single target DPS, but I'll just log in to my warrior to do that.

Hermos · Oct 20, 2007, 07:52 PM // 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by KazeMitsui

beast master is lame imo cause pet = dumb even with controls

And therefore, by your brilliant theory, Minion Masters are lame because minions = stupid because you can only have a maximum of 10 at a time. Uhh... no.

Also, to the assassins, the 'sin can do the highest DPS in the game, and it's basically why it was made. Of course the BM can't surpass an assassin in terms of DPS to a single target (in fact, I don't think any build could). As Chthon said earlier - it's fun, and it's a break from being a traditional ranger. It's also fun to get a pet integrated into normal builds when you just want to casually play the game.

MagmaRed · Oct 20, 2007, 09:57 PM // 21:57

A pet can do ANYTHING in the game that any class can do, except for AoE damage. Seriously, a pet is more flexible that any character can be.

Knockdowns?
[skill]Bestial Pounce[/skill][skill]Savage Pounce[/skill][skill]Pounce[/skill]

Conditions? How many? 4 easy to use ones.

Bleeding[skill]Feral Lunge[/skill]
Poison[skill]Poisonous Bite[/skill]
Cripple[skill]Maiming Strike[/skill]
Daze[skill]Bestial Mauling[/skill]

Tanking?

[skill]Call of Protection[/skill][skill]Otyugh's Cry[/skill][skill]Symbiotic Bond[/skill]

Healing? For the pet, and you both!

[skill]Comfort Animal[/skill][skill]Heal As One[/skill][skill]Predatory Bond[/skill][skill]Predator's Pounce[/skill][skill]Companionship[/skill]

Increased attack speed and/or damage boosts?

[skill]Feral Aggression[/skill][skill]Call of Haste[/skill][skill]Rampage As One[/skill][skill]Strike As One[/skill]

There are even 'utility' skills, which offer a variety of things used by many different classes. These are for dealing with counters, interrupts, etc.

[skill]Otyugh's Cry[/skill][skill]Disrupting Lunge[/skill][skill]Run As One[/skill]

And although I won't go so far as to say a Beast Master can compete with a Marksmanship Ranger, or other classes, they CAN do AoE, without a secondary skill.

[skill]Melandru's Assault[/skill]

Beast Master is quite fun to play, and quite effective if you know how to play it. The pet simply has more options than any other class.

Magnus_1 · Oct 21, 2007, 12:11 AM // 00:11

Something to be mentioned - Splinter Barrage isn't so amazing unless there are loads of enemies who are clustering together. Enemies spread out? Too bad. Only a few enemies at a time? Wasted elite.

Barrage isn't the be-all end-all ranger skill by any means.