Curse

Velius · Jun 14, 2005, 10:18 PM // 22:18

I have been thinking of a ranger/warrior tank build. Looking at the skills, it is very well possible to main 75% dodge/block (melee/arrows) 100% of the time on this build. Couple that with superior elemental protection and I think this tank would be a really good build. Damage wise, it would not be very good as 4 or 5 slots would need to be occupied by different ranger or warrior stances. Energy is not really an issue with high expertise. Main source of damage would be apply poison and the cyclone axe.

Defensive Stance (10/45)-> Whirling Defenses (18/60) -> Bonetti's Defense (8/--) -> Lightning Reflexes (10/60) -> Drydar's Defense (10/60).

That's ~56 seconds (depending on skill level) of 75% evade/block which lets Defensive Stance recharge so you can use it again. That's ~66 seconds of 75 evade/block, which allows your Whirling Defenses to recharge in time. Bonetti's is a adrenaline skill so it doesn't have a cooldown timer, since adrenaline gains is fast using cyclone axe, it can be used in those rare cases where a wild blow knocked you out of a stance. Energy shouldn't be a problem as most of the casting costs are cut in half because of high Expertise.

Spells shouldn't be a problem. With Greater Conflagration with Drakescale armor or Winter with Frostbound armor (depends on what the enemies are weak to in a particular area) that's 115 AL (61.4% reduction in damage) against Fire and Ice. Lightning can be a problem because of the armor piercing on the spells and Rangers don't get specific lightning elemental armor.

I think the biggest weakness of this build would be attacks that ignore armor and dodging (mesmer/necro). Also huge groups of Wild Blow using enemies would probably also mess this build up. This build is mostly geared towards PvE.

Probably need a 11/9/8/8 [11/11/9/8 with runes] build (Axe mastery, Expertise, Wilderness, Tactics) build for it to work. Depending on how damage goes, can probably substitute major or even superior runes for some of the skills.

Let me know if my reasoning is flawed. Any input is appreciated!

Padre · Jun 14, 2005, 10:45 PM // 22:45

Well, the first problem is that you can't use both an axe mastery rune and an expertise rune - if you're a primary warrior you get the axe mastery and if you're a primary ranger you can use the expertise rune.

Only get to use the runes of your primary profession

Velius · Jun 14, 2005, 10:49 PM // 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padre

Well, the first problem is that you can't use both an axe mastery rune and an expertise rune - if you're a primary warrior you get the axe mastery and if you're a primary ranger you can use the expertise rune.

Only get to use the runes of your primary profession

Yes, the build doesn't include the use of an axe mastery rune. I wrote:

Probably need a 11/9/8/8 [11/11/9/9 with runes] build (Axe mastery, Expertise, Wilderness, Tactics)

But you are correct, I did mistakenly include a tactics rune in there.

Kobun King · Jun 14, 2005, 11:55 PM // 23:55

"Lightning can be a problem because of the armor piercing on the spells and Rangers don't get specific lightning elemental armor."
What about that studded leather armor?

Aranador · Jun 15, 2005, 02:53 AM // 02:53

Its a little like my ranger/warrior build - except I keep the defence skills to a minimum, and rely on my ability to kill stuff instead. But later I will be changing from axe to sword so I can use riposte.

So far I havnt come across a tank that can match me toe to toe, but in general I tend to get messed up by a passing necro/mezzer, and then the tank does me in. My problem seems to be that the healers/buffers and so on on my teams have a bias against a melee ranger and ignore me. Not that thats too big a problem, if the baddies can deal with me, they can usually take out the rest of the team too.

I dont like bonettiis defence - my build is all about spamming skills. Bonettiis turns off when you use a skill. It has its place, but I seem to do just as well with one of the other long cool down defences for the moments when a defence is needed anyway.

Khift · Jun 15, 2005, 04:22 AM // 04:22

If you're willing to use your elite slot, a 75% dodge can be kept up indefinitely using only four warrior skills -- Gladiator's Defense {E}, Shield Stance, Defensive Stance, and Disciplined Stance. Gladiator's, Shield, Gladiator's, Defensive, Disciplined, repeat. The downsides -- this requires at least 14 tactics to be truly indefinite -- there'll be tiny gaps between skills otherwise, it'll cost an average of 1.5 pips of energy regeneration to keep up, and for a third of the time your attacks will be limited -- no skills at all during Defensive Stance, and no adrenal skills during Disciplined Stance.

If an impenetrable defense is what you're seeking, you might also want to look into Obsidian Flesh {E}, an Elementalist elite that makes the caster invincible to spells 3/5's of the time, costing 1 pip of energy regeneration. If Gladiator's Defense was subbed out for Bonetti's Defense and an outside character cast Balthazar's Spirit on you, Obsidian Flesh could be used to make a W/E nearly invulnerable to all forms of damage, but at a high cost.

Winterclaw · Jun 15, 2005, 05:04 AM // 05:04

Khift, you are kidding right? Most of those skills have a 10 sec duration and a 45-60 second recharge.

Velius, I don't see an axe as a very ninjaesque weapon. Plus where is apply poison and some nasty traps?

Yukito Kunisaki · Jun 15, 2005, 05:39 AM // 05:39

I thought a ninja build supposed to run in, kill something really fast, then run away before anyone notices?

Someone quoted my warrior as being a "ninja warrior" when I interrupted his elite skill [3/4 second cast time]...

hmm