Playstyle/Arrow usage?

[Jyank]

Start off I'm currently a level 21 Ranger on Antonia Bayle, and I wasn't sure basically of our role when in a group. I feel like at some points I'm just not shooting enough to be crowned a "Ranger" but that could be because of not playing EQ as a Ranger and comming off a year of FFXI where you shot arrows as your main source of damage, and some ranger didn't even melee. I've read about it and its obvious that i'm not meant to just sit back and hit the ranged attack button and then use some abilities, so I've been starting off the fight with my moves while sneaked/hunted, then I try and get off Back Shot, Open Shot and Wounding Arrow at least once during the fight, but at the end of the day it just really doesn't seem that I'm shooting enough. I started by getting my crafting up first and now usually make iron bodkin arrows, which I can make about 500-600 of in a short time. After a night of just grinding in a decent XP party, starting with about 400 arrows playing for a few hours,I came out with around 160 arrows left. I'm just wondering if I'm going to be shooting more as the levels get higher? Or should I not focus now on older scout abilities and try and using say back shot and open shot more?21 Gnome Ranger Antonia Bayle

[bli]

<DIV>Check out this thread:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=547" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=547</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And then read the crap I'm about to say, if you want.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as the 20's go, you should still be pretty much a melee class.  Step back to use your bow specials, or if you're conserving power just hang back and use the bow.  However, don't expect to do as much DPS with a bow as you can melee until level 35 or 40 (and that's just a guess!)  in the mid 20's were definitely still very melee dependant.  I WANT to be completely Bow based, but it just doesn't work out that way.  So keep this in mind -- if you're going Bow 90 - 100% you're 1. using a LOT of arrows and 2. not doing as much damage as you could.  Might as well hold off on that for a while.  Continue to use your bow based skills, but don't go crazy with them, they aren't that great yet.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, for some Bing Crosby christmas.</DIV>

[Philo Bed]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> blitz wrote:<BR> <DIV>Check out this thread:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=547" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=547</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And then read the crap I'm about to say, if you want.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As far as the 20's go, you should still be pretty much a melee class.  Step back to use your bow specials, or if you're conserving power just hang back and use the bow.  However, don't expect to do as much DPS with a bow as you can melee until level 35 or 40 (and that's just a guess!)  in the mid 20's were definitely still very melee dependant.  I WANT to be completely Bow based, but it just doesn't work out that way.  So keep this in mind -- if you're going Bow 90 - 100% you're 1. using a LOT of arrows and 2. not doing as much damage as you could.  Might as well hold off on that for a while.  Continue to use your bow based skills, but don't go crazy with them, they aren't that great yet.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, for some Bing Crosby christmas.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> Makeshift arrow for the win!