Ranger (and general) adventuring tips...

[-vali]

Ah yes, here is a short, incomplete, list of things I've found useful in my experience up till level 26 as a wood elf ranger:- Do your armor quests. The armor is free, and probably the best you can get. Get it from Ian in South Qeynos, by where you did the pred quest. You'll get a truckload of xp, loot, and friends along the way.- For that matter. Just quest in general. You get xp, coin, and/or unique items. Sometimes the items is useless to you, sometimes its not. You can sell it on the market for booku bucks if you dont want it.- Use /showhood to show off your stylin hair, without taking off your helm! (elvish rangers tend to have great hair)"I'm done with my armor quests, but my jewelery stinks!"- Well, you can buy some good jewelery, and quest for some other good stuff. I find that bought jewelery is good on some slots, and quest is better on some other slots. We're going primarily for agi, and secondarily for str here... Slot by slot analysis (without listing resistences, or health and power benefit):- Neck: Just traded in my pristine tailored canvas scarf (+2int +2sta +2str) for a Keep of Immortality Key (+2int +3sta +4str) which can be obtained from quest started by a npc in Vermin's Snye (by the rat queen), something about finding the hidden enterance to Varsoon's... Ok, so the stat increase isnt that much, the biggest deal being an extra sta and 2 extra str's, but it all counts, right?- Ear: Havent really found a good earring, been using pristine gold hoops (+2int +2sta +2wis) - which dont help with str or agi... I hear there's a good one to be had from the silk quest, started from the tailor's room in Varsoon's... choose the option to 'find a merchant in the catacombs' when you get it - this info comes from a guildie, havent checked it out myself- Fingers: Pristine fashioned gold bands for rings, gives +3agi +3wis each, that's +6agi together, sweet! havent found a quest replacement yet....- Wrists: Goodies galore! You can get a hardened clay bracelet (+2sta +4agi +4str) from the 'killing the golems' quest in Varsoon's. This is initiated in a by examining something in the room with the named creator mob. (Lots of incomplete golems around, some skelles and orbs) - kill 30 golems. It's hard *not* to kill golems in Varsoon's, they wander the halls. Other slot is a bangle of mortality (+3 sta +3 agi +3str) - random drop off the gnolls in the pit, near the enterance to TS. +7agi +7str total! Sweet!- Belt: got a pristine tailored boiled leather belt (+3agi +1str +2wis) - 3agi is nice, but im sure there's a better quest item out there, havent found it."You mean there are actually armors available that are better than quest armor?"- You betcha! Steel forged chainmail gloves (dropped off the gnolls in TS? or maybe from Crypt of Betrayal?) give a whopping +5agi (along with +3wis, bah!).- Also steel brigadine leggings are just one agi short of the quest armor leggings... Seeing as how quest armor leggings are second to last on the list, these are great until then. They drop off the gnolls in TS.- Helm: There's a quest helm you can get from tinkerer Spindlecog in baubleshire, provided you speak his language.... no agi or str boosts, but you get resists!"What weapons are groovy?"- I like the fast piercing weapons. Like rapiers and stillettos. Not only do these work well with impale, but the additional hits trigger bladeflurry more often. Giants in TS dropped a steel stilletto (+4agi +4str) and i got a steel rapier (same stats) off the market (is this dropped by giants too?) +8agi +8str total - wild!- Longbows: ok, you may like that the shortbows are quicker, but longbows make up for it by hitting harder. Also, the extra 10m range makes you a pulling machine, can get in an extra skill before the monster gets in close. Pristine conditioned ash longbow (+2int +1agi +3str) is what i'm using, wouldnt mind replacing with a quest bow with better agi and str...- Poisons: use them you crazy ranger! Use two, since I know you're dual wielding, one handers and shields are for the tanks and other people who wish they could dual wield <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />- Future weapons: In crypt of betrayal, there's a quest to kill 10 minotaurs. Get a group and all do this at once, when you finish it, a named minotaur named spike bumrushes you. Spike drops ranger goodies. For example: a feysteel stilletto (+3agi +9str)... 9 str? holy stuff! its a lev 36 weapon, but you can always stow it away in the bank..... also got a feysteel hand axe off him (+8agi +4str) lev 34, again, +8agi!? holy moly! And both are dualwieldalicious... I've seen a feysteel hatchet drop off the named mob at the end of the Enchanted Lands access quest, but didnt get a good look at stats...- Future armor: Feysteel brigadine chestguard (+7agi +5str) drops somewhere in crypt of betrayal - lev 35 armor. Also a nice helm drops down there too.Come to think of it, Crypt of Betrayal is a ranger equipment paradise!"I dont speak language"- You can! And it's easy! Go around to each of the villiages, each scribe sells 1-2 language books for 12s.. Just buy it, now you can speak it! Most of the npc's that speak other languages give quests too. I know you've been questing, right? Now you can tell those stuck up gnomes, to buzz off when they trash talk you in their language! There's 11 total that i found, including common. You can use /language to see what you have, and /set_language to speak (in a /say command) it."I spend so much cash on arrows...."- You get makeshift arrow at level 21, app1 makes 10 arrows every now n then... Adept1 makes 30... Use this when not in combat, and you'll have plenty to spare."My inventory room sucks, and the people on the market are charging an arm and a leg for bags!"- You can get 8 slot bags from a merchant in a general store in North Qeynos, for 25s each - forget greedy pc's and their garbage 6slots."Valis, all this stuff you talk about costs too much!"- Start a tradeskill. Jewelers seem to be banking right now. Many many many classes rely on them, they make the ranger adept3's, and other skills, also they can make... jewelry... which is a lot of slots, and everyone can use. I'm a woodworker - figured I'd make bows n arrows one day. Kind of unhappy, so far as: 1. Cant make fir bows. Fir is the rare wood, harvested from TS. As of now, it cant be turned into fir lumber (bug), so its pretty much useless. You can make your own pristine ash longbow, however, seen these sell for 1g+ on my server. Also scribes will want to be your best friend. Too bad they dont make tier3 ranger skills. 2. All the advanced craftsman books are bugged - cant read em. Booo!- Alternately, if you dont want to craft all day, use the market to your advantage. Ok, so you have to leave yourself in 'merchant mode' all night, but you can get 2-3 times the money from a player that you can get from a merchant. This is for random drops that you dont need, or skills, or whatnot. 'Insect shells' and the other stuff, bring to a merchant. Also note, that some merchants are more generous than others. Spend the time to find a good one, then keep coming back. In the long run, it counts. Another sneaky market trick is to buy out all of an item, which people use regularly. Like iron, or wood, or whatever, and resell at a higher rate. There is no anti-trust rules in EQ2 - pure capitalism, use it to your advantage. (note: take a look at market prices, see what a good price is, for a given item, before you try this)- Harvest stuff. Even if you dont craft. Crafters need it, and they'll pay. Especially for stuff used to make armor, weapons, and skills. Tier 3 goods, in thunderring steppes and nektulos is where this really starts to pay off. And harvest *everything* not just the good stuff. It makes the good stuff pop quicker, and your skills go up up up. AND if you get lucky enough to harvest a rare item (learn what these are, before you get ripped off) you can sell it on the market for upwards of ten gold. Yes. TEN GOLD. If it's jasper or palladium - you can use it to make your adept3 scrolls for super cheap. If its silver or coral you can use if for predator skills. Find an alchemist, and a jeweller, they'll hook it up for ya."Skills!? Skills!?"- Upgrade your skills. You'll be glad you did. Even to adept3 if you can afford it. I found a jasper for 5g from a harvester, turned it into a shadowlunge adept3 (via alchemist to make ink, jeweler to make skill). I currently am #20 on server for melee hit, behind 19 assassins, with 450ish melee hit. There are higher level rangers below me. Unnacceptable for them, sweet for me!- Before upgrading, look at your complete skill list on some website. Then consider what's going to get replaced soon. You dont want to spend 5-10g on a adept3 and have it replaced next level.- The fence sells ranger skills for SUPER CHEAP. I hear that lotsa ranger skills drop in nektulos forest, which freeporters mostly inhabit. These find their way onto the market. Nobody in freeport is a ranger, so even including the 40% broker fee from the fence, a lot of times, they're still cheaper than the Qeynos market. I've gotten 3 adept1's for the price of one, using the fence. The fence can be found in qeynos harbor, you have to swim underwater to get there. Also you can get some unique evil gear which will make all your weeny good friends jealous. Just dont let RP'ers catch you dealing with the blackmarket <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />- Some lower level skills are NOT replaced by their higher level counterpats. Ok, big whoop you think. Well sneak and hunt both work, giving you extra ways to enter stealth while in combat. Yes, in combat. Just turn off melee a second before it charges, and you're good to use all those stealth moves. Also, pierce (which seems like it should replace quickstrike, and doesnt) can be used in addition to quickstrike. A lil extra damage when you need it doesnt hurt anyone. Stalk does not replace evade. So what? Evade RULES! gives you another way to drop aggro when the mob (eventually) aggro's you in a group. Try evade, then stalk to drop hate. If this doesnt work, queue up the survival instincts and prepare to tank. Ambush is not replaced by shadowflame. I can deal 70 damage with it, and knockdown the mob. Also you dont have to be flanking the mob to use it = easier to use in solo. The knockdown prevents you from getting hit for a little while too!- Infravision (i know lots of you rangers are woodelves like me): i've noticed you can see a bit further with infravision on, than without. Also, instead of wasting one of your activatable slots with a silly torch (gives away your position when you're hunting around n00bs, and freaking them out with your hawk and /em lurks...) you can use infra to see in the dark. Not all mobs give off heat though, undead dont (i think)"What do I do with all these completed books?"- Save them. I know its tempting to sell them to merchants for nearly a gold. However, they will eventually generate status points for your housing. Which makes them seriously appealing, if you ever want to move out of that cramped inn room. Also, chicks dig big libraries. They think it means you're smart. Don't worry, I wont tell."Why should i pay for expensive food, when i can con a healer into making me sacred sustegarbage, or buy rations n water?"- Try it. You'll like it. Sustenance is terrible. Rations and water are terrible. If you're recharging power (drink) quickly, you can do more skills = more damage = happy party. Food isnt *that* important when grouping, but if solo, why not recharge health quicker? Less downtime = you can fight more = more xp = more loot. With the upcoming patch, SOE is going to make the benefits of good food and good drink more apparent, you'll see what i mean. For now, just bite the bullet, and buy the food n drink. Or better yet, make it. If you're a craftsman, like me, you can power your way through 10-19 just making food. Then you'll have a huge supply at your disposal. Also, its *really* cheap to buy componants to make food. Furthermore, you dont rely on *any* other crafting profession to make food from 10-19. Yes you heard me, you can power level yourself all the way to provisioner, woodworker, or (if you like the food n drink a lot) provisioner. Considering the upcoming patch, ppl are going to want food and *especially* drink. (Tanks get most benefit from food, and indirectly healers, but everyone needs good drink)"Why join a guild?"- Multiple reasons: 1. You meet people <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> 2. Guildmates who craft tend to hookup other guildmates that craft. 3. Some really cool items can only be had from guild merchants - like horses are much cheaper when your guild reaches level 15. 4. You can get parties together and go adventuring with your buddies. 5. Guildmates are more likely to help you out with those quests that pick-up party's wont. Like armor quests. 6. Status points and titles, you can use status to purchase stuff from city merchants - if you do a lot of writs for a particular faction (scout faction in eldarr, by the tree with the not-so-fantasy elevator) you get a spiffy prefix title. Yes, you can be Initiate, member, or officer ______, Hunter of ______."What's a good combo to solo with?"Well, firstly, have 2 poisons running. Also, have bladeflurry running. These two go without saying. (high level blade flurry is nice, even works with ranged combat). Also have your hunter's instinct going (upgrade this as much as possible too, agi determines your skill damage, to an extent, i found a master1 on the market for an unimaginably low 1.5g, it raises agi by about 19 points)- My combo is something like this (changes, depending on mood):1. Backshot to pull, from max range. You're using a longbow, right? (this skill is really hard, but not impossible to pull off during actual combat, best use it first, rather than not at all)2. Wounding arrow, def debuff, while the mob charges you.3. (optional) impede (slow down mob - should be close enough), run backwards, and...4. Open shot (delay on this is too long to use, once melee really starts)the above is optional, you may be in a crowded area of mobs, and running backwards may invite some unwelcome guests. If you can pull it off, the mob will be seriously damaged, though.5. Corner (or dirty tricks), def debuff. This is self explanatory.6. Imaple, pierce debuff... You're using pierce weapons, right? At least one, in your main hand?7. Bleed, or leaping cut (at level 26), damage over time, best to start early for maximum effect. (this MAY interrupt the cheapshot-HO combo we're about to do, if you find it does, dont use it here)8. Lucky break. (we're gonna do a nasty HO now, along with a mid-fight-uberbackstab, muhaha!)9. Cheapshot - turn off melee while this is charging, dont want to interrupt our stun... this also triggers your HO.10. Stalk, do this while circling around back, the mob should be stunned, and your HO charged and ready to go.11. Shadowlunge, or shadowblade- this should be highly upgraded, mine hits for about 400 sometimes. 450 tops. Keep in mind, this is during all the debuffs. Corner, impale, and wounding arrow have all lowered defense by now. If not, then throw them in, before the cheapshot HO. You get maximum damage this way. POW! Efficient!12. Trigger the HO. POW! (alternately you can use a 'coin' skill to change HO's, if you dont like the current one. Examine your skills, if it has a coin icon, it'll do this. Corner or dirty tricks is an example, after this, trigger your HO)13. If your target isnt dead or almost dead, procede to pile on the pain.14. /howl and /roar in glory over your foe's lifeless corpse! All shall fear rangers! Who says we cant solo b/c of stealh rear attacks!?This takes a bit of skill to get the uber-backstab in solo. Keep practicing, it can be done. I've done it. Combined with all the debuffs and HO's going on, I dont see a better combo in solo. Feel free to correct me, if you claim to know better <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> /winkTactics, for when things arent going so well:- If you need to do some damage, and avoid being hit, slap on the impede, back up and shoot arrows. Maybe pop on some damage over time skills before you do, since you wont be melee'ing. Bleed em, then back up and Openshot- it is wonderful for this, you can do it while moving. Also, if the mob is slow enough, you can throw in a standing wounding arrow to debuff again.- Escape, you get this at level 25. It sweeps you and your party away from combat, and teleports you somewhere safe. All of a sudden, that mob you didnt want to 'test your luck' on, is do-able. You can always escape if things go down the drain.- Call for help. You start recharging at normal rates, instead of combat rates, if you're eating and drinking well, this can save you from nasty debt.- Use survival instincts religiously. Ok it lowers your attack, but MOST of your damage comes from skills anyways, which are unnaffected. Also your poison keeps on proc'ing. Such a small drawback, for the added benefits- with the upped parry and defense, some mobs wont even be able to hit you anymore.--------------------PHEW - that does it for now. This is a really long post, I hope some of you rangers learned something from my experience. If you have something to add, feel free. By no means is this a complete list of tricks, nor completely written *for* a ranger, however, it's from a ranger's perspective. A lot of things in here apply to any class (Good drink, for example)I'm a tired elf, and must be off to adventuring in sleepland. Oh, and learn how to do group HO's - the scout has the most powerful one! Make sure you have a mage in the group....Later!

[TheBigPilgr]

Read it all and there are some good points in there. Thanks for taking the time to write it, should help some people.

[Ra]

<DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good guide, a quick amend - Feysteel brigadine chestguard (+7agi +5str) drops off of spiders in Ruins of Varsoon.  Camp those 8 legged freaks until 1 drops.  Your group may see 0-3 fall in a single night.  Usable at lv30.</DIV>

[MillsFairchild]

I'm still using an Earing of the Shattering at lvl 23. It's a piece of crap, mostly, but it does give a sweet +5agi boost.

[Pil]

<DIV>excellent guide</DIV>

[bli]

<DIV>Awesome post, as usual.  Any way we could get this stickied?</DIV>

[Welt]

<DIV>Excellent guide, this is a must read for Rangers of all levels.  </DIV>

[-vali]

Hey thanks for all the positive replies! I've got a little more info for yall <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Ok, so I have a bit more to add, all about HO's. I spent some time out in antonica with some grey con bears and a few friends, and we practiced up and explored all the HO's. Just so you know:Scouts are masters of the HO. We've heard this before... but what does it really mean? 2 Things: - The most powerful HO in existence can *only* be started by a scout. Yep. A scout. Here's the starter sequence: 1. Lucky break 2. Fighter uses a skill corresponding with the horn 3. Priest uses a moon ability 4. Mage uses a fire abilityNotice that you need 1 of each archetype to do this. Maybe you'll think twice about having 3 tanks in your party? Now, whenever a HO is successfully triggered, there are always 3 results. 1 common, 1 uncommon, and 1 rare. (sounds like MTG, eh? lol)The rare version of this HO has been reported to hit for 1300+Are you now motivated to master HO-fu? (I RP this all the time, ie. when looking for a group: /ooc Valis, master of HO-fu and protector of the forest seeks a party! Once you find a party, they'll probably ask what the hell HO-fu is and poke fun at you a bit, so play the snotty stuck up ranger. 'HO-fu's mysteries are not just given to those who ask, they're earned!' convince them to do HO's this way, once everything is clicking, reveal the chain. Let them know about rotation skills....) - We can rotate HO's. But what does this really mean?After a HO has been fully triggered, you can use a coin ability to randomly select from the 3 possible results. For example, in the HO above, lets say the party totally triggers it, and we get the common result (which is a group stat buff), but we already have the buff running. So, the scout can use a coin ability - like corner (or dirty tricks), cheapshot, evade (told you evade rules), or forester's insight (reconniter) - to randomly select a new result. Maybe you'll just get the common again, maybe you'll get the rare one and do disgusting amounts of damage. Keep in mind that you *must* use your coin ability before anyone does a skill to progress the HO. Corner or dirty tricks is great, its got a quick recharge rate, and fast cast. So HO's are quasi-random. If you know how you want a random choice among 3 results, you can get that everytime. And you even have a little bit of influence over the randomness with your rotation abilities. Can even use that rotation ability in solo HO's, if you dont need another self-buff for a minute or two - get a ringing blow with instead. There are tons of websites out there that will give you instructions on how to do HO's, and what chain triggers what, but I recommend just doing them with friends or guildies. 1. It's fun to explore things on your own, and 2. Since you'll be rotating the sucky HO's, you need to recognize which ones are which. For me, the best way to learn was through experience. Being a master of HO's is part of a scout's group-utility. I've read some posts that complain about rangers not having group utility, which I care to debate. 1. HO's - every scout can do em, ok fine, but rarely do i come accross a scout who uses them to their peak performance. I wasn't. (not anymore lol)2. Escape - every scout gets this as well. 3. Pathfinding 4. Quasi-backup-tanking. Yep. When the tank bites the dust, the monster's gonna turn to the next biggest threat. With all you rangers dropping some massive bombs, that will likely be you. Decent AC, good agi, and survival instincts give you some pretty good tanking ability. You can even use trickshot to taunt. (this involves a bit of running around, tough to do in dungeons)So, we get all the basic scout utility stuff, coupled with immense DPS. I mean immense. This is where the rest of our group-util comes from. You can get some nifty buffs from a bard, or mixture from a swash. But you get pure pain from rangers. Assassins take note, you are not the reigning champ of DPS b/c you have the highest melee hit. I've just got myself a log-parser and have seen for myself, that rangers do similar DPS.For example, an assassin named (name hidden to protect the identities of shamed freeporters) joined a Varsoon's party I was in, and claimed that rangers cant come near his damage. Ok, given: he is 2 levels below me (i'm 27). Whatever, I parsed it anyways to see what the results were. And let him know I was parsing, so he could go all out; I would do the same.In the fights where everything ran smooth, which give a fair report, I was doing between 45-50 dps, the assassin about 28-35. Ok maybe I'm two levels ahead, and that makes the difference. Maybe. But there's quite a big gap there, do you think it's really going to change that much in 2 levels? Maybe. We'll see. (I challenged him to a DPS face-off scheduled for early Jan, I'll be out of town, so he can catch up on level <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />The log parser can be found at www.thescoutsanctuary.com There's not much documentation on it, unless you scour the forums. Basically, just run it, and in EQ2 use the /log command to start/stop logging. Once you start logging, in your EQ2 folder, you'll see a folder called logs, and in that, another for the name of your server. In there a text file log resides, open (or monitor) this with the parser, and you can get real time stats, on all sorts of stuff. This isnt my program, and I disclaim any sort of stuff it does to your machine. (wink)So, see for yourself. Can you out-DPS an assassin? Or a wiz? The parser is also nice, because it tells you which skills do what damage over time. For example, I found my biggest damage dealer to be shadowlunge, even with the 1-minute timer. Next up was shrouded strike and shadowflame. Makes sense. Poison, pierce, impale, and leaping cut also did a huge chunk of damage. Now I know what skills I want to upgrade! weee <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Ok, so I ranted a bit. Hope yall use this info for good, and have a great day!-Seeya!

[Pil]

<DIV>Speaking of HO's in groups.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>First of all, Scout Archtype should probabaly always be the one to START the HO's.  We get more than anyone else, and they are all different damage, heal and regen types, so even though we start, you can make adjustments through the starter chain to get the HO you want.  Also, if we ADVANCE the HO, there is only 1 set of three that we get, and the two common ones are modest direct damage in easily resisted damage types.  This is of course easier with voice-comms, but sometimes a good group can pull it off.  here is an example.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In my favored group we always try to get this HO first:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV><FONT color=#ff0000>Nature's Growth:  </FONT>This is a group wide Power regen buff, and makes your healers job a TON easier.  Its nice for everyone else too as they can special away all they want in long fights.</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#66ff00>Scout HO Starter -> Fighters Kick/Boot type attack -> Priests Cup.</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV>You may get Verdant Trinity with this, which is a nice group heal, and is the common HO in this group.</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV>After this we usually try to hit:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV><FONT color=#ff0000>Ancients Demise:  </FONT>This is a crushing Direct Damage HO, but the rare in this catagory is the 1300+ HO mentioned by the previous poster <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV>Another great HO to throw in is:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV><FONT color=#ff0000>Strength in Unity:  </FONT>This is a group wide stat buff to Strength, Stamina and Agility +10.  It lasts for a full 2 minutes, enough for 2 fights if you are lucky, and makes a big difference.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV>For a particularly clear and comprehensive list of HO's, Chains, and effects, here is a good link.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV><A href="http://www.gnorrath.com/scoutHO.htm" target=_blank>http://www.gnorrath.com/scoutHO.htm</A></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by Pilar on <span class=date_text>12-16-2004</span> <span class=time_text>01:56 PM</span>

[EludeSto]

<DIV>wow great guide if nothing else take note of the fence location i was very happy to see that myself</DIV>

[Ghengis Kh]

<DIV>ok I wasted about 2 hours looking for an Ian in south Qeynos. Never found him and no one playing ever saw him before. The predator quests I assume is the scout guy in North Qeynos?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I tracked all through Qeynos and have yet to find an Ian. Mor edetails on where he is please?</DIV>

[MillsFairchild]

That's because he's in Qeynos Harbor... outside the same building you did your lvl 10 predator quest at.

[Gulliam]

<DIV>Just to add to the Mid Fight (with a group) UBER Backstab... Here is how I do it, slightly different.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>First off, the max distance, from the mob, you can be with Shadowblade vs normal melee is much greater.</DIV> <DIV>Second, you can activate Hunt or Sneak are both activatable while on the move. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, Johnny Meathead is tanking away up from... holding aggro pretty darn good. You want to see the mobs health bar drop from Green To Yellow quick. </DIV> <DIV>Activate Hunt and take two steps back (I use a third person 45 Degree view during combat... it helps with distances) Queue up Shadowblade, Hit for unimaginable amounts of damage, and take to steps back in to begin melee again.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This will curtail any confusion as to if your melee got turned back on or not ; )</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[ChronicRa]

One quick addition...if you have Shadowblade Adept1, and no upgrade to shadowlunge...Shadowblade still out dmgs it insanely..also..at 25 you ARE the group with escape in places like RoV...just dont get to hasty with it...

[Conani]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> -valis- wrote:<BR><BR>"You mean there are actually armors available that are better than quest armor?"<BR><BR>- You betcha! Steel forged chainmail gloves (dropped off the gnolls in TS? or maybe from Crypt of Betrayal?) give a whopping +5agi (along with +3wis, bah!).<BR>- Also steel brigadine leggings are just one agi short of the quest armor leggings... Seeing as how quest armor leggings are second to last on the list, these are great until then. They drop off the gnolls in TS.<BR>- Helm: There's a quest helm you can get from tinkerer Spindlecog in baubleshire, provided you speak his language.... no agi or str boosts, but you get resists!<BR><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>In this department, look for Gem Studded Bracers. These are defintely nice. I don't know where they come from, I bought mine from the broker. They are forearm items (to replace the Trade Link Bracers.) The stats are Armor (MAX): 85, Disease +8 Health +14 Magic +5 Power +14 Strength +1 and Agility +SEVEN!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>At least, it's my opinion this is a better item. I know the armor is less overall (Trade Link offers a max of 123). However, you get more power out of the Gem Studded. +1 for the extra power, and plus however many you get for having 7 more agility. I dunno, I just prefer the Gem Studded myself. Currently, with all my odds and ends, at level 24 as a ranger, I'm looking at 84 agility. And I know I still have some crappy stuff I'm using, so that means it can only get better.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>However, if I used the Trade Link Bracers, I'd finally have my defense over 1,000. Ah well, if I finally get myself a replacement for my Boiled Leather Pants, maybe I would finally get there <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV>

[Kthaara]

<DIV>You are talking about using poisons.  I used the abrasive goo stuff earlier and it appeared to work a bit.  Now it cons gry to me at 21 (actually has conned gry for a while) so i stopped using it.  I tried to buy better poison but I cannot find any in my skill range which I think is 150.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Where do I find level 150 poisons?  Or, do I just have to level up and wait until my skill gets to 200 to use the good ones?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kwentavius</DIV> <DIV>21 Ranger</DIV> <DIV>Guk</DIV>

[Keld]

<DIV>I really have to say that is one of the more useful guides I have seen. Especially helpful if you've not been playing for that long (and even helpful if you've been in EQ2 since start). Thanks for the hard work putting this together, as I know it's hard work as I used to write guides for an old DAoC web site. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Happy New Year!</DIV>

[Conani]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Kthaara wrote:<BR> <DIV>You are talking about using poisons.  I used the abrasive goo stuff earlier and it appeared to work a bit.  Now it cons gry to me at 21 (actually has conned gry for a while) so i stopped using it.  I tried to buy better poison but I cannot find any in my skill range which I think is 150.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Where do I find level 150 poisons?  Or, do I just have to level up and wait until my skill gets to 200 to use the good ones?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kwentavius</DIV> <DIV>21 Ranger</DIV> <DIV>Guk</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Go to South Qeynos and look for the poison shop. (It's on the map. Icon is a vail if I remember.)</P> <P>There are several vendors in here selling a variety of posions. Don't forget to check upstairs. The 150 poisons are up there I believe.</P> <P>Dont' forget that you can stack poision and long as you are using two different classes of poision (I generally run around with a red vial and an orange vial).<BR></P>

[Hewer of Wo]

<DIV>One Point; There is really no mention of Kiting, though there is a nice write-up on Pulling using Backshot/wounding shot/openshot, but kiting itself, is a very viable option for Rangers. I Kited Grolven Chiptooth at level 21, it took me two attempts to do it, and it was anything but Hairy, but it was a done deal.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Very impressed by Rangers -- They looked so darn fun --- I began one to compare his soloing abilities to my 22 Zerker, I was not wrong, they ARE fun, and offered (ME) a good bit more than my Berserker did, they also solo much nicer, which I now believe is due in large part to their flexibility. There is nothing which says we must either Kite, or melee, and, as the author of this thread points out, our skills give us the ability to halt combat, stealth up, and re-initate the fight on our own terms. </DIV>

[GoNom]

<DIV>I read the initial post, and there is alot of greatinfo in there bravo to yah.  One thing I'd like to add, I'm not sure if its been mentioned or not yet, but its my melee strategy.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I rarely pull, mainly because tanks pulling is as effective as me, unless my group is camping a specific mob then i'll track and pull.  This is for non- pulling melee fighting.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>#1. Tank pulls mob, first thing I do is hit it with corner, get that Defence down quick</DIV> <DIV>#2. Impale : Same as above.</DIV> <DIV>#3. Bleed : get the dot flowing</DIV> <DIV>#4: Shrouded Strike, thought this was another useless mid-damage attack?  Wrong, this stealths you after you hit, the secret is while its casting hit your auto melee off, that way you don't pop out of stealth before you drop your Ranger nuke.  Now this hits for around 110 for me, App1 (I know!), which is about......110 more then using stalk and has about the same cast time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>#5: Shadowblade/Shadowlunge, to Rangers who are starting thier battles with this as thier openner, you missing out on the added damage that your own debuffs will give you, plus any other debuffs group member might be throwing.  When I open with Shadow Blade (Adept 1) I'd hit giants in TS for about 190-220.  When I learned this little trick I hit for 250-350, looks impressive as hell(you can look my toon up here at sight, max hit is 356 I believe, and have come close to that alot, hit for 340's frequeently!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>#6 Back into Ranged attack, and bury a back shot into it.</DIV> <DIV>#7 Rinse and repeat #1 #2 and #3</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>#8 Shrouded Strike should have reset by now, use it same tactic as before, turn off melee, this time, follow it with Shadow Flame, the combo should do anywhere from about 200-300 damage, real quick like.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>#9 Don't forget if your the only scout in group to follow every encounter with pathfinding, makes group happy, lets em' know your thining of them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>#10. Rinse and repeat #8 as the 2 skills reset untill the end of the fight, will help minimize power usage, and keep plenty i the tank for the next mob.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>THis whole process takes a little over a minute, here's best Case damage scenerio</DIV> <DIV>#1 = 0 damage</DIV> <DIV>#2 = 90 - 115</DIV> <DIV>#3 = 26x4 = 104 damage</DIV> <DIV>#4 = 100-120</DIV> <DIV>#5 = 250-350</DIV> <DIV>#6 = 200-275</DIV> <DIV>#7 = 220</DIV> <DIV>#8 = 200-300</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So add that up in just over a minute you've thrashed your mob for a grand total of any where between :  1164 and 1500, which would put you DPS minus any normal attacks you sneak in between button mashing, around 20-25.  I was in a group with a wizzy today that was boasting how he could drop his 300+ nuke on a mob every 12 seconds, averaging around 325 per bomb. thats 27 dps for 1 minute.  So wer're in good company.  So if this helps one person enjoy thier ranger a little more, I'll be happy, to thos eof you who knew about this little "trick", keep up the good work!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Luadiane</DIV> <DIV>25th Ranger of Tunare</DIV> <DIV>Crushbone Server</DIV>

[GoNom]

<DIV><Quote>- The fence sells ranger skills for SUPER CHEAP. I hear that lotsa ranger skills drop in nektulos forest, which freeporters mostly inhabit. These find their way onto the market. Nobody in freeport is a ranger, so even including the 40% broker fee from the fence, a lot of times, they're still cheaper than the Qeynos market. I've gotten 3 adept1's for the price of one, using the fence. The fence can be found in qeynos harbor, you have to swim underwater to get there. Also you can get some unique evil gear which will make all your weeny good friends jealous. Just dont let RP'ers catch you dealing with the blackmarket <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><Quote></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have been looking for this Fence for a while now and cannot get too much info on the location of him, I have seen him marked on some maps I was able to dig up, but not the location of the cave, I read one thing that may have mentioned you enter from antonica, but could not find an entrance that you could swim through.  Any help would be much appreciated<BR></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Luadiane</DIV> <DIV>25th Ranger of Tunare</DIV> <DIV>Crushbone Server<BR></DIV>

[Teksun]

He's in Qeynos Harbor. If you come from the bell (harbor) as soon as you pass through the columns you will be crossing a moat. jump in (to the right), swim under the walkway and you will see a hole to your right. follow it in, wallah, broker

[44Dragon]

<DIV>good info thread everyone!  Sorry for fudging it up with a simple thanks.</DIV>

[Kcool]

just one thing your wrong at, jewelers make crap now..........*hint*

[JaggNomr]

New update on rangers.Don't bother after you hit 20, we are useless.Thanks.

[Wildwa]

<DIV><STRONG><EM>YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO YOUR AQ'S!</EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Sorry, caps/bold/italics off...  Anyway, what I have found is that your AQ's are a big waste of time.  Instead, earn a little bit of money and buy yourself full carbonite chainmail, as it is just as good or better on most of the pieces.  Where do you get the money?  The answer is easy: collection items.  They are my number one source of income, and have been ever since I started playing EQ2.  The trick is to know where and how to look for them.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Where:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you are in Stormhold, they spawn in very predictable locations: the main hallway, the chessboard, the well room, and the atrium (there may be more locations).  The general rule is that they spawn in important rooms or areas in most dungeons.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>How:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This may seem like a given (i.e. walk around until you find them), but there is one thing that really helps: in your display options menu under "Particle Effects," you should see a tab labeled "Particle Density Bias" or something like that.  Whatever its name is, its hover description should tell you that it changes the distance at which particles fade out of view.  Set this tab to maximum to see collection items from miles away, and needn't worry about the performance ramifications of changing this setting.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Once you start finding them, you should rake in plenty of cash.  It will all be relative to the prices on your server, however, since you only get 7 copper for selling these items to merchants.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>About quests in general, I like most quests, but I think the AQ's are too time-consuming.  There are plenty of great quests out there, especially for scouts, since we can sneak around everywhere.  Examples of great quests we can do on our own are things like the quest to bring various artifacts back to the person at the front of Stormhold, (later on) the Bogstrutter's quest to explore Zek, the various Bootstrutter's quests to explore many different areas, and many more.  Remember, you are a scout and you can sneak, so go out there and do quests!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>One final reccomendation is to fully explore every new area you come to, even if it is full of red-cons that see through sneak (except when in dungeons).  You will get loads of experience for doing so, like when I got 43% of level 30 without even fighting anything (that was a result of both soloable exploring quests and discovering various areas, mainly in Zek).  I hope this helps.</DIV>

[Belar2001]

<DIV> </DIV> <DIV>"Don't bother with Rangers after 20..they are useless"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, right then I'll just pop off and delete my 28 ranger who has been leveling at the rate of 1 level a week (even though I have a wife, a life, and a job that demands a minimum of 60 hrs./week)  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have no problems getting in groups, in fact, I have found that Rangers in RoV and TS are the second most requested class after the Healer.  I never have any problems finding a group and usually can even out DPS most wizards.  I have saved several groups from Total Party Wipes by using Escape (Evac). </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, if you don't mind I'll ignore the previous advice and continue playing my "useless" Ranger.</DIV>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE><FONT size=2> <HR> Wildward wrote:<BR></FONT> <DIV><STRONG><EM><FONT size=2>YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO YOUR AQ'S!</FONT></EM></STRONG></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Sorry, caps/bold/italics off...  Anyway, what I have found is that your AQ's are a big waste of time.  Instead, earn a little bit of money and buy yourself full carbonite chainmail, as it is just as good or better on most of the pieces.  <BR> <HR> </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <P><FONT size=2>Hehe, just gotta chime in and respectfully disagree here. I bought a suit of carbonite chain when I hit 20, and it served me well for 3-4 levels as I did the AQs. But trust me, the Trade Link armor (the medium set earned through AQs) is <STRONG>very nice - </STRONG>quite a bit better than carbonite chain. I compared each and every piece as I replaced with the AQ set, and the Trade Link pieces were better every time. Better AC, <STRONG>way</STRONG> better modifiers and resists, and it all lasts longer for mastery. </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>So if you'd rather avoid the AQs, by all means do so and get carbonite chain, it's not bad. But it is <STRONG>never</STRONG> better than Trade Link (unless you're seeing pristine pieces that I didn't have) and IMO the AQs really aren't that hard or time-consuming anyway. I did one a night for four days straight, actually found AQ3 the toughest (Stormhold, ugh). It's very easy to find AQ groups for every stage. You can find details on each Armor Quest in this very helpful post written by Maul: <A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=2337" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=2337</A></FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>It's obviously an individual preference - you can spend <EM>gold </EM>and get some decent chainmail, or you can spend <EM>time</EM> and get awesome Trade Link <STRONG>and </STRONG>some good XP. Best of luck!</FONT></P><p>Message Edited by Jay42 on <span class=date_text>02-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:23 PM</span>

[Zholain]

The pristine foged carbonite, for the most part, has better mods/stats than the AQ stuff. There are a couple trade-offs, i.e. AQ=+80 vs cold, +60 vs disease.... Carbonite=+60 vs cold, +80 vs disease (don't quote me on the numbers/mod, this is just an example), but after lvl 30, the pristine carbonite stuff has better AC. (The AQ armor offers slightly better AC I think until lvl 30) Think about it though...there is one distinct advantage to the AQ armor...it's basically free.I would strongly encourage anyone to work on their armor quest. Having a goal, regardless of what the goal is, is a good thing. Completing the AQ gives good game xp, offers play experience, and give you a goal to work for.<p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>02-18-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:30 AM</span>

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks for the clarification - I haven't used <EM>pristine</EM> forged carbonite chain, just the normal stuff. Honestly, I can't imagine paying several gold pieces for a full suit of pristine carbonite chain, at least not in the early 20s when I did my AQs. I'm of your way of thinking, the AQs were great fun, loved having a clear goal in mind after hitting 20, and I think they need more quest series like those. Especially ones that are very similar across classes but offer class-appropriate rewards. It's SO easy to find AQ groups, I'm amazed they don't implement similar quests - it would really facilitate working together with other players in a way our standard quests don't seem to. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Just a question of priorities, I guess; I like adventuring (it's why I play the game), and I don't have a lot of money rolling around. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> The AQs were great b/c I can get a good set of armor with great stats, all by doing what I love to do - sneaking around and poking things. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[Zholain]

Indeed. Adventuring is certainly my first priority as well, although necessity has pushed me to begin tradeskilling.This quote "I can't imagine paying several gold pieces for a full suit of pristine carbonite chain, at least not in the early 20s when I did my AQs." I think warrants a reply that directly relates to this thread. Most of us have already done this, but the new players may not be aware of it. BUY A MARKET BULLETIN BOARD FOR YOUR ROOM! It's cheap and it offers other benefits aside from selling merchandise. You can actually comparison shop using the board. You can spend hours looking for very specific items in the privacy of your own room, and not feel awkward about standing in front of the broker for an extended period of time.I've got nearly a full set of the pristine carbonite (I lack the leggings) and I think I've got less than 2.5g in the whole set. I did that from shopping with the bulletin board finding the best price, and then actually going to that merchants room and buying the item. That saved me the rediculous broker fees and allowed me to see some very interesting rooms (some very disturbing, but that's for another thread). Shop around just like you would in RL. If you see an item for sale for 1g and there's only 1 of them, chances are if you come back a day, or even a few hours later, you'll see someone else has the exact same item for sell for 75s or less.I am a very poor ranger, and have never had more than 10g in the bank at any given time. But I would not be nearly as well equipped as I am had it not been for the capabilities that the bulletin board offers.

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2>Yeah, I have a bulletin board (of course), I just don't spend a lot of time camped in my room, vending. Especially since the latest patch (which made everything attuneable, yay), it doesn't seem to yield much. I sell more stuff to NPC merchants now than before. Thankfully they didn't gouge me as bad as I'd expected for selling some of my old attuned stuff. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>But as to the point at hand - the Trade Link armor was a godsend for me, as that's 200-300sp that I don't have to spend on armor and can put towards skill upgrades, weapons, and other necessities. Again, I prefer adventuring anyway (tradeskilling is getting more fun, but still feels more like work than adventuring does), so having a long series of common quests was great. Plus, the AQs just aren't that hard to begin with. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[-vali]

Hey rangers, just a little FYI that i do plan on editting my original post with a lot of new info. I'm at level 37 now, and definitely have some sexy new stuff to add - when I get some free time. Stay tuned.....

[Keldon]

<DIV>Lots of good info, thanks</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>However, I found one EXTREMELY useful tip that hasn't been discussed anywhere that I have seen ...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There is a sweet spot of distance while in group melee where you can melee attack, special melee skill attack AND range attack from. Meaning from one spot I do my typical normal attacks, then my debuffs and special melee skills (Bleed, Impale, Ensnare, Shouded Strike, Shadow Lunge, ect ect) AND all my special range attacks (Wounding Arrow, Trickshot, Backshot, Open Shot, Triple-shot, ect ect)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This means I always have a special attack rolling one way or another (Shrouded Strike followed by Hidden Shot works nice, too), however this means you should be drinking something to replinish your power for your level. (no cheating by useing a Tier lower cheaper drink)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This sweet spot varies greatly depending on the mob you are fighting, smaller "human" sized mobs you end up about 2-3 steps back. On huge mobs (like giants) it is about 80-90% of the targeting circle of what you are fighting (that circle that shows up on the ground when you target a mob) 80-90% means that you can see the circle on the ground behind you on the bigger mobs. Centaurs is somewhere in between.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Drawbacks are that in caverns and dungeons, you may be backing into more aggro and will have to settle with less damage (as would be expected that a ranger would be hampered by close quarters) However in open field, I think your DPS may improve by another 10-15 DPS.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Give it a try!</DIV>

[Dulin Nightsing]

<DIV>I agree with the above. as long as the tank holds his ground your DPS in grp combat at that sweet spot will be insane. shadowblade/shadowstrike/backshot etc etc. only problem is the mob decides he wants to be your friend very quickly and presses the issue by nuzzling his maw in your face...usually with messy results.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Dulin Nightsinger on <span class=date_text>03-15-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:08 PM</span>

[Blackin_DeMast]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> JaggNomrad wrote:<BR>New update on rangers.<BR><BR><BR>Don't bother after you hit 20, we are useless.<BR><BR><BR>Thanks.<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>No... it sounds like <STRONG><EM>YOU</EM></STRONG> may very well be "useless", but thanks to not stereo-type the rest of us that are very efficient at our class.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Black</DIV><p>Message Edited by Blackin_DeMaster on <span class=date_text>03-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:55 AM</span>

[Teksun]

<blockquote><hr>Blackin_DeMaster wrote: <BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> JaggNomrad wrote:<BR>New update on rangers.<BR><BR><BR>Don't bother after you hit 20, we are useless.<BR><BR><BR>Thanks.<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>No... it sounds like <STRONG><EM>YOU</EM></STRONG> may very well be "useless", but thanks to not stereo-type the rest of us that are very efficient at our class.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Black</DIV><p>Message Edited by Blackin_DeMaster on <span class=date_text>03-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:55 AM</span><hr></blockquote>LOL, I couldn't have said it better myself <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Ranvarenaya]

I figured someone would have posted this already, but stacking poisons is not as neat as it may appear. You can have 2 different poison effects in your spell effects window, but I am 98% sure you can only have 1 of those on the mob at a time. Each swing you have a chance to proc poison, and each proc overwrites and resets the poison you may already have on the mob. Therefore, having a purple (generally the best DPS) and an orange or whatever just means you are spending twice the coin and not getting any real benefit in DPS.The confusion I think comes from seeing multiple poison damage numbers at once. The reason for this is not that you just proc'ed 2 poisons, but that the first hit of any poison does an initial damage AND the first round of DoT damage at the same time. Example: I use mortuary sludge, 150 skill purple poison. When it procs I see 17 and 88 damage due to poison. Every 6 seconds after that, it hits for 88, until it wears off or procs again. If it procs again, it hits for 17 and 88 again, and restarts the DoT. Since we see 2 damage values at once, it appears that 2 poisons are working at the same time, but I haven't seen 2 poisons doing dot damage at the same time in my experience.

[Keldon]

<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV>Dulin Nightsinger wrote on <SPAN class=date_text><FONT color=#756b56>03-15-2005</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=time_text>08:08 PM</SPAN></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I agree with the above. as long as the tank holds his ground your DPS in grp combat at that sweet spot will be insane. shadowblade/shadowstrike/backshot etc etc. only problem is the mob decides he wants to be your friend very quickly and presses the issue by nuzzling his maw in your face...usually with messy results.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV>Yes, you have to have a good tank ... once you get that part of your group squared away, you can up your DPS easily. AND in the rare occasions after that you get aggro (frankly that is a badge of courage to me) all you have to do is hit shadow and turn off attack, once done, one taunt from the tank pulls the mobs aggro right back to him, at which point you are free to wail/flail away again.</DIV>

[Shadow-X]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Keldon98 wrote:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr> <DIV>Dulin Nightsinger wrote on <SPAN class=date_text><FONT color=#756b56>03-15-2005</FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=time_text>08:08 PM</SPAN></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I agree with the above. as long as the tank holds his ground your DPS in grp combat at that sweet spot will be insane. shadowblade/shadowstrike/backshot etc etc. only problem is the mob decides he wants to be your friend very quickly and presses the issue by nuzzling his maw in your face...usually with messy results.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV>Yes, you have to have a good tank ... once you get that part of your group squared away, you can up your DPS easily. AND in the rare occasions after that you get aggro (frankly that is a badge of courage to me) all you have to do is hit shadow and turn off attack, once done, one taunt from the tank pulls the mobs aggro right back to him, at which point you are free to wail/flail away again.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> <DIV>And you can use a macro to hit shadow and turn off autoattack with a single keystroke or click. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>(See the Useful Ranger Macros thread at <A href="http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=6274" target=_blank>http://eqiiforums.station.sony.com/eq2/board/message?board.id=39&message.id=6274</A>)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Cruelangel]

<p><span></span></p>

[44Dragon]

<P>I have 2 main toons right now.  One I play when my closest friends are on as we have our own group to adventure with.  That's when I get to play my Templar.  The other times when I am just online searching for groups or hunting solo I like to adventure with my Ranger.</P> <P>He's only level 25, but I really enjoy playing him so far.  I don't have everything maxed out as far as my skills go.  I never really see very much on the market to beef up my adepts  for rangers that I can afford, so I don't really bother with it.  I get my apprentice upgrades for my skills and buy higher levels off of players when they come up on the brokers.  Other than that I just enjoy adventuring.</P> <P>I've never had anyone tell me I was "useless", so I don't understand the comments made by the poster above me.  Maybe if you clue us in on why you find yourself useless there could be something done to find some enjoyment out of your toon...assuming you actually play a ranger.</P> <P>I guess with any class they have their place.  I love to role-play so being a woody ranger works out well for me to sneak around, explore, fire my bow, and just enjoy bing in Norrath. </P>

[44Dragon]

<DIV>Side note:  Armor Quests</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I have a mix of AQ and player made gear.  This makes my toons look like patchwork junkies, but I wanted to max out the gear as much as I could to give me the best advantage.  Some of the AQ items are better than the gear you can get for that level and some of them are not.  I have friends that like the entire thing to match though, and I'm cool with that too.  Play to have fun and enjoy your toons.  AQ's give you a chance to explore areas and group with new people rather than worrying about spending all your coins on new gear.  The best part for me was getting my entire Templar AQ set in 4 nights.  That was after somebody gave me a full set of pristine plate.  I did it for fun and then sold the pieces I didn't want to vendors or players and came away with some great coin, experience, and even found a guild throughout all the excitement.  So I would hardly call them useless either.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I haven't found a worthless class or a worthless quest.  Well, those deliver this message to so and so, run back to me, and I will give you 30 copper I can live without.  *chuckle*</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Medd]

:smileyvery-happy:     im lovin it

[jarlaxle8]

<p>Message Edited by jarlaxle888 on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:00 PM</span>

[Jay]

<P><FONT size=2>Well.. you can't "easily" buy a full suit of pristine carbonite chain, it'll cost you a pretty penny. And the AQs just aren't that hard, or at least they weren't for me. I loved doing them, though. </FONT></P> <P><FONT size=2>But IIRC, Zho's right, the pristine carbonite chain was comparable to the AQ set. I wore pieces of both in my late 20s, and I compared each one closely. Neither set was clearly far-and-away the better bet; there were some stat trade-offs but the pristine carbonite lasted longer. IMO, it looks better too - as much as I liked the Trade Link set, I got pretty tired of that drab 'ragged gray leather' look. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  Course even the pristine chain didn't look half as stylish as my current feysteel brigandine! <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </FONT></P>

[Zholain]

<div></div><font size="2"> </font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:45 AM</span>

[jarlaxle8]

<p>Message Edited by jarlaxle888 on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:01 PM</span>

[Zholain]

<div></div><font size="2">Edit:  Victim of double-post bug...sorry... </font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:10 AM</span>

[Zholain]

<div></div><font size="2"> </font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:45 AM</span>

[jarlaxle8]

<P><SPAN class=time_text></SPAN> </P><p>Message Edited by jarlaxle888 on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:59 PM</span>

[Zholain]

<div></div><font size="2"></font><font color="#ff9900"> </font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:46 AM</span>

[jarlaxle8]

<p>Message Edited by jarlaxle888 on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:59 PM</span>

[Buggrit]

<div></div><div></div><font size="2">why all the childish arguments lets stop the hostility what your arguging about is its just silly lets stop the hostility <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> </font><p>Message Edited by Buggrit on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>07:17 AM</span>

[jarlaxle8]

<p>Message Edited by jarlaxle888 on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>06:59 PM</span>

[Jay]

<DIV>Aye. I'm kinda disappointed that you're both using this thread to drag out your disagreements. Take it to private messages, you don't need an audience to resolve your differences. Nor do you need to continue the dramafication of a stickied thread that many new rangers read when they first come here. FWIW, no mod will remove these posts, but you can delete them youselves just by editing the text and clearing it. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>EDIT: Jarl, you're gonna drive yourself mad if you try and make every issue or question facing rangers into a black-and-white "this is always better / this is always worse" situation. The fact is that the Trade Link set and the Pristine Carbonite set <STRONG>are </STRONG>comparable. Some AQ pieces are better than Pristine Carb and vice-versa, IIRC. This is a recognition of reality, this is not "unclear information." There are other factors to consider (cost, time, effort, appearance, inclination of player) and we rangers are capable of assessing that information and making those decisions on our own. Threads like these exist to provide rangers with the tools to make their own choices, not to blindly push people in one direction or another. </DIV><p>Message Edited by Jay42 on <span class=date_text>05-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:38 AM</span>

[Zholain]

<font size="2">Agreed.  My sincerest apologies to all. </font><div></div>

[Axxon]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Jay42 wrote:<BR> <DIV>Aye. I'm kinda disappointed that you're both using this thread to drag out your disagreements. Take it to private messages, you don't need an audience to resolve your differences. Nor do you need to continue the dramafication of a stickied thread that many new rangers read when they first come here.</DIV> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Agreed, or at a minimum, take it to the SK page.  They're used to it.  :smileyvery-happy:  <BR>

[jarlaxle8]

<div>edit: info expired, too old</div><p>Message Edited by jarlaxle888 on <span class="date_text">01-10-2006</span><span class="time_text">04:21 PM</span></p>

[JaggNomr]

<P>ROFL...oh god that is hilarious...I forgot I even posted that a LONGGGG time ago....(speaking of my "we are useless" point)... I posted that when everyone was talking so freaking negative about Rangers, guess I should have been alittle bit more descriptive in my sarcasm......how we suck in the high end...blah, blah, blah. I have had my ranger as a main and have NO complaints about him. I am only a 34 Ranger on Permasfrost, but I wouldn't trade our class for any in the game. </P> <P>If you took my post THAT serious then I apologize....if you know what I ment, then thanks for the understanding. Some people are WAY to freaking defensive...lighten up and unloosen your belt...no one like a tight [Removed for Content].</P>

[Kyriel]

/slapss jagg

[JaggNomr]

:smileyvery-happy:

[KnightOfTheWo]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> -valis- wrote:<BR>Hey rangers, just a little FYI that i do plan on editting my original post with a lot of new info. I'm at level 37 now, and definitely have some sexy new stuff to add - when I get some free time. Stay tuned.....<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I think I read in another thread that Valis (the OP) has left EQ2, but I'm not sure. Anyway, thanks for the great guide Valis, I relied on it a lot as a ranger in the 20s and still refer back to it occasionally. Now with my 34 ranger as my main I'm still having a great time and wouldn't trade it. Hopefully we can keep guides like this going for new rangers. :smileyhappy:

[-vali]

yah, sadly it's true. I haven't been playing EQ2 for a while now, and I think it'll likely stay that way. I've been trolling the forums a lil bit, that'll likely end when my account does. (If not, I'll prolly still check in from time to time <wink&gt<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Yar, definitely keep the post going! I look back on the OP and see so many things I would change..... sigh.... Until next time norrathians

[KinAye]

<P>actually there is an easier wy to do this</P> <P>you can use shrouded strike or the upgrade(cant remember the name pouncing smothing ) but right as you click it you turno off auto attack then you will be stealthed and you can shadowlunge the mob it does some damage while you sneak and its faster than waiting on hunt. Also shrouded strikes recast time is only like 10 second so then you can do it again rather quickly with shadowflame doing an extra 100-150 damage </P> <P> </P> <P>here i am going to tell you what i do in groups and it apperently works great cause i several times take some aggro from the tank. ok here it is</P> <P>1. Simply turn on auto attack dont want to steal too much aggro in the beginning</P> <P>2. shrouded strike AND turn off auto attack if you dont it has no effect. </P> <P>3. Use shadow lunge and do about 300 -400 dmg FUN!!</P> <P>4. back up and use back shot, triple shot , flaming arrow , and wounding arrow (if poison lands alot does about 700-900 dmg , according to my dps calculator) </P> <P>5. and finally move back up and just spam abilites on him and if you want to use a little shrouded strike/shadowflame combo </P> <P>Helpful hint: at 30 you should pick hagars deft lunge or something like that its shadow lunge adept II and has only a 45s recast time... thats 15 less seconds to wait!! </P> <P>Hope this helps - Hawk Silverwing ~ 34 Ranger of Highkeep</P>

[JaggNomr]

<DIV>KinAye,</DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#ff0066></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> <P><FONT color=#66cc33>Helpful hint: at 30 you should pick hagars deft lunge or something like that its shadow lunge adept II and has only a 45s recast time... thats 15 less seconds to wait!!</FONT> </P> <P>Couldn't agree with ya more. I choose this at 30 and have yet to regret it. It's really sweet when you knock the living pisss out of a mob!</P></DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Taubin]

Very well written, keep up the good work

[KinAye]

<DIV>thanks for the positive response you two, something to add to mine above is that at 36 i believe you get a new stealthed attack thats better than shadowflame its called raven embers.. it makes doing the shrouded strike and then shadowflame combo even ore deadly... with only a 10-15s recast time you can use it alot and it does usually around 200dmg for me.  So now instead of 150dmg(pouncing attack) then use shadowflame for 100, you can pounce for 150 and then come back with a 200 so now you doing even greater damage.  Just thought id let you know</DIV>

[draconetti]

a point to note on the lvl 30 specialised training/raven embers issue... i personnally took holly's fire as it's a skill i would be able to cycle more often through the majority of combats, rather than one or two big backstabs. also, as raven embers has a slashing debuff it cannot be stacked, so if you're grouped with another ranger this attack cannot be cast often, so you lose the 15 sec ponucing - raven combo... hollys will still connect though. just something to consider Dragonetti - 40th Ranger - Splitpaw <div></div>

[Fuzzey]

<DIV>Any tips on soloing more than one mob? As a 29 ranger, I can drop single mobs faster than a snowman can drop a hot potato, however, when it comes to soloing more than one mob, after the first one is dead, I'm usually left with half health or less to take on any more. Can anyone give us a good guide on soloing group mobs?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks!</DIV>

[-vali]

Greetings everyone.I'm back after an extended hiatus, and glad to be here!!My big reason for leaving, and for coming back was the lack of pvp, and the coming implementation of pvp, respectively <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />So here I am, and old-school ranger, dying to roll on the new pvp server when it's released. So many things have changed in eq2 since I wrote this guide. Looking at it now almost pains me.Right now, I'm just playing around with my old level 39 guy, and rolled an alt scout to help me get used to the swing of things.I plan on rewriting this guide, with a particular focus on ranger pvp, once the new server is released and I've officially rerolled onto my new main character. That wont be for a month's time at least though <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />Stay tuned!!Much <3 to my rangers.

[Sulas]

Welcome back!  It's good to see you.  Your guide was very helpful back in the day.I hope you enjoy PvP.<div></div>

[drake]

Actually, -valis- your guide is still very helpful.  <span>:smileyhappy:</span> I'm glad to hear you are planning to write a PVP guide for those who are interested, but for those of us who prefer PvE, <b>please</b> make it a separate guide rather than "re-writing" this one.  Or perhaps you could rewrite this one and make it clear when you are giving generic advice that applies to all rangers and then fork the information when you are giving specifics for PvE or PvP.  Either way, for folks who are new to the game or the class and interested in PvE it is still very helpful.  Thanks!<div></div>

[Zholain]

<font size="3"><font size="2">Wow!!!  Good to see you back Valis.  I think all of us have benefitted from this thread in some fashion.  I know it was a great help to me.  Your insight will be a welcome re-addition to our ranks   <span><span>:womanvery-happy:</span></span></font></font><div></div>

[Coica]

<div></div>aye. thanks for the info. Havent even got off the isle yet but Im guessing its still mostly up-to-date info I can use.

[Serraph]

<div></div><div>If you are looking for some good gear thats free then I would have to offer up the Lost Travelers Earring +6 Agi that can drop in the beginning zone. My guardian Serraphin got one. <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/item.vm?itemId=86420" target="_blank">http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/item.vm?itemId=86420</a></div>

[Isaelee]

I have a question on Tracking. I understand that I can hit tracking and it shows a list of mobs around my area, but if I am looking for something in the list in particular and want to go to it, is there any way to know which direction I need to go in? Thanks

[Pins]

Select the mob, and click Ok, and you'll get a waypoint to the mob showing you which direction to go along with a floating gold line.

[Prandtl]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Isaelee wrote:<BR> I have a question on Tracking. I understand that I can hit tracking and it shows a list of mobs around my area, but if I am looking for something in the list in particular and want to go to it, is there any way to know which direction I need to go in? Thanks<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Also, you can type in a few letters of the mobs name in the line at the top, and the window will narrow down the number of mobs appearing.  I helps alot if you are looking for a named or an NPC

[Teksun]

If you are looking for a specific type of MoB (ie for writs) I always hit the sort by name. They are much easier to locate when there names are grouped together.<div></div>

[KnightOfTheWo]

Also, if the mob is too far away, you will not get the "wisp" line going to the target, one of your chat windows will have a message stating the direction of the mob. You should have one chat tab enabled to show gameplay messages, sorry can't remember the specific one. <span>:smileyhappy:</span><div></div>

[Rogers_Neighborho]

Very Helpful ....

[DarkMirrax]

<P>wow brought back a long dead thread !</P> <P> </P>

[Teksun]

<div><blockquote><hr>DarkMirrax wrote:<div></div> <p>wow brought back a long dead thread !</p> <hr></blockquote>LOL, but it's still good info, and lots of peop's are coming back and playing the funnest class around <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Gerdos]

<P>Not sure if ppl are aware, but if you were capped at 50 AA points when killing any named back in KoS, you can go back to those same named to get new AAxp.   Only applies to mobs that you killed while you were already capped.   Did Nizarra last night, and made 147% (included 2 named inside forgotten city, which means, i need to go through there again and pick off the rest.)</P> <P> </P> <P> </P>

[Adrynyn]

I just started using a ranger for the first time (wood elf, no less...seemed appropriate), and I've been pleased with the results thus far to level 18.  Granted, I've had a little trouble soloing mobs of 4 to 8 enemies, but for one on one or two on one, he can really hold his own.  My only complaint is that from the research I've done, the Ranger doesn't really have any "fun skills" of any sort.  I know Rangers aren't a magical bunch, but an animal transform spell would have been cool...and still fit the character IMO.  Otherwise, the Ranger is all I hoped it would be - faster and more powerful DPS than my Guardian I used to play and much more of a direct and skillful fighter than my necro (though obviously not quite as powerful in some areas).  Plus, he looks cool to boot, and my elf even has leaves and feathers in his hair...lol

[Gnome mercy]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Adrynyn wrote:<BR> I just started using a ranger for the first time (wood elf, no less...seemed appropriate), and I've been pleased with the results thus far to level 18.  Granted, I've had a little trouble soloing mobs of 4 to 8 enemies, but for one on one or two on one, he can really hold his own.  My only complaint is that from the research I've done, the Ranger doesn't really have any "fun skills" of any sort.  I know Rangers aren't a magical bunch, but an animal transform spell would have been cool...and still fit the character IMO.  Otherwise, the Ranger is all I hoped it would be - faster and more powerful DPS than my Guardian I used to play and much more of a direct and skillful fighter than my necro (though obviously not quite as powerful in some areas).  Plus, he looks cool to boot, and my elf even has leaves and feathers in his hair...lol<BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>yeah ranger bear shooting arrows lol, or wolf like that one buff from eq1, I always thought it wierd but I'd like a small change that would be nice

[Adrynyn]

Yeah - the arrow spitting wolf would be kind of weird...lol.  I have a couple quick Ranger related questions here.  First, I'm accustomed to using a mount for most of my toons (when I can afford it, and I'm getting close to being able to afford one of the lower cost mounts), but if I remember correctly, speed buffs and mounts don't stack.  My ranger is at L19 right now, and I was curious if there are any speed buffs coming up soon that would be better to wait for so I could just spend that money on gear instead (I have about 1 plat and 15 gold right now, which is enough to buy some decent gear at my level).  My other question might fall under and "all class" question, but while I'm itching to get my hands on some good equipment, would it make more sense to wait until I reach L20 before I go shopping for anything?  If I remember correctly, characters have access to better equipment at certain adventure level marks, but I can't remember when they are.  Thanks.

[Nulad]

Pathfinding is the only speed buff we get, but you can increase it to 46% via EoF achievements.Level 22 is when yu'll be able to grab the tiers rare mastercrafted armour and weapons.<div></div>

[Adrynyn]

Thanks.  I might wait till L22 before I buy a lot of new gear then.  The enemies are getting tougher, but I can still win single encounters up to two levels above me (non heroic, of course), I just wish I could figure out a better strategy for taking on groups of three or so enemies.  I should be able to quest up to L22 without a lot of trouble.  Sadly, I only have EQII classic and KoS registered, so I can't use the EoF AA.  On the up side, I'm not on a PvP server now, so the speed thing is more for convenience than survival - those jogs across Antonica get a little tiresome after a while.  I do think the look of a non-mounted ranger is a little cooler, though, especially when stealthed.  I'll really have to think this through for a bit, because while the horse might have been useful for my Guardian and Necro, it might just be an un needed luxury for my Ranger.

[Teksun]

Unfortunately ubtil you get Thorny Trap (52) it is very difficult to do... Even WITH TT it can be tricky.<div></div>

[Adrynyn]

Yeah, I think there comes a point when you just have to accept you lot in life...like when I was trying to defeat a mob of Sonic Shriekers while I was at L17 and there were 8 in the group.  The enemies themselves were not that tough, but there was no way for me to effectively deal with the group once my ranged and stealth attacks were no longer useful.  After a quick call for help, though, I was grouped with an L20 Conjurer and the problem was quickly solved.  Rangers excel at things other than fighting off big groups of enemies, and that's just fine with me (doesn't mean I don't still accidentally take on large groups of enemies thinking I can fight them off like my Guardian or Necro could).

[Sulas]

If you miss the "Arrow-spitting Wolf", the closest you can get in EQ2 is to go out and get some Spirit Totems of the Wolf.  It'll shape-change to a wolf while you run around.  Unfortunately, it will turn off during combat, but at least you can reminisce.<div></div>

[Adrynyn]

Thanks...I was just researching totems.  However, I'm disturbed by the fact that for what they cost it seems that once you turn it off, it costs you a use of the totem even if you only use like two minutes of a half an hour allowance...unless I'm understanding wrong.  I might buy some anyway...I have a few gold to burn...

[Gareorn]

Adrynyn - You are not going to fight on your mount too much.  Can't move backwards hardly at all while on a mount.  They are great for casters and healers, but a scout moves around... a lot!

[Sulas]

Unless you choose to cancel the effect, the totem (like Spirit Totem of the Wolf) should simply suspend during combat.  Once you leave combat (Kill it or Shout), the efect will kick in again.  I haven't tried the sight totems, but i have to assume those are always on.HTH<div></div>

[Adrynyn]

I bought some bear, otter, rat, and wolf totems last night, and they worked quite nicely.  Of course, half the fun is bouncing into town and scurrying around in the form of the animals, but I found the buffs quite useful as well.  I've continued to resist buying a mount as my ranger, even after a friend of mine gave me several plat yesterday (he'd offered to craft armor even though I hadn't asked for it, and felt bad he hadn't yet).  My first instinct when I saw the money was, "hmmm...time to buy a horse," but again I decided I just don't need it.  I'm a couple levels away from being able to buy some nice master crafted gear, plus I can always upgrade my abilities as I get new ones (must be at least Adept I).  No horse for this Ranger.  Heck, I bought a cool green cloak, and decided to hide it because one of his dual-wield weapons is a spear that looks cool on his back.  I think less is definitely more in his case...