Finally discouraged; any advice for post-25?

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT size=2>The situation: I really enjoy playing my ranger, but I'm being forced to acknowledge that I'm just not very effective at what I'm supposed to do as a ranger. I don't think my character is particularly weak (save for bows, which yeah, <STRONG>huge </STRONG>deficiency for a ranger...more on this below). This ineffectiveness isn't necessarily the fault of SOE or any other class, and the point of this post is not to bemoan my lot and cry about how bad we have it. The point is to hopefully gain some useful advice from the 25-50 rangers about how you increase your effectiveness as you level higher and how you maintain your enthusiasm for your characters. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Part of my problem is the (self-inflicted) handicap of a low bow skill.  Most of the skills I'm getting now (at 26) are seriously underutilized. I could work up my bow skill to effectively use my ranged attacks, but they're not used very often anyway (unless soloing), and I just don't have the bankroll to finance my DPS.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I think I'm going to roll up a new monk or perhaps a mage tonight. I love my ranger, but after spending weeks and weeks reading about how broken / ineffective we are (and trying my hardest to point out the good in every situation), I'm left feeling a real lack of enthusiasm. I can't abandon Kae, but it might be time to spend a few weeks with a different character. Not because I expect anything to change for rangers in the near-term, but just to get interested in another role and hopefully find some enthusiasm for a new class.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>But I'll really, really miss the sneaking. That's what I love best about my ranger, and Hagar's Camouflage was the best choice I've made with him. Plus, I'm used to Pathfinding (minor as it is) and an even <STRONG>slower</STRONG> run speed will be hard to take. Rangers will always be my first love, and scouts in EQ2 remain some of my favorite classes in any FRPG game. </FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyhow, sorry to sound all mopey - it's not just the game, got some relationship issues that are bringing me down and that's bleeding over into this post. My bad! <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Anyway, the request remains - I'd love to hear some tips or advice from higher-level rangers about staying effective and enthusiastic about your class. Thanks, everyone. </DIV></FONT></DIV>

[NebulaCosmosi]

<DIV>Just use Carbonite arrows they are fine for your level and they are free. Don't worry once you get RIP Fey arrows will be in abundance as you will be using RIP constantly in combat. Get a nice shortbow "from my vendor if your on Perma =)" and every group your in simply drop back pop off some wounding, open and back shots every fight and that ranged skill will steadily go up. Try and get Zek access if you already dont have it. Then you can start soloing the orcs there and that should help in building that ranged skill up even more when you cant find a group. I am level 31 now and i have yet to pay for arrows. I used Carb from makeshift untill I got Rip now I am using Fey we will see what the future hold though =(</DIV>

[snack-machine]

<DIV>Well, I'm only 31st level but here we go.....</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Around level 25 or 26 I became discouraged because of the lack of ability to solo (at least the ability to solo as well as some of the other classes), the lack of appearant DPS, and not that much damage from bow attacks. Looking back on it I think some of the reasons for the above issues were because my AQ armor was not as new and there for as useful as it was during levels 20-25. The 20th level poisen just wasn't doing enough damage on the creatures that I was now facing and my limited bow skills were nice but no nice enough to make it rewarding.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now for level 30....</DIV> <DIV>I have a new set of armor which makes life much easier on me. The new level 30 poisen does very satisfactory damage to the creatures I'm facing and the new bow skills that I've gotten the last level are very nice when combined with using feyiron arrows and poisen (and I mean that I can do ALOT of damage with the bow now). So overall I would have to say that since hitting 30 I'm happier playing my Ranger than I have been at any point in the past.</DIV>

[adrian]

Getting from 24 to 27 has been painful at times, but I'm not totally hating it. Yes, as with any class, the level grind is a killer, but it just depends on how you play it out. I got a crap load of XP for cashing in collections, and that really helped break up the repetition of hunting the same stuff again and again. Rewards of bags that hold 12 or 20 items is also pretty handy too <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I found that if I mix it up and don't just hunt the same area for the same prey all the time, it does break up the grinding feeling. I havn't stumbled across any good fun quests which doesn't help, everything just seems to be "kill 10 of these". I'm hoping that all the new content that will magically open before me when I venture out of n00b country will change all that though.

[Kthaara]

<DIV>You need to use your bow ALL THE TIME, even in groups.  I like to get behind the mob in a group fight and back up to the sweet spot where I can use my bow and melee at the same time.  You can dish out a lot of damage.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Arrows are free.  Use them.  You will get rip soon, so feyiron arrows will also be free.  The level 150 posion will be available to you at 30.  Just grind it out to 30 or so and it will get better.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kwentavius</DIV>

[Sollum]

<DIV>I love my Ranger, and so do other members of my guild when I group with them. They appretiate the extra dps I dish out and they feel more confident in the fight with evac just a click away. </DIV> <DIV>If your not in a guild, I recommend you join one. Makes life easier for grouping and for friendship. I'm now 28 and have hardly solo'd - because of the limitations. I always use my bow on every opening encounter, grouped or solo. In a group, once the MT has pulled, I'll leap straight behind the mob and fire off all arrow abilities, move in with back stabs, etc. As soon as arrow icons are charged, I step back and shoot again, and so on. I get through sacks of arrows, so I'm glad for Makeshift.</DIV> <DIV>As for cash, my income is mainly remaining logged on every night selling my share of the loot from the group fights. On quiet days I'll be crafting (23 provisioner now) and selling the drinks. They sell well. I've now 41g in the bank. All my kits is up to date and I always scower the market for adepts or apprentice IV upgrades.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So take heart and review your playing style and don't be afraid to experiment. Looking here for hints and tips is ideal.</DIV><p>Message Edited by Sollum on <span class=date_text>02-23-2005</span> <span class=time_text>11:55 PM</span>

[hieronym]

<DIV>Im level 27 and had the same problem a good few levels ago with my ranged and i think i even posted it on here, i dont even think i had makeshift arrows at the time. i bought the cheap iron arrows went out to antonica and range attacked anything i could find. It didnt take long for the skills to go up. (Also ups your kills ratio :smileyhappy: ) As you have makeshift u can do this much easier and save yourself money.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>In a group you will be using your bow a lot and do some nice damage with it. Get yourself a longbow as they have more power and obviously a longer range. As for using a bow in confined spaces like varsoons I havent had an issue. Only time i dont use my bow is when hunting giants in TS as you have to run back a long way and the chance of an add is too great. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I really do agree with one of the posts about getting in a guild. You're have much more fun as soloing is a pain i find. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I used my ranger abilities a good few times to do the run around quests for nice rewards and even found a few enchanted bones then evacing out before the varsoons skelly tried to murder me :smileyhappy: not many other classes can do that at this lower a level.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Keep it up, work at your lacking skills, use player crafted poisons and gear thats yellow or better and you will kick the mob's [FAAR-NERFED!]. </DIV>

[CyberE]

<DIV>If your original intention of being a ranger was to become the godly dps, from a level 50 ranger... go roll a bruiser/monk, wizard/warlock. =p</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>There is no future for the ranger... well... not until expansion #1248373 at least. </DIV>

[Braveswor]

<DIV>I'm 26 going on 27 and was having similar feelings. Having read these posts I'm now happier to soldier on the 30+. The poisons thing really gets me - I'm at around 130 and can't wait till I get to 150+. I've had  a vial for weeks which said 'you are ideally suited' etc. which needs an earned score of 200 haha. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I agree about bow skills - should be easy to keep up by just firing off a few backshots etc either at the start of a fight or during as well which is even better.</DIV>

[hieronym]

<DIV>brave, go buy some player crafted poisons. Im same level as you and the NPC bought are grey where as the player made is up to 150 and yellow plus you can get 4 charges of it.</DIV>

[Artr]

Rangers from about 28 really starts to ease up and soling becomes much easier. Make sure you do some things right and understand what you are doing when you solo.1) If you are going to use Cheap shot-Stalk-Shadow Lunge then make sure you don't have Leaping Cut (Bleed) goign on at the same time. Any damage the mob take will break the stun. This also includes poison but that's a little out of you hands.2) Start the fight with your bow skills. I realize some of them are useless, but Backshot, Wounding Shot and Triple Shot are your best friends. Open with those and you'll drain a lot of health (especially if you are using poisons).3) Since we are on poisons, with the new system it's easier to pick out poisons. I recommend at least one High DD/(whatever dot) for situations where you will proc the poison a lot, and one (whatever DD)/High DoT for situations when you are lucky to get one off and doing so you'll want to increase damage.Somethings to remember:Poisons at 26+ will be a pain, cause most likely you'll be fighting in RoV or some place similar. The mobs there can be over level 30 and you level20 poisons just won't cut it, so expect some DPS drop there.Use Stalk/Shadow at the right time. I run Corner-Leaping Cut-Wounding arrow-Snipe Shot-Triple Shot-*Shadow/Stalk*-Shadow Lunge-pouncing attack-Shadowflame. I can do this without stopping or worring about agro cause the Shadow will usually drop a lot of it for me. This will help to increase your DPS without having to stop and wait for your threat level to decrease.Happy HunitngC

[Raahl]

<DIV>Almost 25 here, and having a blast.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My ranged skill is maxed out, or near to it.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I burn through 200+ arrows a night!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Update your makeshift arrows skill to App 3/4, you'll start making 30 arrows every 10 minutes.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Solo'ing is a pain, If at all possible get into a group.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And the most important thing, hang in there!</DIV>

[Jay]

<DIV><FONT size=2>Thanks for the recommendations and reassurance. I'll keep working on getting Kae to 30, but I won't be doing it full-time anymore; I'm spicing things up with my cool new wood elf brawler. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />  But I'm going to keep Kae in the regular rotation, working specifically on bow skills and doing some other unconventional things to earn some XP. I've been thinking of visiting the Commonlands and Nektulos, just to make things a bit more interesting. Plus, I really need to spend some time and effort upgrading my key skills. I haven't totally neglected them, but finding ranger upgrades in Qeynos is <STRONG>hard</STRONG>. But hearing that my friend's L22 assassin is doing ~370 damage with his main stealth attack was damned humbling - I'm lucky if I break 300. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Glad to hear some other rangers feeling that same late-20s malaise have gotten some inspiration from this thread too. Keep your heads up, folks - I'll see ya in Antonica. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></FONT></DIV>

[Sama]

Having your ranged maxed is importan. I can do 150-200 damage with backshot. Then I run back, while firing off arrows and hit with an open shot. This will do another 150-200 worth of damage. Another important note is to make sure you have adpet skills. If I am grouping, I will sneak and shadowblade, this will do upwards of 320 damage. I would use that when I solo, but it leaves me too close to the target, and I have to cast another spell to slow him down to use ranged. With a bow I can kill Grolven Chiptooth solo, with little trouble.Goodluck and good hunting.

[Artr]

Think of Assassins as DD and ranger as DoTs. I can do loads of DPS, but high not so much the high damage hits (which is where the assassins excel). don't think my attacks are weak though. My upgraded Shadowlunge hits for 450-500 + Pouncing attack for 150-200 at best gives around a 700 hit for two attacks. Having it spread out works to you advantage as far as DPS is concerned.

[Merkad]

I always tell my group mates that it was my uber buff pathfinding that caused us to win X fight. Personally I dont think rangers are very good in EQ2, but I always play a ranger and so I am a ranger here as well. No other class looks interesting, but then to me, the EQ2 ranger is not a ranger either, we are a rogue flavored ranger. It is like a tootsie pop, is it a sucker or a piece of candy O_o Anyways, I have no "we are fine" feelings, I rather think we are subpar (being nice here), but I guess I am masochistic 'cause I refuse to play another class.

[Braveswor]

<DIV>Thanks for the advice on poisons. I'll have a look to see what I can buy on my server. I've been looking for upgrades from appII and mostly there is nothing for sale! (Faydark) </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3) Since we are on poisons, with the new system it's easier to pick out poisons. I recommend at least one High DD/(whatever dot) for situations where you will proc the poison a lot, and one (whatever DD)/High DoT for situations when you are lucky to get one off and doing so you'll want to increase damage</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This quote from Artrus looks interesting but I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by "<EM>High DD/(whatever dot) for situations where you will proc the poison a lot, and one (whatever DD)/High DoT for situations ...." </EM>Can you explain in English please? I'd like more in game info on poisons so you don't have to ask here what should be available to all by examining an item.</DIV>

[Ambergr]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This quote from Artrus looks interesting but I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by "<EM>High DD/(whatever dot) for situations where you will proc the poison a lot, and one (whatever DD)/High DoT for situations ...." </EM>Can you explain in English please? I'd like more in game info on poisons so you don't have to ask here what should be available to all by examining an item.</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>If using a slow bow the poison is likely to proc very often, Since it is designed to proc x times per minute, rather than x % per blow (player made poisons seem to state otherwise, hmm ).</P> <P> This high proc rate also occurs on specials, even if they are fast - ie the triple shot / triple fire line. So in such a shot you may proc 3 times rapidly for the initial DD but only have one dot effect occurring. This favours poisons with a big up front effect and a low dot. <BR></P> <P>As for the state of Rangers later in game, I no longer do XP since I hit 44. We can pretty much only get pity/friend groups after this, unless the person recruiting really likes HOs and no other scouts are LFG ( unlikely at best.) The class is sometimes fun but utterly pointless and depressing to an increasing extent. Plus Permafrost is the ultimate in dull XP zones. </P>

[Merkad]

I use a static group, and rarely lfg at 46th. Sometimes I do lfg, sometimes the wait is short, other times not, it is not as easy to get a group as when there were less scouts higher level, but it is not too bad yet. I like my guild, but I still wish I was more help than I am.