The Ranger and his trusty Bow

[Atilis Wulfbyte]

Everyone says over and over again that we should use our bow during group fights. To me, I have found that it just doesn't really feel that worth it. It always seems like I can do double the dmg with my melee attacks, while with my bow attacks, I'm not too sure if I have been getting any of them to land. I just don't know the best bow tactics and how to go about it. Also, I am a lvl27 ranger, what poisons should I be using at this lvl?

[MaenaBowy]

<DIV>Re: Bow attacks:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>From what I understand, in the upper 20's carbonite arrows don't cut it any more, you have to start switching to feyiron if you want to keep your bow damage up.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>As for poison, Rancorous affliction from your neighborhood alchemist is great stuff, Crypt Sludge, from the NPC alchemy shop in SQ, is probably your best "storebought".</DIV>

[Raahl]

<DIV>In a group fight here's how I fight.  It varies from time to time, but it always contains some bow work.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hunt (Wait for tank to get Aggro really good)</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Lunge</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Back Shot </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Wounding Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Trick Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Open Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV> <DIV>Impale, Bleed, Etc</DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[snack-machine]

<DIV>Just wait until you get in your 30s. Not only do you pick up a couple more bow abilities but you can start to use the free feyiron arrows that you Rip. Now when I fight, if it's an easy mob I won't use my bow abilities so that I can conserve arrows but when fighting the tougher fights I certainly use my bow abilities....the individuals that I group with are now making comments about the excellent damage produced by these attacks.</DIV>

[Kthaara]

<DIV>Raahl - </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I do pretty close to the same attack pattern as you, except I have wounding arrow and Impale(lunging thrust at 27.6) higher on the list, since they are debuffs.  Might as well get those off as soon as you can since they increase your damage with the other attacks.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Kwentavius</DIV><p>Message Edited by Kthaara on <span class=date_text>02-24-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:39 AM</span>

[Merkad]

I see alot of people like the big DoT poisons, I find that different. Anywas, I always mix in bow attacks, but not because of the damage the bow CAs can deal, rather because Bow attacks tend to proc poison like 60% of the time, it can get sick. I always use the yellow poisons (caress of the void at 46) it DDs from 130-180 depending on mob and has a low DoT for 35ish damage. I use that because I proc 4-5 times most fights, if not more, dots will just overwrite themselves, so I will take front loading damage.Anyways, if you want a bow to be useful, either use good arrows, or use poisons (preferably both, but I sure know I cannot afford good arrows at 46th)Merkades

[Zaber]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Raahl wrote:<BR> <DIV>In a group fight here's how I fight.  It varies from time to time, but it always contains some bow work.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hunt (Wait for tank to get Aggro really good)</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Lunge</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Back Shot </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Wounding Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Trick Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Open Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV> <DIV>Impale, Bleed, Etc</DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Just some additon here ..  If you are using this combo you can increase your damage output alot.  You dont seem to debuff mob first . </P> <P>I would start with:<BR>Wouding arrow<BR>Pierce<BR>Corner.<BR>( No he is starting to get weak :smileytongue: )</P> <P>If you have the training skill that replaca backshot use it now it to has a powerful debuff. Else..</P> <P>Stalk<BR>Shadow lunge<BR>Shrouded Strike<BR>Shadow Flame</P> <P>This way I increase my damage out put from Shadow lunge from 280 to around 400 <BR>It makes a ton of difference ..</P> <P> </P> <P><BR> </P> <P> </P> <P><BR> </P>

[xandez]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Raahl wrote:<BR> <DIV>In a group fight here's how I fight.  It varies from time to time, but it always contains some bow work.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hunt (Wait for tank to get Aggro really good)</DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Lunge</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Back Shot </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Wounding Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Trick Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Open Shot</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV> <DIV>Impale, Bleed, Etc</DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shrouded Strike</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Shadow Flame </FONT></DIV></DIV></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P><BR>well, imho, the best ways to start a group fight is with your debufs 1st (also just what Zaber said)</P> <P>ie. <BR>1. corner <BR>2. wounding arrow <BR>3. lunging thrust <BR><BR>then its kinda which you like, but i tend to back off some and shoot <BR>4. triple shot <BR>5. sniping shot <BR>6. flaming shot (not always since its kinda slowish) <BR><BR>after that <BR>7. shadow <BR>8. backstab (lvl 30 training choise, hagars something) <BR>9. pouncing attack <BR>10. shadowflame and start all over <BR></P> <P>Oh, lvl 33 atm, so those skills are for that lvl range and of course just for my liking :smileyvery-happy: <BR>And also, i try to use RIP and Leaping cut as often as possible in (almost forgot those)<BR>AND also lighting strike... (uh im sure i forget something, but you get the general idea <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)</P> <P>++Xan</P><p>Message Edited by xandez on <span class=date_text>02-25-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:49 AM</span>

[Randall-Rain]

Also keep in mind that if u barely use ur bow because u think it might not land, when u'll hit lvl 30+, it will actually not land because ur ranged skill will be too low. It'll be harder and longer to raise it.

[Raahl]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Zaber wrote:<BR> <P>Just some additon here ..  If you are using this combo you can increase your damage output alot.  You dont seem to debuff mob first . </P> <P>I would start with:<BR>Wouding arrow<BR>Pierce<BR>Corner.<BR>( No he is starting to get weak :smileytongue: )</P> <P>If you have the training skill that replaca backshot use it now it to has a powerful debuff. Else..</P> <P>Stalk<BR>Shadow lunge<BR>Shrouded Strike<BR>Shadow Flame</P> <P>This way I increase my damage out put from Shadow lunge from 280 to around 400 <BR>It makes a ton of difference ..<BR> <HR> </P></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Yea I have the upgrade to Back Shot, couldn't remember it's name.</P> <P>Thanks for the tips everyone will try them out tonight.<BR></P>

[Kyriel]

<DIV>bleed, [Removed for Content] happend to my bleed , no seriously is not on my skillist anymore :/ did antoher spell recycle bleed? lvl 34 atm sniff i am lost now been crafting to much and i am not joking neither :/</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Zaber]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Zemfira wrote:<BR> <DIV>bleed, [Removed for Content] happend to my bleed , no seriously is not on my skillist anymore :/ did antoher spell recycle bleed? lvl 34 atm sniff i am lost now been crafting to much and i am not joking neither :/</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR> I think the skill you are looking for is leaping cut  :smileyhappy:

[-vali]

Aye, all of you who are recommending putting up the debuffs are totally right. Just dont forget to throw in leaping cut early too - it's a DoT, and only effective if used in the early part of a fight. Also keep in mind, crippling arrow only affects deflection and parry, which isnt a big deal for you, when hitting a big shadowlunge (it is for the rest of your party however) Shadowlunge does piercing damage too, so it is absolutely essential to hit lunging thrust beforehand, as it reduces AC vs. piercing primarily. If you want to do shadow lunge early, then this is the only debuff you really need up. However, still make sure to get those other debuffs up immediately, so your party can benefit. For example, pick off reduces the agi of the target- which makes your tank harder to hit, and the mob easier to hit. This is a huge benefit to the party as a whole, and should be up as early as possible.Also consider throwing in the pouncing/embers combo early too - as it recharges quick, and debuffs to slashing. Slashing weapons are fairly common among most classes, so debuffing this early really helps out the group. I find that if you want to start the fight in stealth - you can use hidden shot, raven embers, or spring, if appropriate.