how to deal with 3-4 solo encounters?

[z3oslo]

<DIV>Hello.</DIV> <DIV>Just returning to the game (been away since April)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I also bought Splitpaw and DOF, and im facing some problem Splitpaw.</DIV> <DIV>I have a hard time getting through the first lvl. When facing 4 solo encounters they kick my [expletive ninja'd by Faarbot] so bad its not even funny. I can take down 2 or even 3, but never 4. (white and yellow)</DIV> <DIV>One is usually down before they reach me, but as soon as they get close i cant handle them anymore.</DIV> <DIV>I use HO as aften as possible, but its not enough. Also, it seems like i cant kite anymore. Every ranged attack that ive tried will not work when moving.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any suggestions? This is a solo instance, so it should be doable.</DIV> <DIV>Any help appreciated</DIV>

[Zutan]

I have the same problem.. but its more drastic.  Im only recently playing again so I could be doing something wrong. I am lvl 24 ranger. I can kill level 22 and below single-solo mobs ore level 22 and below Duo-solo mobs. I can *usually* kill level 23 single solo mobs.  I cannot kill level 23 duo-solo mobs (or trio, etc) I cannot kill level 24 (white con) solo mobs of any kind. Its not even a close fight. I dont really know what else I can do to win. Especially against multiple solo mobs. I try to start with back shot but cant always get a 2nd bow shot in before the catch me (assuming I have no room to run back safely) I do HO's constantly. I use my stances (defensive usually) and whatever debuff I have.  I also try to "stun" then jump behind and get 1 or 2 backstab attacks off but thats not usually possible if there is more than 1 enemy. I dont currently have poisons as I cannot afford player made ones and I cant find any NPC vendors that sell poisons I can use. What else can I do? As far as I can tell my gear all cons white but things have changed so I dont know for sure how to tell anymore. <div></div>

[Aringi]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Zutan wrote:<BR>I have the same problem.. but its more drastic.  Im only recently playing again so I could be doing something wrong.<BR><BR>I am lvl 24 ranger. I can kill level 22 and below single-solo mobs ore level 22 and below Duo-solo mobs.<BR>I can *usually* kill level 23 single solo mobs.  I cannot kill level 23 duo-solo mobs (or trio, etc)<BR>I cannot kill level 24 (white con) solo mobs of any kind. Its not even a close fight.<BR><BR>I dont really know what else I can do to win. Especially against multiple solo mobs.<BR><BR>I try to start with back shot but cant always get a 2nd bow shot in before the catch me (assuming I have no room to run back safely) I do HO's constantly. I use my stances (defensive usually) and whatever debuff I have.  I also try to "stun" then jump behind and get 1 or 2 backstab attacks off but thats not usually possible if there is more than 1 enemy.<BR><BR>I dont currently have poisons as I cannot afford player made ones and I cant find any NPC vendors that sell poisons I can use.<BR><BR>What else can I do? As far as I can tell my gear all cons white but things have changed so I dont know for sure how to tell anymore.<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>It is true that mid to lower lvl Rangers may have issues with multi-mob solo encounters, I personally haven't found a solution to this yet (but still tryin :smileyvery-happy: )  As for the white solo mobs, poisons you can use can be bought in SQ Alchemist shop and their not too expensive but not as potent as player made. <P>I know you've been using cheap shot with limited success but I'd say keep trying, hit them with it and use sneak/back attack or back off to range and use some archery skills.  Also try using a snare, as they are better now after the revamp.  That way you can snare back off hit them with open shot.</P> <P>Its been difficult for some of us to adapt and relearn our strategies but my advice is stick with it, practice on lower con mobs till your very comfortable with your skills and experiment on stronger mobs.  Trust me it gets better as you get higher.  The Ranger forum is a great place to find info and help for you, most people who post are very knowledgeable (like Jay).</P> <P>Also your armor will only con gray, white or red.  Gray means it is not pratical for mobs of your level, white is good and red is unequipable equipment meaning higher level or different class.</P> <P>Hope this helps.</P> <P>Let us know what server your on, if on Everfrost I'll send ya some poisons on the house.</P> <p>Message Edited by Aringill on <span class=date_text>09-16-2005</span> <span class=time_text>08:00 AM</span>

[Armeng]

you will probably have to die a few times to get the new kiting down(well i did anyway) but once you do kiting is very nice just remember Cheap shot and Snare are your best friends, get the snare as high as you can upgradewise also remember some bow shots have snare (sniping shot, culling the herd , dont think backshot does) and you can open with them for a added snare if you can get your offensive stances upgraded to adept 3 all the better, i love arrow frenzy, app1 was great and adept 3 is unbelievable I think the proc is about 100 more than app1 (yea i was sitting on 6 rare inks to wait it out) <div></div>

[Vimy]

At level 19 and up we've got an AoE that used to be junk, but now seems pretty good.  Especially if it procs a poison or two.  <span>:smileyhappy:</span> At higher levels it's a ranged attack...  so if you fire it off, then snare, then use a couple of quick bow attacks, one is usually dead, and hopefully the others are getting low from the poison.   =) I imagine this will work even better when I get to 50 tonight and can throw in SoA. <div></div>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> z3oslo wrote:<BR> <DIV>Hello.</DIV> <DIV>Just returning to the game (been away since April)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I also bought Splitpaw and DOF, and im facing some problem Splitpaw.</DIV> <DIV>I have a hard time getting through the first lvl. When facing 4 solo encounters they kick my [expletive ninja'd by Faarbot] so bad its not even funny. I can take down 2 or even 3, but never 4. (white and yellow)</DIV> <DIV>One is usually down before they reach me, but as soon as they get close i cant handle them anymore.</DIV> <DIV>I use HO as aften as possible, but its not enough. Also, it seems like i cant kite anymore. Every ranged attack that ive tried will not work when moving.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Any suggestions? This is a solo instance, so it should be doable.</DIV> <DIV>Any help appreciated</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <DIV>I know this is frustrating, but just give it some time to adjust - a few days of practice with the new combat system will help immensely. First, get yourself up to date on the changes to our class - for one, kiting is basically a thing of the past, so don't try running backwards and firing your bow CAs - use Cheap Shot instead, it's now a 6-second stun and it should work regularly on most solo mobs; less often on ^ mobs tho. And really, if you're taking down three solo whites at a time, you're doing just fine. The con system has been significantly reworked, and mob level is everything now. Don't expect to be taking on mobs four levels above you anymore; yellow and orange enemies are going to be what they're supposed to be - a very tough challenge.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm not sure what instance you're referring to in Splitpaw, though - you say it's a solo instance, but you also called it "the first level." If you mean the Upper Tunnels, that's not a solo instance, but it does scale to be level-appropriate (as do most instanced zones in SP). </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Zutan, for you, the first priority is poison. Never, ever go hunting without poison! Hook up on some NPC stuff from the alchemist in SQ if nothing else. Now, at 24, you're in a tough spot where you're fighting some hard mobs and you have all the vulnerability of a ranger but don't really have the offensive strength of a ranger just yet. But you can still get by, trust me on that. When fighting solo white mobs, pull with your bow arts, then as soon you get within melee range, stun them and circle behind for a backstab. This can take some practice to get used to - I didn't get good at it til my low 30s (shhh don't tell) - but it will pay off and you will become proficient at it. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hope this helps, guys. Good luck to you both, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. </DIV>

[Zutan]

I can do the stun and backstab pretty well actually, I did it frequently before I stopped playing EQ2 (when cheap shot wasnt as good).  now its much easier but is useless against multiple mobs since your stealth is broken when you try to sneak/backstab.. <div></div>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Zutan wrote:<BR>I can do the stun and backstab pretty well actually, I did it frequently before I stopped playing EQ2 (when cheap shot wasnt as good).  now its much easier but is useless against multiple mobs since your stealth is broken when you try to sneak/backstab..<BR> <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE>Okay, cool then. Maybe you don't have as many options for damaging attacks at that level, but Cheap Shot is far from useless, whatever you do while they're stunned. If nothing else, it prevents one of the 3-4 enemies from attacking you for six seconds, even if you do nothing to them in the meantime. In your case, I'd stun and back off to fire a ranged CA or two, assuming you can get them off without interruptions from the other mobs. And buy poisons ASAP. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Mary the Prophetess]

<P>Here is the problem that I see with the "upgrade the Snare line" tactics for low and mid-level Rangers:</P> <P>As I understand it, the "Snare" line progressess as follows:</P> <P>Level 09:  Ensnare</P> <P>Level 23:  Impede</P> <P>Level 37:  Entrap</P> <P><STRONG>NONE</STRONG> of these are eligible for a Master II upgrade.</P> <P> </P> <P>Other Ranger CAs which also slow an enemy, or enemies:</P> <P>Level 38:  Crippling Blade</P> <P>Level 44:  Sharp Shot</P> <P>Level 44:  Leg Shot</P> <P>Level 45:  Stalk Prey</P> <P>Level 47:  Natural Selection</P> <P> </P> <P>Of these other "Snare-type" CAs, the <STRONG>only one</STRONG> available for an upgrade is Leg Shot at level 44. </P> <P>What this means is that <STRONG>IF,</STRONG> (and I emphasize the word <STRONG>IF</STRONG>), an effective snare is <STRONG>vital</STRONG>  to engaging several solo opponents simultaneously,  then until he reaches level 44, a Ranger will be struggling with  multiple opponent encounters. </P> <P> </P>

[Jay]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mary the Prophetess wrote:<BR> <P>Here is the problem that I see with the "upgrade the Snare line" tactics for low and mid-level Rangers:</P> <P>As I understand it, the "Snare" line progressess as follows:</P> <P>Level 09:  Ensnare</P> <P>Level 23:  Impede</P> <P>Level 37:  Entrap</P> <P><STRONG>NONE</STRONG> of these are eligible for a Master II upgrade.</P> <P>Other Ranger CAs which also slow an enemy, or enemies:</P> <P>Level 38:  Crippling Blade</P> <P>Level 44:  Sharp Shot</P> <P>Level 44:  Leg Shot</P> <P>Level 45:  Stalk Prey</P> <P>Level 47:  Natural Selection</P> <P>Of these other "Snare-type" CAs, the <STRONG>only one</STRONG> available for an upgrade is Leg Shot at level 44. </P> <P>What this means is that <STRONG>IF,</STRONG> (and I emphasize the word <STRONG>IF</STRONG>), an effective snare is <STRONG>vital</STRONG>  to engaging several solo opponents simultaneously,  then until he reaches level 44, a Ranger will be struggling with  multiple opponent encounters. </P> <P></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>While I admire your initiative in compiling this information, I think you're too focused on the Master II upgrades if you think everything less than that is ineffective. Snares work post-revamp, and you don't need a Master II to get something worthwhile. Even App4 skills (very easy to come by) will still snare, probably just won't last as long as an Adept1, Adept3, or Master upgrade. I think the point was to use your snares to make the most of your solo game. "Upgrading" doesn't mean "Master II or nothing," just use what you can find. Taking all of my skills into account, I have two Adept IIIs, one Master II (that I use), and the rest are Adept I's. A few of my new skills are still at App1 or App2, and I get along just fine.  </P> <P>And FWIW, the Sniping Shot line includes a snare effect as well.  </P>

[z3oslo]

<P>Hello again.</P> <P>It seems like they balanced the access quest for Splitpaw, and i was able to finish it.  Seems like i can pull it off with stuns and snares. </P> <P>Anyway, I just love the splitpaw adventure pack. I had a blast with the Arena ond the Harclave quest. This is what they should have done from the very start <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> must.try.it.again.today</P> <P>bought DOF as well, but im only 37, so i have to wait.</P> <P>Thanks for the responds <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P> <P> </P>

[TaleraRis]

<span><blockquote><hr>Zutan wrote:I can do the stun and backstab pretty well actually, I did it frequently before I stopped playing EQ2 (when cheap shot wasnt as good).  now its much easier but is useless against multiple mobs since your stealth is broken when you try to sneak/backstab.. <div></div><hr></blockquote>Shadow Blade ad the like require you to be stealthed, but Sneak Attack doesn't. Smack em with Cheap Shot then move to flanking and smack em with Sneak Attack.  That's always been effective for me on both ranger and troubadour soloing.</span><div></div>

[GrayStorm]

and if you get the sneak attack off fast enough follow up with a stealthed attack for a nice combo.