Ranger lvl 44 master 2 picks

[chanaho]

<DIV>   Im starting this post not knowing where it will go but it dawned on me that between the forced respec and the 2nd optioned one, what new things have cropped up to change my mind on my first choice that would make me change my choices?</DIV> <DIV>   I picked leg shot at 44. It is not a hard hitter but man does it slow the enemy way down to the point where I can usually get 4 (sometimes 5) additional shots in, but what good would this be in a grp where tank pulls? And of jays post on the triple shot?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>    What i though would be nice is for everybody to put their lvl 44 picks in this, the reason they chose it and the plus and minuses since they have used it and can now make informed judgements as to how it is working/not working for them. Then come /respec time we can make choices based on others experiences (which we didnt have the first time)  and our own based on our picks.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>It would be nice for someone in each lvl area to do one also...I.E. lower lvls make a lvl 14 master 2 pick ...lvl 24 master 2 pick..etc. This will help keep things away from any particular lvl range of people and give each grp there own voice as I would not be able to speak for them anyways.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>   My choice is above..leg shot. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Pros: works great for slowing enemies down and good for me since I solo frequently. </DIV> <DIV>          not a hard hitter but allows me to get the hard hitters in on a pull.</DIV> <DIV>cons: None yet, other than I dont know what good it will do in a grp environment (unless im pulling) and that I didnt pick triple shot (thanks Jay!)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Chanahook</DIV> <DIV>LVL 44 Ranger</DIV> <DIV>Highkeep</DIV>

[Armeng]

myself i took hidden shot, till respec at least its nice to have one big gun to fire off, my other choice might be triple shot, as it seems much improved to me than it was pre-revamp leg shot, it would be wonderful if you solo alot, basically adept 1 works for me on green heroics, i also try to group as often as possible other i forget what it is <div></div>

[Falamezar]

<P>I went with the tripple fire for my lvl 44 master.  I picked it simply because i do not do a whole lot of soloing, and i figured that Tripple fire was more damaging overall.  It seems to work well for me.  I have to admit that it was a hard choice, as hidden fire i think is also an excellent choice.  Leg shot is good, but again, i am usually grouped so i really needed the heavy hitter to be my master spell.</P> <P>so in all my choice: Tripple Fire, and i have not regretted it yet.</P>

[Its Da Ranger]

<DIV>Me + Triple Fire Master II = Pwn'D, that is all...</DIV>

[Zholain]

<div></div><font size="2">For the lvl 44 training choice, I chose Hidden Fire...primarily because I already had Triple Fire at Adept 3.  I can't remember if Backup Quiver was a choice for the 44 training, but I'm beginning to think that may not be such a bad choice either.  I will probably choose Hidden Fire again, but I'll have to think about it.  One thing I have learned since the update is that I am using a LOT...and I mean a WHOLE LOT...more arrows now. Oh..and for the damage rating for Hidden Fire Master II...by the time I get all of my strength buffs/potions/foods up, it's rated for up to nearly 1900 damage.  I haven't checked it's ratings with other classes' strength buffs on me. Edit:  Con:  Long casting time.  While soloing, you've got to be on your toes to have enough time to get the cheap shot/stealth/get behind mob/back up/triple fire combo off. </font><div></div><p>Message Edited by Zholain on <span class=date_text>09-17-2005</span> <span class=time_text>09:13 PM</span>

[Vedur]

i took triple fire, i already had leg shot at master 1. triple fire just does so much damage, its great. <div></div>

['epsil]

<div></div>I picked triple fire...its amazing damage, great for soloing, groups and pvp. Even other rangers ask 'what the ..... was that???' when i take them to the red in seconds. The con of course is the damage can be lowered if one fails to hit, but ive found that with bow, weapon and poison procs, i nearly always get great damage output. For me the choice was between triple fire and hidden fire, i based my decision on the fact that triple fire has a great chance to do a lot more damage ( 3k+ sometimes), and that it gets replaced later than hidden (i think) Last point, i agree with Zholain, i use a lot more arrows now. Not sure if id pick master II at lvl 54 though. <div></div><p>Message Edited by 'epsilon on <span class=date_text>09-17-2005</span> <span class=time_text>09:19 PM</span>

[Ibixat]

<span><blockquote><hr>'epsilon wrote:<div></div>I picked triple fire...its amazing damage, great for soloing, groups and pvp. Even other rangers ask 'what the ..... was that???' when i take them to the red in seconds. The con of course is the damage can be lowered if one fails to hit, but ive found that with bow, weapon and poison procs, i nearly always get great damage output. For me the choice was between triple fire and hidden fire, i based my decision on the fact that triple fire has a great chance to do a lot more damage ( 3k+ sometimes), and that it gets replaced later than hidden (i think) Last point, i agree with Zholain, i use a lot more arrows now. Not sure if id pick master II at lvl 54 though. <div></div><p>Message Edited by 'epsilon on <span class="date_text">09-17-2005</span> <span class="time_text">09:19 PM</span></p><hr></blockquote>Hidden at 54, triple at 56.... I stll chose hidden shot, already had an adept 3 triple and the majority of the damage off of triple is from all the procs anyway, not from the actual attack.</span><div></div>

[Ragepowers]

<DIV><SPAN class=capitalize><SPAN class=field_data_large>2,390 Damage using pristine imbued cedar long bow with hidden. Server Rank 44</SPAN></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=capitalize><SPAN class=field_data_large></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=capitalize><SPAN class=field_data_large><A href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer_achievements.vm?characterId=110379106" target=_blank>http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer_achievements.vm?characterId=110379106</A></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>

[Jay]

Obviously I picked Triple Fire. <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> It's not "better," it's just a choice that suits my character and my playstyle. Hidden Shot and Leg Shot were both very tempting, but IMO those skills are better suited for soloing rangers. While I definitely feel like a one-man strike force of late, I tend to group more often than soloing, and I feel like Triple Fire's massive damage and greater flexibility make it more suited for use in either situation. Plus, I loooove my procs. <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Teksun]

I did take Hidden Fire, and am very impressed with the damage, but NOT impressed with the time it takes to get there. If you start stealthed you can use this as your opening shot, but in long battles and it's available again, it seems to take forever to get to ranged, stealth and launch. I have hit for as much as 1500 with it, but usua;;y for closer to 1100-1200. I took the Feyiron arrows at Master 2 and get 65 of those every 10 minutes. As much as I have been blowing through arrows I'm glad I did. I'll still summon the Fulginite when I can, but any arrow is a good arrow when your almost out <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> <div></div>

[Ibixat]

<div></div><span><blockquote><hr>Ragepowers13 wrote: <div><span class="capitalize"><span class="field_data_large">2,390 Damage using pristine imbued cedar long bow with hidden. Server Rank 44</span></span></div> <div><span class="capitalize"><span class="field_data_large"></span></span> </div> <div><span class="capitalize"><span class="field_data_large"><a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer_achievements.vm?characterId=110379106" target="_blank">http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer_achievements.vm?characterId=110379106</a></span></span></div><hr></blockquote>What are we linking? <a href="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/en/pplayer_achievements.vm?characterId=189004106" target=_blank>My high hit</a> </span><span class="capitalize"><span class="field_data_large"> 2,580 Damage same bow</span></span> 37th on server.. for now =( <div></div><p>Message Edited by Ibixat on <span class=date_text>09-19-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:18 PM</span>

[leafnin]

I took Hidden Fire I have all my other bow skills at Ad3 but this one (was a DPS waste before) it helps keep my DPS average up in group and is worth the wait when my other big bow skills are refreshing.  <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[BlackAdderDr]

Leg shot...  I figured if there was kiting to be done this was going to let me do it.  the 48^^^ giants at my feet tell me I did it right.  Triple shot does huge dmg from procs and my hidden fire was already master 1. <div></div>

[Rikare]

<DIV>Triple shot here. I mostly solo and it works great for me. Leg shot at adept 1 does the job in 95% of the cases.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hidden</DIV> <DIV>Leg shot</DIV> <DIV>Tripple fire</DIV> <DIV>Crippling arrow (casue it works when running)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Lucky break, cheap shot followed by pouncing and crippling blade.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>By that time the mob is usually crying for mercy.</DIV>

[Greyson1]

<DIV>I tested leg shot some last night (havent made the master lvl 44 choice yet) and from what I did notice either it can have a random duration or damage has a chance to break it?   Has anyone else noticed this?  I know it only lasts 10 seconds but sometimes it would drop almost immediatly.</DIV>

[GrayStorm]

<DIV>Greetings ranger community.  This is my first post, so be gentle hehe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm pretty confident in saying that Triple Fire is the best choice.  Since it can fire 3 arrows at once, and all 3 can proc poison, bow, and quick strike, etc.   the damage can be really sick.  Like another poster said, I usually get those "[expletive ninja'd by Faarbot] did u hit that with?" from people I'm grouped with and onlookers.  I don't think any of the other options will provide you with an attack that can potentially one shot kill oranges, which I do all the time now.  Especially when running high quality poison...  I find torrent of the ages really knocks the crap out of stuff since it hits for 360 something up front.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I like the fact that it recasts in 1 minute as opposed to over 1 minute for the stealthed bow attack, and cast time is also quicker.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by GrayStorm on <span class=date_text>09-24-2005</span> <span class=time_text>05:33 PM</span>

[Ibixat]

The damage from triple fire comes from it's procs, the upgrade to master 2 is barely upping the total damage.... Triple fire hits 3 times regardless of it's quality level. Upgrading to master 2 from adept 3 will give you maybe 100 more damage per shot, NOT a significant increase when you factor in how much damage the shot is doing in the first place. <span><blockquote><hr>GrayStorm wrote:<div></div> <div></div> <div>Greetings ranger community.  This is my first post, so be gentle hehe.</div> <div> </div> <div>I'm pretty confident in saying that Triple Fire is the best choice.  Since it can fire 3 arrows at once, and all 3 can proc poison, bow, and quick strike, etc.   the damage can be really sick.  Like another poster said, I usually get those "[expletive ninja'd by Faarbot] did u hit that with?" from people I'm grouped with and onlookers.  I don't think any of the other options will provide you with an attack that can potentially one shot kill oranges, which I do all the time now.  Especially when running high quality poison...  I find torrent of the ages really knocks the crap out of stuff since it hits for 360 something up front and dots for the same (if I remember correctly).</div> <div> </div> <div>I like the fact that it recasts in 1 minute as opposed to over 1 minute for the stealthed bow attack, and cast time is also quicker.  </div> <div> </div><p>Message Edited by GrayStorm on <span class="date_text">09-21-2005</span> <span class="time_text">08:22 AM</span></p><hr></blockquote></span><div></div>

[Axxon]

<P>I have to make this decision soon myself - I am 42 now.  As of now, I will choose Triple because:</P> <P>* Hidden is already hitting very high for me, and is upgraded sooner, </P> <P>* I always use poisons and want the addional chances to proc,</P> <P>* I am currently using an imbued leafblade and an imbued bow, and want the additional chances to proc</P> <P>* I solo when I need to but prefer to group</P> <P>I don't think there is a bad choice in the bunch, but triple looks best for my playstyle.</P>

[GrayStorm]

<DIV>I had both of these arts at the same level when the master II selection came up.  I thought when I did the calculations that the increase in damage from triple fire exceeded the increase in damage I would have received from the stealthed bow attack.  But that assumes all three arrows hit the target.  Lately though, it seems like all three arrows hit 99% of the time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Even if you compare the numbers and somehow the stealthed bow attack offers a few more potential hit points, when you factor in the cast & recast times, and the stealth requirement, and the fact that I use triple fire more often and usually more than once per battle, it was an easy choice.  If I'm in a good group I don't usually have a chance to get the stealthed bow attack off more than once.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Anyway, happy hunting!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Jay]

It's important to note that there is no "right" choice here. It's personal preference and a decision you should make based on your playstyle and on the kind of ranger you enjoy playing. We're not all playing cookie-cutter copies of each other, and your ranger may have a completely different emphasis than mine. You may favor avoidance while I prefer mitigation; you may focus on soloing when I'm more of a group player; you may prefer an overall balance of stats while I look to max AGI; you may play cautious and calculating where I play relentless and aggressive. Neither is any "better" than the other, you just need to make chioces that are consistent with the overall concept and purpose for your particular ranger.

[sjaste]

<P>I choice Hidden Fire.</P> <P>It was number 1 choice for me as I already had triple fire adept iii made a few days before and I heard snare is maxed at 65% so with both snares on (trick of the hunter and leg shot) I was far beyond that.</P> <P>Pros: High damage certainly makes most solo/ ^heroic mobs 1/3-2/3 dead.</P> <P>Cons: long cast time, But that doesn't bother me as I group mostly and it takes around the same time to kill 1 or 2 heroics depending on group size/DPS.</P> <P> </P> <P>Only thing that gets me is that my storm of arrows adept iii does more damage per mob and has AOE..... WOW is all I gotta say <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></P>

[GrayStorm]

<DIV>I can see where someone who solo's a lot might want legshot master II, but considering we have 2 snares, legshot, culling the herd, and cheapshot... that's 5 different ways to put some distance between us and the mob.  If the other snares stack with legshot then WOW, that mob is barely moving.. I'd really like to see that!  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I can't remember if it's a racial trait or ranger trait but I have this art... I think it's called Leaping Cut? (I surf these boards and work and can't always remember the spell names so please forgive me).   Well, it's supposedly another way to get away but doesn't seem to work very well.  The idea is you're meleeing a mob and you hit this and it teleports you to a random location "nearby".  I was hoping it would transport me like 20 feet away so I could get off at least 1 bow art but it only seems to transport me a few feet in any direction... so still in melee range.  It's basically a waste of time because the mob is whacking on my while I cast it, and I could be doing something productive.  Any thoughts?  Is there something I'm missing here as far as how to use it effectively?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>EDIT:  Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that one time I triggered this over by black burrow during a fight and I fell through the world!  I was falling and falling and falling and watching the map from underneath for several seconds before I zoned back to the NQ gate lol.  I thought great!  It got me away from the mob... like clear across the map  hehe... maybe a little too effective.</DIV><p>Message Edited by GrayStorm on <span class=date_text>09-23-2005</span> <span class=time_text>10:47 AM</span>

[GrayStorm]

<DIV>As I suspected, I guessed wrong.  The useless skill I'm speaking of in my prior post is Astounding Leap, and I think it may be a Froglok racial trait. </DIV>

[Fennir]

yesterday i parsed a hit of about 4000 with triple fire master II, imbued cedar bow, adept3 arrow frenzy, and 1 high up legendary poison. before i really tested my ranger i was wondering if i was going to have to respec to hidden fire... but i use triple fire more often and i love the 2 reactions i get when storm of arrows or triple fire lands... "where'd the f'ing mobs go!!!??!" <div></div>

[Teksun]

I just want to add after playing all weekend, I really do like Hidden Fire. I am able to unload triple fire while the tank pulls, Cull next (My guild tanks are well trained, they ALWAYS give the MoB back to the group <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) Then I'll hit evade and finish off my other bow shots, finishing with surveil (reduces agro more) and Hidden Fire. On the rare occaision I've pulled MoB agro with this, then I'll cheap shot, lunging blade, crippling blade, and will STILL have time to back up and get another bowshot off. I have seen my DPS hit close to 500 doing this. <div></div>

[smoody]

<DIV> <P>I chose HIdden Fire and have been very satisfied with the results.  At level 50, this spell is averaging just over 1500 points of damage. Combined with the proc from Arrow Frenzy and my poisons, most mobs have lost 2000 pts or more of their health on the opening shot. I also chose to upgrade Storm of Arrows and Sharp Shot to Adept III. I selected Sharp Shot over Triple Fire since it combines very nicely with the heat debuff from Entrap (37) or Foresters Noose (51) and it has a shorter cast time than Triple Fire. </P> <P>Could someone post the stats for an Adept III or Master II Leg Shot? I may want to upgrade Leg Shot next instead of Debilitating Arrow which does more damage.</P></DIV>

[Saihung23]

I would say triple fire...Jay42 has a thread around here somewhere on it.... <div></div>

[GrayStorm]

If you could upgrade 3 spells to adept III, and you chose triple fire as your master II, what would they be?  No lengthy explanation required...  just curious.  I'm thinking maybe leg shot, hidden fire and arrow frenzy.   It's a hard decision though.