New Ranger - A few Questions

[Roverpso]

<DIV>Hello all,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I recently rolled a Scout/Pred/Ranger after shelving my 42 Guardian.  (I have also played a Warden and an illusionist to the low 20's to get a feel for the other classes)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My Ranger is now level 24 and has completed his AQ's  (I hope his armor looks better with the LU18 changes today, puke green is not very becoming)</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I enjoy the ranger a lot and see him becoming my main.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, my questions:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(1) Poisons.</STRONG>  I have discovered the joy of poisons, but do not thnik i grasp it completely. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(1)(a)  Can I use two poisons simultaneously?</STRONG>  We have two equippable slots, does this mean I can use two poisons at the same time. Do they cancel each other out?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(1)(b) What are the types of poisons and how do I tell the difference?</STRONG>  It looks liek there are (a) direct damage poisons; (b) poisons that do some direct damage and then some damage over time; and (c) debuff/snare type poisons. Am i right about this?  Are they color coded or something or do I have to examine them to see which class they fall into?  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(1)(c)  Do poison levels work like food/drink levels?</STRONG>  meaning, level 20 poisons are for level 10-19, level 30 posisons are for level 20 -30 etc.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(2) Kiting.  What exactly is kiting?</STRONG>  My understanding is it is using your bow attack and running from the mob - essentially shooting it while running.  based on the discussion it seems we can root mobs, but honestly i have not been successful in doing this.  Are my poisons negating this?  Is it my level?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(3) Adepts.</STRONG>  On the lucan Dlere server there are few adepts available on the Quenos broker - they are mostly pounce and stalk.  Also, I cannot find app II's for my newer abilities - who sells those.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(4) Offensive/defensive stance.</STRONG>  Does anyone actually use the defensive stnce?  if so, when?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><STRONG>(5) Solo play.</STRONG>  All of my good mele abilities require that i be behind/flanking the mob while stealthed.  If soloing this does not seem possible.  am i doing something wrong or are those abilitys basically "group" abilities.  This is not too much of a problem since the bow abilities will weaken the mob enough for me to kill it with the ew usable mele abilities.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>any help is appreciated</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[Khevy]

<P>1a) you can use three poisons at the same time.  they do not need to be in the slots you can use em from your inventory </P> <P>1b) Look at the discription and  you will see one that procs 25%, 20% and 15% you can have one of each running at the same time. </P> <P>1c) level 10 you can use 10 and up, level 20 you can use from 20 and up, etc</P> <P>2)  you are right that is what kiting is.  It is your poison and level both, you dont' have all your attacks yet.</P> <P>3) ask a Jewlery to make you some app IV or be patient.</P> <P>4)  I used defensive stance when I was soloing and knew I was going to be taking alot of hits in melee.</P> <P>5) Figure out how you can best get off as many bow attacks from max range, then hope  you can out melee it.  Poisons are key, also make sure both your bow and weapons proc, make sure you also have a slash weapon in one hand and a pierce in another.</P>

[Bayler_x]

Welcome to the scout's life! <strong>(1)(a)  Can I use two poisons simultaneously?</strong>  We have two equippable slots, does this mean I can use two poisons at the same time. Do they cancel each other out? <font color="#6633cc"><font color="#6666ff">You can use more than one type of poison at a time, if they're different types.  Generally, you can have one damage poison, one resist-debuff poison, and one "other".</font> </font><strong>(1)(b) What are the types of poisons and how do I tell the difference?</strong>  It looks liek there are (a) direct damage poisons; (b) poisons that do some direct damage and then some damage over time; and (c) debuff/snare type poisons. Am i right about this?  Are they color coded or something or do I have to examine them to see which class they fall into? <font color="#6633ff">You're right - but there are also stat and resist debuffs.  The colors of the vials aren't helpful; you'll need to examine them, or consult some out-of-game reference like <a href="http://www.eq2alchemy.com" target=_blank>www.eq2alchemy.com</a>. </font><strong>(1)(c)  Do poison levels work like food/drink levels?</strong>  meaning, level 20 poisons are for level 10-19, level 30 posisons are for level 20 -30 etc. <font color="#6666ff">Yes.  You won't be able to use high level poisons at lower levels, but you'll get the greatest effect from the highest level poisons you can get. </font><strong>(2) Kiting.  What exactly is kiting?</strong>  My understanding is it is using your bow attack and running from the mob - essentially shooting it while running.  based on the discussion it seems we can root mobs, but honestly i have not been successful in doing this.  Are my poisons negating this?  Is it my level? <font color="#6666ff">You're right about what kiting is.  More generally, it's any combat technique that involves constantly running away from the mob, doing damage to it but never letting it get close enough to hurt you.  Prior to the combat revamp, kiting was a lot more practical, since most of our ranged combat arts could be performed while running.  These days, you can't do it nearly as efficiently.  Our ranged autoattack still works on the run, but very few of our CAs do.  </font><strong>(3) Adepts.</strong>  On the lucan Dlere server there are few adepts available on the Quenos broker - they are mostly pounce and stalk.  Also, I cannot find app II's for my newer abilities - who sells those. <font color="#6666ff">Good luck.  Sometimes they're around, sometimes not.  It seems that there aren't as many adventurers in the lower levels these days, so fewer drops for sale.  Also, fewer artisans are making upgrades for the lower levels.  If you have any jeweler friends or guildmates, I'd pester them for App IV's (and when you can afford it, Adept III's). App II's are sold in Eldrich Grove, as I recall.  I'm not positive, but I think you can track for "trainer xxx" and find the right merchants. </font><strong>(4) Offensive/defensive stance.</strong>  Does anyone actually use the defensive stnce?  if so, when? <font color="#6666ff">I've had to tank for a semi-group sometimes.  It's handy then.  I suppose if you got too much agro in a regular group, it might be worth switching to defensive for a little while.  </font><strong>(5) Solo play.</strong>  All of my good mele abilities require that i be behind/flanking the mob while stealthed.  If soloing this does not seem possible.  am i doing something wrong or are those abilitys basically "group" abilities.  This is not too much of a problem since the bow abilities will weaken the mob enough for me to kill it with the ew usable mele abilities. <font color="#6666ff">Most of your stealth/flank attacks are pretty limited when soloing.  You can use them to start a fight, or if you stun the mob with Cheap Shot.  If the mob is normal, or has down arrows, the stun will last several seconds.  In that case, you can use your stealth abilities and run behind the mob and stab him.  Of course, an alternative is to take a few steps back and pelt him with your double/triple shot bow arts, or even your stealth bow art.  Whatever you choose, Cheap Shot is what makes it work.  (If the mob has any up-arrows, your Cheap Shot stun will last only 2 seconds, so you'll need to be quick to get in any good stealth attacks.) </font><div></div>

[Roverpso]

<DIV>Thank you both.  To think i have been operating at 1/3 poison efficiency!</DIV>

[hieronym]

<DIV>regarding the poison i am 99 percent sure you can run 1 damage poison, 1 that will decrease mitigation such as cold, heat, poison etc and 1 that lowers the mob's strength or stamina etc Other poisons that stun or stifle the mob comes under 1 of the debuffs but i cant remember which and i dont have any on me to test :smileytongue:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>i often use 1 damage, 1 that lowers the mob's pierce/slash resistance and finally 1 that lowers the mob's strength.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Damage poisons normally come in big initial damage, lower damage over time, same initial and dot then low initial damage and big dot. I have found that big DOT poisons get you more aggro but then at level 60 you get 2 nice ae damage attacks</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>you should use the the level of poison to be the same range as the mobs you are fighting otherwise the mob will resist the poison. So if you had a level 20 poison this will work on mobs up to level 30 as the poisons go up every 10 levels. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Defensive stance gets used when the mob doesnt like me when i turn it into a pin cushion or when i tank, i normally use my offensive and hit the mob then switch to defense to avoid a little beating</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Adepts are around but if not then find yourself a jeweler and get some app4 made, if you are not leveling too fast then maybe treat yourself to a rare and get an adept 3 made but normally you will be flying up the levels so it can be a waste of money.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Solo is hard, you need to hit the mob with your biggest damage attack then when it gets close use stun and pray it holds long enough for you to fire off another big hit</DIV>

[Khevy]

<DIV>Oh I forgot one thing 25% poisons Proc 200 times, 20% poisons proc 80 times and 15% poisons proc 4 times.  Its not really cost effective to use the 15% unless for specific cases like that named you want to kill or in a Raid.  I always hvae a 25% on, and sometimes have a 20% on.  It really just depends on what my mood is or if I feel like running to a broker to get a new one.</DIV>

[Sae]

<DIV>Noob here, only level 21; though, here is how I do positional and stealth attacks while solo:</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1. Start HO</DIV> <DIV>2. Cheap Shot - stune.</DIV> <DIV>3. Run strait at the mob to get behind it.</DIV> <DIV>4. Stalk</DIV> <DIV>5. Shadow Blade</DIV> <DIV>6. Shrouded Strike</DIV> <DIV>7. Assail - not sure if we ever get an upgrade here?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Saeng</DIV> <DIV> </DIV><p>Message Edited by Saeng on <span class=date_text>12-20-2005</span> <span class=time_text>12:25 PM</span>

[Jay]

<DIV>Welcome (back, in Shader's case) to the forum, good to see you here. RE: the three poisons - you CAN stack three, but you don't always need to. Just make sure you have at least a standard damage poison running whenever you're hunting. Whether you apply debuffs or special effects (stun, stifles, etc) poisons will depend on the situation, and you'll get a better feel for that as you level up. But don't just apply all three as a matter of course, as that will get expensive quickly and just isn't necessary for routine hunting.</DIV>

[Roverpso]

Shadow flame replaces asail

[Sae]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Roverpso wrote:<BR>Shadow flame replaces asail <BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Doh, I just got that, thanks!!!