Melee Ranger Build - Is it Possible?

[Dragonlor]

<DIV>I did a quick search for this topic, but I did not find any obvious matches so here goes...I have always liked rangers, but I really prefer to take maybe two bow shots and then mix it up with the enemy.  A 25% archer, 75% melee ranger has always been a good mix for me (DAOC, Shadowbane mostly).   Can a ranger succeed with a primarily melee focus in EQ2 or is the mix I am talking about found in other classes like the assassin or swashbuckler?  Thanks for any replies.</DIV>

[Mescali]

play any other scout then (besides a bard they suck)a good ranger is 75% ranged at least<div></div>

[USAFJeeper]

<DIV>Rangers are not good meleers, go swashbuckler or brigand.  They are the "tank" scouts.</DIV>

[Boramyr]

What you are describing is the Assasin Class in EQ2.    A couple good ranged shots and mainly melee.  <div></div>

[Vifarc]

<div></div><div></div><div>I am what is called a 'tank' Ranger:I wear only chainmail with the most Mitigation on it. I have the tank AAs maxed (InterceptingBlades, Prowler'sCunning, BladeOpening, PointBlanckShot and SurvivalInstinct).All this is useless in a raid, where the Ranger is 95% a DPS bow machine, and tanking means his death. (Ok, if you are a tank-ranger, you may survive two seconds more).But, if you love just grouping, you will have more fun than the bow-machine-Ranger.Yep, your main role is always to be a dps-bow.But you will not be afraid of aggros! You don't fight for the aggro (always have your anti-aggro up), but you will like them (very rarely you will use your Evade)! Just warn your Tank he has not to care about your [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn].Warn you healer you are not against aggro, too..In some wild groups, not military done, you will sometimes be the main-tank!So, yes, a "tank"-ranger is 70% dps, 30% tank, but I don't want to be something else.<blockquote><hr>Dragonlord1 wrote:<div>I have always liked rangers, but I really prefer to take maybe two bow shots and then mix it up with the enemy.  A 25% archer, 75% melee ranger has always been a good mix for me (DAOC, Shadowbane mostly).   Can a ranger succeed with a primarily melee focus in EQ2 or is the mix I am talking about found in other classes like the assassin or swashbuckler?  Thanks for any replies.</div><hr></blockquote></div><p>Message Edited by Vifarc on <span class="date_text">11-30-2006</span> <span class="time_text">04:31 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Vifarc on <span class=date_text>11-30-2006</span> <span class=time_text>04:33 PM</span>

[Mronin]

Given the mix you describe I'm going to have to agree with others here and suggest that a Ranger probably isn't what you're looking for then. If you want more tank like scout I'd suggest Assassin or Brigand, Swashy to a lesser extent.<p>Message Edited by Mronin on <span class=date_text>11-30-2006</span> <span class=time_text>10:37 AM</span>

[Gerdos]

<DIV><BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Mronin wrote:<BR>Given the mix you describe I'm going to have to agree with others here and suggest that a Ranger probably isn't what you're looking for then. If you want more tank like scout I'd suggest Assassin or Brigand, Swashy to a lesser extent.<BR> <P></P> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV>actually, swashies are the best of the scout "tank" playstyles.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV>

[pseudocide]

<DIV>if you want an up front "tankish" scout play a rogue (brigand or swash)</DIV>

[Mronin]

<blockquote><hr>Gerdos wrote:<DIV><BR><BLOCKQUOTE><HR>Mronin wrote:<BR>Given the mix you describe I'm going to have to agree with others here and suggest that a Ranger probably isn't what you're looking for then. If you want more tank like scout I'd suggest Assassin or Brigand, Swashy to a lesser extent.<BR><P></P><HR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><DIV>actually, swashies are the best of the scout "tank" playstyles.</DIV><DIV> </DIV><hr></blockquote>Problem is I've been in plenty of groups with swashy tanks and with the exception of one person they have always gone south very fast. The limited time I spent playing one tended to suggest otherwise, but I can't ignore the downtime and repair bills associated when I've had one tank a group. I'm sure others have had better luck but I can't speak for them, only for myself and my experiences.

[Vifarc]

<div><blockquote><hr>pseudocide wrote:<div>if you want an up front "tankish" scout play a rogue (brigand or swash)</div><hr></blockquote>They have defensive AAs? What do they have better then predators in tanking? Just a question.</div>

[Mescali]

How rogues are better than predators at tanking:1. They get a taunt.2. They get an intercept which also deagros their target (non-fighter).3. They have 2 physical mitigation buffs (one is associated with their defensive stance, the other is on all the time)4. They get AA lines that give them an AOE taunt when using a round shield (and a final skill that increases threat to anything that hits them in addition to increasing their physical mitigation)5. They can shorten the recast of their taunt, add 10% spell resistances, and gain an additional intercept with EOF AAs.6. They have a lot more frontal melee CAs than predators, and 90% of their backstabs do not require stealth.  Add this to the number of stuns/directional-roots they have, and they can not only taunt, but unload a lot of damage while tanking.Predators can:1. Go the STA line for more AOE damage.2. Reduce the penalities of our defensive stance.So... yeah....<div></div>

[Prandtl]

<P>*agree*I was in a group with a brigand tanking the Oblink of Blight a few days ago.  It went as almost smoothly as my previous time there, with a pally tanking</P>

[Ranja]

<div></div><div><blockquote><hr>Vifarc wrote:<div></div><div></div><div>I am what is called a 'tank' Ranger:I wear only chainmail with the most Mitigation on it. I have the tank AAs maxed (InterceptingBlades, Prowler'sCunning, BladeOpening, PointBlanckShot and SurvivalInstinct).All this is useless in a raid, where the Ranger is 95% a DPS bow machine, and tanking means his death. (Ok, if you are a tank-ranger, you may survive two seconds more).But, if you love just grouping, you will have more fun than the bow-machine-Ranger.Yep, your main role is always to be a dps-bow.But you will not be afraid of aggros! You don't fight for the aggro (always have your anti-aggro up), but you will like them (very rarely you will use your Evade)! Just warn your Tank he has not to care about your [expletive haxx0red by Raijinn].Warn you healer you are not against aggro, too..In some wild groups, not military done, you will sometimes be the main-tank!So, yes, a "tank"-ranger is 70% dps, 30% tank, but I don't want to be something else.<blockquote><hr>Dragonlord1 wrote:<div>I have always liked rangers, but I really prefer to take maybe two bow shots and then mix it up with the enemy.  A 25% archer, 75% melee ranger has always been a good mix for me (DAOC, Shadowbane mostly).   Can a ranger succeed with a primarily melee focus in EQ2 or is the mix I am talking about found in other classes like the assassin or swashbuckler?  Thanks for any replies.</div><hr></blockquote></div><p>Message Edited by Vifarc on <span class="date_text">11-30-2006</span> <span class="time_text">04:31 PM</span></p><p>Message Edited by Vifarc on <span class="date_text">11-30-2006</span> <span class="time_text">04:33 PM</span></p><hr></blockquote>Please keep me out of a group with you<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />. A ranger that is tanking is a ranger that is doing negative DPS. I dont care if you can tank - you better not be because then you are not doing your job of DPS. And FYI, jsut because you steal aggro does not mean you are a "tank" Ranger. DPS that continually steals aggro in a group needs to throttle down.As the other posters have stated, if you want to play a melee scout go with Brigand/Swashie. If oyu really want to tank and do alot of melee damage play a brawler -  monk/bruiser.</div><p>Message Edited by bentgate on <span class=date_text>12-05-2006</span> <span class=time_text>01:32 PM</span>

[TerriBlades]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <P></P> <HR> bentgate wrote: <DIV>Please keep me out of a group with you<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />. A ranger that is tanking is a ranger that is doing negative DPS. I dont care if you can tank - you better not be because then you are not doing your job of DPS. And FYI, jsut because you steal aggro does not mean you are a "tank" Ranger. DPS that continually steals aggro in a group needs to throttle down.<BR><BR>As the other posters have stated, if you want to play a melee scout go with Brigand/Swashie. If oyu really want to tank and do alot of melee damage play a brawler -  monk/bruiser.<BR><BR></DIV> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>If he wants to stay a "scout" class and tank, I'd definately recommend a change to Brigand/Swashy. Brigands.. do a great job..</P> <P>That being said... if any of you have too much time on your hands... might I suggest tanking Obolesk of Blight someday... in a 3 man group, with just a warden and a templar to DPS. :smileyvery-happy:</P> <P>On the upside... we only wiped once and cleared the whole zone :smileytongue:<BR></P>

[Teksun]

IF you were to go full tank Ranger, I'd suggest forgetting the AGI AA line and go: STR 4-4-8  STA 8-4-8-4-8 and put your weapons in a hotkey for easy switch out. This will give you a +34 to parry, +48 to STA (more HP), +8% HP and once every 15 minutes you can parry 100% of attacks. I'd even throw the extra point into WIS for a very slight bonus to saving throws...<div></div>

[Jeris Nefz]

<DIV>A ranger that pulls aggro consistently is a ranger that consistently dies.  :smileyhappy:  Even if you are specced to be more tankish... it just means you would die in 4-5 hits instead of 2-4.  IMO not a good tradeoff.  That being said... when I do group with people I know, I do try to intentionally turn it up a notch because I know that if I pull aggro that my healers or tank will help me out as soon as my dps goes in the toilet from going toe to toe with mobs and pull the mob off me.  There is a reason my /lastname is Papertank.  :smileyvery-happy:  But that doesn't mean that I would intentionally set up to be the tank of the group.</DIV>

[Ranja]

<div><blockquote><hr>Jeris Nefzen wrote:<div>A ranger that pulls aggro consistently is a ranger that consistently dies.  :smileyhappy:  Even if you are specced to be more tankish... it just means you would die in 4-5 hits instead of 2-4.  IMO not a good tradeoff.  That being said... when I do group with people I know, I do try to intentionally turn it up a notch because I know that if I pull aggro that my healers or tank will help me out as soon as my dps goes in the toilet from going toe to toe with mobs and pull the mob off me.  There is a reason my /lastname is Papertank.  :smileyvery-happy:  But that doesn't mean that I would intentionally set up to be the tank of the group.</div><hr></blockquote>The point I exactly made in my previous post<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Vifarc]

<div></div><div></div><div><blockquote><hr>Teksun wrote:IF you were to go full tank Ranger, I'd suggest forgetting the AGI AA line and go: STR 4-4-8  STA 8-4-8-4-8 This will give you a +34 to parry, +48 to STA (more HP), +8% HP and once every 15 minutes you can parry 100% of attacks. I'd even throw the extra point into WIS for a very slight bonus to saving throws...<div></div><hr></blockquote>I know. I had to choose. I went STR 4-8-8  AGI 4-8 WIS 4-4-8-1. (3 wis aa-points more than your extra point <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> )I wanted the Prowler'sCunningAA (prefering more Defense than more HPs), and didn't like the drawback of Impenetrable: during 6 seconds you cannot use any combat art.I also wanted not to loose too much DPS tanking, so I got BladedOpening (sort of 'frontstab' lol) and PointBlankShot(good stun!) (More agi means some more defense too.). In your exemple, I prefer STA 8-8-8-8-0, giving some better AOE dps.</div><p>Message Edited by Vifarc on <span class=date_text>12-06-2006</span> <span class=time_text>07:42 PM</span>

[Vifarc]

<div><blockquote><hr>TerriBlades wrote:<div>If he wants to stay a "scout" class and tank, I'd definately recommend a change to Brigand/Swashy. Brigands.. do a great job..</div> <hr></blockquote>Thank you.My main is a Ranger (playing it 96%), my alts are a Paladin (3%) and a Brigand (1%, rarely used).I like being able bowing mobs too <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />, and running fast (Pathfinding +46% yeah!).</div>

[LoreLady]

We DO have melee ATTACKS but are NOT MELEE'RS...Get the snaring AA line, and that will help you out in PVP alot more than you think.. a 3% snare is a HUGE diffrence in speed, get your backshot line to 5 - as well as vines.. And then come back and tell me how your doing on PVP, you should have an easy time with many fighter classes if you get the first hit... Remember, you have stealth use it..On a side note - there are classes that will always make it rough on rangers forinstance - monks/bruisers/shadowknights/palys to a lesser extent. EQ2 is paper scissors rock - scouts being scissors, tanks being rock, casters being papper, and casters being ummm mushrooms? <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> (actually healers still do fairly well in duels IMHO)..Favorite quote "Warriors are <b>rock</b>, Rouges are <b>scissors</b>,  hunters,shamans,palidans,clerics, (etc) are <b>papper</b>, warlocks are<b> mushrooms</b>. Papper beats rock, scissors beats papper, scissors also happen to beat rock. Untill rock hits 60 at which he becomes an unstopable killing machine. But rock cant kill scissors because scissors is invisable. And this is what we call BALLANCE!"Be thankfull we arent in that can of worms.

[Ranja]

WB LoreLady! Glad to see you returned with a flurry of posts<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />What do you think of our new AAs<div></div>

[LoreLady]

<div><blockquote><hr>bentgate wrote:WB LoreLady! Glad to see you returned with a flurry of posts<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />What do you think of our new AAs<div></div><hr></blockquote>New aa's = AMAZING!Anyone who says otherwise about any class is a fool. And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong (and dont go on about bugs, eq2 will fix that).</div>

[Shadowbladez]

Tanking ranger build is very easy. Im fully spec'd for dps but i tanked valdoon soo easy with 1 healer the other day and rarely lost aggro. Sometimes i even pulled 2 or more yellow con mobs. (ps this game is easy)But a melee specced ranger would be a stupid idea and now possible.<div></div>

[TerriBlades]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> LoreLady wrote: <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>New aa's = AMAZING!<BR><BR>Anyone who says otherwise about any class is a fool. And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong (and dont go on about bugs, eq2 will fix that).</DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Whos the newb? [Removed for Content]</P> <P>Nice to see you back on the Forums LL!<BR></P>

[Teksun]

<div><blockquote><hr>TerriBlades wrote:<div></div> <blockquote> <hr> LoreLady wrote: <div> </div> <div>New aa's = AMAZING!Anyone who says otherwise about any class is a fool. And I challenge anyone to prove me wrong (and dont go on about bugs, eq2 will fix that).</div> <hr> </blockquote> <p>Whos the newb? [Removed for Content]</p> <p>Nice to see you back on the Forums LL!</p><hr></blockquote>QFE and just to annoy him <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></div>

[Vifarc]

<div><blockquote><hr>bentgate wrote:<div></div><div>Please keep me out of a group with you<img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />. A ranger that is tanking is a ranger that is doing negative DPS. I dont care if you can tank - you better not be because then you are not doing your job of DPS. And FYI, jsut because you steal aggro does not mean you are a "tank" Ranger. DPS that continually steals aggro in a group needs to throttle down.As the other posters have stated, if you want to play a melee scout go with Brigand/Swashie. If oyu really want to tank and do alot of melee damage play a brawler -  monk/bruiser.</div><hr></blockquote>That's why Aragorn was alone. He had to go with those stupid Hobbits for grouping. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> Bad blade ranger.</div>

[LoreLady]

My idea of tanking... Snipers shot on pull, followed up by a full volly of stuff without primal agility then evacing.. Yea.. I get LOTS of groups!.

[Vifarc]

<div></div>Yo! I mentored in a group in Klak'anon.The zerk MT was hit too hard for our cleric.They ask me to tank, and it was wonderfull!They loved my pullings, and the cleric felt good with his mana power.I was very happy with my tank AAs !!<div></div><p>Message Edited by Vifarc on <span class=date_text>12-11-2006</span> <span class=time_text>12:16 PM</span>

[Vifarc]

As end-line AAs cost 2 and not 8, I went STR 5-8-8-8-1 (Perfectionnist is not tanking; but is very good, while you are the thank, for more often dps-pulling lone or group mobs)  WIS 5-4-8-1-0  AGI 0 (Loosing PointBlankShot for Perfectionnist was a tough decision..). This is the Evade-Ranger. The Mitig-Ranger would be INT 4-4-8 (You want being hit!)  STA 7-8-8-8-1 (for 2 points Impenetrable is now ok). I maybe test it, but I feel those 600HP more will go down very fast ... <cite>Vifarc wrote:</cite><blockquote><blockquote><hr />Teksun wrote: IF you were to go full tank Ranger, I'd suggest forgetting the AGI AA line and go: STR 4-4-8  STA 8-4-8-4-8 This will give you a +34 to parry, +48 to STA (more HP), +8% HP and once every 15 minutes you can parry 100% of attacks. I'd even throw the extra point into WIS for a very slight bonus to saving throws... <hr /></blockquote>I know. I had to choose. I went STR 4-8-8  AGI 4-8 WIS 4-4-8-1. (3 wis aa-points more than your extra point <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ) I wanted the Prowler'sCunningAA (prefering more Defense than more HPs), and didn't like the drawback of Impenetrable: during 6 seconds you cannot use any combat art. I also wanted not to loose too much DPS tanking, so I got BladedOpening (sort of 'frontstab' lol) and PointBlankShot(good stun!) (More agi means some more defense too.). In your exemple, I prefer STA 8-8-8-8-0, giving some better AOE dps.</blockquote>