Predator Tree or Ranger Tree

[casm43]

<DIV>Hello all,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Since I am now level 31 and still quite the EQ2 Newb, I thought I would ask.  Should I be looking at the Predator Line of AA or the Ranger Line.  I started the Ranger tree, but most of the ones I like I can't even use until later in life.  Any thoughts on this?? It almost seems like the Predator AGI line is the way to go.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also, I am using summoned arrows, but I noticed at Level 30 they change from the summoned kind ( name escapes me) to feyiron.  Is there that much of a difference in DPS and should I only be using Feyiron now?? It seems like such a wasted ability if you only ever het level 20 arrows.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks and please don't laugh that I am still such a newb!!!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Hattar Knock</DIV> <DIV>Level 31 Kerra Ranger</DIV> <DIV>Blackburrow Server</DIV>

[Aroumon]

<P>this is a very hard choice to make, at lower levels I don't know how effective thye double attack would be. Simply put the Double attack has a higher bennifit with a better bow. Which thats what the lower lvls lck, great bows. On the other hand ranged crit chance is great for all levels even if you have a crappy bow and its 22% ranged crit chance.</P> <P>Its all up to you but I think that the agi line for the pred tree will help you out leveling up more than the multi arrow line would.</P> <P> </P> <P>Aroumon Swiftshot</P>

[Badaxe Ba]

I agree that your agi line should be your primary focus at first, because you can benefit continuously from it.  Get the minimum 4 points in each till you can get the last one, and then you are ready to branch out for your own individual style.

[Ranja]

<div><blockquote><hr>casm43 wrote:<div>Hello all,</div> <div> </div> <div>Since I am now level 31 and still quite the EQ2 Newb, I thought I would ask.  Should I be looking at the Predator Line of AA or the Ranger Line.  I started the Ranger tree, but most of the ones I like I can't even use until later in life.  Any thoughts on this?? It almost seems like the Predator AGI line is the way to go.</div> <div> </div> <div>Also, I am using summoned arrows, but I noticed at Level 30 they change from the summoned kind ( name escapes me) to feyiron.  Is there that much of a difference in DPS and should I only be using Feyiron now?? It seems like such a wasted ability if you only ever het level 20 arrows.</div> <div> </div> <div>Thanks and please don't laugh that I am still such a newb!!!</div> <div> </div> <div>Hattar Knock</div> <div>Level 31 Kerra Ranger</div> <div>Blackburrow Server</div><hr></blockquote>The type of arrow only matters with auto-attack. At your level you dont do much of that anyways. But, yes, if you want to do the most damage, you should use tier appropriate arrows. As far as AA, it depends on your playstyle. If you solo alot, you might want to start with the Ranger tree that reduces the penalties on your defensive stance. It all really depends on their playstyle.</div>

[Caliga]

I went down the agi line first because that 35% reduced casting time is WONDERFUL!  After that I got the one that reduces the penalites to our defensive stance so I could get to pathfinding.   Before last week I hadn't even noticed that we could improve our run speed buff, but after watching the bards cry all over the forums about it, I just had to have it.The point is, there is no right answer, look at what would benefit you and the way you play (like for example, if your playstyle is to zoom past bards so they weep like children go for pathfinding).  <span>:smileyvery-happy:</span><div></div>

[Terrius]

<DIV>I picked the ranger tree <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> I LOVE 46% PAthfinding and 65% sprint!!! plus my shorter evac timer is great <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /><BR><BR>I was wondering personally if hitting the INT and STR lines in predator is a good idea, or should i hit AGI? </DIV>

[Gareorn]

The AGI line will give you the biggest bang for your buck because of the ranged crits and perfectionist.  After that, it's really a personal choice based on your play style.  I went with the INT line for my second choice, but many people are getting excellent results grom the STR line too.

[Supermonkey]

The Predator AGI line is more or less a requirement. It was the first thing I picked up, and even though I am respecing my AAs, it's the non-agi ones I'm switching around. Perfectionist is great every time, all the time.As for what you get after agi, it depends on your style. I snagged the STR line, but the timer reduction (which is worded wrong, it's 33%, not 50%) will never be something that saves you. It makes Sniper Shot 10 min recast and Rain of Arrows 2 mins. Though I really like RoA being 2 mins, it isn't worth 8aa. I'd pay 4 for it perhaps.As far as Ranger AAs, for soloing I can see trapping being handy, but the final trapping ability doesn't make a lot sense to me. Unless you want to pretend you're Scorpion from Mortal Kombat, and shout "GET OVER HERE" at your comp when you cast it. I took the ranged AAs, got double shot, and now I'm doing focusing. 5 lvls of focus fire seem to me to be astounding. At 15 secs, you could get most of your bow arts off for INSANE burst dps, considering you'll have some 75% ranged crit chance. (this taking into account already having the AGI ranged crit). Sometimes I see what actually looks like a waterfall of numbers floating off the mob. 1,800 1,337 2,046 and then another row right below that. And another below that. I can see some wizzy numbers floating around below there too, but whatever. I did actually get a 1,337 crit the other night, which was greeted by a round of rofls.Okay I'm rambling. Hope this helps in some way.<div></div>

[Ranja]

FWIW, I went Agi to the end for Poise with 8 in crits. Then Int with 8 in crits. Then Double attack tree (minus stream of pooh) and just finished 5 in caustic. Next I am going for extension. With this set-up I my GM caustic now hits for 1000 and crits for over 2000. My first foray into Labs last night with this set-up had me hit a high of 1800 on the parse and an average of 1400. And this with only an illusionist (then 4 other random DPSers that dont add to group buffs) which is not my typical group. I cant wait until we do an EoF raid and I get in my normal raid group.<div></div>

[Loki_d20]

Being a newb Ranger myself, my suggestion is to place them in the following order:<font color="#ff6600"><b>5 points in Enhance: Survival Instincts</b></font>Excellent for soloing, especially if you switch from offensive to defensive once in melee range of your opponent(s).  The offensive stance only gives extra damage to our range, and the defensive gain w/o any offensive penalties is much greater than the minor offensive melee gain when meleeing.  This also opens you up for...<font color="#ff6600"><b>5 points in Enhance: Pathfinding</b></font>Not only does this save you a ton of time at the earlier levels, your group members love it and it allows you to just run past many aggro mobs rather than having to fight your way through overland areas or take longer paths around aggro mobs.  Once you get a horse/carpet of the same speed, respec out of this.  But, for the first 60+ levels, this is one of the best AA options out there, IMHO.<font color="#ff6600"><b>4-4-4-8 in Agility Predator Line</b></font>The ranged crit chances are great.  Up to 25% if you're a wood elf and take the +2% ranged crit heritage tradition.  The point-blank shot I rarely use.  The in-combat run speed is okay, not great.  Probably better later on if I ever find a place to safely kite a mob that needs to be kited.  I don't know if the end abiltiy is worth it.  I do hate that I have long cast times for my ranged attacks (1.5 to 3.0 seconds), but I'm trying to work on my timing when I can get a group (which seems to be the hardest thing to do in this game).<font color="#ff6600"><b>After That</b></font>It seems to me that the strength line is good for soloing mostly.  It does add an extra melee attack to your repetoire, but I'm still going to have moments where I'm waiting for my CAs to refresh when meleeing even with the additional CA.  IMHO, if you're going for raids it seems that Int would be the best as you will more than likely maintain range for the majority of the raid and the poison crit chance increase seems the best way to improve your ranged dps.  I dislike, overall, that we get so many melee improvements/attacks in our lines, but that's because ranged was kind of a 'that's neat' idea that then lost focus as they went back to thinking the game was just melee and spells.As far as Ranger AA line, I'd spec out of Enhance: Pathfinding by level 70.  You should at least have the Carpet from the carpet quest by then.  I'd keep the 5 points in Enhance: Survival Instincts, though, just for soloing.  At the later levels when you're hunting for specific loot/gold, it can save you on arrow usage on downtime between raids by allowing you to melee without penalty and have a great avoidance.  Otherwise, work your way towards Double Arrow and Extension.  The % gain on damage from caustic poisons isn't good enough for me (but if you never solo, take the points from Enhance: Survival Instics and put them there) and I don't like the points I'd have to spend just to get the +4% / level for my debuff poisons.  This is a great line for PvP, though.  Actually kind of funny that all of the AA options are actually good for PvP whereas for PvE some are only good for soloing and some for grouping.Anyway, that's this newbs opinion so far.<div></div>

[TwistedFaith]

<blockquote><hr>bentgate wrote:FWIW, I went Agi to the end for Poise with 8 in crits. Then Int with 8 in crits. Then Double attack tree (minus stream of pooh) and just finished 5 in caustic. Next I am going for extension.<div></div><hr></blockquote>This is my exact setup, I put the few remaining points into the snare increase (84%!!!!!!!!!!) and one into the legshot skill.