New Ranger Seeks some guidance

[RickinChicago]

So I have started a new ranger and received my Level 8 upgrade to states and choose Agility.  Can I get some advice on this.  Which stats should I be looking to upgrade? (Agility, strength)?

[Swyft_Permafrost]

I also have a question for some of you veterans: I have 40 AAs at lvl 40, just completing my Agi line. Now, I already have pathfinding maxed along with 5 points in double shot. Where should I go next? Should I: a) go after all multishot AAs b) go after the Int line c) go after the Str line until lvl 70, and then re-configure to Int once I start raiding heavily d) go after my 15% ranged ability e) do an amalgamation of all 4 putting one point in each....maybe not. Points of reference, I love soloing. All I do is solo. Thanks.

[AndrewSquared]

<p>While we're on the subject of advice for ranger nubs...</p><p>I'm looking into a ranger as an alt for my SK main (something to play when I hit brick walls). In any matter, I was wondering if there was a large benefit to woodworking for rangers (for arrows, and bows I think as well). I saw the thread that had the uber-lvl 70 supreme crazy arrows that are rumored to be made my WW'ers, but on the way there, is it cheaper, more beneficial, more convient, whatever to make your own? Either way I want to play a ranger, I just really like the idea of making my own arrows and being self efficient in that respect (not having to drop [Removed for Content]-tons of money on it from the get go).</p>

[Prandtl]

<p>for the 1st poster.  A ranger can self buff agility pretty well, and most of the items you will find dropping at your level also have agility on them.  Our primary damage stat, however, is strength. STR will affect both your melee and ranged damage, and increasing it will make you hit just that much harder.  I would recommend taking the STR upgrade at your next stat upgrade.  I forget what level it is (14?)  I wouldn't waste a respec on it right now, though, since you will probably find yourself leveling pretty quickly early on.</p><p>2nd poster:  Are you on a PvP server?  Then your choices may vary from these.  As a soloer, I'd recommend the STR line. There are some pretty good solo skills in there, and you will be doing alot more meleeing then a grouping or raiding ranger.  Also, the double shot line has upgrades to several combat arts that you wont even have for 10 or more levels (storm of arrows / stream of arrows)  If you havent done it yet, I would recommend maxing out your ranged crit chance in the agility line.  Critical hits can increase our damage by quite a bit.  You might want to look at the stamina line, as well.  I have never gone down that path, but perhaps one of the other rangers could offer some insight.  I think above level 55 or you will want to respec to more of a grouping/raiding ranger line because most of the mobs will be almost dead by the time they get to you and you wont be doing nearly as much melee'ing. As an aside, are rain and stream even offered on the ranger tree when you wont have the CA's for several more levels?  I'm curious...</p><p>3 poster:  Before the latest GU I would definitely say go alchemist on tradeskill. Now that tradeskilled arrows actually mean something...  I still don't know.  Poisons are still my biggest expense, and I still have my harvestable arrows for soloing and grouping.  I'd suggest alchemist, but will if someone who actually tradeskills say differently I won't argue!</p><p>hope this helps, and may all your arrows fly true </p>

[Truls]

Heh I don't consider myself a vet ranger <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> but I am a crafter lol.  I would probably agree with the above poster and lean towards alchemist.  You can make your own poisons, potions (heals, pwr, stats) which would cost a fair bit otherwise.  I have a feeling that you will be able to buy crafted arrows a little cheaper (or at least you will soon) due to the recent arrow changes.  As for bows, there are some great crafted bows which you can hire a ww to make but there are also quite a few dropped bows that are pretty nice.  Also Alch's are easier to lvl without too much grinding compared to ww's and armorers.

[AndrewSquared]

Thanks for the info. I already have a monk that is working on alchemy (for AD3's and what not) so looks like WW it will be for this ranger. My SK will forever remain a lvl 19 outfitter probably, I'm just too lazy to go back to old zones <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[Swyft_Permafrost]

<cite>Prandtl wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>2nd poster:  Are you on a PvP server?  Then your choices may vary from these.  As a soloer, I'd recommend the STR line. There are some pretty good solo skills in there, and you will be doing alot more meleeing then a grouping or raiding ranger.  Also, the double shot line has upgrades to several combat arts that you wont even have for 10 or more levels (storm of arrows / stream of arrows)  If you havent done it yet, I would recommend maxing out your ranged crit chance in the agility line.  Critical hits can increase our damage by quite a bit.  You might want to look at the stamina line, as well.  I have never gone down that path, but perhaps one of the other rangers could offer some insight.  I think above level 55 or you will want to respec to more of a grouping/raiding ranger line because most of the mobs will be almost dead by the time they get to you and you wont be doing nearly as much melee'ing. As an aside, are rain and stream even offered on the ranger tree when you wont have the CA's for several more levels?  I'm curious...</p> </blockquote>On permafrost, non-pvp. I maxed my Agi line and ever since I got my crit change to 22% I've noticed a huge difference in damage done before a mob finally reaches me. I was thinking going with the STR line, since I typically have to melee 50% of the fight. I could always respect INT once I start raiding hardcore. Not sure if they are offered or not, I assumed they were because you do not have the CA for more level. Thanks for the help.

[Swyft_Permafrost]

/bump...

[TaleraRis]

<cite>AndrewSquared wrote:</cite><blockquote>Thanks for the info. I already have a monk that is working on alchemy (for AD3's and what not) so looks like WW it will be for this ranger. My SK will forever remain a lvl 19 outfitter probably, I'm just too lazy to go back to old zones <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></blockquote> Alchemist is probably going to benefit you the most especially if you solo because I have a hard time keeping myself in Caustic and Vit Breach, but you might also consider going jeweler with someone. Jewelers make scout runes and upgraded spells are always a good thing.

[Monstage]

<p>The first question I would ask of the three posters looking for info on rangering is what kind of ranger are you going to be? Will you be mainly grouping, questing, duoing or soloing? Are you looking to raid with your ranger? The way you set up your AAs will depend on this.</p><p>Regarding stats I would go for STR first, then INT followed by AGI and STA. INT becomes more relevant when you are raiding or grouping heavily so you can get the best benefit from damage poisons.</p><p>Poster 2,  for AA's I would go for AGI first (as all rangers should I think) then STR if you are soloing and then respec to INT for raiding like you said. I personally followed the focus ranger path for the 15% ranged since I figure this will give a more steady DPS increase than just relying on the multishot increases.</p><p>Tradeskill-wise I would go for alchemist since the poisons and potions will help you considerably in any situation from soloing to raiding. </p><p>The crafted arrows are pretty good but the stats on them are only applied for bow auto-attacks. In most soloing/small grouping you will be getting some melee in as well as shooting and fights will be very short. In solo fights you wont get chance to autoattack unless kiting is your tactic and even then you are better off using the CA's rather than just straight autoattack damage.</p><p>If you intend to go for a lot of large groups and instances as you are levelling and then onto raiding then it might be worth making a WW as you will tend to use auto-attack a lot more on the longer fights and that is where the extra damage from the crafted arrows will make a difference.</p><p>Since GU32 though, arrow consuption has dropped drastically so you wont need to carry around thousands of arrows like before, a few hundred should suffice and these wont cost too much.</p>

[TaleraRis]

<cite>Monstage wrote:</cite><blockquote> <p>In solo fights you wont get chance to autoattack unless kiting is your tactic and even then you are better off using the CA's rather than just straight autoattack damage.</p></blockquote> Not true. Judicious use of Cheap Shot, the Lunging line and Point Blank Shot can give you the ability to get some range for auto-attack, plus using fettering poisons and especially after you get Rain Caller, the mob will be away from you long enough to get in plenty of auto attack damage. It's very rare I even use Gwyn's melee skills any longer soloing because I have the ability to keep the mob far enough away to ranged it to death, or have it die at my feet.

[LoreLady]

Have fun - kill junk - upgrade what you can - dont worry about being the best of the best until you start raiding every night.