Best tradeskill for a ranger?

[Dulwin]

So I am new to the game. I played for 2 weeks in 2004 and hated the game with every fiber of my being, but now I seem to love it! Anyway I started the TS stuff. I chose the craftsman one and planned on doing woodworking so I could make nice arrows and bows but now I am not sure if that was the right choice. Part of it is finding a site that has a good list of recipes (EQ traders is scaring me as there is nothing in the TS I picked) to see if I made the right choice, or should I have gone alchemy for poisons?Any advice is appreciated. I looked around this forum but did not see much on this.

[Alenna]

<cite>Dulwin wrote:</cite><blockquote>So I am new to the game. I played for 2 weeks in 2004 and hated the game with every fiber of my being, but now I seem to love it! Anyway I started the TS stuff. I chose the craftsman one and planned on doing woodworking so I could make nice arrows and bows but now I am not sure if that was the right choice. Part of it is finding a site that has a good list of recipes (EQ traders is scaring me as there is nothing in the TS I picked) to see if I made the right choice, or should I have gone alchemy for poisons?Any advice is appreciated. I looked around this forum but did not see much on this.</blockquote>As You can see I chose Woodworker because at least in the lower adventure levels mastercrafted bows are better for you. if you do go that rout be sure to do what i did and keep your woodworking 3 or 4 levels above your adventuring. I also find that selling arrows, some of the throwing weapons and totems help make coins to afford the poisons. but either one will do.Arrows come at X3 of each tier and the bows X5 IIRC could be X6 to get the master crafted bows you need the advanced woodworker books. and appropiate rare harvestible.

[Moltove]

Either:Woodworking for Bows, Totems, ect. (Can't you make Furniture with this? Or is that only to a certain lvl?)Alchemy for Poisons and a few (very few) other things (can make your Adept 3's I think)or, the most commonly ignored;Armorsmithing for your armor. I don't know about you, but trying to buy armor is expensive. Think about turning that into a profit -and- being able to make your own.All of these things give many benefits. But, to get these, it's just time consuming. On my Assassin, I really don't like Alchemy. Well, ok, I don't like TS alltogether, but specifically Alchemy because I'm finding nothing to really sell back just yet-- in fact, at 20 something, There's only one or two poisons that go for a couple copper on the server. Anything else that's common crafted doesn't go that high, either, like App4's and random potions that nobody uses. But I know once I get passed that, I can make my own poisons, and my own Adept 3's (I think). I would imagine this is the same for most other things, especially the stuff you make to equip: RoK did a good job of covering a lot of gear for lowbies. It doesn't beat most MC armor/gear, but still.Also think about your decision RPly-- what would your character like? (If you're into RP). And well...what do you fancy yourself to be? A Ranger Alchemist who makes odd potions, or a Ranger Armorsmith who helps the local militia with armor requests and keeping the militia stocked.Also, depending on your race, you may have one of those innate skills. Wood Elves get a bonus to tailoring, and a bonus to wood harvesting, and an overall bonus to gathering, as well. Other races, I'm not so sure.

[Nulad]

<cite>Moltove@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Either:Woodworking for Bows, Totems, ect. (Can't you make Furniture with this? Or is that only to a certain lvl?)</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">Up to level 20 you're a craftsman and can make furniture.</span>Alchemy for Poisons and a few (very few) other things (can make your Adept 3's I think)</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000;">No, jeweller for Ranger Adept 3's.</span>or, the most commonly ignored;Armorsmithing for your armor. I don't know about you, but trying to buy armor is expensive. Think about turning that into a profit -and- being able to make your own.All of these things give many benefits. But, to get these, it's just time consuming. On my Assassin, I really don't like Alchemy. Well, ok, I don't like TS alltogether, but specifically Alchemy because I'm finding nothing to really sell back just yet-- in fact, at 20 something, There's only one or two poisons that go for a couple copper on the server. Anything else that's common crafted doesn't go that high, either, like App4's and random potions that nobody uses. But I know once I get passed that, I can make my own poisons, and my own Adept 3's (I think). I would imagine this is the same for most other things, especially the stuff you make to equip: RoK did a good job of covering a lot of gear for lowbies. It doesn't beat most MC armor/gear, but still.Also think about your decision RPly-- what would your character like? (If you're into RP). And well...what do you fancy yourself to be? A Ranger Alchemist who makes odd potions, or a Ranger Armorsmith who helps the local militia with armor requests and keeping the militia stocked.Also, depending on your race, you may have one of those innate skills. Wood Elves get a bonus to tailoring, and a bonus to wood harvesting, and an overall bonus to gathering, as well. Other races, I'm not so sure.</p></blockquote>Best options IMHO are woodworker for arrows, alchemy for poisons. They are the most usefull long term tradeskills for the ranger class.

[Dulwin]

Thanks for the replies! Makes me feel better on the choice that I am heading down. I will be going woodworking, I really thought about armour, but then shied away.

[Alenna]

<cite>Moltove@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>Either:Woodworking for Bows, Totems, ect. (Can't you make Furniture with this? Or is that only to a certain lvl?)Alchemy for Poisons and a few (very few) other things (can make your Adept 3's I think)or, the most commonly ignored;Armorsmithing for your armor. I don't know about you, but trying to buy armor is expensive. Think about turning that into a profit -and- being able to make your own.All of these things give many benefits. But, to get these, it's just time consuming. On my Assassin, I really don't like Alchemy. Well, ok, I don't like TS alltogether, but specifically Alchemy because I'm finding nothing to really sell back just yet-- in fact, at 20 something, There's only one or two poisons that go for a couple copper on the server. Anything else that's common crafted doesn't go that high, either, like App4's and random potions that nobody uses. But I know once I get passed that, I can make my own poisons, and my own Adept 3's (I think). I would imagine this is the same for most other things, especially the stuff you make to equip: RoK did a good job of covering a lot of gear for lowbies. It doesn't beat most MC armor/gear, but still.Also think about your decision RPly-- what would your character like? (If you're into RP). And well...what do you fancy yourself to be? A Ranger Alchemist who makes odd potions, or a Ranger Armorsmith who helps the local militia with armor requests and keeping the militia stocked.Also, depending on your race, you may have one of those innate skills. Wood Elves get a bonus to tailoring, and a bonus to wood harvesting, and an overall bonus to gathering, as well. Other races, I'm not so sure.</blockquote>Halfl-elfs give woodworking as well as harvesting bonuses <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[blackdog1]

I have an 80 Alchy,Prov. and Woodworker.The Prov. Could make more money at an earlier level but right around level 50 the woodworker became my number one earner. Mostly from arrows and totems. The Alchy was the best earner once I hit 70-80. But not lately because the dust I need for the Expert poisons has tippled in price for over a month now for some reason and the dust can't be harvested, must be bought or made as a by product. But once I hit around level 50-60, I could make 3-4 plat a week on any of them if I put in the time. I wouldn't even bother trying to sell much until 50. Just grind until then.

[ChodeNode1]

I don't understand how you guys make money off arrows without spending most of your time at the table. I keep a full stock of MC bows and average 1-2 bows a day, giving me a net profit anywhere from 50g - 1p for about 2 minute's worth of work. I hate making arrows for myself - I couldn't imagine doing it for money.

[Alenna]

<cite>ChodeNode1 wrote:</cite><blockquote>I don't understand how you guys make money off arrows without spending most of your time at the table. I keep a full stock of MC bows and average 1-2 bows a day, giving me a net profit anywhere from 50g - 1p for about 2 minute's worth of work. I hate making arrows for myself - I couldn't imagine doing it for money.</blockquote>I go on woodworking binges when my guildmates can't take me out adventuring and during my. I price reasonably since I use one of my other toons to harvest what I need I don't have to add the cost of buying the harvestibles just the fuel so dont have to price to high I"m usually sold out on raid nights hmm which reminds me better check my stock it's friday. I also do the city writs which nets me some extra gold there and there is the occasional drop none of my toons can use to put on the broker. I"m not swimming in Plat but I do pretty well for myself and can afford the poisons and upgrades to armour if nothing drops for me. I may even have enough soon to get into a bigger house <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />. as for master crafted bows well my other toon hasn't been able to harvest enough rare for me to do that I"m the main woodworker of our guild so what rares I don't use for my toons goes to help my guildmates if they dont have a spare rare around. Oh and I make my arrows and totems in between city writs and making first times as I level.

[Seidhkona]

As I adventure, I constantly harvest along the way. When I get rare loams, I have a jeweler craft me my Adept 3 spells -- then I take those dusts and have my favorite alchemist craft poisons for me.  That seems to work out fine.As you will see from the sig, I really didn't start tradeskilling until recently -- my RL sister has a woodworker and has been keeping me in arrows.  Had she not been available, I'd have skilled tradeskilling up MUCH faster!Someone mentioned armorsmithing... my main is an armorer, and it's not the best choice. You use 7 pieces of armor per tier. You use 12-27 or so spells. You use hundreds of arrows and poisons.  So seems to me that alchemist or woodworker are the two natural choices for a ranger.<img src="http://eq2players.station.sony.com/signature?characterId=974945109&locale=en_US" alt="" border="0" />

[blackdog1]

I don't know chode maybe its a product of the server we're on. When I make arrows I try to make between 20 and 40 stacks at a time.It is boring sometimes but what I like to do is make 5 stacks or so go play some guitar hero, make some more stacks,seems like I'm done in no time. If I make them straight through with no interruption usually takes less than 30 minutes a day and that will net me 3-4 plat a week because they sell pretty quick. Matter of fact I haven't even been making the level 80 arrows to sell because when I could make the 80 arrows, I still had like 1500 of each of the materials for the 70's. So I have only been making the 70's for sale.

[Moltove]

<cite>Sigrdrifa@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote>Someone mentioned armorsmithing... my main is an armorer, and it's not the best choice. You use 7 pieces of armor per tier. You use 12-27 or so spells. You use hundreds of arrows and poisons.  So seems to me that alchemist or woodworker are the two natural choices for a ranger.</blockquote>The only costly thing I found on my Assassin, currently 72, is armor and poison. Arrows and even MC bows never seemed to cost too much at all. My vote is still with Armorsmithing, cause you have to pay plat(s) per piece on the broker, or a few plat for a couple of pieces because of fuel and 'labor' (really, come on, for just a few minutes of your time, you're going to charge me labor?).But if you can get a really good armorsmith friend, I suppose that won't hurt too bad at all. then go and stick with Woodworking or Alchemy, or maybe Jewelcrafting (for your skills). The only problem I've had with poisons was trying to -find- them on the broker, but it usually doesn't take long..only recently in the 60+ levels it's become costly, but that can be changed if you find the rares.just something to consider. Hmm...I just might go Woodworker or Armorer, lol.

[JAFO74]

<cite>Moltove@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Sigrdrifa@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote>Someone mentioned armorsmithing... my main is an armorer, and it's not the best choice. You use 7 pieces of armor per tier. You use 12-27 or so spells. You use hundreds of arrows and poisons.  So seems to me that alchemist or woodworker are the two natural choices for a ranger.</blockquote>The only costly thing I found on my Assassin, currently 72, is armor and poison. Arrows and even MC bows never seemed to cost too much at all. My vote is still with Armorsmithing, cause you have to pay plat(s) per piece on the broker, or a few plat for a couple of pieces because of fuel and 'labor' (really, come on, for just a few minutes of your time, you're going to charge me labor?).But if you can get a really good armorsmith friend, I suppose that won't hurt too bad at all. then go and stick with Woodworking or Alchemy, or maybe Jewelcrafting (for your skills). The only problem I've had with poisons was trying to -find- them on the broker, but it usually doesn't take long..only recently in the 60+ levels it's become costly, but that can be changed if you find the rares.just something to consider. Hmm...I just might go Woodworker or Armorer, lol.</blockquote><p>Couple things I wanted to address with this post.</p><p>1. You can't compare an assassins arrow overhead to a ranger, its not even close, not even on a cosmic scale.</p><p>2. The "labor"you are paying for when someone makes a combine for you, isnt for that 30 second combine. It is to help offset all the time and money that that crafter put into leveling up so that he/she could make the items you need. I didn't spend all that time so I could make random strangers items at a net loss to me, sorry I am not that charitable.Crafting books alone, while not too expensive individually, when you start adding up the cost of 79 levels worth of both essential and advanced books, adds up to quite a substantial sum. You will see what I am talking about if you choose to level up your armorsmith all the way, that is an expensive and slow crafter to level up.</p><p>On another note, you could always level mulitple crafters, Alchemist and Jeweler are both really easy to level up due to the huge amount of recipes they get each level. Just switch from one to the other as your vitality runs out, then run crafting writs. You can get away with using summoned arrows for the most part at least until the upper tiers when your autoattack damage starts becoming more of a factor. At lower levels rangers are still very CA oriented due to relatively weak bows and lower crit rates. In the long run though once you hit your60'sand 70's you will want to be using crafted arrows to maximize your dps output. And it gets expensive if you arent making them for yourself. Woodworker is a solid choice. You can easily get away with using HC poisons unless you are raiding, and they are dirt cheap anyway. My ranger is an alchemist and i am happy with that decision, I also have a woodworker as well, and everything else for that matter, but those were the first 2. Jeweler was 3rd.The others were made to support adornments..</p><p>Iago</p>

[Moltove]

<cite>JAFO74 wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Moltove@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Sigrdrifa@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote>Someone mentioned armorsmithing... my main is an armorer, and it's not the best choice. You use 7 pieces of armor per tier. You use 12-27 or so spells. You use hundreds of arrows and poisons.  So seems to me that alchemist or woodworker are the two natural choices for a ranger.</blockquote>The only costly thing I found on my Assassin, currently 72, is armor and poison. Arrows and even MC bows never seemed to cost too much at all. My vote is still with Armorsmithing, cause you have to pay plat(s) per piece on the broker, or a few plat for a couple of pieces because of fuel and 'labor' (really, come on, for just a few minutes of your time, you're going to charge me labor?).But if you can get a really good armorsmith friend, I suppose that won't hurt too bad at all. then go and stick with Woodworking or Alchemy, or maybe Jewelcrafting (for your skills). The only problem I've had with poisons was trying to -find- them on the broker, but it usually doesn't take long..only recently in the 60+ levels it's become costly, but that can be changed if you find the rares.just something to consider. Hmm...I just might go Woodworker or Armorer, lol.</blockquote><p>Couple things I wanted to address with this post.</p><p>1. You can't compare an assassins arrow overhead to a ranger, its not even close, not even on a cosmic scale.</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Hmm, true, though I stock my quiver to the brim with stacks of arrows...you're right, though. I forgot about that whole 'Rangers use arrows, thing' hehe</span></p><p>2. The "labor"you are paying for when someone makes a combine for you, isnt for that 30 second combine. It is to help offset all the time and money that that crafter put into leveling up so that he/she could make the items you need. I didn't spend all that time so I could make random strangers items at a net loss to me, sorry I am not that charitable.Crafting books alone, while not too expensive individually, when you start adding up the cost of 79 levels worth of both essential and advanced books, adds up to quite a substantial sum. You will see what I am talking about if you choose to level up your armorsmith all the way, that is an expensive and slow crafter to level up.</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Ahh, I see. Very good point. I failed to recognize this fact. I personally wouldn't go too far off from the fuel cost, and the obvious cost of the other materials if I need to buy em. But that's me. Bt again, a very good point you have. Kudos for correcting me, hehe.</span></p><p>On another note, you could always level mulitple crafters...</p><p><span style="color: #ff0000;">Hehe, I wish -I- could do that! I got room for one more char, so I suppose I can use him as a crafting mule. Jeweler sounds good for him, Woodworker for my Ranger. All the other toons are on a different server, unfortunately. grah, but I really want an Armor smith! ah well. As long as I have the rares, I suppose.</span></p><p>Iago</p></blockquote>

[Allyra]

First caveat for this post: I am insane.Second caveat: I have a bizarre need for self-sufficiency.  (Maybe that belongs under #1, too.)I'm leveling up multiple tradeskillers, mostly to outfit my Ranger (though I hope someday they'll be able to outfit my Fury, too).  I have a woodworker for her arrows and totems (I haven't found that her bows were good enough to use, though I did use them at first).  I have a jeweler for her Adept IIIs and Apprentice 4s.  I have an armorsmith for her clothes (and yes, 7 rares per outfit is a bit much, but I've been uber-lucky on the harvesting so far.  I'm expecting the next tier to be a lot more painful).  And I have a weaponsmith for her weapons.  I also have a provisioner and a tailor.  Oh, right - the tailor for her cloaks.  Someday, I'll probably start an alchemist and a sage.But my point is...you really can't go wrong.  Almost every tradeskill you can do will benefit your Ranger in some way.  Even if you decide to go sage, you'll make money to be able to buy the stuff you need.So just keep clicking those buttons, and when you hit 20, choose whatever you think you'll enjoy the most!

[DruidsFire]

Depends on what you value more.Woodworker to make your bows up 'till the higher levels. Also, arrows a a decent expense.Jeweler for...jewelry, obviously. But more importantly, your spells.Alchemist. Poisons poisons poisons. This will save a decent amount of cash. Even moreso if you have a Sage sitting around to get your special stuff.So, whichever you think is a bigger deal would be the one to go for.

[Miladi]

I started an alchemist on my first ranger for the poisons. What I found out was that poisons were cheap on the broker and AD3's were pricey. So when I rerolled on a different server I decided to make a jeweler and just buy the poisons. Not only can I make my own spell upgrades now, I can always make my own jewelery, plus the jewelry sells very well. I'm going to be making an alt that can make my arrows for me, but only when I start being able to play more than I do now because for soloing the makeshift arrows work fine.  YMMV

[Harlequin]

If you're looking to maximize as best as you can, then I would have to say that Woodworker, by a nose over Alchemy, is the best choice so that you are not reliant on anyone else for crafted arrows.  In truth, once you are at level 80, besides provisions which are fairly readily available on the broker and do not impact stats much, the consumables you will need to maximize damage are arrows and poisons.  Poisons are fairly readily available on the broker, and you don't really run through them as quickly as arrows.  Crafted arrows give an immediate and recognizable boost to dps on every ranged auto attack hit, which is still the main source of our damage.  I'm discounting the jeweler profession, because if you think about it, you could really just level all the way up to T8 using adept 1s and you only need Adept 3s at T8 temporarily while you look for masters.

[Walford]

<p>I would concur with the advice given here. Woodworker or alchemist is a good for a ranger.  I have had a ranger since launch, and I took jeweler because it was good for my skills (and needed by the guild at the time).  Having levelled (with only a modest amount of raiding) I can tell you that the woodworker is probably the consumable you will go through the most of (even now after the arrow changes earlier this year).  I have sent work to alchemists and I still have stacks of poisons left over from last tier.  Arrows... I go through a lot in a good week.  I have gone back to using summoned on writ mobs cause my bow is so uber it makes little difference on these mobs. They just die!  That's a nother story... </p><p> The point I wanted to make is that you should be thinking in the longer term.  I have levelled up a woodworker 80 (mystic), and now have an alchemist 63 (coercer).  Did this take time? You bet. Is it worth it? Heck, yeah. </p><p>Outside of a reliable group (get to know healers and tanks who can get you to places you need to go), the most important relationship you can have in this game is withe people who craft for you.   <b>Especially armorers</b>.<b> Join a guild - that's what they are for.</b> And don't hesitate to ask if that guild has at least one T8 armorer and what the guild's policies are about work done.   Give all your crafters (even alchemist, provies and woodworkers) plenty of head start.  Get your next tier's items well in advance.  DO the research yourself. Some people will not necessarily know what is the best thing for a Ranger.  Be a student of the class, and be specific in your requests.  Send item lists in mail, even if you make the final transaction in person.   If you do join a guild, be a good member and <b>level a crafter</b>.  People will respect you and you will have<b> services to offer</b> in trade or just for the benefit of your friends.   If your guild does not have a T8 armorer, and you are still open to the idea of joining, then put yourself in charge of finding someone the guild can rely on (preferably two to three armorers)... and keep a good relationship with them.  As long as the guild is fairly small, the armorer(s) can usually keep up with a bit of demand.  Again make their work as easy as possible, and ask them how they are doing?   </p><p>Armorers who sell on the broker are trying to make some coin. Often they may find themselves sitting on some pretty unsellable junk (that's another post).  If you contact them and ask them if they do mail orders, you can usually get a better deal (again) if you are getting a full set, or better yet, 3 full sets.  And make sure they have no trouble mailing the items back to you... or meeting up.  If you are new the server or just don't know, go ahead and ask in the crafting channels for some feedback on them as business folks.</p><p> So, while its all fine and good to say do tghis tradeskill or do that one, you have to look long term.  For my money, a ranger needs a guild more than any other class to enjoy themselves to the fullest.  No offense to solo guildless rangers, but you have to agree... </p><p>Canul <Renegades> AB</p>