Dual Wield vs. 1H/Shield

Forsaken1 · 12-22-2005, 07:57 AM

Looking for opinions from our knowledgable Elder Rangers. Now that offhand weapons no longer proc poisons is it reasonable to switch to a higher damage/ slower 1H weapon and a Shield for the added mitigation and chance to block? Also consider the lessening of damage you take due to the mob not getting to reposte as often with a 1H/S combo.

Message Edited by Nyghthowler on 12-21-2005 07:56 PM

Turtle · 12-22-2005, 08:22 AM

Good Question :smileyhappy:

I would think duel wield would still be the way to go even with the change, since your still doing more damage total with two weapons then with just one...but I could be wrong in thinking this way. Guess we will have to see what others say...

The_Wind · 12-22-2005, 08:41 AM

There is actually a shield, i believe its called Drayeks Shield of Striking, or something along that lines which comes witha very nice proc. It procs off the bow last i checked, so even before poisons were removed, it was a great thing as a ranger to have. Also understand that by switching to shield, you're losing quite a bit of DPS, even without the poison being on there, IF you melee alot. If you're more of a bow kinda person, then theres not much holding you back, right? SMILEY

King Leor · 12-22-2005, 02:04 PM

I would only suggest the shield if it was Uktlrs Round Shield fo Striking. This is the defined "scout" shield. It is very nice as it has a proc that lowers mobs STR down 35 and also has a 10% chacne to proc flame pillar which has a nice DD and DoT to it. Not ot mention it adds to pierce, slash and ranged. I use this with my ancient combine longsword (one hander) with a 12% chance to proc ancient glyph of flame. I will use these always unless the mob is immune to fire than I switch to my prismatic and sabre of the story teller for non fire procs. However the shield is ridiculously rare and tough to get. But is a tier 5 shield.

Leoric
Level 60 ranger

Crychtonn · 12-22-2005, 02:48 PM

The shield is an extremely rare drop off of the Zalak raid zone in the Common Lands. I have the only one in my guild that used to kill that guy almost daily back in the day. Leoric is the only other person I know of on Mistmoore that also has it. There is also a bard specific shield that I've seen on only one Troubador on our server. I think there was a rouge specific shield also but never did see that one.

Pingu_cfc · 12-22-2005, 06:10 PM

I use a sheild/longsword to solo with normally, and go duel weild in groups.

Bayler_x · 12-22-2005, 09:25 PM

Dual wield should still do more damage than sword&shield, with or without poisons. (I haven't parsed it yet though.) I suppose that for a bow-only setup, a PGT and shield - maybe one of those cool proccing shields the above posters were talking about - would be a good combo. It would suck for melee damage, but if you were sticking with bow work, that doesn't matter much I suppose.

smoody · 12-22-2005, 09:59 PM

I use both a 1H setup and a dual-wield setup. I find that I like the 1H setup best for soloing even-con or higher solo mobs or for green and blue Heroic mobs. For grouping or low level solo mobs I tend to use the dual-wield setup.

1H - Imbued Cobalt Battle Axe and an Imbued Ironwood Round Shield.

Dual - I use an Imbued Cobalt Crescent Axe for the primary and a Pristine Forged Cobalt Rapier for the offhand. I find that I really like the extra agility provided by the non-imbued rapier and I do not spend much time in melee range in groups anyway.

Just my 2c worth.

Jay · 12-23-2005, 01:29 AM

I've dual-wielded for 59 levels (or so) so I don't have firsthand experience going with the sword-and-board style, but I grouped with a ranger the other day that had one as part of an interesting setup. He went all STR gear, all light armor, and with the shield he had equipped, his avoidance was up over 60%. There were likely group buffs playing into that, but all the same, it opened my eyes to some of the potential benefits to going with an unconventional setup for our class.

King Leor · 12-23-2005, 02:29 AM

Ya, that is the only shield I would suggest using all times. Theres is the round shield of stealth, striking and mellody. We ended up getting 2 stealth, a mellody and a striking one. All within one month of eachother back in may. Than NEVER again in June, July, August and half of september. Unfortunately the 3 other shields we did find are now on people who no longer play the game :o( so they kinda went to waste.

Leoric
Level 60 ranger

Fireshad · 12-24-2005, 03:33 AM

There are several aspects to take into mind. First and foremost is procs. Leoric is a big believer this his board and sword because of the awesome procs. As a ranger we allow our procs to do most our damage, and the 12% chance to proc on that board and sword coupled with the 12% chance of the valian bow are HUGE increases over the 5% chance for normal weopons and t6 rare weopons. If there were duel weilds with the same type of procs I think any Ranger would choose those instead. The moral of the story is, end game we worry more about procs then weopons. Procs mean damage with our bow. So use whatever combination of weopons makes you most comfortable. (Raid mobs, if you use your mellee weopons it will be very little. Especially if mob has AE.)

Siphar · 12-24-2005, 08:05 AM

i broke out the PGT.. +27 str, ward and power proc is just too good to pass up on even with the slight loss in stats.. This ofcourse assumes u mainly use bow- which ofcourse most do 55+ and on raids..

Prismatic 2 + Pgt would be uber on raids for power regen ... should u not be able to switch to stream..

Message Edited by Siphar on 12-23-2005 07:06 PM

Alli · 12-24-2005, 10:16 AM

I think it is all a matter of preference. I personally Dual Wield.....although those blades havent actually hit a mob in a group or raid in a long time. The change to poisons proccing in the offhand doesnt affect me. =P

Vifarc · 12-25-2005, 06:52 PM

Shield is a good thing for a pure bowman ranger: When you get agroed, you shift in defensive stance and protect yourself waiting the tank taunt the mob back. Yes the shield dont give us a big protection...

Sete Soujiro · 12-26-2005, 11:54 PM

I know of another ranger with that shield SMILEY

Willowsmoke · 12-29-2005, 04:01 AM

Hey all.

Willowsmoke · 12-29-2005, 04:01 AM

Hey all.

Willowsmoke · 12-29-2005, 04:04 AM

Sorry for the dual posts, I fat fingered it twice SMILEY

. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what PGT is? Can't seem to find the full name anywhere, just PGT. Thanks all.

Prandtl · 12-29-2005, 04:06 AM

PGT is the Polished Granite Tomahawk. A must have weapon for a ranger, awarded for completing the "axe from the past" Heritage quest

http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/quests/AnAxefromThePast.php

now for the axe...

http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/items/PolishedGraniteTomahawk.php

Willowsmoke · 12-29-2005, 04:09 AM

Ahh, thanks Prandtl for the info and the links, very helpful :smileyhappy:

GoNom · 12-29-2005, 10:50 AM

Prandtl wrote:

PGT is the Polished Granite Tomahawk. A must have weapon for a ranger, awarded for completing the "axe from the past" Heritage quest

http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/quests/AnAxefromThePast.php

now for the axe...

http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/items/PolishedGraniteTomahawk.php

A great wep for a long time, alas mine is now hanging on my wall. Either way soloing or grouping I am never out or even low on power these days. (level 51 now) I am carrying Pristine imbued Indium Short swords, 1.2 delay and +7 Str +8 Agi and +6 Stam, hard to beat those stats, will eventually upgrade to the cobalt versions.

As for sheilds, I understand poison not proc'ing off handed, but weapons still proc there, right? If thats the case its a no brainer, especially for solo'ing, those procs do most of my melee damage when soloing

King Leor · 12-30-2005, 01:18 AM

Ya, the PGT is fun to use if yoru low on power. (useful if you die). Unfortunately it doesn't have a dmg proc to it :0( And I personally dont need the STR form it as im capped for th most part while raiding. And as for the ward, it's cool and REALLY helpful at lower lvls but wont help when a t6 raid mob comes to kick your butt. Also saw mentioned someone suggesting the prismatic 2 and PGT together. I woudln't suggest it as the Pris 2 dmg proc doens't work on bow attacks. so you are only getting a little bit of mana regen, and as of LU13 power just hasn't been a big issue for most ranger I dont think. The shield of striking though is a 10% chance to proc it's flame pillar (dmg proc). And all t5 weps still work on t6 raid mobs so Im still using those until they finally make t6 fabled weps with stats better than t5. I ant find any at all. They all still only have at most 20 STR and 20 AGI to em while alot of t5 ones still do as well. Not to mention alot of procs from new t6 fabled are DoTs. So cuz we proc so much the DoT doesn't get used to full effect and doesn't have as high of upfront dmg as alot of T5 fabled stuff still. Kinda went of topic in several places....but oh well. Enjoy :0)

Leoric

Level 60 ranger

athitchcock · 01-03-2006, 08:19 PM

Lately when grouping I've been about 90% bow, so I've been using an imbued cobalt leafblade and the shiny brass shield. I figure the possibility of a stun can't hurt. Also, the stats are decent and it's nice to have some extra mitigation if I pull aggro. Any thoughts?

Gnaril
55 Ogre Ranger
Unrest

xandez · 01-03-2006, 08:25 PM

well i guess a shield wont hurt, the majority of our dmg comes from procs and bow CA:s anyway...

But i think im gonna DW anyway SMILEY

(and also continue using my PGT.... dunno why, but i kinda like it SMILEY

)

++Xan

12-22-2005, 07:57 AM	#1
Forsaken1 Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 143	Looking for opinions from our knowledgable Elder Rangers. Now that offhand weapons no longer proc poisons is it reasonable to switch to a higher damage/ slower 1H weapon and a Shield for the added mitigation and chance to block? Also consider the lessening of damage you take due to the mob not getting to reposte as often with a 1H/S combo. Message Edited by Nyghthowler on 12-21-2005 07:56 PM Message Edited by Nyghthowler on 12-21-2005 07:56 PM

12-22-2005, 08:41 AM	#3
The_Wind Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 181	There is actually a shield, i believe its called Drayeks Shield of Striking, or something along that lines which comes witha very nice proc. It procs off the bow last i checked, so even before poisons were removed, it was a great thing as a ranger to have. Also understand that by switching to shield, you're losing quite a bit of DPS, even without the poison being on there, IF you melee alot. If you're more of a bow kinda person, then theres not much holding you back, right? __________________

12-22-2005, 06:10 PM	#6
Pingu_cfc Loremaster Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 32	I use a sheild/longsword to solo with normally, and go duel weild in groups. __________________

12-22-2005, 09:25 PM	#7
Bayler_x General Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 415	Dual wield should still do more damage than sword&shield, with or without poisons. (I haven't parsed it yet though.) I suppose that for a bow-only setup, a PGT and shield - maybe one of those cool proccing shields the above posters were talking about - would be a good combo. It would suck for melee damage, but if you were sticking with bow work, that doesn't matter much I suppose. __________________ Lokimor Human Coercer / Sage Venekor

12-22-2005, 09:59 PM	#8
smoody Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 41	I use both a 1H setup and a dual-wield setup. I find that I like the 1H setup best for soloing even-con or higher solo mobs or for green and blue Heroic mobs. For grouping or low level solo mobs I tend to use the dual-wield setup. 1H - Imbued Cobalt Battle Axe and an Imbued Ironwood Round Shield. Dual - I use an Imbued Cobalt Crescent Axe for the primary and a Pristine Forged Cobalt Rapier for the offhand. I find that I really like the extra agility provided by the non-imbued rapier and I do not spend much time in melee range in groups anyway. Just my 2c worth. __________________ 62 Ranger / 64 Provisioner - Nektulos (Vengeance) 65 Alchemist 61 Carpenter

12-22-2005, 08:22 AM	#2
Turtle Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 71	Good Question :smileyhappy: I would think duel wield would still be the way to go even with the change, since your still doing more damage total with two weapons then with just one...but I could be wrong in thinking this way. Guess we will have to see what others say...

12-22-2005, 02:04 PM	#4
King Leor Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 267	I would only suggest the shield if it was Uktlrs Round Shield fo Striking. This is the defined "scout" shield. It is very nice as it has a proc that lowers mobs STR down 35 and also has a 10% chacne to proc flame pillar which has a nice DD and DoT to it. Not ot mention it adds to pierce, slash and ranged. I use this with my ancient combine longsword (one hander) with a 12% chance to proc ancient glyph of flame. I will use these always unless the mob is immune to fire than I switch to my prismatic and sabre of the story teller for non fire procs. However the shield is ridiculously rare and tough to get. But is a tier 5 shield. Leoric Level 60 ranger

12-22-2005, 02:48 PM	#5
Crychtonn Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 684	The shield is an extremely rare drop off of the Zalak raid zone in the Common Lands. I have the only one in my guild that used to kill that guy almost daily back in the day. Leoric is the only other person I know of on Mistmoore that also has it. There is also a bard specific shield that I've seen on only one Troubador on our server. I think there was a rouge specific shield also but never did see that one.

12-23-2005, 01:29 AM	#9
Jay General Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,137	I've dual-wielded for 59 levels (or so) so I don't have firsthand experience going with the sword-and-board style, but I grouped with a ranger the other day that had one as part of an interesting setup. He went all STR gear, all light armor, and with the shield he had equipped, his avoidance was up over 60%. There were likely group buffs playing into that, but all the same, it opened my eyes to some of the potential benefits to going with an unconventional setup for our class. __________________

12-23-2005, 02:29 AM	#10
King Leor Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 267	Ya, that is the only shield I would suggest using all times. Theres is the round shield of stealth, striking and mellody. We ended up getting 2 stealth, a mellody and a striking one. All within one month of eachother back in may. Than NEVER again in June, July, August and half of september. Unfortunately the 3 other shields we did find are now on people who no longer play the game :o( so they kinda went to waste. Leoric Level 60 ranger

12-24-2005, 03:33 AM	#11
Fireshad Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 48	There are several aspects to take into mind. First and foremost is procs. Leoric is a big believer this his board and sword because of the awesome procs. As a ranger we allow our procs to do most our damage, and the 12% chance to proc on that board and sword coupled with the 12% chance of the valian bow are HUGE increases over the 5% chance for normal weopons and t6 rare weopons. If there were duel weilds with the same type of procs I think any Ranger would choose those instead. The moral of the story is, end game we worry more about procs then weopons. Procs mean damage with our bow. So use whatever combination of weopons makes you most comfortable. (Raid mobs, if you use your mellee weopons it will be very little. Especially if mob has AE.) __________________ Shadowsflame 60 Ranger Najena

12-24-2005, 08:05 AM	#12
Siphar Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,322	i broke out the PGT.. +27 str, ward and power proc is just too good to pass up on even with the slight loss in stats.. This ofcourse assumes u mainly use bow- which ofcourse most do 55+ and on raids.. Prismatic 2 + Pgt would be uber on raids for power regen ... should u not be able to switch to stream.. Message Edited by Siphar on 12-23-2005 07:06 PM

12-24-2005, 10:16 AM	#13
Alli Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kinsbay GA Posts: 32	I think it is all a matter of preference. I personally Dual Wield.....although those blades havent actually hit a mob in a group or raid in a long time. The change to poisons proccing in the offhand doesnt affect me. =P __________________

12-25-2005, 06:52 PM	#14
Vifarc Loremaster Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 317	Shield is a good thing for a pure bowman ranger: When you get agroed, you shift in defensive stance and protect yourself waiting the tank taunt the mob back. Yes the shield dont give us a big protection... __________________

12-26-2005, 11:54 PM	#15
Sete Soujiro Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 93	I know of another ranger with that shield __________________ Sete Vagabonds - Unrest

12-29-2005, 04:01 AM	#16
Willowsmoke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4	Hey all.

12-29-2005, 04:04 AM	#18
Willowsmoke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4	Sorry for the dual posts, I fat fingered it twice . I was wondering if anyone could tell me what PGT is? Can't seem to find the full name anywhere, just PGT. Thanks all.

12-29-2005, 04:06 AM	#19
Prandtl Loremaster Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 474	PGT is the Polished Granite Tomahawk. A must have weapon for a ranger, awarded for completing the "axe from the past" Heritage quest http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/quests/AnAxefromThePast.php now for the axe... http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/items/PolishedGraniteTomahawk.php __________________

12-29-2005, 04:09 AM	#20
Willowsmoke Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4	Ahh, thanks Prandtl for the info and the links, very helpful :smileyhappy:

12-29-2005, 10:50 AM	#21
GoNom Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 189	Prandtl wrote: PGT is the Polished Granite Tomahawk. A must have weapon for a ranger, awarded for completing the "axe from the past" Heritage quest http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/quests/AnAxefromThePast.php now for the axe... http://eq2.ogaming.com/db/items/PolishedGraniteTomahawk.php A great wep for a long time, alas mine is now hanging on my wall. Either way soloing or grouping I am never out or even low on power these days. (level 51 now) I am carrying Pristine imbued Indium Short swords, 1.2 delay and +7 Str +8 Agi and +6 Stam, hard to beat those stats, will eventually upgrade to the cobalt versions. As for sheilds, I understand poison not proc'ing off handed, but weapons still proc there, right? If thats the case its a no brainer, especially for solo'ing, those procs do most of my melee damage when soloing __________________ ......Remember, that in the end, Everything we do, just becomes everything we've done...... Luadiane 55 Ranger of Crushbone Member and Patron of Paragon Ravenheart 39 Jeweler of Crushbone The Siphon through which Luadiane's plat falls through

12-30-2005, 01:18 AM	#22
King Leor Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 267	Ya, the PGT is fun to use if yoru low on power. (useful if you die). Unfortunately it doesn't have a dmg proc to it :0( And I personally dont need the STR form it as im capped for th most part while raiding. And as for the ward, it's cool and REALLY helpful at lower lvls but wont help when a t6 raid mob comes to kick your butt. Also saw mentioned someone suggesting the prismatic 2 and PGT together. I woudln't suggest it as the Pris 2 dmg proc doens't work on bow attacks. so you are only getting a little bit of mana regen, and as of LU13 power just hasn't been a big issue for most ranger I dont think. The shield of striking though is a 10% chance to proc it's flame pillar (dmg proc). And all t5 weps still work on t6 raid mobs so Im still using those until they finally make t6 fabled weps with stats better than t5. I ant find any at all. They all still only have at most 20 STR and 20 AGI to em while alot of t5 ones still do as well. Not to mention alot of procs from new t6 fabled are DoTs. So cuz we proc so much the DoT doesn't get used to full effect and doesn't have as high of upfront dmg as alot of T5 fabled stuff still. Kinda went of topic in several places....but oh well. Enjoy :0) Leoric Level 60 ranger

01-03-2006, 08:19 PM	#23
athitchcock Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 53	Lately when grouping I've been about 90% bow, so I've been using an imbued cobalt leafblade and the shiny brass shield. I figure the possibility of a stun can't hurt. Also, the stats are decent and it's nice to have some extra mitigation if I pull aggro. Any thoughts? Gnaril 55 Ogre Ranger Unrest __________________

01-03-2006, 08:25 PM	#24
xandez Loremaster Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,044	well i guess a shield wont hurt, the majority of our dmg comes from procs and bow CA:s anyway... But i think im gonna DW anyway (and also continue using my PGT.... dunno why, but i kinda like it ) ++Xan __________________ One can survive everything, nowadays, except death, and live down everything except a good reputation.