Ranger Basics

[Solvi]

Also, the only skill you need for a pet is Comfort Animal. Charm Animal is very useful, but with care, it can be replaced with Predator's Pounce, a skill that doubles as both a pet attack and a pet heal.

I believe you have this turned around....You NEED Charm animal. Comfort animal is the heal. But i agree with everything else that you siad.

[Dscrilla]

can you put that into like those build formats?
i've been looking for a good r/me build too but most are just inturrupting builds or trapping builds
that build sounds like the kind i want so can you help me?

I recently switched from /mo to /me with my ranger. Being an interrupt master is the main goal, I just add Call of Frustration, Disrupt and leach signets to my favorate ranger interrupts, its nice to be able to interrupt someone you dont have LOS to. You dont even need anything but leftovers in mesmer, your goal is interrupts not damage/enegery steal.

Interrupts are not the only thing /Me is good for, currently running this build in PVE

Marksmans Wager
Hunter's Shot
Apply Posion
Concussion Shot
Epidemic
Favorable winds
Troll Ugent/optional
Storm chaser/Optional

I have all ponts in Marksmanship,Wild survival and expertese
The plan is to spread condiditons using epidemic, no points in any mesmer att needed. The best is to daze/posion a group of casters, you can also use other condition skills like pin down for more anti warrior power.
It works even better with a sword warrior on the team, the more conditions on the called target the better, just make sure to use epidemic before they die ;)

In PVP nobody obliges by sticking together so i doubt this build would be effective in most PVP situations.

Hope that helps, Bleach rules!

[Balmung Of The Azure Sky]

i came up with this build, but i dont know how to effectively distribute my attribute points.



Barrage
Hunter's Shot
Lightning Reflexes
Troll Unguent
Favorable Winds
Conjure Flame
Mark of Rodgort
[dunno what to put here - Charm animal?]




what do you guys think ?

[ranger death]

your last skill slot should have a res!!!

[Doug Warren]

I saw some builds with 12, 12, 11, how can you do that, or is it with runes

[Silent Hunter Xx]

ok i gotta beat a guy in P v P last time we played he demolished me.
he is a warrior (hammer) with major dmg output and does the skill 2 knock me over.
pls i need help 2 defeat this guy he is in my guild could ya pls help me on a build :)

[.defekt]

Throw Dirt? Blackout?

[blakk]

ok i gotta beat a guy in P v P last time we played he demolished me.
he is a warrior (hammer) with major dmg output and does the skill 2 knock me over.
pls i need help 2 defeat this guy he is in my guild could ya pls help me on a build :)

Hammer?
thats easy your going to be a ranger /mesmer.
the idea behind this is to
1 turn off his juice
your two primary skills will be
soothing images(he wont build adrenaline) and
sympathetic visage(again no adrenaline AND also no energy but this time if he hits you He looses it)
debilitating shot (pop 10 energy from him)

2 put the fear in him
cripling shot, and then muhhaha while hes limpin:
conjure phantasm -5 hp degen
apply poison -4 hp degen a total of -9! degen
and finally Distracting shot Dodge or storm chaser or even worse whirling defence or throw dirt
even if you dont use this set up the point is
1 take aways his energy and adrenalin.
2 use damage that ignores armor and drains his health rather than spiking him. you are fighting a charater designed to take massive punishment iether with high armor (dolsig+watchyourself+shield +armor+sup abs+good shield=42+20+16 +100(new factions armor) or +90=178 armor(166-with hammer) OR 168 and if he has (152 with hammer) or high health (endure pain and defy pain alone can bump him up to 1000 hp). with this much armor he can reduce you damage to less than half. I dont think a warrior in pvp will be using dol sig tho so lets just say hell reduce your damage to a little over half.
thats bad for you casue your going to have to fight him for a looong time in order to kill him with spike damage. degening him is better. you hit him with the degen and iether run away or pin him down and use distracting shot when he tries to heal with healing breeze or healing sig.
the good news is be a true ranger take a few lumps, and patiently map out his skills. then negate the power of those skills and turn him into jelly and post a screenie of the kill. muhahaha

[Amy Awien]

I saw some builds with 12, 12, 11, how can you do that, or is it with runes
Yes, with runes, I currently run 13/13/12 or 14/12/12 ... Start with 11/10/10 add major runes and a mask: 11+2/10+2+1/10 + 2 or 11+2+1/10+2/10+2

[byobodybag]

ok i gotta beat a guy in P v P last time we played he demolished me.
he is a warrior (hammer) with major dmg output and does the skill 2 knock me over.
pls i need help 2 defeat this guy he is in my guild could ya pls help me on a build :)

You doin 1v1 on scrimmage? Easy killing a war.

Poison Arrow [e]
Hunter's Shot
Pin down
Distracting Shot
Favorable Winds
Read the Wind
Whirling Defense
Throw Dirt
Troll Unguent

Lay FW somewhere before meeting him, Cast RtW as your preparation. Meet him up, he'll run to you, Pin him down. Use Poison Arrow to degen him and as he is moving, fire Hunter's Shot which bleeds the moving target. If he stops for a Healing Signet... use Distracting Shot. He won't even get near you, if you ever forget what you're doing and he gets near... TD at him or use WD and start over...

[Ferrous Capuchin]

Has anyone had luck with a Ranger/Necro build?

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but using Mark of Pain with Barrage deals maaaaaasssssive damage in any of the zones where you get a lot of clustered enemies. Especially the Crystal Desert missions. I started to feel kinda dirty using it after awhile.

[SnipiousMax]

^It also triggers the AoE scatter. You don't want your targets to scatter when using barrage.

[o1000mph1]

I use this ranger for pvp and i found that it works very well as a high damage interupt. I cant give you the attribute points right now because im at my dads house and he doesnt have GW. Here are the skills:

Punishing Shot
Savage Shot
Distracting Shot
Favorable Winds
Penetrating Attack
Sundering Attack
Troll Unguent
Whirling Defense

Combine this with a 20/20 AP 15^50 recurve bow and its damage to the max.

[Sir Mad]

^ Please, I beg you, bring a rez sig!

[Stranger The Ranger]

Bunny Stabber ... O_o
R/A
Full Druids with armor+10(preperation) body
Expertise: 13
Wilderness Survival: 10
Dagger Mastery: 12

Jagged Strike
Wild Strike
Death Blossom
Blades of Steel
Apply Poison
Escape[E]
Deaths Charge/Troll Unguent/Lightning Reflexes
Res Signet


Apply -> Jagged -> Wild -> Blossom -> Jagged ->Wild -> Blades
Nice pressure, nice dmg... yea
Escape is a nice skill, might replace it with Shattering Assault[E] when Nightfall comes out.
The 7th slot is a free slot, I prefer Death Charge, it can suprise your enemy very well.

Mainly used for RA/TA/AB/FA etc.

[Wild Karrde]

If you just took the shock sniper build and turned it to fire magic and put in conjur flame instead so basicallly a fire slinger.... what would be more effective. The shock sniper or the "fire sniper" ? So I guess what im asking is - what is more effective lightning damage or fire damage?

[Arkalite]

When all is said and done what is the best build for a Ranger/Monk?

I am raising one and I would like to know.

EDIT: This if for PvE

[Sir Mad]

For R/Mo?

To paraphrase.. erm.. who said that? (well that's pretty much the ranger's basics anyway):

Preparation
Bow attack
Bow attack
Interrupt
Utility (spirit, another attack, another interupt, another defensive skill...)
Defensive Stance
Troll (or utility)
Hard rez

Assuming you don't use barrage of course :D

[Arkalite]

For R/Mo?

To paraphrase.. erm.. who said that? (well that's pretty much the ranger's basics anyway):

Preparation
Bow attack
Bow attack
Interrupt
Utility (spirit, another attack, another interupt, another defensive skill...)
Defensive Stance
Troll (or utility)
Hard rez

Assuming you don't use barrage of course :D


Yes, what is interupt? and what is a low lvl example of all those? If you dont mind...I am level 10 so I have little understanding of what your saying.


How can I allot my points to do a lot of damage and not so much defence.

[Sir Mad]

An interupt skill is something to cancel the action of your target. Rangers have two main interrupts: savage shot and distracting shot. Basically both interupt your target's action, but distracting deals only a few damage while savage deals full damage and even add more if the action was a spell, but distracting also disable the skill interupted for 20 more seconds.

I'm affraid I can't give you the build requested, for one reason: I don't know what skills are available to you, as it depends on what campaign you play, what skills you have unlocked, how far you are in the storyline, etc. And actually I had a level 20 ranger in mind when I posted this scheme.

The only tip I can give you, as a low lvl ranger, is not to spread your attribute pointsz over too many attributes. You need points in marksmanship of course: that's what can increase your damage. So it should be your primary attribute. Forget Beast Mastery, there are 2 attributes left: expertise (Exp) and wilderness survival (WS). You could choose to boost WS for troll unguent, and take a WS preparation, but I don't suggest that: you already have marksmanship preparations (Read the Wind for ex), so basically that would be for troll only. Boosting Exp instead will allow you to have longer defensive stances (Whirling Defense, Lightning Reflexes) AND will reduce the energy cost of your ranger skills.

I'd suggest you to keep raising those 2 attributes till you have 11-12 in markmanship and 9 in expertise (or 8+1 if you have a rune). When you'll be lvl 20 with all your attribute points then you'll be able to have effective builds also based on WS, but I think atm spreading the few attribute points you have over too many attributes is not a good idea.

Now again, for the attack skills, I can't help as I don't know what skills you have.

[Arkalite]

An interupt skill is something to cancel the action of your target. Rangers have two main interrupts: savage shot and distracting shot. Basically both interupt your target's action, but distracting deals only a few damage while savage deals full damage and even add more if the action was a spell, but distracting also disable the skill interupted for 20 more seconds.

I'm affraid I can't give you the build requested, for one reason: I don't know what skills are available to you, as it depends on what campaign you play, what skills you have unlocked, how far you are in the storyline, etc. And actually I had a level 20 ranger in mind when I posted this scheme.

The only tip I can give you, as a low lvl ranger, is not to spread your attribute pointsz over too many attributes. You need points in marksmanship of course: that's what can increase your damage. So it should be your primary attribute. Forget Beast Mastery, there are 2 attributes left: expertise (Exp) and wilderness survival (WS). You could choose to boost WS for troll unguent, and take a WS preparation, but I don't suggest that: you already have marksmanship preparations (Read the Wind for ex), so basically that would be for troll only. Boosting Exp instead will allow you to have longer defensive stances (Whirling Defense, Lightning Reflexes) AND will reduce the energy cost of your ranger skills.

I'd suggest you to keep raising those 2 attributes till you have 11-12 in markmanship and 9 in expertise (or 8+1 if you have a rune). When you'll be lvl 20 with all your attribute points then you'll be able to have effective builds also based on WS, but I think atm spreading the few attribute points you have over too many attributes is not a good idea.

Now again, for the attack skills, I can't help as I don't know what skills you have.


Thanks SOOOO MUCH!

But I think I know my skills.

Power Shot, Resurction Signet, Kindle Arrows, Double Arrow,(another skills that is JUST like power shot), remove hex, (some monk healing spell), and some run stance skill.

[Earth]

Thanks SOOOO MUCH!

But I think I know my skills.

Power Shot, Resurction Signet, Kindle Arrows, Double Arrow,(another skills that is JUST like power shot), remove hex, (some monk healing spell), and some run stance skill.
I'd lose Double Arrow over time. It stinks. Best get something like screaming shot (if you have NF), else I wouldn't know :\

[Arkalite]

I think I have screaming shot.

[Arkalite]

Bumpzorz?

[Arkalite]

Anyone have any good ideas of what skills I should use or any other advice?

[AaronSwitchblade]

As a general thing, I often see what was written a few posts ago - "forget beast mastery". I know in builds such as IWAY, or in bunny thumper builds, pets can be useful - but just for the moment, if we're talking about PvE with the occasional Faction battle, are pets useful or useless?

[Epinephrine]

Most folks dismiss pet builds outright; I myself like them.

Your question: Are pets useful or useless?

I'd say useful, but the question is really "When is it worth using a pet-build over another build, if ever?".

Is there any such advantage? I like to think so, but I'll admit that it's often better to use another build. Where do I like it?

Well, I used a pet build in Arborstone (mission) for example; the falling ceiling there interrupts skills frequently, but pet attacks are activated instantly, and aren't waste if the pet is interrupted - it just shifts to the next attack. This allows you to continue to be effective even when facing interruption.

With Daze - if you are dazing your enemy it can be handy to have many attacks, to trigger interrupts. My party typically is caster heavy, and thus daze is often less useful, but with a pet+bow you do gain extra physical attacks.

Vs blocking. Now that Otyugh's Cry makes pets unblockable it's a handy way to take out certain types of foes that use blocking. If you expect to face a lot of them, a pet build can deliver its daamge pretty effectively through it.

Vs high armour levels. Enraged Lunge can deal as much as +80 damage per attack; this bonus damage is armour ignoring, as is the bonus damage from any pet attack. Since pets have relatively weak attacks they are given some pretty decent attack bonuses, allowing much of the damage to bypass armour; the pet still reliably is hitting for 80+ damage on really heavily armoured foes, and can chew right through things like destroyers.

Also, my Ritualist sometimes plays with a pet; since he can throw Splinter Weapon on various party members and Ancestor's Rage off them it can be handy to have a pet to blast off of.

Are they better than other builds? Well, no - if they were you'd see many more around, but the fact is that they do have advantages, and can be very effective in the right places.

[Roscow]

R/E

Flaming Shotgun/Machine Gun

Expertise 10+4
Marksmanship 10+1
Wilderness Survival 7+1
Fire Magic 9
(198 spent)

Point Blank Shot / Quick Shot[E]
Zojun's Shot / Needling Shot
Distracting Shot
Mark of Rodgort
Troll Unguent
Favorable Winds
Conjure Flame
Glass Arrows[E] / Kindle Arrows / Apply Poison / Read The Wind

Usage:

With the "Flaming Shotgun" build, you deal extreme damage, but on close range, and you shoot at the base speed of your bow. It is with this you pick "Point Blank Shot" and "Zojun's Shot". Because you don't spend your [E]lite skill here, you can use it on "Glass Arrows", which is pretty effective for even MORE damage. It is pretty simple.
Favorable Winds -> Conjure Flame -> Glass Arrows
Mark of Rodgort -> Zojun's Shot -> Point Blank Shot -> Zojun's shot.. etc.

As for the "Flaming Machine Gun" he doesn't deal just as much damage in single shots as Shotgun type, BUT he has the range and attack speed.
Here you should use Quick Shot and Needling Shot insted of Zojun's and Point Blank. Insted of glass arrows, take either Read The Wind (fast arrows, and +some damage), Kindle Arrows (+some damage, a bit more than Read The wind) or Apply Poison (For the poison effect).
The usage is once again very simple..

Favorable Winds -> Conjure Flame -> your chosen preparation.

Mark of Rodgort -> Needling Shot, SPAM quick shot untill enemy's on 50 Health <, there you should: needling shot, quick shot, needling shot, quick shot..

[Lord Chris Bravo]

Can anyone recommend a good skill template for PvP Ranger/Mesmer?

[im da boogy man]

Most folks dismiss pet builds outright; I myself like them.

Your question: Are pets useful or useless?

I'd say useful, but the question is really "When is it worth using a pet-build over another build, if ever?".

Is there any such advantage? I like to think so, but I'll admit that it's often better to use another build. Where do I like it?

Well, I used a pet build in Arborstone (mission) for example; the falling ceiling there interrupts skills frequently, but pet attacks are activated instantly, and aren't waste if the pet is interrupted - it just shifts to the next attack. This allows you to continue to be effective even when facing interruption.

With Daze - if you are dazing your enemy it can be handy to have many attacks, to trigger interrupts. My party typically is caster heavy, and thus daze is often less useful, but with a pet+bow you do gain extra physical attacks.

Vs blocking. Now that Otyugh's Cry makes pets unblockable it's a handy way to take out certain types of foes that use blocking. If you expect to face a lot of them, a pet build can deliver its daamge pretty effectively through it.

Vs high armour levels. Enraged Lunge can deal as much as +80 damage per attack; this bonus damage is armour ignoring, as is the bonus damage from any pet attack. Since pets have relatively weak attacks they are given some pretty decent attack bonuses, allowing much of the damage to bypass armour; the pet still reliably is hitting for 80+ damage on really heavily armoured foes, and can chew right through things like destroyers.

Also, my Ritualist sometimes plays with a pet; since he can throw Splinter Weapon on various party members and Ancestor's Rage off them it can be handy to have a pet to blast off of.

Are they better than other builds? Well, no - if they were you'd see many more around, but the fact is that they do have advantages, and can be very effective in the right places. it depends on build if build is good its useful if not no and it all depeneds on whos using it, some builds work out good for people that may not work out good for you

[Aris the Accurate]

the only good use of pets was to provide a corpse and e-managment to n/ry healers, as well as to activate skills such as Roa. Now they don't even leave a corpse =[