Ranger sword build questions.

The hammer build just seems like searing flames to me, I don't want to do what everyone else is doing, that's boring, I idea of the hammer build is good, but I prefer speed over power, so I like using swords.

I prefer the hammer in PvP because alot of tanks and runners lose their cool once KD'd and the added pressure of seeing 50's and 30's (Pet) twice a second from RaO causes further panic.

The only thing I don't like about Thumper is the lack of Healing, Signet or Unguent. I was able to slip in WD but that's about it.

In any case, if you plan to AB it is vital that you bring Wild Blow and Antidote Signet because both ends have Touchers.

Once I get a good hammer, I will try it out, Victo's maul is a nice cheap option.

HAha, great minds think alike! I bought a Victo Maul for 1k down at Tombs.

some scammer said it was worth 7K according to Wiki (do wiki even do price checks?)

HAHAHAH 7k!? AHAHAHAHAH!



But Seriously, the guy's not a scammer just a lowballer. It's a common economic practice. Just noob fish a bit more, try looking in the price range of 2-4k. I only got it for 1k because I am an EXPERT Negotiator. ;D

I also got price of 10K and 20K.

I've tried the Hammer Version, but I fail to see how it is better than the sword version, even with RAO, it's still slow. The Knock down and slightly higher damage are the only things really that stand out as better than my sword version.

Sword Version:

-Very fast, high speed damage, and good with distracting blow.
- better energy
- More conditions

Hammer Version:

- Fast....... as far as hammers go.
- Good Knock downs
- good damage

Speed buffed sword >> speed buffed hammer.
Also I might suggest, since youre a sin, using R/A. With right build (low recharge) and beatial fury (no pet thou) you can output very high dps.

Burst of aggersion with A/W >>> Beastial fury R/A.

Plus I just hate R/A daggers.

Yea, Burst of Aggression is pretty f***ing hardcore. That's like the only thing I fear in AB.

And I was plotting to make R/A daggers but that would require me to spend more money. >_<

My point is, a R/W Sword has no advantages over W/X Sword. R/W Hammer has Expertise.

Well, you get the Ranger defenive stances that don't end if you use a skill, and you can build up adren faster, without making you weaker like Frenzy and Flurry do. And, the damage outup is for the R/W sword build is higher than the W/amy sword, because both me and my Dire pet are attacking very fast, doing about 17 - 23 damage each.

True, I neglect the pet.

However, you are IMO merely sacrificing survivability for damage. Not to say, all Thumpers are like that, but the Hammer thumper gets to spam Irresistible Blow. It's a really nice skill.

Heh, I subbed out Irresistable Blow for Wild Blow just to piss off touchers in AB. Watch the little buggers panic as Whirling Defense go's up then disappears.

You cannot really spam Irresistible Blow that much, or else you wouldn't be able to reaply RAO as fast. And I would say that wild blow is alot better, as Jeff said, it get rid of the stance, so all your attacks hit, rather than just a knock down.

Quote: Heh, I subbed out Irresistable Blow for Wild Blow just to piss off touchers in AB. Watch the little buggers panic as Whirling Defense go's up then disappears. Actually you probably won't watch him a long time as he's going to blind you

R/A? Haha, if you say. It's like saying a warrior is better than a thumper. They have similar roles but have differences. In the example I gave, it would bre pressure at the cost of versatility. For R/As, it's speed of ganks for flagstand spikes/deepwound.

Rape as One? Bestiary... kinky. I don't see why you'd use a sword over a hammer, in any case.

my warrior always kills thumpers and sword rangers...its exremley easy. as a warrior in pvp, i alway always always bring wild blow. if you encounter gladiators defense, escape, lightning reflexes, whirling defense, etc...you take it right off, because usually these skills are their only defense and when its gone they have nothing to rely on. from expirience, ive noticed very few r/w or w/x bring wild blow. it confuses me why you wouldnt bring it as a melle character seeing as you are going to be the one fighting other melle characters, who of course use stances.(usually)....dont get me wrong, i dont kill every one of them and they kill me sometimes but the truth is, most r/w believe they can tank which is just not right.

No one has come out yet to just blatantly state that the idea is awful?

weird.

I have tried out a R/W axe ranger, and it was almost good. The thing that's so strong about thumpers is the disruption provided through knockdown, and how well expertise synergized with irresistable and crushing blow. If the disruption isn't there, you should just run a warrior.

I remember way back when the game first came out, people were yelling at me at how a Hammer Ranger was the most awful idea anyone could come up with. Now, how popular and effective are these Thumpers these days? And no, I'm not claiming the invention of the Thumper at all.

I say let people play whatever they want to play as long as it doesnt effect you (i.e. being on your team) Besides, this is just for PVE. Almost any decent build will work in PVE.