I'm not much of a Ranger person to be honest.... but I want to make use of every class the game has to offer, and I know Rangers can be useful for a great many things.
Up until now, I have been using Barrage with Splinter Weapon on my Ranger (level 18 at present).... and it has worked fairly well. However, I want to use a similar build for my Ritualist when I train her up, and I imagine that a primary Rit would use the Splinter Barrage build more effectively (most of the damage being in Splinter Weapon).
As such I'm trying to find an alternative build to use for my Ranger for general PvE use. I would like to note in advance that I am USELESS at interrupting as my timing is awful (and my primary character being an Assassin has given me somewhat of a Turbo-Kill mindset, causing me to become a bit uncomfortable with support roles).
So... would anyone be able to recommend a build that can .... basically... kill things very quickly?
A PvE alternative to Splinter Barraging?
SotiCoto
T. Drake
Yes Splinter Weapon + Barrage is really boring after you have played it... forever. I use this build from time to time.
Template: OgYUo0rhtMT5WwgMGIHCHxG2CYcA
Quite simple: Use Kindle Arrows and Conjure Flame and start attacking with Triple- and Dual Shot. Use Prepared Shot to get energy.
Because you already have Kindle Arrows to trigger Conjure Flame you should use a Vampiric Weapon for extra damage.
Serpents Quickness is for faster skill recast.
Counters: Enchantment Remove, Blindness, certain Curses and Interrupts.
Rangers should be your last target, because they have the highest armor against elemental damage. This build works great in Normal Mode, but you can probably find better builds for Hard Mode.
Note: Serpents Quickness is kind of optional. You can take Troll Unguent for better defense.
Template: OgYUo0rhtMT5WwgMGIHCHxG2CYcA
Quite simple: Use Kindle Arrows and Conjure Flame and start attacking with Triple- and Dual Shot. Use Prepared Shot to get energy.
Because you already have Kindle Arrows to trigger Conjure Flame you should use a Vampiric Weapon for extra damage.
Serpents Quickness is for faster skill recast.
Counters: Enchantment Remove, Blindness, certain Curses and Interrupts.
Rangers should be your last target, because they have the highest armor against elemental damage. This build works great in Normal Mode, but you can probably find better builds for Hard Mode.
Note: Serpents Quickness is kind of optional. You can take Troll Unguent for better defense.
SotiCoto
I guess I didn't mention.
All my characters use the same Hero builds...
And perhaps the most significant is Acolyte Sousuke using Greater Conflagration and Mark of Rodgort.....
Therefore most of the time my arrows will be doing fire damage anyway.
Would it work with Ignite Arrows instead of Kindle Arrows assuming that GC is up constantly (it generally is)?
All my characters use the same Hero builds...
And perhaps the most significant is Acolyte Sousuke using Greater Conflagration and Mark of Rodgort.....
Therefore most of the time my arrows will be doing fire damage anyway.
Would it work with Ignite Arrows instead of Kindle Arrows assuming that GC is up constantly (it generally is)?
lordpwn
Ignite Arrows will do damage even if the arrow misses, but will cause AoE scatter after a few hits. The mobs are pretty likely to break aggro in Normal Mode after using both Dual Shot and Triple Shot once.
T. Drake
Never tried it, but I think it should as long as you use a bow without an elemental bowstring. Although you loose some "spike damage", since Ignite Arrows is slightly weaker than Kindle Arrows, but IA is better against mobs.
Evilsod
Nice waste of an elite...
Ignite Arrows would work, but causes a ridiculous amount of scatter. Not much point using Ignite Arrows and Eles for some AoE damage when they spread out because of it.
Punishing Shot is quite fun these days now they've lowered its recharge.
Ignite Arrows would work, but causes a ridiculous amount of scatter. Not much point using Ignite Arrows and Eles for some AoE damage when they spread out because of it.
Punishing Shot is quite fun these days now they've lowered its recharge.
Kaida the Heartless
Because no class ever needs energy management...
Also, he specifically stated that he did not want interupts because he was useless with them. So, instead of an interupt, he gets energy with about the same damage.
The elite is fine.
Also, he specifically stated that he did not want interupts because he was useless with them. So, instead of an interupt, he gets energy with about the same damage.
The elite is fine.
Orange Milk
Gah, I don't like spreadign into 4 attrubutes unless I really have to.
But Tryout "Lightning Reflexes" instead of Whirling. Less down time and its an IAS, so faster kills, I guess, since that is waht you are looking for.
IF you don't want to go4 attributes try "Glass Arrows as a prep, and don't take WS skills. Its elite so you loose prep shot, however you would then jump your expertise up to 14 or 15 and that will automatically manage your energy better.
But Tryout "Lightning Reflexes" instead of Whirling. Less down time and its an IAS, so faster kills, I guess, since that is waht you are looking for.
IF you don't want to go4 attributes try "Glass Arrows as a prep, and don't take WS skills. Its elite so you loose prep shot, however you would then jump your expertise up to 14 or 15 and that will automatically manage your energy better.
MBP
honestly interrupting isn't all that hard...[skill]punishing shot[/skill] would be great in a spiking build just spam it like any other skill and think of the interrupt as an extra
Kaida the Heartless
He's already spamming two other 10 energy skills. He would need expertise at 14+ to handle that.
SotiCoto
I tend to be a bit of a two-attribute monkey... generally.
I could manage 14+ Expertise... surely?
I could manage 14+ Expertise... surely?
iridescentfyre
Personally I feel like any build is naked without an interrupt of some sort. You may not feel you're very good at it, but in "general pve use," you're going to encounter enemies using Healing Signets, Troll Unguents, Fireballs, Earthquakes/Dragon Stomps, minion spells, and even the occasional Meteor Shower... all of which cast in 2-3 (or 5!) seconds, and are staggeringly easy to interrupt.
Furthermore, having Punishing Shot or Savage Shot on your bar gives you another attack to chain together with Dual Shot (or whatever) since they fire a full-damage arrow in a half a second. It doesn't have to interrupt anything... Dual Shot + Punishing Shot is 3 arrows in short order, plus all of your preparations, Conjure Element, and/or weapon mods attached to each.
Furthermore, having Punishing Shot or Savage Shot on your bar gives you another attack to chain together with Dual Shot (or whatever) since they fire a full-damage arrow in a half a second. It doesn't have to interrupt anything... Dual Shot + Punishing Shot is 3 arrows in short order, plus all of your preparations, Conjure Element, and/or weapon mods attached to each.
SotiCoto
My attempts at using Savage Shot so far have been.... well... disheartening.
I mean sure... I have occasionally managed to interrupt things by accident, but that is all it was: accidental. Even some comparitively simple things I have failed to interrupt because I couldn't hit them with the arrow in time (either because my flatbow arc is too long even with Read the Wind, or I wasn't close enough to use my shortbow).
I mean sure... I have occasionally managed to interrupt things by accident, but that is all it was: accidental. Even some comparitively simple things I have failed to interrupt because I couldn't hit them with the arrow in time (either because my flatbow arc is too long even with Read the Wind, or I wasn't close enough to use my shortbow).
T. Drake
uhm I think the Flatbow is the worst bow for interrupting, go with a recurve bow or a short bow (I prefer the recurve bow) and use skills to decrease the flight time of your arrows (Read The Wind or Favorable Winds).
EDIT: No other builds so far? There must be more than your average Splinter+Barrage build.
EDIT: No other builds so far? There must be more than your average Splinter+Barrage build.
lordpwn
I can often interrupt 1 second cast time stuff with a Flatbow, using either FW or Read the Wind to speed the arrows up a bit.
With some practice you might start noticing patterns in how enemies use skills, and fire the interrupt at them before they start using a skill. Nothing beats seeing that bar appear and get stopped in a split-second. I've occasionally managed to make some predictable casters run away or rage quit in AB by consistently interrupting everything they've tried to cast for some time.
Also, if you have at least two interrupts and enough Expertise you can just spam interrupts at your target between your other attacks, there's always a chance your Distracting Shot interrupts something your enemy can't be effective without.
With some practice you might start noticing patterns in how enemies use skills, and fire the interrupt at them before they start using a skill. Nothing beats seeing that bar appear and get stopped in a split-second. I've occasionally managed to make some predictable casters run away or rage quit in AB by consistently interrupting everything they've tried to cast for some time.
Also, if you have at least two interrupts and enough Expertise you can just spam interrupts at your target between your other attacks, there's always a chance your Distracting Shot interrupts something your enemy can't be effective without.
moriz
you can try a single target spike build.... but i believe AoE is still much more effective in PvE regardless. might be more useful in DoA though:
R/E
exp=11+2 mark=8+1 wil=8+3 rest into fire magic
triple shot
dual shot
quick shot
needling shot
kindle arrows
conjure flame
optional
optional
a straight up spike ranger. it's got a very low marksmanship attribute because much of the damage will come from kindle arrows and conjure flame. also because of the damage reduction per arrow on triple and dual shot, having a lower base damage is a good idea.
remember to use a vampiric bow for more damage
R/E
exp=11+2 mark=8+1 wil=8+3 rest into fire magic
triple shot
dual shot
quick shot
needling shot
kindle arrows
conjure flame
optional
optional
a straight up spike ranger. it's got a very low marksmanship attribute because much of the damage will come from kindle arrows and conjure flame. also because of the damage reduction per arrow on triple and dual shot, having a lower base damage is a good idea.
remember to use a vampiric bow for more damage
Tutis Evito
Melandru's Shot is a good energy mangement skill.
For spiking, smilar to Moriz I use
Triple Shot
Dual Shot
Needling Shot
Determind Shot/Hunters Shot
Glass Arrows
Conjure Flame
FW
Optional
With this you can deal out massive amount of damage.
Make sure you have a bow with a firey string and I do like to have a bow with a dmg +15% when enchanted ( conjure flame is an enchartment ) and either have a bow grip with armor + 5 / Hp +30 / Enchnatments +20%
Lay down FW>Glass Arrows>Conjure Flame> then spam your attacks, use needling show repeatdely on mobs under 50% health
For spiking, smilar to Moriz I use
Triple Shot
Dual Shot
Needling Shot
Determind Shot/Hunters Shot
Glass Arrows
Conjure Flame
FW
Optional
With this you can deal out massive amount of damage.
Make sure you have a bow with a firey string and I do like to have a bow with a dmg +15% when enchanted ( conjure flame is an enchartment ) and either have a bow grip with armor + 5 / Hp +30 / Enchnatments +20%
Lay down FW>Glass Arrows>Conjure Flame> then spam your attacks, use needling show repeatdely on mobs under 50% health
SotiCoto
Latest discovery: Lightning Reflexes is my friend.
<3 IAS.
Then again.... with GW:EN coming very soon I'll be looking to get Rapid Fire (a constantly maintainable 33% IAS on bows is bound to get insta-nerfed though)... though since it is a preparation it won't be usable with Barrage.
Not only that.... but it looks like there will be a non-elite Barrage skill as well!
I can tell ahead of time that Rangers are going to become SERIOUSLY pimped in GW:EN.
In any case.... thanks for the advice folks.
After I finish up Nahpui Quarter tonight I'll unlock the Elementalist (for the recommended builds), Warrior (for Bunny Thumping), Necromancer (for Touching), Mesmer (for Echo-Trapping) and Dervish (because all my characters need Pious Haste) secondaries for Soo Kim.... and she'll be ready to rock! ^_^
<3 IAS.
Then again.... with GW:EN coming very soon I'll be looking to get Rapid Fire (a constantly maintainable 33% IAS on bows is bound to get insta-nerfed though)... though since it is a preparation it won't be usable with Barrage.
Not only that.... but it looks like there will be a non-elite Barrage skill as well!
I can tell ahead of time that Rangers are going to become SERIOUSLY pimped in GW:EN.
In any case.... thanks for the advice folks.
After I finish up Nahpui Quarter tonight I'll unlock the Elementalist (for the recommended builds), Warrior (for Bunny Thumping), Necromancer (for Touching), Mesmer (for Echo-Trapping) and Dervish (because all my characters need Pious Haste) secondaries for Soo Kim.... and she'll be ready to rock! ^_^
Mitchel
Quote:
Originally Posted by SotiCoto
Then again.... with GW:EN coming very soon I'll be looking to get Rapid Fire (a constantly maintainable 33% IAS on bows is bound to get insta-nerfed though)... though since it is a preparation it won't be usable with Barrage With rapid fire you can't use Apply + it's in Marksmanship.
SotiCoto
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitchel
With rapid fire you can't use Apply + it's in Marksmanship.
.... Apply what?
Poison?
Couldn't care less. Constant IAS > Poison! =D
[Not only that... but I always bring Olias with me and Olias always brings Death Nova... and minions explode pretty frequently... so the enemies get poisoned anyway.]
And it being in Marksmanship is surely a GOOD thing for someone using a bow... right? 8 or 9 ranks in Marksmanship is easily enough, by the guildwiki description, to keep the preparation up all the time.... and that is the minimum needed to use a bow effectively anyhow.
Poison?
Couldn't care less. Constant IAS > Poison! =D
[Not only that... but I always bring Olias with me and Olias always brings Death Nova... and minions explode pretty frequently... so the enemies get poisoned anyway.]
And it being in Marksmanship is surely a GOOD thing for someone using a bow... right? 8 or 9 ranks in Marksmanship is easily enough, by the guildwiki description, to keep the preparation up all the time.... and that is the minimum needed to use a bow effectively anyhow.
Tutis Evito
Quote:
lennymon
Ranger interruption is kind of like mind reading, you more just guess when they *will* cast, and launch for that.
You'll get better if you keep at it, I promise. You may never feel up to playing an interrupter in GVG, but you'll get better. Actually I find broadhead arrow helps alot as well for learning while still hitting the interrupt
But...
Burning Arrow, Apply poison, add the interrupts just for faster damage and voila... you got about the fastest damage a (bow) ranger gets. If you want faster damage, get a dire pet and go enraged lunge!
You'll get better if you keep at it, I promise. You may never feel up to playing an interrupter in GVG, but you'll get better. Actually I find broadhead arrow helps alot as well for learning while still hitting the interrupt
But...
Burning Arrow, Apply poison, add the interrupts just for faster damage and voila... you got about the fastest damage a (bow) ranger gets. If you want faster damage, get a dire pet and go enraged lunge!
placebo overdose
this is my idea but i like read the wind and a flatbow it adds damage, low arch, great range, and fast refire
SotiCoto
Quote:
Originally Posted by lennymon
But...
Burning Arrow, Apply poison, add the interrupts just for faster damage and voila... you got about the fastest damage a (bow) ranger gets. If you want faster damage, get a dire pet and go enraged lunge! But... but but....
IAS!
And as I said... if the enemies are already poisoned thanks to Olias's Death Novas (as well as Bleeding thanks to Jagged Horrors and Burning thanks to Mark of Rodgort {Sousuke} + Fire Damage {Greater Conflagration on Sousuke})... then poisoning them more won't do anything. On the other hand IAS will always mean more damage!
I suppose I shouldn't be arguing with a more experienced Ranger player about how to use Rangers... but my straight-forward reasoning tells me that Rapid Fire will be the way to go...
Then again, Lightning Reflexes isn't serving me too badly at the moment, so I have no reason to believe it wouldn't do just fine in future either.
As a sidenote, that new Volley skill looks like it could be useful with Splinter Weapon instead of using Barrage.... freeing up the elite slot for something else. ^_^
Burning Arrow, Apply poison, add the interrupts just for faster damage and voila... you got about the fastest damage a (bow) ranger gets. If you want faster damage, get a dire pet and go enraged lunge! But... but but....
IAS!
And as I said... if the enemies are already poisoned thanks to Olias's Death Novas (as well as Bleeding thanks to Jagged Horrors and Burning thanks to Mark of Rodgort {Sousuke} + Fire Damage {Greater Conflagration on Sousuke})... then poisoning them more won't do anything. On the other hand IAS will always mean more damage!
I suppose I shouldn't be arguing with a more experienced Ranger player about how to use Rangers... but my straight-forward reasoning tells me that Rapid Fire will be the way to go...
Then again, Lightning Reflexes isn't serving me too badly at the moment, so I have no reason to believe it wouldn't do just fine in future either.
As a sidenote, that new Volley skill looks like it could be useful with Splinter Weapon instead of using Barrage.... freeing up the elite slot for something else. ^_^
moriz
not to mention, a good 60% of GW:EN monsters are either immune to poison, or immune to burning, or both.
and yes, the volley skill does look very good. you can do the old splinter weapon trick with a useful utility elite added in, like broadhead arrow for caster shutdown. however, since most splinter/barrage rangers run very little in marksmanship, i have no idea just how effective a 9 marks broadhead arrow really is.
and yes, the volley skill does look very good. you can do the old splinter weapon trick with a useful utility elite added in, like broadhead arrow for caster shutdown. however, since most splinter/barrage rangers run very little in marksmanship, i have no idea just how effective a 9 marks broadhead arrow really is.
haggus71
60% immune to burning, wuh? I've been using a flaming barrage build. For the first time since Proph it's been effective on just about everything. Gone through the whole preview and it worked like a champ.
moriz
"60% of GW:EN monsters are either immune to poison, or immune to burning, or both"
please read carefully before posting. while there are not many monsters that are immune to burning (although the destroyers come to mind), a good chunk of the monsters ARE immune to poison.
please read carefully before posting. while there are not many monsters that are immune to burning (although the destroyers come to mind), a good chunk of the monsters ARE immune to poison.
haggus71
If you include all the charr, the centaurs in the last eotn quest, the mandragor, giants, wolves, these are all vulnerable to poison and burning. They far outnumber the ice elementals, avalanches, wisps and destroyers in the game. The worms in the beginning are also vulnerable to both. I read carefully. You quoted a hard percentage, which from the numbers doesn't add up.
Anyways, I said just about everything. I'm not running a fire build, and with a fiery bowstring I only use conjure flame and barrage, so I have slots left for D-shot, S-shot and whatever damage dealer I need for the situation. With 14 E I have plenty of energy, and I have heroes/guildies to cover anything else.
A "good chunk" + "not many" does not = a hard 60%.
Anyways, I said just about everything. I'm not running a fire build, and with a fiery bowstring I only use conjure flame and barrage, so I have slots left for D-shot, S-shot and whatever damage dealer I need for the situation. With 14 E I have plenty of energy, and I have heroes/guildies to cover anything else.
A "good chunk" + "not many" does not = a hard 60%.
Fire The Nutter
I'd agree with the burning arrow+apply poision posted above, I change my build around slightly depending on the area (im working to finish both Factions titles and complete Nightfall so some differences).
I was a little annoyed that ANet nerfed the standard fire builds by making the destroyers immune to burning which breaks a fair few cookie cutter hero builds (mines based on Morgahn, They're on fire + SF's Eles/MM Necros with burning finale) but overall I didnt have any problem with the weekend either regardless of which build I used.
BTW if you do ever need energy + interrupt, go Me second and added power drain 7 pts in inspiration gives a 3/4sec interrupt and E Gain, ive found it v.handy for that extra interrupt as it works regardless of your bow choice.
As the other posters say, learn interrupting, AI is sooo stupid and will spam skill after skill and its v.predictable after a while
I was a little annoyed that ANet nerfed the standard fire builds by making the destroyers immune to burning which breaks a fair few cookie cutter hero builds (mines based on Morgahn, They're on fire + SF's Eles/MM Necros with burning finale) but overall I didnt have any problem with the weekend either regardless of which build I used.
BTW if you do ever need energy + interrupt, go Me second and added power drain 7 pts in inspiration gives a 3/4sec interrupt and E Gain, ive found it v.handy for that extra interrupt as it works regardless of your bow choice.
As the other posters say, learn interrupting, AI is sooo stupid and will spam skill after skill and its v.predictable after a while
payne
[skill]broad head arrow[/skill] surely this is the best ranger elite to use if you want to interupt your foe and the best and really one of the only options for HM ranger players...?
Marverick
Most stuff is immune to poison which is why I use [skill]Expert's Focus[/skill][skill]Poison Tip Signet[/skill] instead of Apply Poison.
Here's a nice way to spam AoE damage and knockdown.
Expertise 12+3+1
Scythe Mastery 12
*need a Zealous Scythe*
[skill]Expert's Dexterity[/skill][skill]Aura of Holy Might[/skill][skill]"Dodge This!"[/skill][skill]Club of a Thousand Bears[/skill][skill]Zealous Sweep[/skill][skill]Eremite's Attack[/skill][skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill][skill]Throw Dirt[/skill]
Here's a nice way to spam AoE damage and knockdown.
Expertise 12+3+1
Scythe Mastery 12
*need a Zealous Scythe*
[skill]Expert's Dexterity[/skill][skill]Aura of Holy Might[/skill][skill]"Dodge This!"[/skill][skill]Club of a Thousand Bears[/skill][skill]Zealous Sweep[/skill][skill]Eremite's Attack[/skill][skill]Lightning Reflexes[/skill][skill]Throw Dirt[/skill]
AaronSwitchblade
Quote:
Originally Posted by SotiCoto
I mean sure... I have occasionally managed to interrupt things by accident, but that is all it was: accidental. Even some comparitively simple things I have failed to interrupt because I couldn't hit them with the arrow in time (either because my flatbow arc is too long even with Read the Wind, or I wasn't close enough to use my shortbow).
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by payne
[skill]broad head arrow[/skill] surely this is the best ranger elite to use if you want to interupt your foe and the best and really one of the only options for HM ranger players...?
How do you figure? It only interrupts spells.
pingu666
dazed only effects spells, but it shuts down casters by 90-95% in pve, very much worth the elite slot. savage and distracting recharge quickly, unlike some mesmer interupts where u cant/dont want to risk wasting them, and get all nervous and mess up. they interupt the target foes action aswell, so ull always stop them from doing something..
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