TWF ranger weapon choices

[Shadeus]

I'm struggling with coming up with some good weapons for a TWF ranger I'm working on. I expect the weapon focus feat will come in handy; the question is, which is the right combo to go?

- dual short sword? (both +3 to hit; one weapon focus covers both weapons)
- longsword/short sword (both +3 to hit, but you have to pick on to weapon focus...or blow a second feat)
- scimitar/short sword (scimitar is +2 to hit only; this might not be worth until until scimitar dance is available at level 11)
- battle axe/handaxe (+2 to hit; one weapon focus; deadly axe at level 11 to make them high crit)

Any advise on which way to go? Thanks for your help.

 

[Agrias Oaks]

I say during the Heroic Tier, use bastard swords. Sure they cost a feat, but they are superior to any 1h weapon a ranger could use DURING that tier.

Once you get to Paragon, you have 2 choices, you can stay with Bastard swords, or retrain the Weapon proficiency to Scimitar dance and Dual wield scimitars. They might be tacky and cliche, but the Scimitar dance feat has great synergy with the Stormwarden path abilities.

 

[Shadeus]

Thanks for the reply. I also just noticed the two-blade fighting style lets you use any one-handed weapon as an off-hand weapon; that makes a big difference. A pair of d10s and a +3 to hit....I like it!

 

[vigormortis]

Scimitar I'd say is a good choice. High crit is great, especially since you will be making more attacks, meaning a higher chance of 19's and 20's cropping up. Bastard sword like Agrias says is also good, but the 1 feat at heroic tier is pretty costly, especially if you're not human and get an additional feat.

 

[Agrias Oaks]

Thanks for the reply. I also just noticed the two-blade fighting style lets you use any one-handed weapon as an off-hand weapon; that makes a big difference. A pair of d10s and a +3 to hit....I like it!

Yep! TWF rangers get a pretty cool ability, its kind of a shame they get such a strong ability when ranged rangers don't get one. This is also what makes scimitar dance so great for rangers.

If you use twin strike, even if you miss BOTH times, your still most likely doing 6-10 damage (Depending on dex mod). This is huge! If you combine this with the stormwardens ability to deal your dex mod in damage, your still doing a good deal of damage, irregardless of whether you hit or miss. For fun, get Blade oppurtunity and twin flurry, and attack 4 times on an OA, doing damage even if you miss all 4 times! (Note: I'm not responsible for the DM hittin ya on the head if you try this!)

Scimitar I'd say is a good choice. High crit is great, especially since you will be making more attacks, meaning a higher chance of 19's and 20's cropping up. Bastard sword like Agrias says is also good, but the 1 feat at heroic tier is pretty costly, especially if you're not human and get an additional feat.

A feat during the heroic tier is somewhat painful, aye. But for bastard swords, its worth it. A +3 to hit and 1d10 damage is quite big, and IMO they both rock with twin strike. I don't see rangers starting with 20 str most of the time (or 18, I might be biased since my puny TWF ranger has but 16 str) so its a worthwhile feat. They might be better for humans, who can afford the extra feat to pick them up at 1st level, as well as weapon focus (Which is IMO a better feat then lethal hunter at 1st level).

 

[vigormortis]

I didn't notice that bastard swords had +3 proficiency. That'd certainly make up for the high crit, considering how hard it is to get attack bonuses from feats. I'd say that for a pure melee ranger, bastard swords definitely seem the way to go.

 

[boolean]

Part of the decision depends on race. An Eladrin Ranger can use Eladrin Soldier instead of Weapon Focus to get more damage with longswords (or javelins/spears) in the heroic tier, while a Dwarf could get the same benefit with axes/hammers.

A Dwarf Ranger could then use Hammer Rhythm instead of Scimitar Dance for the same benefit.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Statwise, I'd say bastard sword are the top contenders over the course of your career.

Which is a damn shame, because the images in my mind of someone stumbling around with two four feet+ blades are causing me a headache. You don't even see that in movies, which should tell you something (Meaning, fight choreographer are unable to make it look cool so they stick to shorter weapons).

 

[szilard]

Personally, I like the versatility of weapons that can be thrown... particularly since most of your powers double as ranged ones.

-Stuart

 

[am181d]

I've got a ranger right now that's dual wielding flails, which is probably a bit silly, but it's also totally awesome.