(Elf) Ranger Paragon Paths

[Infiniti2000]

Just starting an elf ranger (archer) and I'm trying to choose the ranger style while keeping an eye on the paragon path. Defensive mobility sucks compared to Toughness, so I'm really leaning against archery, but that effectively only leaves me with the Elf path from PHB2. Your thoughts?

Attached is my current build, if you care to peek and offer additional suggestions. Note that we don't currently have a healer (only a shaman), so I picked a multiclass healing feat. However, that might change before we officially start, so I might re-select a different feat. Any arguments against improving quarry damage to 1d8?

 

[Nifft]

Martial Power has some Ranger PPs which aren't tied to a combat style.

IIRC there was a big discussion on Beastmaster Rangers being excellent archers due to this unrestriction.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Infiniti2000]

Sorry, core 3 + PHB2 only.

 

[Nifft]

Sorry, core 3 + PHB2 only.

Right. Well, there's always multiclassing.

Both Divine Oracle and Warpriest have some nice Wisdom attacks, and a Holy Symbol won't interfere with Twin Strike, since it doesn't require a hand-slot.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Lauberfen]

A rogue paragon perhaps?

 

[Mentat55]

I think you still go archery and take Battlefield Archer. If you want to be an elf archer and you are using only the PHB + PHB2, it is probably your best option.

Alternatively, multiclass fighter and go Pit Fighter. The powers are useless for an archer, but the +Wis to damage is awesome for an archer, the Extra Damage Action and +1 to AC when wearing armor are nothing to scoff at either.

Or if you are strongly Dex/Wis, you could go druid multiclass, or perhaps even better, avenger multiclass. Then you would be pretty versatile in melee combat (based on Wis) or ranged combat (based on Dex).

 

[Mad Hamish]

Just starting an elf ranger (archer) and I'm trying to choose the ranger style while keeping an eye on the paragon path. Defensive mobility sucks compared to Toughness, so I'm really leaning against archery, but that effectively only leaves me with the Elf path from PHB2. Your thoughts?

Defensive Mobility actually isn't a bad option.
It gives a bonus to AC against All opportunity attacks that you are exposed to and that can be very nice (especially if you go into hth range to try and get the fighter to hit enemies that attack you).
Certainly combined with Battlefield Archer and their level 16 ability it's a huge bonus and lets you go into melee range with a fair degree of safety (+7 to AC versus opportunity attacks after spending an action point and getting a action point every time you drop a target...)

Note that battlefield Archer is almost certainly the best prestige class published for a ranged attacking Ranger and you need the Archer class selection to do it.

(There are a couple of other nice ones in Martial Powers but you say you can't use them)

Any arguments against improving quarry damage to 1d8?

It's probably not worth it until level 11.
Weapon Focus giving the +1/tier to damage on all attacks adds more damage on average and there are enough other options for feats that I find it hard to sneak it in early.

 

[MadLordOfMilk]

Sorry it's not a direct answer (I don't know Rangers that well), but the Handbooks on the CharOp boards might give some solid insight into builds/fighting styles/PP choices... you can find them here. This thread in particular shows a ton of builds for Rangers, so if there's a solid archer build that has the melee fighting style, it'll probably be in there. The key thing to search for is good PPs from other classes that could work for you. Unfortunately, the lack of Martial Power as an option might make the option of picking the "wrong" fighting style incredibly difficult.

Defensive Mobility is a solid feat regardless, though. It counts not only for moving past enemies, but also ranged attacks made while adjacent to enemies, etc.

 

[Pickles JG]

I can't read your file for some reason. Lethal hunter is about the 4th best damage increase feat after Greatbow, weapon focus & weapon expertise so if you want more damage after those 3 then take it - take it at paragon sometime in anycase.

Toughness is better than Defensive Mobility overall but an archer can often avoid getting hit much so the loss is not huge & defensive mobility helps with flanking prime shots. Battlefield archer does look very good - if you are not set on any specific PP then that one is appealing especially without MP.

Oh & Shamans are healers.