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Character Builds & Optimization
Optimization Challenge! - 12th level ranger, various weapons
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<blockquote data-quote="jbear" data-source="post: 5575712" data-attributes="member: 75065"><p>Well, on the melee side of your build one suggestion would be to take Two Weapon Fighting. It will add an extra +1 DMG to both weapon attacks and it opens up some very cool feats, more importantly.</p><p></p><p>If you are thinking two big swords ... well maybe you don't want this. But if you are content to use 2 rapiers and save yourself a feat along the way then check out Swift Blade Style: If you wield a light weapon in each hand and hit with both attacks using Twin Strike: Deal extra DEX dmg which in you case is +6. Ouch.</p><p></p><p>In any case, even with 2 bastard swords: Two Weapon Opening: Crit with your main hand and free attack with your off hand.</p><p></p><p>One way to increase the chance that this happens: Multiclass into Avenger (Disciple of Divine Wrath). Now when you go into melee mode, with minor action, you get to roll every attack twice and keep the higher result for 2 rounds. This is obviously a very good time to spend an AP.</p><p></p><p>Then again ... if your focused more on your Bow you may be reluctant to invest so many feats on your melee attacks. Then again you are investing in a superior melee weapon, so maybe not. </p><p></p><p>I realise you have preferred Master at Arms, but if you are going to 70% play a bow ranger I would suggest taking Bow Expertise. +2 atk at paragon and if your target is isolated extra +2 damage stacked on which is what makes Twin Strike powerful. Your allies if they have any kind of forced movement oriented powers can even help set this up for you when all enemies are totally engaged in combat. </p><p></p><p>Another feat to consider as you are mainly a bow ranger is Sly Hunter. Your WIS is high enough to qualify, and it adds +3 dmg to bow attacks vs creatures that have no other creature within 3 of them.</p><p></p><p>So now in combination if your target has noone next to them and noone within 3 of them: +5 dmg to each attack. Twin Strike in these circumstances is brutal, but really it improves ALL of your attacks potentially. The bonus is circumstantial, sure, but with a bow that big your goal is to pick off the ones standing in the back all alone. Hehe, just to screw with you: As a beastmaster you could even send your beast in the back and mark them as your Quarry! </p><p></p><p>Another Feat to consider is Lethal Hunter. The upgrade to your Quarry damage becomes really worth it at paragon level. 1d6 to 1d8, not so noticeable, but 2d6 to 2d8... This is obviously good both ranged and melee, giving it extra validity.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, hopefully that will give you at least a few new ideas.</p><p></p><p>EDIT: Final thought: Are you choosing elf because you like elves, or because they make OP rangers? Because I think what you are trying to achieve is Feat Heavy, and no one does feat heavy better than Humans. </p><p></p><p>You lose a +2 to Wisdom, but it stays at 16 and will defense is the same. 16 is fine. Your stats are +22 above normal point buy, so ... that extra +2 to Wisdom really isn't that necessary. The advantage to humans being obvious:</p><p>+1 FORT and REF, +1 feat (especially this), +1 trained skill (great!). I would choose the Heroic Effort encounter power rather than an extra at will. Ranger's don't need 3 at wills, they have twin strike ... And it almost does what elven precision does, not quite as good, but more versatile.</p><p></p><p>Also: I think going human, Superior Will is the way to go before Paragon Defense. It boosts your weak stat and the rider of a SThrow vs Stunned/Dazed at the start of your turn is awesomely good.</p><p></p><p>Oh and: Another possibilty would be Bow Expertise instead of the all weapons expertise feat and Light Blade Expertise instead of WeaponFocus (If you went down Rapier Line); you'd get bonuses to ranged and melee atks and the dmg to melee attacks is the same, it just requires achieving Cadv (not that difficult depending on who is in your group)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="jbear, post: 5575712, member: 75065"] Well, on the melee side of your build one suggestion would be to take Two Weapon Fighting. It will add an extra +1 DMG to both weapon attacks and it opens up some very cool feats, more importantly. If you are thinking two big swords ... well maybe you don't want this. But if you are content to use 2 rapiers and save yourself a feat along the way then check out Swift Blade Style: If you wield a light weapon in each hand and hit with both attacks using Twin Strike: Deal extra DEX dmg which in you case is +6. Ouch. In any case, even with 2 bastard swords: Two Weapon Opening: Crit with your main hand and free attack with your off hand. One way to increase the chance that this happens: Multiclass into Avenger (Disciple of Divine Wrath). Now when you go into melee mode, with minor action, you get to roll every attack twice and keep the higher result for 2 rounds. This is obviously a very good time to spend an AP. Then again ... if your focused more on your Bow you may be reluctant to invest so many feats on your melee attacks. Then again you are investing in a superior melee weapon, so maybe not. I realise you have preferred Master at Arms, but if you are going to 70% play a bow ranger I would suggest taking Bow Expertise. +2 atk at paragon and if your target is isolated extra +2 damage stacked on which is what makes Twin Strike powerful. Your allies if they have any kind of forced movement oriented powers can even help set this up for you when all enemies are totally engaged in combat. Another feat to consider as you are mainly a bow ranger is Sly Hunter. Your WIS is high enough to qualify, and it adds +3 dmg to bow attacks vs creatures that have no other creature within 3 of them. So now in combination if your target has noone next to them and noone within 3 of them: +5 dmg to each attack. Twin Strike in these circumstances is brutal, but really it improves ALL of your attacks potentially. The bonus is circumstantial, sure, but with a bow that big your goal is to pick off the ones standing in the back all alone. Hehe, just to screw with you: As a beastmaster you could even send your beast in the back and mark them as your Quarry! Another Feat to consider is Lethal Hunter. The upgrade to your Quarry damage becomes really worth it at paragon level. 1d6 to 1d8, not so noticeable, but 2d6 to 2d8... This is obviously good both ranged and melee, giving it extra validity. Anyway, hopefully that will give you at least a few new ideas. EDIT: Final thought: Are you choosing elf because you like elves, or because they make OP rangers? Because I think what you are trying to achieve is Feat Heavy, and no one does feat heavy better than Humans. You lose a +2 to Wisdom, but it stays at 16 and will defense is the same. 16 is fine. Your stats are +22 above normal point buy, so ... that extra +2 to Wisdom really isn't that necessary. The advantage to humans being obvious: +1 FORT and REF, +1 feat (especially this), +1 trained skill (great!). I would choose the Heroic Effort encounter power rather than an extra at will. Ranger's don't need 3 at wills, they have twin strike ... And it almost does what elven precision does, not quite as good, but more versatile. Also: I think going human, Superior Will is the way to go before Paragon Defense. It boosts your weak stat and the rider of a SThrow vs Stunned/Dazed at the start of your turn is awesomely good. Oh and: Another possibilty would be Bow Expertise instead of the all weapons expertise feat and Light Blade Expertise instead of WeaponFocus (If you went down Rapier Line); you'd get bonuses to ranged and melee atks and the dmg to melee attacks is the same, it just requires achieving Cadv (not that difficult depending on who is in your group) [/QUOTE]
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