CS Ranger build from infancy

[Orthin]

So I am going to play around and have a little fun but I rolled a Ranger and here is my current setup. The focus is on being a CS caster purely. Going Voln and will update as the Journey continues!


Raenar (at level 3), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 20 4
Shield Use.........................| 20 4
Edged Weapons......................| 40 8
Physical Fitness...................| 20 4
Dodging............................| 20 4
Harness Power......................| 50 10
Survival...........................| 30 6
Perception.........................| 20 4

Spell Lists
Minor Spiritual....................| 2

Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 3

[BriarFox]

I would do sword and board or ranged for defense. Not sure where you’re going with the TWC/brawling.

[Orthin]

I would do sword and board or ranged for defense. Not sure where you’re going with the TWC/brawling.

I honestly didn't know either I just thought the open hand would help but it looks as though 603 is cast only so guessing the open hand situation isn't needed. I will tweak it now, those extra couple points will be nice!

[caelric]

You could drop all the weapon and unarmed, and go strictly caster. 2x in spell aim, carry a runestaff, and be a CS and bolters. 611 has a bolt option, although that would be mana intensive. Supplement with wands as needed. Hunting undead, get a cleric to bless a bunch of aquamarine wands, and you can holy bolt your way through things with all the wands.

That's my plan for a baby ranger, as soon as they hit 15 trains. And that's only because I have a really nice 6x runestaff I want them to use, so I'm 2HW my way through tings until then.

If there was a SK 306 item out there, I'd even consider buying that.

[wetsand]

I disagree with going sword/board if you want to max out your CS/magic skills. 2x brawl/1 rank TWC is cheaper. If you want to max out your DS sword/board is better but brawling isn't that far behind. You can even use 102 with brawling to close the gap. Not to mention it doesn't effect MM which will still allow you to be effective at UCS attacks.

[BriarFox]

By the way, don't forget that with the new changes, you can make your own 603 rods with Imbue and basically never run out of mana on a hunt.

[Orthin]

I may swap to runestaff later on but I am using this build on a Hardcore Toon at the moment so DS is critical for me and I can't use outside spells or anything I cannot buy myself at the pawnshop so it will limit my growth in that capacity, otherwise my cleric could be a mana battery for lil man.

Whats this about Imbue making 603 rods? Could I actually do that AT 14 (assuming I had the spell) or would I have to be like level 30 to really enjoy that luxury?

[BriarFox]

You need SMC ranks to make the rods without too much trouble but 5-10 will do. See the release guide I linked in the ranger changes thread.

[Orthin]

Not far along by any stretch but update incoming (literally no one asked).

This is a hardcore toon but was able to afford and buy some 2x armor and +11 shield. CS is 44 which is ripping through lvl 1-4 stuff I am hunting. DS in guarded is around 140ish so pretty much untouchable with what I am hunting which is perfect.

Raenar (at level 7), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 40 8
Shield Use.........................| 40 8
Edged Weapons......................| 74 16
Physical Fitness...................| 40 8
Dodging............................| 40 8
Harness Power......................| 82 18
Spirit Mana Control................| 15 3
Survival...........................| 54 11
Perception.........................| 40 8
First Aid..........................| 15 3

Spell Lists
Minor Spiritual....................| 3

Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 6

[Silvasar]

How is this working out thus far? The revamped ranger spells brought me back to the game and want to try a pure druid build. Problem is I don't know what to expect later in the game. The highest I've ever trained is 18, and that was well over 10 years ago. Could I even survive with 8x magic skills and a good runestaff? Of course as much cman and dodge as I can fit too.

[Orthin]

I am level 9 at the moment and doing great. It is slower hunting for sure and I tend to underhunt just a tad but I am pretty successful at doing bounties. Also I am doing this with no outside spells or help so assuming you had outside spells/help (IE Dreavening) you would be even more successful.

I am pretty much unhittable as is with my current build. I only play my dude during lumnis (not my main) and I am thoroughly enjoying this.

[Silvasar]

Hell yeah! I think I'll convert my skills over to 8x magic then. I'm at level 10 and can invest in some enchanted doubles and a runestaff. I did catch the Dreavening bug. I can easily hunt without it at this level, though. Just concerned about later levels as a pure ranger, especially if I will at any point be hunting self buffed.

[TheLastShamurai]

How is this working out thus far? The revamped ranger spells brought me back to the game and want to try a pure druid build. Problem is I don't know what to expect later in the game. The highest I've ever trained is 18, and that was well over 10 years ago. Could I even survive with 8x magic skills and a good runestaff? Of course as much cman and dodge as I can fit too.


>skill
Nroth (at level 61), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 30 6
Combat Maneuvers...................| 152 52
Physical Fitness...................| 162 62
Dodging............................| 162 62
Harness Power......................| 162 62
Spirit Mana Control................| 150 50
Spiritual Lore - Blessings.........| 70 15
Spiritual Lore - Summoning.........| 147 47
Perception.........................| 162 62
Climbing...........................| 90 20
Swimming...........................| 90 20

Spell Lists
Minor Spiritual....................| 20

Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 71

I switched to pure at level 40 and am doing great. You might be able to get to 8x magic ranks if I drop a bunch of shit, but frankly it isn't needed and would probably make me weaker overall. I can hunt self-spelled just fine.

EDIT: Oh gear, my gear is 4xish.

[Silvasar]

>skill
Nroth (at level 61), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 30 6
Combat Maneuvers...................| 152 52
Physical Fitness...................| 162 62
Dodging............................| 162 62
Harness Power......................| 162 62
Spirit Mana Control................| 150 50
Spiritual Lore - Blessings.........| 70 15
Spiritual Lore - Summoning.........| 147 47
Perception.........................| 162 62
Climbing...........................| 90 20
Swimming...........................| 90 20

Spell Lists
Minor Spiritual....................| 20

Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 71

I switched to pure at level 40 and am doing great. You might be able to get to 8x magic ranks if I drop a bunch of shit, but frankly it isn't needed and would probably make me weaker overall. I can hunt self-spelled just fine.

EDIT: Oh gear, my gear is 4xish.

Okay, this gives me a bit more confidence. I bought some 4x leathers and a 4x runestaff. I'll play around with skills during the 30 day window and see what fits. 8x magic really strains my current training points and I doubt I could get enough summoning and blessing lore to my liking. Your build looks much better, although I was looking forward to bolting with moonbeam and fire spirit.

[TheLastShamurai]

Okay, this gives me a bit more confidence. I bought some 4x leathers and a 4x runestaff. I'll play around with skills during the 30 day window and see what fits. 8x magic really strains my current training points and I doubt I could get enough summoning and blessing lore to my liking. Your build looks much better, although I was looking forward to bolting with moonbeam and fire spirit.

I tried that on the test server, but our bolt AS is trash. And I suspect even if you managed to bring it up via gear, enhancives, MA'ing, and Ascension... the TTK on just 616'ing everything will still beat it out. And the maneuver version of 611 is busted if you're 1x Summon... that said, it's usually still a better idea to open with 616/sweep/sym sleep if you're trained for it than to open with 611; for my guy, anywho.

[Silvasar]

I tried that on the test server, but our bolt AS is trash. And I suspect even if you managed to bring it up via gear, enhancives, MA'ing, and Ascension... the TTK on just 616'ing everything will still beat it out. And the maneuver version of 611 is busted if you're 1x Summon... that said, it's usually still a better idea to open with 616/sweep/sym sleep if you're trained for it than to open with 611; for my guy, anywho.

Lol, well that settles it then. A shame about our bolt AS. What a waste of potential and code. They clearly intended it to be an option, so hopefully they buff it.

Mid-hunt I swapped skills to something resembling your build and my DS increased by roughly 20. I'm convinced! Mind sharing how you spent your cman points?

[TheLastShamurai]

Nroth, your Combat Maneuvers are as follows:

Skill name Mnemonic Ranks
----------------------------------------------------
Combat Focus focus 3
Cunning Defense cdefense 5

Available Combat Maneuver Points: 5

We don't really have amazing options to go with a Druid build, so I've been going with defensive stuff.

Pre-40, I found Sweep very useful as a non-mana setup for 616.

[TheLastShamurai]

Training CMAN is something you could potentially skip if you wanted.

[Silvasar]

I'll keep that in mind as I play around with skills. I definitely could use the extra points. I appreciate all the advice!

[GSIV Rogue]

Post cap pure casting druid here. Leveled up as a druid under the old spell system (did melee until level 23 and then used 616 exclusively after that). Also, did the entire game self-spelled with 4x gear. The new spells have vastly improved quality of life and I cannot say enough good things about them.

When looking at all factors = Shield/Brawl is going to be your best bet defensively for this particular build.

Don't go past 6 ranks of armor use until post cap. Stay in doubles forever.

You don't need summoning lore to be effective. Train 0 ranks until post cap. Blessing lore will be your best friend if you're going self-cast. TD - (specifically elemental/sorc/bard) will be your weakest link - but can be overcome.

Don't skip training CM - you will regret it - you will definitely want focus and cdefense. This build needs no help from the offensive CMAN list whatsoever.

Keep Ranger spells at 1x until post cap - further training is not necessary to level up 0-100. Learn up to 120 ASAP.

Use your tools. Start noticing how all the spells interact and you can make extremely effective hunting routines. Avoid puncture immune/flying/non-crittable mobs. Later on, this build is superb at locking down a room and facing mass swarms - you can really simulate the effect of turning the entirety of your surroundings against your enemies.

Dev is pushing druids to go runestaff but I would not recommend it from a mechanical standpoint.

[Alashir]

Anyone else care to comment on the bolt AS? Is it doable but painful? Not doable at all?

[BriarFox]

I tried it, but bolt AS is not currently viable unless you also use 607/117/etc first. I had about 350 Bolt AS with 2x SA at cap, which was unworkable. I would avoid it. Mestys has mentioned there may be something eventually as part of Ascension that makes it more viable, but that's a long ways off.

[Alashir]

I tried it, but bolt AS is not currently viable unless you also use 607/117/etc first. I had about 350 Bolt AS with 2x SA at cap, which was unworkable. I would avoid it. Mestys has mentioned there may be something eventually as part of Ascension that makes it more viable, but that's a long ways off.

Right on, thank you.

[Shaps]

Pulled out the Ranger (late 60s) to test some - I was hunting Minos 4-6 levels above me - my observations so far:

Runestaff is doable if want to (only using 4x gear). With just elementals DS is over 500 in guarded. I'm sure those higher level know what's needed with regards to Brawl/Shield - but it's at least reasonable for me. If were to play my Ranger it's the "vision" I have for him, so nice to see feasible in the 70s at least.

I ran the evoked version of 650 Porcupine - The bonuses to Wall of Thorns seemed best to me for hunting. If someone has a better recommendation open to try it.

Learn what situation to use Sunburst (CS), Tangleweed (spell ranks-room control), Moonbeam (SMR) prior to casting Spike Thorn. Helps on saving mana and noticed each setup is uniquely effective depending on the creature/situation. Able to save a few points of mana per kill if utilizing the one that is most effective for the mob you are killing. Most kills hunting Minos is 1 cast of Sunburst or Moonbeam (found Moonbeam most effective personally on them) - then 1 cast of Spike Thorn and they're usually dead. I had to do 2 casts of Spike Thorn very few times following the setup.

Agree with a poster above, I tried Sweep, Dirtkick, and Feint. None are needed as with enough spell ranks Moonbeam and Tangleweed are effective enough control and setup mechanisms. I may go back to Dirtkick, as the 2 second RT along with no loss of effectiveness from guarded stance was very nice for a fast stall when low on mana. By no means necessary though.

I haven't ran into anything where I need to cast Entropy first, then Sun/Moon, then Thorn. I just go Sun/Moon then Thorn. That may change 80+.

I plan on doing some more testing, but feels very different than what I normally play and seems extremely effective. I still want to move some points around and refine it a bit, but thought would give my perspective on it.

Edit: Thinking about it - If they were to make 611 as a Maneuver (SMR) able to hit multiple mobs (similar to 1602 or 1614) that would be amazing. Place it under lores to open it up - but if could open cast 611 and stun up 4-5 creatures at once then 635 it would be insane.

[GSIV Rogue]

Happy beyond words to see all the druids...I would really encourage everyone here to tune into #mechanics on the Gemstone IV Discord server. People are on there complaining about the new ranger spells due to getting killed by them. Please speak up when you see this and tell them to "Get Nature Resist on their armor" or "Get more TD via Ascension / Enhancives" or anything else you can think of. Please don't let them nerf our spells! Also a great place to discuss suggestions for new spell implementation...make sure to keep up on surveys and things on the officials. Let's not let our profession get 20 years behind again.

*nudges Nuadjha*

Hit me up if any of ya'll ever need any help or guidance I would love to assist.

[Gamdillo]

About what training is it visible to hunt like this with no wands? And what is the “best” training regiment for it?

[TheLastShamurai]

About what training is it visible to hunt like this with no wands? And what is the “best” training regiment for it?

If you mean only using spells to kill, you can reliably do it level 40+. It's very mana intensive. I posted my training in this thread earlier if you want to take a look; I use a runestaff. You don't have to do anything special with it. It's the same way I trained when I used UAC, but with more spell ranks.

[Shaps]

To back up what TheLastShamurai said - it is very mana intensive.

One supporting system that I would recommend, specifically for Rangers over any other class, is look into mana flares. With the revamp they are very nice from my perspective. Getting full mana return on a Spike Thorn cast is extremely nice and helps prolong hunts. Fortunately, mana flares are pretty cheap right now comparatively speaking.

[Orthin]

Finally capped my main and am dusting this guy back off! Changed it up a little bit for now but plan to move FT come level 19-20.

(at level 7), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 40 8
Shield Use.........................| 40 8
Brawling...........................| 66 14
Physical Fitness...................| 40 8
Dodging............................| 40 8
Harness Power......................| 66 14
Spirit Mana Control................| 45 9
Survival...........................| 20 4
Perception.........................| 40 8
First Aid..........................| 15 3

Spell Lists
Minor Spiritual....................| 2

Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 8



Currently hunting with 603 and the occasional troll-claw kill