Couple of training related questions

[Amber]

When I look at other people's training paths, I've noticed that almost all rangers have high pf and ambush levels. I'm wondering what the advantage of both of these are. I've got no ambush and stopped training pf way back when it maxed out health. What impact would training either of these up have, other than the obvious ability to ambush from hiding, which I don't do.

Also, it seems like most people either train in blessing or summoning but seldom both. Is there a reason for this, other than that you're limited to level + 2 in all lores and most people prefer to maximize just one rather than have both at lower levels?

[kgolfer]

PF - main component to redux, aids in manuevers, increases stamina (GoS), health recovery

Ambush - I will let an archer speak up about this.....my ranger is a OHE ambusher, so obvious why he trains in it.

Lores - expensive to learn as a ranger, probably a post cap priority (for most) to max or get a lot of lores, low on priority for most due to the amount of skils that are probably "more important", and I would say most probably pick a target to get initially and then go from there if they even decide to train in lores. My ranger has 27 ranks of blessing.

[Nuc]

I swing a claid so I stopped at 40 ranks of ambush since the diminishing returns don't warrant the training points.

[Ryvicke]

I can't recall which GM that recently quoted PF as the most important factor taken into account for dodging standard maneuver rolls (critter-based maneuvers NOT on the CMAN list), but that's a big reason Rangers are 1x'ing in it. If you're in GoS obviously it also adds to your stamina, stamina regen and health regen as well as being the number one factor in semidux.

As far as Ambush, it's been stated that Ambush and Perception are taken into account in equal parts in the hiding AIM formula (it is only perception for aiming from the open). So if you're sniping from hiding as a main attack form, ambush is a must.

It also adds to your AS: for ever 4 ranks of ambush AFTER 40 ranks you gain 1 AS (this is the same with perception). Here's the (somewhat complicated) formula:

Ranged AS = Dexterity bonus + Ranged Weapons skill + ((Perception ranks - 40)/4 + (Ambushing ranks - 40)/4) + (Bow enchant + Arrow enchant)

Nuadjha has a great archery guide up somewhere... I'm sure someone has a link handy.