What do I spend my Combat Maneuver Points on?

[Lady Sylvan]

Hello Rangers.

I was curious about cman points. I have a friend that is curious as to what he should spend his cman points on. Here are his skills:

Hes a sword and shield ambushing ranger (stealth)

??? (at level 38), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 140 40
Shield Use.........................| 140 40
Combat Maneuvers...................| 90 20
Edged Weapons......................| 180 80
Ambush.............................| 140 40
Physical Fitness...................| 140 40
Dodging............................| 140 40
Harness Power......................| 140 40
Spirit Mana Control................| 102 24
Survival...........................| 90 20
Stalking and Hiding................| 180 80
Perception.........................| 140 40
Climbing...........................| 90 20
Swimming...........................| 90 20
First Aid..........................| 90 20

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Cereal Killer]

As an ambushing OHE ranger, the only cmans that should directly benefit his hunting style are Shadow Mastery, and the defensive cmans like Cunning Defense and Combat Focus.

Beyond that, the skills he will be training in will be defensive in nature, since knowing the skills is good defense against critters using them against you. They will also be fun for him to use from time to time to hunt with friends or toy with monsters. These skills would be Feint, Disarm Weapon, Garrote, Shield Bash ... etc ...

[elcidcannon]

Sorry for the "necro."

How viable is dirtkick for an ambushing ranger? I think the perception and EBP penalty jive pretty well with the build, especially for highly perceptive mobs.

[Whirlin]

Sorry for the "necro."

How viable is dirtkick for an ambushing ranger? I think the perception and EBP penalty jive pretty well with the build, especially for highly perceptive mobs.
I'd still put stock in shadow mastery above dirtkick. EBP penalties really shouldn't be a factor compared to the benefits you'll be receiving with the stance pushdown from a successful ambush from hiding.