Set stats for TWC RT reduction?..or don't worry about it?

[Viekn]

So as a Sylvankind Ranger, if I set my status to max at cap, it looks like my TWC roundtime for two falchions/handaxes, etc. won't be 5 seconds until I hit level 38. Because I don't want a TWC roundtime above 5 seconds, I'd be stuck using short swords and/or a main gauche until then. This is assuming I am just TWC'ing from open, not ambushing. Is it fairly feasible to go to 38 using those types of weapons, or will it be rough? I've already seen that most things I pick to hunt are fine, but I did notice hunting shelfae with a main gauche and a short sword was a bit rough because of the AvD.

Could I consider raising my AGI and DEX stats above what is needed to just have them max at cap so that I achieved the 5 sec TWC rt sooner? Or is it not really worth messing with my stats to achieve that? And I am talking about after my initial 30 day period for the character. During the first 30 stats are obviously set to max exp absorption/AS and minimize RT.

[Vorpodu]

You'll be more than OK with two flaring short swords from the open until you get the agi/dex for heavier weapons. Short swords are underrated IMO. You may want to stay with them even after you get the agi/dex for 5 second swings with handaxes.

[Vorpodu]

Oh, and stay away from main gauches. They suck. The extra DS isn't worth the pitiful damage they do.

[Wrathbringer]

Oh, and stay away from main gauches. They suck. The extra DS isn't worth the pitiful damage they do.

I dual wield main gauches.

[m444w]

Main gauches are a perfectly viable weapon for a variety of TWC situations including but not limited to:

areas which swarm but you tend to have more one-shot kills than attrition deaths (most of Teras pre-cap)
areas where you are more likely to face "disablers" on a consistent basis (CS spells that stun you such a mind jolt for example or cmans that place you in long bouts of RT)
situations where you are facing creatures with an abnormally large gap between their potential AS and their DS (troll kings, minotaurs, etc)
areas with special abilities that do considerable damage on remarkably low end rolls (Sheruvian Monastery & Spirit Drain)
areas where you are required to be in offensive stance due to particular abilities of the creatures (Pooka, Basilisks, Cockatrices)

The problem is he is not quite old enough to ambush or open-aim which is pretty important if you are going to be using small OHE's and a ranger and does not want to purchase weapons that will make his DPS increased due to flares. Other options would be lore investments to boost your tangleweed and breeze to add RT.

Not utilizing the stealth aspect of a ranger however, is eventually going to make your TWC build considerably more vulnerable to a variety situations that a well-placed short sword would quickly mitigate.

Anyway, I have played most of the past several years of GS as a rogue which only uses small blades from 0-cap, if you have any more questions particularly about the situational tactics that make such a build much more fun than most other builds, feel free to IM me.