Dodging?

[Viekn]

So my 30 days is up today on my Sylvan Ranger. I only got him to level 11, because I just don't ever seem to have the time to get any character past 11-15 in my first 30 days, so not even trying to do better than that any more.

He is set up to be TWC with OHE (full 2x in both), 1x stalk and hide, 1x ambush, 1x CM, 1x First Aid and 1x Survival (because I really like to be able to do skinning/foraging bounties), 1x perception. He's only got 8 ranks of armor so he can wear doubles but I can't go higher than that now because of TP's and I'll just work to upgrade to higher tiers as I go along, I am fine with that.

My issue is, if I go with this build, there is no way I can fit in any type of dodge. The only way to fit in dodge is to do sword and board. I am dead set against archery. I'd really prefer not to do sword and board, but is not having any dodge just a complete non-starter for a character?

[Soulance]

I would think you'd be able to gain a little ground on dodge if you stick with doubles for awhile unless you are wanting to move up in armor.

[Androidpk]

Could always go .5x in CM and dodge.

[Viekn]

I would think you'd be able to gain a little ground on dodge if you stick with doubles for awhile unless you are wanting to move up in armor.

No, I am fine with sticking with doubles for quite some time. I really don't like spell hindrance so until I have enough mana to not really care about spell hindrance, I'm sticking with doubles.

[Viekn]

Could always go .5x in CM and dodge.

So in this regard, I'm not a big CM user anyway. I'll typically use the passive ones but when it comes to the other active ones, I just don't think about it. I primarily just "incant 6!%" (whatever) and "attack" or "ambush" and leave it at that. However, I realize there's the AS aspect of CM as well. So I guess the answer is, will going just .5 CM affect my AS too much? I'm guessing probably not as much as doing 0x Dodge will affect my DS?

[Androidpk]

Not really, especially since you are 2x in a weapon and have 606.

What kind of weapons are you using? I have a new ranger too I've been playing and can't decide between twc OHE or THW.

[Viekn]

Not really, especially since you are 2x in a weapon and have 606.

What kind of weapons are you using? I have a new ranger too I've been playing and can't decide between twc OHE or THW.

I'm using twc ohe with short swords. For whatever reason, I've just always liked TWC. With the way I like to play, I just like to see more hits vs. just one more damaging hit. Plus the EVP system really pisses me off when I miss or get parried, so I prefer the 2nd chance to get a hit vs. just the one chance with doing TWH or sword/board.

As my AGIDEX grows, I'll upgrade to falchions/handaxes or what not. Dual wielding handaxes seems kind of badass. Eventually though I may look to fixskill in to blunts and dual wield morningstars. Orbstar seems to like it and dual wielding spikestars seems like even more badassery.

[Androidpk]

I'm flip flopping between 2 flaring daggers and a katana. I've never tried blunts before, maybe I'll give those a shot.

[Viekn]

I'm flip flopping between 2 flaring daggers and a katana. I've never tried blunts before, maybe I'll give those a shot.

I thought very hard about doing katana, as I wanted my character to use a traditional Japanese style blade and be somewhat like a samurai, not so much exhibiting stereotypical Japanese/samurai culture, but to be a very spiritual character. But since I like the theory of TWC so much, I figured I could dual wield wakizashi and achieve the same goal.

[Soulance]

CM is nice later on for stuff like Cunning Defense and Disarm so you don't get disarmed as often from CM creatures. Ithzir like to use CM and bandits as well but bandits don't disarm.

Otherwise, Weapon Spec is fun in just adding to AS but you could probably accomplish a good amount doing .5x like Viekn said.

[gs4-PauperSid]

You'll get phantom dodge ranks from mobility (618) later anyhow. My ranger archer has no issues at 77 with zero dodge and tons of ranger circle to help. Also, assume serpent aspect when you get there helps evade.

[Soulance]

You'll get phantom dodge ranks from mobility (618) later anyhow. My ranger archer has no issues at 77 with zero dodge and tons of ranger circle to help. Also, assume serpent aspect when you get there helps evade.
Toss in some blurs and you're probably all set with dodge without even having to train much in it until you get to your post-cap goals.

[Androidpk]

I thought very hard about doing katana, as I wanted my character to use a traditional Japanese style blade and be somewhat like a samurai, not so much exhibiting stereotypical Japanese/samurai culture, but to be a very spiritual character. But since I like the theory of TWC so much, I figured I could dual wield wakizashi and achieve the same goal.

Same, as far as character design goes. Could always dual wield old style katanas:)

[Whirlin]

You're going to be TP starved as a TWC ranger for a while...
1) You really don't need to be a full 2x TWC... while TWC will help you out with some offhand parry values, and reduction of the failed to find an opening message, the returns from Dodge on DS will likely produce more substantial results.
2) Hiding... there are better things that you'll need sooner that'll produce higher returns than 1x hiding.


For reference, here is my level 17 TWC Ranger


Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Two Weapon Combat..................| 114 28
Armor Use..........................| 86 19
Combat Maneuvers...................| 86 19
Edged Weapons......................| 136 38
Physical Fitness...................| 86 19
Dodging............................| 86 19
Harness Power......................| 78 17
Survival...........................| 86 19
Perception.........................| 86 19
Climbing...........................| 50 10
Swimming...........................| 50 10
First Aid..........................| 86 19


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


Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 16

[Androidpk]

At what level does hiding/ambushing become worthwhile?

[Whirlin]

I'd recommend to start training in it once TWC is up to 2x, and you have the TP to support training in it! That'll likely happen once Armor Use is completed... Maybe you'd get to it around level 40-50? Lines you up well to be prepared for once the game 'starts' at 50

[Viekn]

Thanks Whirlin. Out of curiosity, why at level 17 did you go ahead and get 10 ranks of climb/swim? That's seems like something you could work in more slowly over time since it's not typically needed until later.

[Androidpk]

Depends on where you hunt I imagine. I know in Icemule you need some ranks (I have 10 on mu sorcerer) to get up to the abbey. Swimming though seems pointless until OTF for the most part.

[Whirlin]

Thanks Whirlin. Out of curiosity, why at level 17 did you go ahead and get 10 ranks of climb/swim? That's seems like something you could work in more slowly over time since it's not typically needed until later.
Just really something I could mark as done for now... in case I needed to head to EN or something, and I think some climbing checks for foggy valley? It's not like I'm hunting anything over my level which would require being a full 2x TWC at this point.

[Soulance]

Same, as far as character design goes. Could always dual wield old style katanas:)
My favorite TMNT!