Let's talk about Ranger

[zerohero]

terra, have you tried out using a -enmity build for rng? im curious about it myself, cuz i know already that we can do pretty decent dmg, but a WS and a barrage later etc we take hate. Is -enmity semi viable option and still keep dmg good?

I actually have tried a -enmity build on ranger. It's not bad tbh..but you really need a good paladin to keep hate off of you on any fight that's long (or another good DD w/provoke). I found TPing in -enmity on the lolAF2 is really not a completely bad thing in terms on keeping your hate low, you sac some dmg but that's obvious. I would say that -enmity on ranger is definetely an option because you're still going to do damage... especially with the patch now (<3 Velocity Shot). It's really absolutely essential to merit stealth shot at least once if you're serious about the job. Personally I merited 3 Snapshot, 2 Stealth Shot and 1 Flashy Shot in category 2. You're getting -10enmity on stealth shot per merit, so with 2 merits -20... that's huge on sidewinder. You can only use it once per 5 minutes but it is still a really big help. I would like to do a more thorough test on -enmity on ranger when I have the time, and I feel that i'm going to need to with velocity shot now. Thank god Namas Arrow is essentially hateless...

ive been a /war -enmity rng since day 1. big nerf was when i was 72ish so in endgame i was all bout getting max damage out of each shot and watching hate on my ws. merited rng last night prob first time in 6 months (im mostly cor for events and merits), had lots of fun. 250 consistant hits on nyzul mamools make up for no melee and DA.

[terraflarex]

Yeah I really never use ninja sub on ranger anymore..although it might be necessary now with the patch.

[GentaroX]

I see a Vakurm full of DNCs,SCHs and RNGs <.<

[zerohero]

I see a Vakurm full of DNCs,SCHs and RNGs <.<

whatever makes people buy more ammo is fine for me

[Starr]

I want to see some phat WS dmg now, really dissapointed they didn't make it <37 though.

[GentaroX]

I want to see some phat WS dmg now, really dissapointed they didn't make it <37 though.

I guess this ability is to make RNG more effective than SAM/RNG

[Lucavi]

Now lets just hope this doesn't attract the bandwagoners.

You know better than that, Sas. The damage of 4 jobs was dropped, and the damage of one job was substantially increased. Bandwagoners will leave sam and flock to rng -- its a simple equation.

The real statement should be: "I hope the sudden rush of bandwagoners to my job doesn't expose some glaring flaw or imbalance that would result in ranger once again being adjusted."

[Sanjiyan]

RNG is still expensive, and velocity shot is making it even more expensive to level. You don't want to level RNG, srsly.
<.<
>.>

[Valkrish]

with o.bow i don't really notice that much of a difference, its just a small bump up from the norm. i'm enjoying this patch a bunch though since i finally have a reason to bump up rapid shot gear for xp/merit :B

[Lucavi]

RNG is still expensive, and velocity shot is making it even more expensive to level. You don't want to level RNG, srsly.
<.<
>.>

A good try, but IGE isn't dead yet and bandwagoners never run out of credit card money. Also, nobody said the bandwagoners had to actually be good rangers -- they just have to draw unnecessary attention to the job to the point where a group starts whining and SE breaks out the adjusting pixie dust.

[Abel]

Like I said before though, people who aren't good rngs (ie most bandwagon people) will still suck and likely will do better on other jobs.

[Spider-Dan]

If I were a betting man, I'd say DRG is going to be the new SAM.

Unlike the others, DRG's Accuracy Up traits prevent them from feeling the sting of the DEX:ACC change as much. If WoG's merit areas are as piercing-prevalent as TAU's, DRG should jump to the front of the pack. And even if they aren't, if people continue to fight against colibri, they will eventually realize that DRG/WHM is pretty much the best job for that camp, period.

[Lucavi]

Like I said before though, people who aren't good rngs (ie most bandwagon people) will still suck and likely will do better on other jobs.

That didn't stop them before -- all you have to do is get windower and the distance plugin, stand in a circle, and shoot. SE's damage calculations handle the rest. I see your point, but also see mine: ranger is not terribly difficult. If it was timing based, like a mini-game to shoot the bow correctly, then it would be "difficult", but all it is is hitting your ranged attack button with some semblance of good gear, at a proper distance.

[Sanjiyan]

Any info on the performance of RNGs on some endgame mobs? I'm more interested in whether RNGs are worthwhile for hard mobs instead of just your typical merit mob.

[Not Kuno]

If it was timing based, like a mini-game to shoot the bow correctly, then it would be "difficult", but all it is is hitting your ranged attack button with some semblance of good gear, at a proper distance.

Oh god don't let them do to rng what they did to fishing.

[Lucavi]

Oh god don't let them do to rng what they did to fishing.

Mwahahahahahahahahaa!! :D

[Naramaska]

Any info on the performance of RNGs on some endgame mobs? I'm more interested in whether RNGs are worthwhile for hard mobs instead of just your typical merit mob.

FWIW, i've always topped the parses on stuff in sky and sea (or at least been insanely competitive with some of the best SAM on the server), so i'd say this propels RNG back up to the "HNM killer" status quite easily. In merits it's still going to be a little lacking in DoT, but VS definately helps.

[ByeByeTasai]

http://a998.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...bdc548f375.jpg

Taken today, have never broken 1k on Behemoth using the same gear before update

[Damane]

http://a998.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...bdc548f375.jpg

Taken today, have never broken 1k on Behemoth using the same gear before update

i have seen a 1.8k slug shot pre update on behemoth... its not groundbreaking. and its behemoth

[ByeByeTasai]

ok but my point was "MY Rng" gear couldnt do more then 1k before update, and now it can do 1.5k so that is ground breaking