Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post

Klutz · 06-22-2004, 04:27 PM

I had exactly the same "problem" where my Ranger's ranged prowress was getting in the way of my Fighter's skill development. In fact, in the early-midgame, my Mook Ranger led the party in kills with my Lizardman Fighter second.

The attributes you typically develop for Fighters vs Rangers means that Rangers will typically get the initiative over the Fighter, due to well developed Senses and Speed. For my Ranger I maxed Senses first, and Dex & Speed 2nd and 3rd. For my Fighter, I maxed Vit and Str first, Dex and Speed later, and only put points into Senses after everything else was maxed. That plus the fact that my Ranger was using the Doubleshot Crossbow meant that she could steal LOTS of kills from the more melee-oriented party members.

Later in the game I got better at the technique of using X-Ray and starting combat while the enemy is still out of sight and running up as close as possible to the enemies. That makes it more likely that your close-combat skills will come into play. By the end of the game, my Lizardman Fighter had the most kills, but the Ranger was still second (and had become pretty mean with her Giant's Sword, in addition to her bow expertise).

The next time I run a Fighter in a party, even a Lizardman one, I will definitely emphasize Senses over Vitality. My Lizardman Fighter who maxed Vitality first spent most of the game with 50% - 100% more hit points than anyone else in the party, and it simply wasn't necessary. Of course, expert difficulty could change that...

Oh, and although Senses doesn't directly increase the Ranger's critical hit chance (or any character's), I believe Senses is the primary attribute for the learning of both the Critical Strike skill and the Ranged Combat skill. The facts that:
- Rangers get ranged critical hits based on their Ranged Combat skill (NOT their Critical Strike skill)
- Rangers get a 25% bonus to Ranged Combat (which also means 25% bonus to ranged critical hits)
- Rangers typically max Senses first
- Most other hybrids that get Critial Strike do not typically max Senses first

combine to mean that Rangers are overall probably the most effective hybrid at getting critical strikes based on their class skills. The next best would probably be a throwing Ninja that maxes Senses first, with their auto-penetrate plus 25% bonus to Critical Strike. However, I think that the Ranger requiring one less skill to max and getting an easier XP curve puts them over the top.

[ 06-22-2004, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: Klutz ]

06-22-2004, 04:27 PM	#9
Klutz Manshoon Join Date: November 9, 2002 Location: Houston, TX Age: 52 Posts: 240	I had exactly the same "problem" where my Ranger's ranged prowress was getting in the way of my Fighter's skill development. In fact, in the early-midgame, my Mook Ranger led the party in kills with my Lizardman Fighter second. The attributes you typically develop for Fighters vs Rangers means that Rangers will typically get the initiative over the Fighter, due to well developed Senses and Speed. For my Ranger I maxed Senses first, and Dex & Speed 2nd and 3rd. For my Fighter, I maxed Vit and Str first, Dex and Speed later, and only put points into Senses after everything else was maxed. That plus the fact that my Ranger was using the Doubleshot Crossbow meant that she could steal LOTS of kills from the more melee-oriented party members. Later in the game I got better at the technique of using X-Ray and starting combat while the enemy is still out of sight and running up as close as possible to the enemies. That makes it more likely that your close-combat skills will come into play. By the end of the game, my Lizardman Fighter had the most kills, but the Ranger was still second (and had become pretty mean with her Giant's Sword, in addition to her bow expertise). The next time I run a Fighter in a party, even a Lizardman one, I will definitely emphasize Senses over Vitality. My Lizardman Fighter who maxed Vitality first spent most of the game with 50% - 100% more hit points than anyone else in the party, and it simply wasn't necessary. Of course, expert difficulty could change that... Oh, and although Senses doesn't directly increase the Ranger's critical hit chance (or any character's), I believe Senses is the primary attribute for the learning of both the Critical Strike skill and the Ranged Combat skill. The facts that: - Rangers get ranged critical hits based on their Ranged Combat skill (NOT their Critical Strike skill) - Rangers get a 25% bonus to Ranged Combat (which also means 25% bonus to ranged critical hits) - Rangers typically max Senses first - Most other hybrids that get Critial Strike do not typically max Senses first combine to mean that Rangers are overall probably the most effective hybrid at getting critical strikes based on their class skills. The next best would probably be a throwing Ninja that maxes Senses first, with their auto-penetrate plus 25% bonus to Critical Strike. However, I think that the Ranger requiring one less skill to max and getting an easier XP curve puts them over the top. [ 06-22-2004, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: Klutz ] __________________ ->Klutz