Ranger Rick Doesn't Rock

[NobleNick]

Hi folks,

My ranger (yes, his name is Rick) is giving less than expected performance. He is level 8, equipped with a one-handed weapon (large sword, IIRC), and only has 2 attacks. My fighter, same level, has 3 attacks (should only be 2-1/2 .... How'd that happen?) Anyway, the point is that my fighter DEFINITELY has more attacks than the ranger. But the only reason I got a ranger was for the extra attacks! What gives?

I don't see any reason to pick ranger over fighter. Oh... O.K., I remember one level one priest spell and two special abilities: "charm animal" and some other special ability (track?); but when I used charm animal on Lizard guy in D.E. level 1, he stayed charmed about 1 round. Big deal. O.K., I admit that a trial of one is not statistaically significant; but, really, are any of the special abilities worth much?

Is there anything you can get with a ranger, besides special abilities and racial enemy (O.K., racial enemy *IS* worth something), that you can't get MUCH MORE of by dualing a priest over to fighter at, say, level 9?

I have two characters, fighter and ranger, both of whom I am grooming to dual over to priest. But from what I've seen, so far, the fighter/priest would mop up the forest floor with the beast that crucified the ranger/priest.

C'mon, you guys who love rangers: Please tell me what I am overlooking....


[ 10-24-2002, 09:07 PM: Message edited by: NobleNick ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Traditionally, I only use Rangers for two purposes.

1) Archer

As you are only allowed to place 3* in any missile weapon, the specialisation limit of the Ranger is not so bad. You miss out on a +1 damage bonus, a -2 THACO bonus and nothing more.

Belive me when I say your Archer will easily have the best THACO and the most Attacks per Round( ApR) in the game. When you first start off, a Composite Long Bow will be your Ranger's best friend until you reach Dragon's Eye, where you will lay your hands on the Apali Bow. I used the Apali Bow all the way to the end of Heart of Winter, as it grants the user a base ApR of 3.

My main problem with the Archer was the rate that his ammunition ran out. I spent more time going back to town buying arrows, then selling loot. [img]tongue.gif[/img] It was all worth it though, because he had the most kills in the party. How you ask? Simple really, while the frontline tanks were drinking Potions of Healing, running around and generally screaming for their lives, my Ranger was calmly launching arrow after arrow into the air from the safety of the backline. In other words, he was fighting full-time.

Words cannot describe the beauty in action as enemies fall down one by one to the persistant barrage of missiles. Of course, you have to make sure the Ranger is always fully loaded. An Archer without arrows, is like a gun without bullets. I have my Archer place points in a two-handed weapon as well, usually Quarterstaff, in the beginning. This is for emergency situations, when going back for arrows is too troublesome or you wish to conserve those enchanted arrows, which brings us to the next point.

ALWAYS TRY TO USE NON-ENCHANTED ARROWS.

The reason is simple enough. There is a severe lack of enchanted arrows in IWD. You will begin to realise this when you enter Dragon's Eye and fight all the Cold Wights among others. Only use enchanted arrows when absolutely necessary. I tend to reserve Flame Arrows for Trolls, Acid Arrows for Mages( Stoneskins are useless against me, HAHAHAHA!) and Arrows of Piercing for the end boss of IWD. Ice Arrows are good against Fire-based opponents. I horde +2 enchanted arrows until I need them.

When your Ranger reaches level 13, he will have a base ApR of 9/2( assuming the Apali Bow). Cast Haste him and enemies will tremble from the medieval machinegun he holds in his hands.

ADD] Oh, by the way. Factor in Racial Enemy for the 9/2 ApR and drool. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Your Ranger can cast Static Charge too and proceed to zap and pierce your enemies( Call Lightning as well, if outdoors).

2) Cleric/Ranger

To cut a long story short, a very versatile spellcaster. Maybe others will give their say on this one. I will come back to this if need be.

[ 10-25-2002, 01:23 AM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

[Ar-Cunin]

I agree with Dundee - except his choice of close combat weapons. In IWD a ranger gets +1 attack/round if he uses a one-handed sword without a shield. That means he early on can get 3 attacks/round [img]smile.gif[/img] - just use him as a back-up fighter that comes from the rear while the heavily armored front-fighter soak up the enemy attacks.

[Peytin of Rothmire]

I use my ranger the same as Dundee and he's right on all of the above. Although I've been through the game twice now and didn't find tha Apali bow. Could this be a random treasure weapon? I'll have to check Dalekeeper (HeHe).

I also kept him in the rear and he was useful for protecting my mage and thief on the rare occasion that something got through the front lines. This didn't happen much as creatures always target the closest character, but on a few occasions my mage or thief got too close in using a range weapon and the ranger had to intervene.

[Jim]

a Composite Long Bow will be your Ranger's best friend until you reach Dragon's Eye, where you will lay your hands on the Apali Bow

The what bow? Is this a difference between versions I wonder? In my experiences, the bow found at Dragons Eye is the Messenger of Sseth, found on the body of the High Archer....There is no Apali Bow in the whole item listings for this game, so it must be a simple difference in item names for different versions.

I used the Apali Bow all the way to the end of Heart of Winter

Take it you never found the Long Bow +4: Hammer Dundee? ...Let me enlighten you:

Spoiler
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THAC0: +5
Damage: +4
AC bonus: 1
Sets *Base* attacks to 4!!!!!!!

This bow can be found in 2 locations (one in IWD, one in HoW).

[Dundee Slaytern]

Oops! The bow is called the Messenger of Sseth. The reason why I remembered it as the Apali Bow is because that is the name of the Yuan-Ti that was using it. [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]redface.gif[/img] Read the item's description. [img]smile.gif[/img]

As for the Hammer, I have heard of it because it was mentioned during a discussion of loot found in Dorn's Deep. [img]smile.gif[/img] Unfortunately, something was mentioned about the bow never generating as loot because of some patch or expansion( I cannot recall at this time).

Oh, and yes, I have not laid eyes on it yet aside from Dalekeeper. Seriously though, 9/2 attacks per round, 5 attacks per round, the difference is not that great. [img]smile.gif[/img] Now... if there was a crossbow with 3 attacks per round... *drool*... ...

[Jim]

Hammer used to be found in the chests behind the Maiden Ilmadia (or whatever her name is) in lower Dorns, Deep, Fire giant lair. Installing HoW removes this though, although you can still find one on Emmerich Hawk (although you'd have to be evil to get this one )

It's not so much the +1/2 APR that so impressive about this bow, it's the +4 damage (+3 over the Messenger!).

As for some cool crossbows, I have found a couple of nice ones in the past:

The Repeating Heavy Crossbow does have 3 APR base, as well as +5 damage to the 1D8 bolts!

There is also a Reinforced Heavy Crossbow that has 2 APR base but a whopping +7 to the damage

These were also found behind Iimadia, but I can't remember if they were removed along with the Hammer.....

Hmmm, *** in crossbows, level 13+ fighter, ring of reckless action, reinforced heavy crossbow =
9/2 APR firing bolts that inflict at least 1D8+7+3 (and that's for non enchanted bolts!)

[ 10-29-2002, 07:20 AM: Message edited by: Jim ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

Emmerich Hawk? You are going to have to refresh my memory on who he is.

Hmmmm... 4.5 * 5 = 22.5, 7 * 3.5 = 24.5.

Oooo... me want this Reinforced Crossbow. Where is it found? The Repeating Heavy Crossbow too.

I will not be wearing the Ring of Reckless Action. I like all my items to be purely beneficial. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Jim]

Emmerich Hawk

Just as a side note, you'll need to complete the Werewolf quest first before applying your savage beating

I will not be wearing the Ring of Reckless Action. I like all my items to be purely beneficial.

It's all about balance I figured that my crossbow marksman could use the extra APR, and the AC penalty wouldn't be a problem since he always kept his distance.....

I definately found the Repeater and the Reinforced Crossbow in the chests behind Iimadia. After installing HoW, the random items behind here were completely changed, although I found the crossbow, and then patched so I got to keep it right the way through HoW .

[Dundee Slaytern]

My dreams of owning these items legitimately and without breaking roleplay is fast evaporating. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Oh well, Stealthy the Fighter/Thief is still a force to be reckoned with, what with his Messenger of Sseth. [img]smile.gif[/img]