[1.xx] Islidox's Build tips/critique section for Rangers

hey guys,

please critique my build, its based around abusing a <3 second recharge on Energy Shield plus high evasion, while getting all the best bang-for-buck crit related passives and mixed physical/lightning projectile damage

http://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgIAAdEFtQX5DkgPqxB7ES8RUBGWFHUWvxnVGdcd2SF2KlsrCiy_MHwx-jMMNj051DvhQ1RPv1FHbRltbG_ycFJ0QXWKdvd3135Zfyt_xofbiGuLeo2_mZqbJpuNnaOgn6JAoqOjiqcrp9Sr0q_rtMW1SLb3u9a-OsEAwcXB2MHzw23Eosqp0hnUBdbR2xrcFd724vfjhOd06NbrFOtj7Bjz6vT49Uv8q_4r_sj_3g==

it's been working well for me so far (haven't yet got as far as CI though, and i've been considering going to Iron Reflexes but i think i like the synergy between the low cooldown shield and evasion)

as for skills ive been using split shot w/ added lightning, faster projectile and pierce (looking to get +weap ele dmg or crit to replace pierce) and puncture / elemental hit for single targets. i use bear trap / frost wall to zone and get my shield back but i rarely have to use them and i also have the lightning dmg aura

hardcore too, if that's relevant. gear is all mixed ev/es with an emphasis on es

@jbitz: I see you changed your Split Arrow support setup, and that's a very good one (I plan to use the same supports on my SA). However, you should link Grace, Decoy Totem, and Projectile Weakness to the Reduced Mana support and you'll be able to free up more mana this way in combat.

@simonhaze: I see mana issues ahead, and you probably have way more life than you need. Since you also go down the Evasion highway of the Ranger, you'll probably be focusing more on eva-armors than hybrid armors, and as such grabbing the second Nullification is unecessary. Also you don't need the 9% movespeed passives when you get the celerity and 4% from the shadow tree. Try this build:


@volanchik: Without life leech on gear, Ghost Reaver is useless AND it would only leech ES instead of life.

@Chromek: Once you get into Merciless, you'll want your main attacking skills supported by 2-3 supports separately. Faster Attacks, Faster Projectiles, Culling Strike, Iron Grip, Mana Leech, Added ____ Damage are all common sense supports to use.

@Lankycheese: +Evasion rating affects eva-based armors, or the eva-portion of it. With Iron Reflexes, Steel Skin and armor nodes affect ALL ratings since now the eva-armor is now considered armor. I plan on going with the Reflexes notable located on the border of Ranger/Duelist because it'll lead me to Iron Grip and life nodes/resists. As for crit, if you're not specialized in crit, I wouldn't even bother investing in crit as your chance to crit is still low compared to other weapons. Diamond flasks are currently out of the game, and as such it's made investment into crit chance that much more important build-wise.

@ivkoto77777: uh, I see no build so I can't comment.

@Dramabomb: Use Burning Arrow. Burning Arrow adds fire damage on top of your physical damage and it's low mana cost makes it a really good single-target skill even with all those fire-resist mobs.

@Neferoth: Frenzy, Split Arrow, Rain of Arrows, Burning Arrow, Poison Arrow supported by a curse of your choice. Don't forget to use supports. More in depth post on skills/supports later.

@Futon: 1) I personally would reroll the Ranger. Reason why is that the movement speed nodes aren't necessary. Believe me on this. Grabbing a +8% MS passive through the Celerity notable and some 10%+ MS boots should suffice. Also, it's hard to say where to go when I don't know what your build is trying to accomplish.
2) Adding more supports to your main skills is always worth it. More to follow later.
3) Evasion is probably more effective but requires a significant investment passive-wise. I usually go with armor because it's easier to maintain and doesn't need as many passives/keystones for it to be truly viable.

@jfour: Given the skilltree you posted, I can't imagine your character surviving beyond Act 3 of Normal. I say this because until you get ES, your character basically has no life invested and the chaos abound in Act 2 will probably kill you real fast. Ever since the CI nerf, CI is really nonviable for Ranger builds. I would suggest reconsidering a build where you get defenses EARLY to prevent yourself from dying, which goes double for HC characters.

Hey Islidox! I was looking through your passive builds and was studying the elemental ranger one from mrpetrov. I noticed you went for Diamond Skin and left Unwavering Stance. What's your opinion on those two because I'd like to get both..

"

skillzxd wrote:

Hey Islidox! I was looking through your passive builds and was studying the elemental ranger one from mrpetrov. I noticed you went for Diamond Skin and left Unwavering Stance. What's your opinion on those two because I'd like to get both..

My opinion, separate from petrov's, is that if you're playing a RANGED Ranger, you shouldn't be sitting there soaking up damage like a melee character. Move, reposition, use traps/tempchains/totems, etc. Do that, and US is unecessary.

I see thanks! Also, another question: I was also wondering about skill gems. Are they still to be leveled to 5 or can they be maxed?

I wrote down the defences of my current build. I'm practically asking if they are sufficient for end game. I'd like advice solely on that.

I wrote down a summary of the defences that the build would provide. I'm practically asking if they are sufficient for end game. I'd like advice solely on that.

I was wondering, does elemental damage nodes (not the weapon elemental damage) apply to our elemental damage skills? Like LA, Elemental hit, burning arrow etc?
If so, how come I never see any ranger builds picking those up? I have seen a couple of elemental builds that are like 2-3 points away from 10 int 10% elemental damage nodes but never see anyone pick them up really.

Thanks for taking the time to get this together! Great read!

I'm going elemental bow.

Can someone define what consist of elemental damage?
I am aware Ice, Fire, and Lighting is.....

What about Poison? Chaos?


And does everyone stop lvling gems after certain levels or just max it out when you can?

Thanks!

can u help me plz
what skills/support gems i need to use with "blood magic ranger" build?