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

@Spaph

Yeah, I saw Petrov's build. Unfortunately his is a melee character. I was wondering if it were feasible to use those items on a ranged one. Kinda waste the crit chance on Abyssus, but for split arrow user, 40-60 phy dmg is like a HUGE boost to DPS. Hence, why I'm tempted. I have a high roll BoR that I could easy trade away for the Coil, Abyssus and Vectors. Just wondering if anyone has tried it before.

@tyvar1

LA is more gear dependent and hence more expensive.

OK, where to start. I'll do this in a few posts to prevent super long posts.

@Tempada:
1. I don't think Mental Acuity is worth the journey, but I wouldn't say it's bad. I prefer to grab the Mana Flows down by Duelist area because it gives me reach to 3 great notables, that being Fury Bolts, Leather&Steel, and the 7th Frenzy charge. (As well as Acceleration) I feel the trade off is better and gives you more mana in this case. The main reason why I can get by without any ML mods on gear is because I have high +mana mods and certain passives, including Mana Flows and Charisma. Couple with high physical damage, I rarely OOM, but when I do I have a hybrid flask.

2. I specced out of Revenge of the Hunted as well, so no worries there. I don't think it's worth it considering the newly redone Heavy/Deadly Draw cluster.

3. I would follow this then. Keeping the Shadow tree as part of your build, I would fill out the nearby DPS clusters/notables that you've missed, including the starting 8% IAS node, Assassination, Master Fletcher, and grabbing other important clusters.


_________________

@MeIIow: Gear-wise, the best way to get more DPS is a) better bow (decent) and a 6L for Frenzy, and b) have physical damage mods on your rings/ammy as well as making both rings Diamond rings. Also recommend getting life on every piece of equipment if you can.

Passive-wise, you have several notables within reach: Savagery (7th Frenzy node), Heavy Draw (more life/IPD), and Heartseeker (more Crit Mult).

_________________

@Primefunka: Regarding your question, this build isn't supposed to need LL/LoH. I also have mana regen through passives and +mana on gear to help supplement my ML. However, the exception for that are really hard mobs. This is why I specify in my build guide that the 5th socket be red for Added Fire Damage is because you can always swap that out for LL (Frenzy), and LoH (RoA).

Having x% of life leeched by physical attack damage mods is worth getting if you can get it. If not, ML on gear is usually the more important stat, or if you can't get that, then get +mana, something of +40-60.

@to all those asking about endgame viability: the answer is yes. Reflect is usually never an issue if you're using RoA, and I usually use Bear Trap, PA/Pucnture to kill the rare mob. Obviously phys reflect mod on maps is a no-go.

However, I have not taken this character all the way to highest levels of maps. Certain mobs will make surviving difficult (Alchemists, Vaal Constructs, EK-users, Evangelists), but are certainly killable. The certain dangerous bosses like map Piety, map Dominus, and various high-elemental/chaos bosses are a threat to this build and other builds as well, so that's a given. Aside from that, there's not much else I can think of that poses major threats. I've many 66-69 maps on this character solo, and done higher maps in groups without major issue.

_________________


@Spaph: hey man! I've seen you on, been a while since we last chatted. (I forgot how we even met... it's been a while)

Regarding your build, I'm afraid there's one major flaw, and this involves the use of the BM gem. The inherent issue with what you're trying to do is using the BM support gem when the build doesn't really support it. What I mean by that is that due to the way Dex and the entire Dexterity side of the skilltree is set up, you'll have 300+ Dex and anywhere from 100-170 str depending on your gear in the 80s. Even with your passives in life, there isn't any life regen in the tree (except down by Duelist which you skip) and you won't have enough base life for your life passives to be more effective. You'll be forced to get life leech from gear and support. BM support also has a 200% mana cost multiplier at lvl 20. You'll be chewing through your life faster than you think, and without life regen to help boost your LL to compensate.

This is the reason why both VictorDoom and I went the mana route because going with BM while staying the Dex side of the skilltree isn't sustainable in the long run. Also as an evasion/dodge build, you want your life globe to be untouched by anything so that when you do get hit, you still have a good portion of your life left for your to quickly heal with flasks.

Of course, with Kaom's all of this goes out the water due to its massive life bonus, but considering that both the legacy/non-legacy version are pretty unobtainable by the average player, Kaom's doesn't really factor into build consideration. I hope that answers some of your doubts about the build. While setting up a proper mana-based build is more difficult, it's also the best way to go with Dex-based builds.

__________________


@tyvar1: I think for early-mid game, going with IR is not an issue. Although I still think evasion/dodge is better overall in the endgame when things start hitting you for a lot. Don't forget, taking IR means we lose the evasion-to-armor bonus from Dex, so you're not really able to gain high amounts of armor without significant gear/passive investment. (Such as that evasion wheel behind the Ranger)

Certainly I think LA/Frenzy/Str route is easier, but it's far less fun than going crits and major physical damage. Most enemies don't have armor but they do have resistances. I played LA for a while before I got bored of the constant LA spam. I like my build a whole lot better.



***I also made some changes to my build and the progression from lvl 83-100. I'll edit my build post tomorrow.

Thank you for the reply! :D

So your guide for more survival and SaintVitus for more damage?

"

tyvar1 wrote:

Thank you for the reply! :D

So your guide for more survival and SaintVitus for more damage?

You could say that. While VictorDoom's build is more offense-oriented, it does have a decent amount of defense built into the build. I think it's a personal preference, but the way I look at it, Rangers that stick to the Dex-side of the tree will lose out on armor more than going evasion/dodge. Ever since GGG buffed acro/evasion, it's more viable than before but not without its challenges.

"

Islidox wrote:

"

tyvar1 wrote:

Thank you for the reply! :D

So your guide for more survival and SaintVitus for more damage?

You could say that. While VictorDoom's build is more offense-oriented, it does have a decent amount of defense built into the build. I think it's a personal preference, but the way I look at it, Rangers that stick to the Dex-side of the tree will lose out on armor more than going evasion/dodge. Ever since GGG buffed acro/evasion, it's more viable than before but not without its challenges.

Ok thanks! Then i will go with your guide! ;)

"

Islidox wrote:

I also made some changes to my build and the progression from lvl 83-100. I'll edit my build post tomorrow.

Can i start follow your guide now or should i wait until you have updated it? :)

You can start now. I just need to make a few changes starting from lvl60-onwards.

"

Islidox wrote:

You can start now. I just need to make a few changes starting from lvl60-onwards.

Ok great! :) thank you for all the information and fast replys! :D

Please help my Ranger! Level 66 at the moment, not having too much trouble lvling in low maps with a party. Using Frenzy to build charges and experimenting with Split/Ice Shot/LA on right click.

current passive tree:
http://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgIAAF4B0QW1CC4M8hUgFfAZjhm0JJ0k_SpNLOkwcTB8MZ41kjnUOkI-zz8nSshLeE3jUUdiWmwWbmluqm_yfyuD24bOjX2Nv5uNoJ-hIqGkokCly6ZXp9Sqf6q4r6ev67EwtfK95r6nxKLEuMaiytPNmM5x037UI9UA1fjWitwV3ajexuHb51TqYusU7YPvevT49qP5Y_qx_Ev-j_7I

considering refunding the 6 points from primal spirit back to the starting evasion/life node.
With the refunded points i want to work my way north to assassination and blood thirst.
What do you think?
Have i missed any must get nodes?

fairly happy with gear: looking for upgrades with Life/mana leech and ofc more life + Res

would love to hear any advice or opinions!
thanks