[tongyang]

Since there are many misconceptions about the job Ranger/Hunter in FFXI, I have decided to write my own guide for all the people that are wishing to play as one.

I. How to become a ranger?

You will need to accept the quest ������‚��� (The Fanged One) and finish it. As long as you have received the quest, you can finish it whichever job you want to be (same with the AF quests).

- Quest details - Talk to Perih Vashai in Windurst Woods as a lv30+ player. Travel to Soromougue (L10) and enter the cave. You will find a dead end with some Tiger Bones. Wait for the Old Sabertooth tiger to die naturally and then select the Tiger Bones to receive the key item �������Ղ̉� (Tooth of the Dead Tiger). Finally, go back to Windurst Woods to report to Perih Vashai and you will receive ��?l�̎�?��� (Ranger's Neckless) and be able to play as a ranger.


II. Ranger's Weapon Skillset

- Rangers have the following skills:
Dagger - B-
1h Sword - D
1h Axe - B-
1h Rod - E
Bow - A-
Shooting - A-
Throwing - C-
Evade - E


- Ranger-Specific Weapon Skills (WS):
Lv3 - 10 - �t���C�~���O�A�??[ (Flaming Arrow)
Lv3 - 10 - �z�b�g�V���b�g (Hot Shot)
Fire Damage. TP - Enhance Damage Output
Attribute - �n�� (Liquefaction), �ђ� (Transfixion)

Lv13 - 40 - �s�A�V���O�A�??[ (Piercing Arrow)
Lv13 - 40 - �X�v���b�g�V���b�g (Split Shot)
TP - Enhance the chance of enemy's defense cut
Attribute - ?U�� (Reverberation), �ђ� (Transfixion)

Lv26 - 80 - �_�����O�A�??[ (Daring Arrow)
Lv26 - 80 - �X�i�C�p?[�V���b�g (Sniper Shot)
INT down status added. TP - Enhance critical hit rate
Attribute - �n�� (Liquefaction), �ђ� (Transfixion)

Lv55 - 175 - �T�C�h�?�C���_?[ (Sidewinder)
Lv55 - 175 - �X���b�O�V���b�g (Slug Shot)
4x Damage, low hit rate. TP - Enhance the hit rate
Attribute - ?U�� (Reverberation), �ђ� (Transfixion), �y�� (Detenation)

Lv60 - 200 - �u���X�g�A�??[ (Blast Arrow) - Ex2
Lv60 - 200 - �u���X�g�V���b�g (Blast Shot) - Ex2
2x Damage, short range. TP - Enhance the hit rate
Attribute - ?d�� (Induration), �ђ� (Transfixion)

Lv66 - 225 - �A?[�`���O�A�??[ (Arching Arrow)
Lv66 - 225 - �փ��B�V���b�g (Heavy Shot)
TP - Enhance critical hit rate
Attribute - �j�M (Fusion)

Lv72 - 250 - �G���s���A���A�??[ (Emperial Arrow)
Lv72 - 250 - �f�g�l?[�^?[ (Detonator)
TP - Enhance Damage Output
Attribute - �j�M (fusion), �ђ� (Transfixion)

Note - All the WSes will miss! There are no 100% hitting bow/shooting WSes. It is recommended that the ability �_������ (Target Shooting) before doing any of the weapon skills.


- Abilities
SP - �C?[�O���A�C (Eagle Eye Shot) - refresh time: 2 hr
A high attacking and high hit rate bow/shooting attack (Does not work with throwing). Note that it is possible that this attack misses.

Lv1 - �_������ (Sharpshot) - refresh time: 5 min
Within one minute, the hit rate of range attacks is higher.

Lv5 - �x�� (Alertness) - passive
It will be harder for enemies to notice you.

Lv10 - �X�J�x���W (Scavenge) - refresh time: 5 min
You will be able to dig for items in field areas (outside of dungeons and cities, with the exception of Oztroja). Note that this is different than Chocobo digging. You get a different set of items with scavange.

Lv10 - ���?�������A�b�v (Accuracy Bonus) - passive
Higher hit rate for physical attacks (both normal and range).

Lv15 - ���s�b�h�V���b�g (Rapid Shot) - passive
The delay is shortened for range attacks randomly.

Lv20 - �J���t��?[�W�� (Camouflage) - refresh time: 5 min
Using this ability, you will have the effect of invisibility. It does NOT have the hate reset effect of a similar ability (�B���, Hide) by thieves. The time of the invisible effect is random, and generally less than the White Magic "Invis."

Lv20 - ���W�X�g�|�C�Y�� (Resist Poison) - passive
Higher resist for poison.

(lv20 - Wider range of wide area scan - passive)

Lv30 - �?��˂� (Barrage) - refresh time: 5 min
Shoot 4 (5 when lv50) arrows at once with the next bow/shooting attack (does not work with throwing). The numbers of arrows actually used will be deducted according to the number of arrows hit out of 4 or 5. Can not be used along with �G���h���X�V���b�g Endless Shot. (One will cancel the other)

Lv30 - ���?�������A�b�v (Accuracy Bonus) - passive
Higher hit rate for physical attacks (both normal and range).

Lv40 - �e�D�� (Shadowbind) - refresh time: 5 min
100% binds the enemy. However against enemies that are much stronger than you are, they will immediately recover.

Lv40 - ���W�X�g�|�C�Y�� (Resist Poison) - passive
Higher resist for poison.

(lv40 - Wider range of wide area scan - passive)

Lv50 - ���?�������A�b�v (Accuracy Bonus) - passive
Higher hit rate for physical attacks (both normal and range).

Lv51 - �G���h���X�V���b�g (Endless Shot)
The next bow/arrow attack will not have your arrow count deducted. Can not be used along with �?��˂� (One will cancel the other).

(lv60 - Wider range of wide area scan - passive)

Lv70 - ���?�������A�b�v (Accuracy Bonus) - passive
Higher hit rate for physical attacks (both normal and range).

III. Equipment Info

You should always keep up your equipments in order to maintain the highest hit rate and attack damage possible. Get the latest HQ Long Bows and Guns if possible. If you do not have enough money, earn the money first before going further! People who play ranger with poor equipment is one of the reasons why some people are reluctant to PT with rangers. Since HQ long bows are much better than regular long bows, it is recommended that you get those instead.

Same with rings. You should always get the best hit rate up rings as possible. I can not emphasize enough how important hit rate is for a ranger. You can not deal damage if you can not hit the opponent.

For your main weapon, use Archer Knife from lv28 until the end.

For neck equip, the original Ranger Neckless should be good from lv1 to lv70. If you have too much money to spare you can always get the Peacock Charm (�N�W���N�̌아).

For earrings, get whatever you need until lv33, when you can wear Drone Earrings (AGI+3 each). It can be worn all the way to lv70.

For the rest of the equip, try to raise your STR and AGI status as much as possible.


IV. Subjob Info

Right now, there are pretty much 3 main choices of ranger subjobs: Warrior, Ninja, or Samurai. You can also sub Thief (for money making purposes), or white/red mage (soloing, skill up):

- Warrior:
Berserk is a great way to deal much higher damage than usual.
Defender is great for reducing damage when too much hate is on yourself.
In emergency, you can taunt as a last resort.
Passive attack/defend up abilities also have an effect on your range attacks/defense.

- Ninja:
Dual Weapon with Archer Knife can enhance your hit rate by a lot.
Blink Ninjitsu is also great when too much hate is on yourself.

- Samurai:
Store TP will make TP charging even faster.
�ّz (Silent Concentration) will give you 60 extra TP every 3 minutes.
?S�� (Third Eye) will let you evade one physical attack every minute.

In summary, if you would like the highest accuracy, sub ninja. Highest damage output, sub warrior. Fastest TP charging, sub samurai.


V. How to Train your Ranger?

- At low levels, learn to love worms! At the range of where you can start shooting arrows at them, you can move back a few steps to avoid the magic they cast towards you, and then move back to the original spot to continue shooting. Worms at Shakrami / Kororoka / Qufim are great with ranger-soloing.

- Learn to be an "auto-leader!" Always make your own parties. Do not wait for people to invite you, because, frankly, a lot of people don't know much about Rangers so they will always invite the "more known" attackers.

- Learn the renkeis/skillchains! A lot of people still do not know what links with what for ranger WSes.

- You should always eat the attacking Mithkabob:
�~�X�����R?K��?�?FSTR+5?@INT-1?@AGI+2?@VIT-1 ��?U(Melee Attack)+21.9?�?@��?U(Range Attack)+21.9?�

[tongyang]

VI. Misc Info

When fighting as a ranger in a PT, all you need to worry about is to shoot, report TP, and perform renkei. However, these things must be kept in mind:

- Each range attack can be done with Ctrl+D, or a macro (ra <t>).

- Every time you switch bow/gun/throwing item, TP will reset to 0.

- Berserk and Last Resort will work with raising the attack power of range attacks.

- Thief Sneak Attack/Trick Attack, Dark Knight's Darkness will not work with range attacks.

- You should always try to keep up your bow/shooting skills to max. Since a recent patch it has been made very easy to do so if you use both a long bow and a gun.


VII. Renkei (Skillchain)

Basically, you need to learn the basic Lv2 renkeis as you level up:

�j�M (Fusion):
Most popular renkei especially at low levels with Monks or Thieves. Flaming Arrow and Dulling Arrow pretty much works as Red Lotus in this case, however, since Burning Blade/Red Lotus are 100% hit, it is recommended that you use them instead of the range WS.

However, to take advantage of Ranger's high attacking power, this is not a good renkei to use, especially at high levels.

Example: Flaming Arrow / Dulling Arrow / Burning Blade / Red Lotus --> Combo / Rangeki


���� (Fragmentation):
This is probably the best renkei to use for a ranger, especially at lv60+. You will be ending the renkei with Sidewinder or Piercing arrow, creating big damage. However, this can also be dangerous for rangers as all hate would be directed to you. Make use of Paladin's cover/protect ability!

Example: Guillotine / Raging Rush / Freeze Bite / Frost Bite --> Sidewinder / Piercing Arrow


�p�� (Distortion):
This is probably the most popular renkei at high levels. With Thief's Dancing Edge combined with their unique "fuidama" ability, hate control would be achieved, and if the Paladin is at least decent, this combination would be a lot safer for a ranger.

Example: Sidewinder / Piercing Arrow --> Viper Bite / Dancing Edge / Rampage / FastBlade / Tachi: Jinpu


�� (Light):
This advanced lv3 renkei is the ultimate high level skill chain. Because of the unstableness of the Sidewinder weapon skill, at around level 66, you will start to use lv3 renkei instead. Like distortion, the yokodama will help out a lot for hate control.

Example: Arching Arrow --> Spin Slash


VIII. FAQs

- (to be added)



IX. Links

FF11 Ranger Site
-?@http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-Bishop/1523/

FF11 Ranger Community Site
-?@http://der-freischutz.kir.jp/modules/news/

FF11 Ranger LS listings in various servers
- http://www.geocities.co.jp/Playtown-...85/RAG_top.htm

FFXI SKill Capture
- http://www.ausystem.org/%7Eaushacho/gbox/ff/skill.html

FFXI Data Land
- http://data.incoming.jp/

[Exsol]

Thanks Tongyang, this really needed to be put up...
btw rng can use an 1h axe...i think its a D or E

[DJplaeskool]

RNGs gonna be the 2nd class I build up...
thanks for the info

[Keftenk]

could someone pleas epost the Ranger AF statistics and effects, that would be great, thanx ^^

[Mithrankittycat]

Very nice =^_^=
I also use a macro with: /equip Ammo "Type of Arrow"
to reload quicker.

I can't wait to try Burning arrow -> Combo = Fusion (Beta names), since I always use fusion weapon skill chain... I mean, renkei. ;3

[Keftenk]

Originally posted by Mithrankittycat
;3

...theres only one beta tester that i know that does that ~~; You happen to be 'Kittycat' in game?

[Mithrankittycat]

Mithrankittycat - Mithran = Kittycat
Yes, and I'm level 8 beta ranger (trying to stay on topic X3).
I'm doing archery right now, but am thinking about doing crossbow so that my gun skills are raised cheaply ":3.

[Keftenk]

/fondles Kittycat

[Buttermilk]

Thanks for the great post~ Far.

Some other tips and info I would like to add:

- As a ranger party leader, always try to invite a paladin (most ideal) or a warrior. Having a nice defensive tank is crucial with a ranger in a PT.

- Know your enemies. Perhaps more than any other job class, ranger's effectiveness depends on what they fight. Rangers will do unbelievable damage against enemies that have low defense (like bats), but perform notoriously weak against skulls and bones, for example. As a ranger party leader, always choose a location where your power will be maximized.

- Use your TP and Ranshachi ("Wild Shooting", lv30 skill) effectively. A successful Ranshachi will give you like more than 60% TP in one shot. What this means is that you should ALWAYS do your WS BEFORE you use Ranshachi. Do not use Ranshachi when your TP is already over 100%. If planned right, you can easily do 2 WS in under a minute:

Sidewinder --> Ranshachi --> Sidewinder combined with Renkei = PURE BLISS!


- Do not push yourself to be included in a renkei (especially at lower levels). While ranger WS does huge damage, it typically misses a whole lot more than any other WS. (And almost all Ranger WS are used as a connecting renkei, meaning if you miss, your PT's entire renkei is screwed!) So, unless you have good equips or have sidewinder or your participation in a renkei is crucial (piercing arrow --> viper for example), sometimes, it will be better for the other melee fighters to renkei on their own, while you solo. You will still do great damage, without worrying about missing any renkei.

- Most important: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT PLAY RANGER IF YOU ARE POOR, OR DON'T WANT TO SPEND GIL. As Far said, a poorly equipped ranger who misses more than he hits is probably THE most useless thing in this game, more than a black mage with samurai sub or any other weird, useless job combo.

[tongyang]

Originally posted by Exsol
Thanks Tongyang, this really needed to be put up...
btw rng can use an 1h axe...i think its a D or E

They may be able to equip some 1h axe, but they have no skill stat from the job. (Don't confuse the skill set that comes from the subjob)

[Exsol]

Originally posted by tongyang


They may be able to equip some 1h axe, but they have no skill stat from the job. (Don't confuse the skill set that comes from the subjob)

What do you meen...do you meen that they cant lv it up as a RNG (what i think you meen)
or that they have no WS for it....

[Sindinista]

Holy crap, this is so amazing. It's feeding my desire for ranger:spin: Thank you tongyang����?@

[Aldo]

Rangers will do unbelievable damage against enemies that have low defense (like bats),

The highest damage I ever saw came from a RNG's sidewinder on an Ancient Bat in Ordelle's, he dealt 2797

[tongyang]

Originally posted by Exsol
What do you meen...do you meen that they cant lv it up as a RNG (what i think you meen)
or that they have no WS for it....

That means you can't level it up.