Ranger: Some Questions

[Konky]

I decided that when I reach 30 I'll either be playing a ranger or a bard. I mainly want to become a Ranger but I've read alot on various forums saying that the price of levelling a ranger is high. What I'd like to know is how expensive is it, and are there any ways I can play the job to a "good" standard without busting out millions of gil?

Next question is, will there be points in the game where I can use a bow instead of a gun or xbow?

Also, I'd like to know how handicapped I'd be as a Taru and what kind of gear I'd need.

Thank you!

[Amele]

I decided that when I reach 30 I'll either be playing a ranger or a bard. I mainly want to become a Ranger but I've read alot on various forums saying that the price of levelling a ranger is high. What I'd like to know is how expensive is it, and are there any ways I can play the job to a "good" standard without busting out millions of gil?

it'll cost a couple million to get to 75 probably, I shoot an average of 1 stack of arrows for every 2k exp (around 10 arrows a mob) if you're interested in making your own cost estimates

you can save quite alot by using xbow (status / holy bolts are super cheap compared to arrows especially at higher levels.

another place you can save is by using NQ gear where you can, (as good as leaping boots are for ranger, there's alternatives that are less expensive, etc) the two plays I would not skip HQ gear are racc+ rings, and +1 bows/xbows.

Next question is, will there be points in the game where I can use a bow instead of a gun or xbow?

you can use bow 1-75 ; most rangers prefer crossbow, primarily for acid bolts and the attractive cost/damage of holy bolts.

guns are a nice option for people taking ranger up as a later job, who want to spend extra gil to do big numbers, but are by no means necessary for the job - in fact, you probably shouldn't use them until later levels if it's your first job to take up.

Also, I'd like to know how handicapped I'd be as a Taru and what kind of gear I'd need.

you won't be at all. I'm leveling with a taru ranger (I'm a hume ranger) right now; we parse just about dead even. (she is very slightly more accurate, I do very slightly more damage) you'll want the standard gear, but might consider adding a point or two more strength instead of the last point or two of agi if you have an option in a slot.

the gear for ranger is pretty straightforward: racc / ratt / agi / str / enmity-

if you use holy bolts, +mnd is useful too, and you'll want a light/apollo's staff at 51.

[Omni]

you will need a good consistent source of income thats for sure.

im a taru rng @ 75. you wont be handicapped. trust me.

actually, i'd say the stats you want, in this order is: racc/ratk/str, agi, then w/e else.

[Tokitoki]

While we're on the topic.

Right now my RNG is 40. I was trying to consider what weapon (bow or xbox) to use.

I figured Battle Bow +1 and Scorp Arrows, both beingnew at 40. But Holy Bolt spam is quite entertaining and not weak in any way. THe only thing that is disheartening is the poor selection of Xbows at 40.

Any opinions?

[VZX]

throw an xbox because it's hueg and damaging

I prefer crossbow to bow anytime in exp PT.
At lv 40, I think crossbow still have edge of short delay shooting compared to bow
my holy bolt physical damage + light has about the same, or probably slightly lower than my battle bow+1 + scorp arrow

[Tokitoki]

OK.

Vry I'm gonna have to bother you in-game if I have questions! :p

[Omni]

try gun? isnt serpentine gun mid 30s? its a nice gun to use.

bow is also a good choice.

xbow doesnt really start catching up until like you get obow :\
it's always a bit weaker.

[Amele]

throw an xbox because it's hueg and damaging
I prefer crossbow to bow anytime in exp PT.
At lv 40, I think crossbow still have edge of short delay shooting compared to bow
my holy bolt physical damage + light has about the same, or probably slightly lower than my battle bow+1 + scorp arrow

what sort of numbers are you putting out?

my marksmanship is lagging horribly at the moment, but I parsed against an xbow only ranger at 32 the other day and I blew him away with my greatbow+1/horn arrows. I don't see it changing much until much later when it's reasonable to buff the holy bolt light effect, honestly.

but since I'm not 40 and can't test against myself, I'm not sure.

[KoukiRyu]

While we're on the topic.

Right now my RNG is 40. I was trying to consider what weapon (bow or xbox) to use.

I figured Battle Bow +1 and Scorp Arrows, both beingnew at 40. But Holy Bolt spam is quite entertaining and not weak in any way. THe only thing that is disheartening is the poor selection of Xbows at 40.

Any opinions?

Uhhh, as far as xbows go, try a Thug's Zamburak? That's what I'm using on THF, I know not he same, but it gives AGI and R.Acc, so I find it to be pretty nice.

[Tokitoki]

try gun? isnt serpentine gun mid 30s? its a nice gun to use.
bow is also a good choice.
xbow doesnt really start catching up until like you get obow :\
it's always a bit weaker.

i used gun before, but it really isnt that great right now.

Thug's Zam. is meh, no r.attk on it like the HQ bows, but I have one from THF.

[Malacite]

you can save quite alot by using xbow (status / holy bolts are super cheap compared to arrows especially at higher levels.

You'll want to keep archer and marksmanship capped, but here's the basic breakdown;

1-16: Bow owns, no question

16-22: Xbow could take the lead her with acid bolts. If nothing else you'll be helping everyone else's damage too.

22-30: Xbow or Gun. Gun is expensive, but will blow everything out of the water with a decent (Pirates is good) gun and bullets in terms of DPS. You also might want to note that whenever a mob uses a defense up move such as cocoon, an acid bolt will not only remove the effect but will also replace it with the defense down (it's about 16% down if I recall)

30-40: Xbow dominates here. Acid Bolts for defense down, and now Holy bolts to utterly destroy bats in garlaige citadel.

40-50: Bows make a come back here with a rather large boost in base damage along with scorpian arrows. Xbow is still a good option, especially if you're fighting crawlers.

50-60: This is where Gun begins it's come back. Now that you can get Silver Bullets, the damage will just soar. Unless you have a E/V Bow, Gun will rock everything.

60-70: Same as above, except by 67 you can get what is generally the best EXP weapon for Ranger; The Othinus' Bow. It's the strongest crossbow in the game and it still has the usual 400-something delay. This thing is crazy in EXP and you will likely use it in every PT unless fighting Colibri or Puks (who are resistant/immune to acid bolts)

70+: It's up to you by now. Generally I'd stick with Othinus' Bow for cost and efficiency, but if you feel like it (or you're camping Colibri or Puks) you can switch to gun or bow for massive per-shot and WS damage. Hellfire/Hellfire+1 with silver bullets will really put the hurt on colibri, puks, imps and flies with Barrage and Sidewinder. Don't be surprised if you hit for over 2000 damage. Bows won't quite hit as hard, but are faster.

The catch is Gun is actually cheaper by end game. Silver Bullets don't come cheap, but Kaburra Arrows are much much worse. As usual, bolts are cheap (like 16k for 12 stacks of acids on my server!) and are very effective.



Side Note: Here's how you more or less operate your Xbow once you gain access to the best ammo. Open with acid bolts and re-apply as needed (the def down lasts 30-90 seconds I believe) and then TP with Holy Bolts to save money (the added light damage is usually very strong anyway). Weaponskill and Barrage with Darksteel Bolts (or Mythril if you can't use darksteel yet)

[Tokitoki]

I think I'm going to merit Archery to level 4 and use Bow. I'm camping S.Bow as we speak, but I think I will get an O.Bow anyway just to have it and try it out for myself.

EDIT: Also, I have Marks capped on my THF @230, so after that I'll have to start leveling it again. I think that covers me until about level 68 or 69?

[Malacite]

RNG has A- in both skills, which means they cap at 269 by 75. Your guess sounds about right to me.

[VZX]

what sort of numbers are you putting out?
my marksmanship is lagging horribly at the moment, but I parsed against an xbow only ranger at 32 the other day and I blew him away with my greatbow+1/horn arrows. I don't see it changing much until much later when it's reasonable to buff the holy bolt light effect, honestly.
but since I'm not 40 and can't test against myself, I'm not sure.

I can't recall memory from 3 years ago

I'm pretty sure that my total damage from zamburak+1 + holy bolt (physical + light damage) does the same amount of damage with battle bow +1 and scorpion

at lv 32, no contest, xbow with acid and holy bolt is the beast. no PLD can take hate from me when I was using it

[IfritnoItazura]

at lv 32, no contest, xbow with acid and holy bolt is the beast. no PLD can take hate from me when I was using it

That seems a little odd; isn't the additional effect from holy bolt not counted toward enmity? If doing same amount of damage with bow and crossbow+holy bolt, the crossbow should be giving tanks an easier time hanging on to the target.

Or, was RNG just that broken 3 years ago?