Fighter/Ranger Build Advice

[SlayerOfDungeons]

Hey there everyone! I am looking to create a Ranger from a Fighter which specializes in Archery using the Kensei Foucs for Archery (Longbows). I also want to take just a few levels in Ranger just for the Darkhunter tree.

Does anyone out there feel this has potential to be a viable build, if planned right? I am only interested in the Darkhunter tree for the wolf I would get.

Or is this just a bad concept from the beginning and I should just go with straight Darkhunter Ranger?

 

[unbongwah]

Your pet's level will be tied to your Dark Hunter levels, so if that's what you want, you should stick with pure Dark Hunter.

I posted a DH archer to the old forums. If you don't have Horizon Walker, it can be converted into a F2P Arcane Archer build instead, though you'll have to give up a lot of Dark Hunter enhancements to afford it.

 

[Ying]

Unless you specifically want a Fighter past life, Kensei bow with ranger levels is redundant. Deepwood Stalker has the crit multiplier and range for bows if you have 12 levels of Ranger.

Unfortunately all pets in DDO are tragically underpowered, and easily die. So planning a build around a pet will leave you with a feelsbad experience. You can still have fun with Dark Hunter without the pet.

 

[SlayerOfDungeons]

Unless you specifically want a Fighter past life, Kensei bow with ranger levels is redundant. Deepwood Stalker has the crit multiplier and range for bows if you have 12 levels of Ranger.

Unfortunately all pets in DDO are tragically underpowered, and easily die.

Thanks for the information. I guess I'll do a straight Ranger build then.

They really need to take another look at viable pets. Would have been nice to have an experience more akin to the tabletop game.

 

[Enkidu]

Just to add to your confusion, ranger 12/fighter 8 would work well. Sure you'll need 22 points in Kensei to get the most out of it, but the bonus fighter feats will cover your weapon focus/specialization and give you a lot more DPS. Just a thought.

 

[Darkhaven Braveblade]

You could also try pure ftr kensai dex build with horizon walker, and pull some nice single target dps. just more for thought

 

[Vorogan]

Hey there everyone! I am looking to create a Ranger from a Fighter which specializes in Archery using the Kensei Foucs for Archery (Longbows). I also want to take just a few levels in Ranger just for the Darkhunter tree.

Does anyone out there feel this has potential to be a viable build, if planned right? I am only interested in the Darkhunter tree for the wolf I would get.

Or is this just a bad concept from the beginning and I should just go with straight Darkhunter Ranger?

I don't think it's a bad concept. I have always thought the best Ranger is a Fighter. I like Elf straight Fighter for Elf having access to the arcane archer tree. Fighter gets a boatload of combat feats so can get all the feats a Ranger gets and more. The main reason I prefer Fighter with a bow over Ranger is the base Ranged Power a Fighter can get from feats alone; taking all the Focus Feats and Specialization Feats for ranged weapons and thrown weapons stacks 20 Ranged Power before anything else from Enhancements or gear is added. Ranger may only access the first of the feats: Weapon Focus Ranged and Weapon Focus Thrown (4 Ranged Power). Don't get me wrong.. I've seen some badaz Rangers out there.. straight and multi-classed. I just find my straight Fighter plan has more passive sustained Range Power.

 

[Holmgang]

Your pet's level will be tied to your Dark Hunter levels, so if that's what you want, you should stick with pure Dark Hunter.

I posted a DH archer to the old forums. If you don't have Horizon Walker, it can be converted into a F2P Arcane Archer build instead, though you'll have to give up a lot of Dark Hunter enhancements to afford it.

Yeah, the old forums are not working.

You can get to the them, but whenever you click on a thread, you get an error message.

None of the build info there is accessible, even if you have the post in question saved as a bookmark.

edit : nm, found out you have to change the url in your bm from from forum.ddo.com to forum-old.ddo.com to access.

 

[Ying]

They really need to take another look at viable pets.

Players have asked for a pet (and hireling) revamp for many years. Based on developer responses, it's not likely to happen until it's part of something much larger. Perhaps if there was a universal tree or class archetype based on pets, then we'd see them become more viable.

 

[Krayvin42]

Your pet's level will be tied to your Dark Hunter levels, so if that's what you want, you should stick with pure Dark Hunter.

I posted a DH archer to the old forums. If you don't have Horizon Walker, it can be converted into a F2P Arcane Archer build instead, though you'll have to give up a lot of Dark Hunter enhancements to afford it.

Hey @unbongwah the old forums don't seem to be available. Do you have your DH archer posted anywhere else?

 

[unbongwah]

Do you have your DH archer posted anywhere else?

I can repost it here for the time being.

Character name: Horizon Hunter
Classes: 20 Dark Hunter, 10 Epic, 2 Legendary
Race: Human · · · · · · · ·Alignment: Chaotic Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·Incorp:· · ·0% · · ·Displacement:· ·25%
Str:· · ·8· · 0 · ·10 · · ·HP:· · · · 773 · · ·AC:· · 19
Dex:· · 18· · 0 · ·28 · · ·PRR: · · · · 0
Con:· · 14· · 0 · ·16 · · ·MRR: · · · · 2 · · ·+Healing Amp:· · ·0
Int:· · 14· · 0 · ·16 · · ·Dodge: · ·5/28 · · ·-Healing Amp:· · ·0
Wis:· · ·8· · 0 · ·10 · · ·Fort:· · · ·0% · · ·Repair Amp:· · · ·0
Cha:· · ·8· · 0 · ·10 · · ·SR:· · · · · 0 · · ·BAB: · · · · · · 25
DR: 10\Cold Iron
Immunities: 

Class and Feat Selection
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Dark Hunter(1)· ·Standard: Point Blank Shot
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Human Bonus: Precision
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Vermin
2 · · Dark Hunter(2)· ·
3 · · Dark Hunter(3)· ·Standard: Augment Summoning
4 · · Dark Hunter(4)· ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
5 · · Dark Hunter(5)· ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Monstrous Humanoid
6 · · Dark Hunter(6)· ·Standard: Extend Spell
7 · · Dark Hunter(7)· ·
8 · · Dark Hunter(8)· ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
9 · · Dark Hunter(9)· ·Standard: Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
10· · Dark Hunter(10) ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Aberration
11· · Dark Hunter(11) ·
12· · Dark Hunter(12) ·Standard: Empower Healing Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
13· · Dark Hunter(13) ·
14· · Dark Hunter(14) ·
15· · Dark Hunter(15) ·Standard: Nimble Fingers
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Human
16· · Dark Hunter(16) ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
17· · Dark Hunter(17) ·
18· · Dark Hunter(18) ·Standard: Luck Of Heroes
19· · Dark Hunter(19) ·
20· · Dark Hunter(20) ·Favored Enemy: Favored enemy: Elf
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Combat Archery
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Holy Strike
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Improved Augment Summoning
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Doubleshot
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Overwhelming Critical
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Harbinger of Chaos
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Watchful Eye
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Ethereal Plane
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Legendary Aim
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Dexterity: +1 Level up

Granted Feats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Evasion
Favored enemy: Evil Outsider
Favored enemy: Fey
Improved Evasion
Magical Training
Watchful Eye
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Skills
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skill Points· · ·36 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9· 9 ·9
Skill Name· · · ·01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20· Total Buffed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 29.0
Bluff · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Concentration · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 46.0
Diplomacy · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 21.0
Disable Device· · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 54.0
Haggle· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Heal· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 43.0
Hide· · · · · · · 3 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·22.0 · 54.0
Intimidate· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Jump· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Listen· · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 44.0
Move Silently · · 3 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·22.0 · 54.0
Open Lock · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 60.0
Perform · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Repair· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 23.0
Search· · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 52.0
Spell Craft · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 23.0
Spot· · · · · · · 4 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· 1 ·1· ·23.0 · 50.0
Swim· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
Tumble· · · · · · 1 · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 1.0 · 30.0
Use Magic Device· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 0.0 · 20.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available Points· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0· 0 ·0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enhancements: 80 APs
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horizon Walker - Points spent: 41
Core1 Mark Target
Tier1 Opening Shot - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Conjure Arrow
Core2 Improved Marking
Tier2 Take the Opening
Tier2 Protection from Evil and Good - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
Tier2 Walker Training I
Core3 Greater Marking
Tier3 No Step Missed - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Two Places At Once
Tier3 Hunter's Focus
Tier3 Tenacious Hunter - 3 Ranks
Core4 Dauntless Marking
Tier4 Corner the Quarry - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Walker's Guidance
Tier4 Scattershot
Tier4 Walker Training II
Tier5 Feywild Attunement
Core5 Dimension Door
Tier5 Banish the Quarry
Tier5 Misty Step
Tier5 Powershot
Tier5 Improved Archer's Focus
Core6 Horizon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark Hunter - Points spent: 28
Core1 Underdark Stalker
Tier1 Dark Wolf - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Bleed the Weak
Tier1 Sneak Attack Training I
Tier2 Furor of the Hunter - 3 Ranks
Core2 Smoke Trap
Tier2 Sneak Attack Training II
Core3 Underdark Defenses
Tier3 Primal Energy - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Sneak Attack Training III
Core4 Opportune Moment
Tier4 Slayer in the Dark - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Lupine Instincts
Tier4 Smoke Bomb
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deepwood Stalker - Points spent: 11
Core1 Far Shot
Tier1 Stealthy - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Increased Empathy - 1 Ranks
Core2 Sneak Attack
Tier2 Action Boost: Melee/Ranged Power Boost - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Faster Sneaking - 1 Ranks
Core3 Called Shot: Sniper Shot
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 12 permanent Destiny Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shiradi Champion - Points spent: 35
Core1 Fey Favor
Tier1 Prism
Tier1 Shiradi Strike: Hunt's End
Tier1 Good Luck - 3 Ranks
Core2 Vision
Tier2 Stay: Stay Strong - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Healing Spring
Tier2 Shiradi Power: Pin
Tier2 Phase Double - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Empathetic Link - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Improved Shiradi Power: Otto's Whistlery
Tier3 Fey Force: Fey Force
Tier3 Pierce Deception
Tier3 Double Rainbow
Core3 Audience with the Queen
Tier4 Fey Form
Tier4 Track
Tier4 Overwhelming Force: Overwhelming Force
Tier4 Enemy of my Own
Core4 Fey Countenance
Tier5 Nerve Venom
Tier5 Lore of the Hunt
Tier5 Feywild Attunement
Tier5 Epic Moment: Inexorable Advance
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shadowdancer - Points spent: 11
Core1 Shadow Training
Tier1 Technician - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Cover of Darkness - 2 Ranks
Core2 Step Through Shadows
Tier2 Dance in the Dark - 3 Ranks
Core3 The Darkest Luck
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Primal Avatar - Points spent: 14
Core1 This is your Nature: Thorn
Tier1 Epic Strikes: Carrion Swarm
Tier1 Rejuvenation Cocoon
Core2 Now Grow: Heart
Tier2 Primal Choice: Shard Storm
Tier2 Thrive
Core3 Weathering the Elements
Tier3 At it's Core - Upgrade Primal Spell: At Its Core - Thorn
Tier3 Natural Shielding
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basically I took a conventional ranged ranger build and, well, gimped it by squeezing in as many pet buffs as I could: i.e., tier-4 Dark Hunter, both Augment Summoning feats, Natural Shielding, etc. Technically I could drop Sniper Shot for Harper Leadership (+4 to pet stats) or swap tier-5 Horizon Walker for T5 Dark Hunter; but I'm not that committed to hamstringing myself in the name of role-playing flavor. Though the more sensible approach would be to shift 11 APs from Dark Hunter to Vistani Knife fighter: FE Undead, +5% doubleshot, and Haste Boost are probably more valuable than tier-4 DH bonuses.

Nimble Fingers and Luck of Heroes are for the bonuses from Shadowdancer's Technician (+1d6 sneak attack) and Shiradi's Good Luck (doubles the bonus to saves), respectively. Either/both feats can be replaced with something else.

 

[Wickedgraves]

Thanks for the information. I guess I'll do a straight Ranger build then.

They really need to take another look at viable pets. Would have been nice to have an experience more akin to the tabletop game.

Go out to the sands and get a couple of wolf whistles, 'upgrade them'. Summon a legendary cr 52 werewolf every 5 min depending on how many you farmed, I think they last 5 min. Not the same, but it's close... I think they might be 30th items too once upgraded?
(I do have a pet character, it's completely invested in feeding and watering the pets. It's actually really fun to play alone or with say one other person. Druid-primal avatar-splash magus-splash harper- feats- epic feats- the cry of battle filigrees- picked up the uber pets from the ultimate release packs- etcetera- seek out things to be totally pet invested and their buffs). ((currently playing a dark hunter atm- ...sigh... we'll see, I'm not expecting much due to the investment in doing Rogue/traps.. it feels too widespread/{rogue/damage/etc}/'busy' to own a pet and care for it properly is my take so far))