Ranger Archive
Thread: Ranger Skill Mods broken down (Including Enhanced Reflexes Survival Modifiers)
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WildBil2Me
Sat Sep 11, 2004 4:23 pm
#1
After looking at how the FS mods came down I decided to do some looking into the exact nature of the Skill mods granted to a Ranger over the course of their training and mastery. Below I've listed my findings and my interpretations of each of the available skills. First I list the existing Mod at Master Ranger and possible FS Mod, (thenwhere the max is reached - andits functionality), then my thoughts,and then the FS Enhanced Reflex functionality and resulting conclusions.
I have confirmed that modifiers with ** have skill tapes available. Please submit any corrections.
My goal is to advance the understanding of Ranger specific Modifiers! Though some conclusions revolve around the nature of FS Enhanced Reflex functionality and the need for better development of the profession, my description of each mod is meant to advance a Ranger's knowledge of what's at his / her disposal.
In the end... I think it demonstrates what exactly we as Master Rangers have as modifiers over the course of our profession, and what the Force Sensitive Ranger can expect.
Skill mod Summary:
Burst Run Efficiency +50
(Master Scout - a direct % decrease in Burst Run HAM cost)
A very good bonus (though it stops in Master Scout)
(Master Scout - a direct % decrease in Burst Run HAM cost)
A very good bonus (though it stops in Master Scout)
Camouflage +50 **
(Master Ranger - a bonusof an unknown%to duration and effectiveness of camo kitsapplied to aranger and other players)
(Master Ranger - a bonusof an unknown%to duration and effectiveness of camo kitsapplied to aranger and other players)
The +50 bonus could probably be increased as this is THE working Ranger Modifier
Camping +100 FS +5
(Master Ranger - a cert system in which a player gains the ability to craft a camp)
(Master Ranger - a cert system in which a player gains the ability to craft a camp)
Anything above 100 has no value
The FS portion of this Modifier carries no functionality for the Master Ranger
The FS portion of this Modifier carries no functionality for the Master Ranger
Creature Harvesting +105 FS+5
(Master Ranger - a modifier which determines the amount or resources harvested from a creature)
(Master Ranger - a modifier which determines the amount or resources harvested from a creature)
Many Rangers believe this modifier should be more effective ... Perhaps even a % bonus to Novice Scout levels
The FS portion of this Modifier will be greatly appreciated by most Master Rangers ... effectiveness remains to be seen though.
Creature Knowledge +100 FS +5
(Master Ranger - a level which determines the amount of information about a creature displayed in an examine window)
Anything above 100 has no value
The FS portion of this Modifier carries no functionality for the Master Ranger
Creature to Hit Bonus +25
(Tracking 4 - A "raw" to hit bonus which onlymodifies Ranged Attacks on creatures)
It would be nice to see this bonus increase more within the Ranger Tree and benefit all attacks not just ranged
Foraging +100**FS +5
(Master Ranger - A modifier to the chance of succesfully foraging items)
The items currently "foragable" are limited in value ... only bait really being useful
The FS portion of this Modifier carries limited functionality for the Master Ranger. Many Master Rangers express a disinterst in Foraging because of its extremely limited value to the profession as a whole.
Mask Scent +100 FS +5
(Master Scout - A modifier,not direct%,which increases the duration of Mask Scent skill, decreases the amount of time between uses of the skill, and increases the chance of "hiding from aggressive and stalking creatures while mask scent is enabled")
Bonuses above 100 are useful and may be moreuseful than camo against creatures
The FS portion of thisModifier will be helpful for players wishing to cap their Mask Scent mod along with Bio Clothing.
Melee Defense +10
(1 Bonus at Master Ranger - A modifier which improves your defense against Melee attacks)
(1 Bonus at Master Ranger - A modifier which improves your defense against Melee attacks)
Cake as far as I'm concerned... a nice un-asked for bonus
Ranged Defense +10
(1 Bonus at Master Ranger - A modifier which improves your defense against Ranged attacks)
Again ... Cake.
Rescue +50 **
(Master Ranger - A modifier that will increase success of Rescue skill)
Rescue skill only works in rare circumstances when a player is "peacing" and probably already doomed.
Terrain Negotiation +95 FS +5
(Wayfairing 4 - Increases a players speed in climbing hills until +50 and in crawling until +100)
According to description skill mod caps at 100.
The FS portion of this Modifier has limited functionality for the Master Ranger. TN bonuses above +50 supposedly only benefit players while prone. The value of this bonus therefore would benefit Master Ranger combos including Master Rifleman, Master Bio-Engineer and Master CH most ... unless your a Ranger who likes to crawl alot.
Trapping +100 FS +5
(Master Ranger - A non % modifier which increases the chance to successfully land a trap and increasing the ability to hit bigger creatures)
With a +100 trapping skill a Ranger still cannot trap most big game
The FS portion of this Modifier holds an unknown value (so far) as traps still hold variable functionality depending on target creature.
Conclusions:
Of the 13 Skill Modifiers granted over the course of Mastering Ranger:
-
2(Camping and Foraging) can be considered broken skills. Camps currently hold limited functionality and lack some of theirdescribed functions, namely repelling aggro.With Foraging, beyond items used for bait there are no useful forageable items at present. -
2 (Mask Scent and Burst Run Efficiency) cease developing after Master Scout. -
1 (Terrain Negotiation) provide bonuses that, after reaching +50 at Master Scout, have limited usefullness. -
1 (Rescue) is limited in effectivness to the point of uselesness. (A Ranger effectively sacrifices himself for a target that is probably already dead) -
1 (Trapping) is limited in usefullness due to its functionality against larger creatures -
3(Camouflage, Creature to HitBonusand Burst Run Efficiency) cease developing at extremely low modifiers. Creature to Hit Bonus also only benefits 1/2 of the combat community thus having limited appeal as a mod -
1 (Creature Knowledge) works as intended, so long as the bug preventing any info from being displayed isn't in effect -
1 (Mask Scent) is highly effective ... to the point of negating another modifier (Camouflage) in value against the Rangers defined prey -
1 (Creature Harvesting) is providing a bonus that the ENTIRE Scout and Ranger community would like to see granted higher effectiveness -
2 (Ranged and Melee Defense) are just icing
Of the seven Enhanced Reflex bonuses that can be achieved:
-
2 (Camping and Creature Knowledge) provide no benefit to the Master Ranger -
2 (Foraging and Terrain Negotiation) are extremely limited by current problems with the existing system -
1 (Trapping) has promise to be a helpful modifier -
2 (Creature Harvesting and MaskScent) are extremely welcome modifiers.
On a positive Note:
-
Mask Scent (when working properly) is a powerful tool not only for evading combat but also for generating XP -
Camouflage (when working poperly) can greatly benefit the ranger when attempting to avoid NPC mobs on high end planets -
Terrain Negotiation grants an unsurpassed utility within the Scouting bonuses. The ability to outrun NPCs, Players, and creatures on most slopes is a HUGE advantage -
Creature Harvesting provides a unique and powerful source of income. Even while grinding a Ranger can earn several thousand credits just by harvesting each target and putting the resulting yield on any public bazaar -
Creature Knowledge is extremely helpful in learning to understand high powered mobs. It can tell you what type of armor to approach with and how serious your encounter with creatures might become -
Trapping is a unique ability which gives the Scout and Ranger advantages in PvE combat -
Creature to Hit Bonuses (when working properly) greatly improve the ranged abilities of players. -
Burst Run Efficiency is a modifier which greatly aids combat effectivness for evading aggro and escaping tough situations -
A group with shared knowledge of Rescue can find the skill very helpful in mob management
Finally... I think this tells us some interesting things about the profession as a whole. While many of our Skill mods promise great amounts of definition for our profession, their functionality is plagued by lack of effectiveness and limited scope. A player interested in the profession would do well to understand what to expect and what to wish for.
Eddited to better express the desired nature of the post
Message Edited by WildBil2Me on 09-11-2004 11:38 PM
BlakkStar
Sat Sep 11, 2004 7:24 pm
#2
Another reason why SOE sucks:
Ranger gets no love.
Consider my account canceled.
My last day is the Fall Equinox (Sept 21). Hopefully ranger will get some loveby the Winter Solstice (Dec 21). If so, I may come back. However I doubt it.The CB probably won't be out until next summer anyways and I expect that tobe in thelate summer or maybe even fall. I'm sure the expect JTL tokeep the masses pacified while they screw more stuff up while leaving Rangers in the woods to argueabout hawtpants. I expect a ranger revamp to occur at least 6 months after the CB and that is being optimistic. Therefore I don't see a Ranger revamp coming until at least 2006.
Bah,don't mind me, I'm just tired of getting shafted.
Message Edited by BlakkStar on 09-11-2004 07:28 PM
Fodder650
Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:04 pm
#3
You know how many posts like this exist? Do you know how many go through with it? Pretty much none. We think we are using it as a tactic to get change. And it doesnt make a dent. Other then just angering those of us who are still here.
WildBil2Me
Sat Sep 11, 2004 8:22 pm
#4
It's not my intent to anger, rather I'd prefer to think of this as a method of enlightenment.
There are many conclusions that can be drawn from my outline. I leaned on the ones I felt were the most pertinent to the profession as a whole.
I think, though, that it might enlighten rangers to think about the skillset a bit differently. How best can we augment what we have with our playstyle?
First off its important to note that chasing the Enhanced Reflexes Survival tree is not in a Ranger's best interest. Though the XP is certainly one of the fastest to gain ... the benefits are not as beneficial to the profession as Mastery.
Second, Master Rangers need to know where their skill points are going and what the resulting changes are. Don't chase foraging modifiers because their not what you want... the same can be said for camping and creature knowledge. If you don't plan on mastering, this breakdown can show you what skill modifiers to concentrate on while building a partial ranger template.
If you're just interested in harvesting then by all means take that one tree and gain what you need... don't waste your skillpoints on mastery just for that little bonus because (as this illustrates) the harvesting mod might not be enough to justify the investment for you.
If the all around picture is what you're looking for... just think about the resulting mods before you get upset in the end.
I really don't care to push people away from ranger, instead (at the end of the post) I want new rangers to have a sense of what the profession consists of.
Of course I'd also like to incite some change ... which is why my commentary is there ... but the bare facts are helpful as well.
Fodder650
Sat Sep 11, 2004 9:23 pm
#5
I was replying to blackstar not you. You've done nothing wrong. The FS skill trees especially the one for scouting are a joke. Why you would grind it without the intent of going for jedi initiate is beyond me. But my reply was to the "Im quitting" reply above mine. I'll never shut down a poster whos trying to push an idea.
Cohen001
Sun Sep 12, 2004 3:14 am
#6
Your close but i was thinking maybe by the next Ice age the will get around to the revamp.
BlakkStar wrote:
I suspect the real reason for your anger is because you suspect this statementis probablytrue:
"Therefore I don't see a Ranger revamp coming until at least 2006."
Message Edited by BlakkStar on 09-12-2004 12:19 AM
Phenix1050
Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:05 am
#7
Cohen001 wrote:
Your close but i was thinking maybe by the next Ice age the will get around to the revamp.
and I will be sitting with my computer on a glacier, with a generator to keep me warm and my computer running, going around and clapping because we finally got our revamp. And all the people who left will never get to enjoy the moment of triumph. I will harvest all the resources at once, pop a HTFB with a rocket launcher turret on the side and I will smile and be content.
In the end this is a good game. I have a lot of fun. There are an incredible amount of things to do and places to see. I went to Dant. recently and was just walking around. There are so many little things that are out there that are just incredible. I feel sorry for the people who choose to leave, because they are missing out on a lot of the fun of an MMORPG. Just going around and enjoying the environment is so relaxing.
BTW, from what I hear, JTL has it's own devs and coders, so they can actually work on two things at once. Thus the patches and bug fixes for JTL won't suck up resources from the people trying to get the ground game working. I suspect you're wrong about the Ranger Revamp being so far back. However, it doesn't matter to me, since I'll be content to just play the game until then, even if it is.
If your mind is made up Blakkstar, I'm sorry to see you go.Before you do, just go to Talus. Someplace away from all the l33t-d00dz and grinders. Now take off your armor, dont' get buffed and just run from point a to point b. Stop and look around at interesting things. Mask your scent and run up to dangerous critters and /pet them or /hug them. Take a screenshot or two. Find all the little things that were put into the game and be amazed by the level of detail on the planets. There are so many little things that make this game great and I think if you find them, go back and experience the excitement and wonder you probably felt the first time you played this game, and you may feel better.
This is my first MMORPG, so playing the first time was incredible for me. Perhaps you didn't find the same level of excitement, but there are so many things to see out there and so many little NPC quest that give you strange rewards (a speaker??) that you can actually become immersed in the world. Everytime I get so busy collecting resource X or just need a break from people. I just go off into the woods. Maybe it's the Ranger in me...but I can find peace there.
anyway, I'm gonna stop bein sappy now.
BlakkStar
Sun Sep 12, 2004 12:14 pm
#8
Fodder650 wrote:
You know how many posts like this exist?
Don't care. I didn't make my own "I'm quitting" thread so what is the problem? This a discussion amongst fellow rangers. I truly don't expect any devs to read this thread or my post.
Do you know how many go through with it? Pretty much none.
Again, don't care.
We think we are using it as a tactic to get change. And it doesnt make a dent.
YOU may think its a tactic for change but I don't. I think that is a foolish idea. If I thought it would inspire change I would be posting it in the In Development or In Concept threads. No, my response was just a rant, plain and simple. Reading the above post simply caused me to remember why I canceled my account 4 months ago. I would have closed it earlier but I forgot to and the auto-suscription started up another 6 month cycle. Out of those 6 months I've played probably 2 of them (including now til Sept 21). Even now I rarely play.
Other then just angering those of us who are still here.
Why would it anger you? You have some personal issues you need to deal with if that's the case. If a dissatisfied customer's complaint angers you then you got problems dude.
I suspect the real reason for your anger is because you suspect this statementis probablytrue:
"Therefore I don't see a Ranger revamp coming until at least 2006."
Message Edited by BlakkStar on 09-12-2004 12:19 AM
Fodder650
Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:13 pm
#9
No i agree Calc the post was great. My reply wasnt aimed at that post.
Blackstar I will not be part of a flaming thread in the ranger forum. Even if i helped to start it.
Calculus_Entropy
Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:53 am
#10
WildBil2Me wrote:
It's not my intent to anger, rather I'd prefer to think of this as a method of enlightenment.
I thought this was a very enlightening post. Nice job. 
Message Edited by Calculus_Entropy on 09-12-2004 01:55 PM
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