Ranger Archive
Thread: Calling out to Master Rangers who are Master Rifles
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Skullie-AR
Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:42 am
#1
Hello Rangers. I am a former Master Ranger, that is now Ranger 4040. I think all the time about how much I miss being a master, but I dropped it because I needed a bit more healing for when camo breaks on Dath. So I dropped Master Ranger, went to 4040, and picked up Medic 3340. This gives me great healing and access to 1100 power Stim E's.
So I figured I would come in here and ask for the opinion of MASTER Rangers that are also Rifleman and manage to still do well.
Let me clarify a few other things. I am not a big believer in Doc buffs as a habit. I just dont think that Rangers should require to be buffed all the time. I like to go out and hunt unbuffed, and I only get buffs if I am going out after something really serious. To be honest, I find I usually dont need buffs. And considering the end of uber buffs is definitely coming, I wanted to see if there were any suggestions. Rifleman have little to no defenses, and that the 2nd and 4th trees of Ranger dont deliver the utility in the current system that I would like them to.
I dont try to tank things. I am on my belly a LOT. I am careful, stealthy, and I single pull from a herd anytime I cant handle risking multiple aggros. It just became frustrating that a fencer or a pistoleer or TKA (or any other combat prof with good defenses) with Scout 0040 and buffs could run full speed into a big group of aggros, kill everything and move on without much of a scratch. A rifleman has to be a bit more careful usually, even if they are buffed.
I realize there are two issues here : 1) My distate for needing buffs to harvest as fast and as carefree as a 0040 scout....AND.....2) the lack of healing/defenses with a Master Ranger/Master Rifleman template. What I am really looking for from you guys is your feedback on whether staying Master Ranger with Master Rifle is viable NOW....and how you plan on keeping it viable when the doc buffs go away. I know I am being difficult...lol....I wont switch combat profs because I think a ranger needs to have rifle dammit. And I also realize that my distaste for getting buffed all the time is another personal prejudice that I should just get over. But hell....its what I feel. So since I gave up a long time ago trying to convince myself of things that I didnt believe.....maybe you guys can help me with suggestions.
Sorry for the long post. Any feedback welcome, although I am especially looking for feedback from Master Rangers who are Master Rifleman.
Regards,
Skullie
So I figured I would come in here and ask for the opinion of MASTER Rangers that are also Rifleman and manage to still do well.
Let me clarify a few other things. I am not a big believer in Doc buffs as a habit. I just dont think that Rangers should require to be buffed all the time. I like to go out and hunt unbuffed, and I only get buffs if I am going out after something really serious. To be honest, I find I usually dont need buffs. And considering the end of uber buffs is definitely coming, I wanted to see if there were any suggestions. Rifleman have little to no defenses, and that the 2nd and 4th trees of Ranger dont deliver the utility in the current system that I would like them to.
I dont try to tank things. I am on my belly a LOT. I am careful, stealthy, and I single pull from a herd anytime I cant handle risking multiple aggros. It just became frustrating that a fencer or a pistoleer or TKA (or any other combat prof with good defenses) with Scout 0040 and buffs could run full speed into a big group of aggros, kill everything and move on without much of a scratch. A rifleman has to be a bit more careful usually, even if they are buffed.
I realize there are two issues here : 1) My distate for needing buffs to harvest as fast and as carefree as a 0040 scout....AND.....2) the lack of healing/defenses with a Master Ranger/Master Rifleman template. What I am really looking for from you guys is your feedback on whether staying Master Ranger with Master Rifle is viable NOW....and how you plan on keeping it viable when the doc buffs go away. I know I am being difficult...lol....I wont switch combat profs because I think a ranger needs to have rifle dammit. And I also realize that my distaste for getting buffed all the time is another personal prejudice that I should just get over. But hell....its what I feel. So since I gave up a long time ago trying to convince myself of things that I didnt believe.....maybe you guys can help me with suggestions.
Sorry for the long post. Any feedback welcome, although I am especially looking for feedback from Master Rangers who are Master Rifleman.
Regards,
Skullie
Message Edited by Skullie-AR on 01-08-2005 09:45 AM
Rhyeal
Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:18 am
#2
ok, I was a master Rifleman/Master Ranger before I unlocked (1 mo ago). It is great. Just camo up, andconceal shot. Using a little food, I can solo things up to 12k HAM. Also, with my new character (3000 Marksman, 4141 Ranger) I can solo things up to 6k HAM with a laser rifle and p-dart traps. The traps are what makes it fun when the creature sees you 
So, yeah, I just have nov Medic, and Stim Bs work great for me. Just P-dart the animal, then heal, then shoot, then P-dart it, repeat.
So, yeah, I just have nov Medic, and Stim Bs work great for me. Just P-dart the animal, then heal, then shoot, then P-dart it, repeat.
Kalaf
Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:28 pm
#3
I just use a Stimbot. If it gets ugly I run like hell andpop a camp out. Bring out Stimbot and healup. But then I also have a Harvest droid taht is a mini tank. 150pt dam and 4400HAM(had him special built )
)
JBMat
Sat Jan 08, 2005 3:58 pm
#4
Altho I am not rifles, I agree with both previous posts.
Droids that can tank and/or fight can save your butt in half a heartbeat. I don't like the harvestor droids, one trick ponies, but one that can tank and not run is not bad. (two tricks at least)
Buffs. I continue to amaze my friends by going unbuffed into the weeds and coming back undead with large amounts of harvest. Know what you are hunting and what will drop it fast; Have a game plan that works going in (I will stand here and spam specials is not a game plan, its a death wish); and Have an escape strategy (hotkey burstrun, pop traps and beat feet works).
Traps. 90% of riflemen don't use them. I think this is a major error, in that the traps can be used in combinations to greatly enhance anyones chances of dropping large creatures.
Example -
Rancor at 70 m. Rifles go prone and use conceal shot. Great, unless the Rancor spots you. Then what? Pistols go prone and use stopping shot or bleeds, hoping to go unnoticed. Oops, good plan, bad result.
I go to my feet and pop a pdart as soon as creature is in range (50m). If it sticks, I move and pop a glowwire and a sharp bone spur. What do we have ?? Well, he was already mad at ya, but now he's slow, has lowered resists and can't see to hit you as well. You now have the advantage. P dart didn't work? Adhesive mesh and run like hell up a hill. You are faster than he is. If the mesh sticks, go for the pdart again and then the others and lay waste.
I used this method the other night with a TK buddy. Until 2 literally spawned on me (and the inside of a rancor is ugly let me tell you) I was kicking big rancor butt. Unarmored, with only some food so I could shoot longer and heal my buddy faster.
It's amazing what you can do when you try. It's the working out the kinks that takes practice.
It's amazing what you can do when you try. It's the working out the kinks that takes practice.
JB
who remembers the run in a circle and shoot method that still works well
JDLiquidFire
Sat Jan 08, 2005 6:49 pm
#5
When I am hunting unbuffed I try to have 50 fill vercupti and a neutron pixie handy for when the going gets rough.
I really enjoy running around unbuffed, but with the lower defenses I am always amazed when with a brawler type who seems unfazed by the attack yet I am losing gobs of ham with each blow. But I love ranger and I love rifles, so . . . hoping for some love from the developers.
Liquid
Almagill
Sat Jan 08, 2005 7:05 pm
#6
Haven't mastered rifles YET, but intend sticking to MR/MRM if I possibly can.
Been following JB's advice about using traps to make the critters slow, thick and shot sighted and have never been too proud to RLF up the nearest hill. (Or, on TC where line of soght works, into the nearest ditch / round the back of a building).
Was on Corellia the other night getting avian meat and, in a fit of madness, got buffed for the first time in a month and a half. TBH, it didn't rally help that much, food usually does just as well. (Using a sliced Tusken, T21 and a DXR6b cos I like the noise... so unless I seriously spam specials I don't take much damage to health or action, mind is happy with lashings of brandy)
As for armour, I've got some in one of my astromech's. Either Eric or Ernie, can't even remember which! Have worn it maybe three times? (Ubese, 75kin )
Been following JB's advice about using traps to make the critters slow, thick and shot sighted and have never been too proud to RLF up the nearest hill. (Or, on TC where line of soght works, into the nearest ditch / round the back of a building).
Was on Corellia the other night getting avian meat and, in a fit of madness, got buffed for the first time in a month and a half. TBH, it didn't rally help that much, food usually does just as well. (Using a sliced Tusken, T21 and a DXR6b cos I like the noise... so unless I seriously spam specials I don't take much damage to health or action, mind is happy with lashings of brandy)
As for armour, I've got some in one of my astromech's. Either Eric or Ernie, can't even remember which! Have worn it maybe three times? (Ubese, 75kin )
Cpl_Fisher
Sat Jan 08, 2005 8:21 pm
#7
If you have at least 0/0/0/3 in ranged support, you can play ping pong with creatures! If they in a group, go prone, take cover mindshot them IMMEDIATELY kneel and peace, run back around 20m. with the bleed hits, it will agroe you, use auto attack, or you favorite attack, them when they get to 20m use warningshot and immediately after it hits, /peace them. the creature will now run away. when they get around 55m from you attack them again. rinse and repeate. 
shilo2
Sun Jan 09, 2005 2:24 am
#8
I hate using buffs, but sometimes u just gotta. Once the critter gets in close and you are un-buffed its a game of who can kill who first. and the miss....miss...counterattack...hit....dodge...miss, when they are in close doesnt help either.
DureenaBadKarma
Sun Jan 09, 2005 6:29 am
#9
Almagill wrote:
Been following JB's advice about using traps to make the critters slow, thick and shot sighted and have never been too proud to RLF up the nearest hill. (Or, on TC where line of soght works, into the nearest ditch / round the back of a building).
Sorry, this is news to me! Is line of sight planning to be brought into Live? Cos if it is, we rangers with our tactical style of play will have a HUGE jump on most other players.
I have to confess, I always try to get a line of sight on a critter anyway, it just feels right from an RP point of view /blush
DaveG
Sun Jan 09, 2005 7:18 am
#10
Okay, here's my skillset:
Scout: Master
Medic: 1000
Marksman: 4000
Rifleman: Master
Ranger: Master
Freelance pilot: 3333 (but that's not important right now!).
Like many other rangers here, I do not use doc buffs to hunt with. Even to the point where if I'm in a group and one is offered to me for free, I will decline it (the only exception is for going into dungeons). I do carry armour, but I don't wear it unless I've got multiple creatures kicking the you-know-what out of me. In addition to my skills, I have a bio-enginneered hood which gives a +25 bonus to my wound and injury treatment, so couple that with high quality B-stims, I can give myself very effective heals when my Health and Actionis low.
I find this template very effective for hunting. So far, my record for sheer harvesting bulk is 120K of leather and 200K of herbivore meat from a single trip to Lok (the trip lasted three weeks mind you), in which I did not have to be cloned. During that trip I also took my record for a the largest single creature I've killed on my own, which was a dune kimoliga. Most of the time, I'd rely on rifle concealment chance to let me keep using /headshot3, which is more efficient, but for the kimo, I went back to using concealshot.
As for my mind, I use brandy. I drink one, then wait 15-20 minutes then drink another, then for a sustained hunt session I'll keep drinking a brandy every 40 minutes. If I can find one I'll use an entertainer for a mind buff, but tbh honest, the places where I hunt, I don't usually have that luxury.
I do use traps, but not always. It's pretty uncommon for my opening attack to be with a trap, and virtually unheared of if I'm picking on one of a social group. If I can, I'll get away with just using rifle skills, augmented by my (bio-cloth and skill tape enhanced) camoflauge and /takecover+sneak skills. If/when I do come under attack, that's when I will use traps, and like has been mentioned by others, P-Dart and then G-Wire are your first choices. The P-dart slows them to a stop, and then the G-wire will lower thier defences. The latter is very important because if it is something like a rancor you need to get the thing down as quickly as possible now that it's mad at you.
Finally the other way that ranger and rifleman compliment each other is down to creature knowledge and the wide variety of weapons available to a rifleman. If you have sufficient creature knowledge, you can assess the resists and armour type, and decide which weapon is best. As a rifleman, I carry seven different rifles with me (spraystick, bowcaster, SG82, Jawa, T21, Laser Rifle, DXR-6b). Therefore I'm able to get the information I need to choose the right tool for the job. I think this makes a huge difference, and as with other ranger skills, I think creature knowledge is an under-rated skill. Perhaps if you're just a melee fighter it isn't so important because you can only deal kinetic damage (or stun if you're a fencer), but for a rifleman I can't sing it's praises enough. Having said that, you have most of the creature knowlege with just the tracking line, I'm not sure what extra information the master ranger box gives you.
BinaryTuna
Sun Jan 09, 2005 1:09 pm
#11
It sounds like your basic tactics are sound, but I agree with JB about traps and droids. As a rifleman I use a harvesting droid to save the time of running back and forth to hand-harvest kills so I need to rely on traps to keep agroed creatures at arm's length. This is especially important since riflemen spend a lot of time prone and can't fire when a critter gets too close. A P-Dart will slow them down so that you at least have enough time to get to your feet.
Since I mastered rifleman, I rely almost exclusively on p-darts to slow down a target when needed (although the insane rate of fire an MRM can put out usually can be relied on to drop most things before they reach you). I do keep some bone spurs and flash bombs when hunting bigger things so that I can blind them and then run circles around them.
I would also point out that I am an object lesson for not grinding through traps, which I did do for the scout tree - I could have spent a lot less time flat on my back looking up at the sky if I had took the time to learn what the traps did and did not do! Once I saw what ap-Dart could do - well another "Doh!" momentwas born.
As far as buffed/unbuffed goes, I only recently tried buffing after I mastered Ranger and Rifleman, and at first it was a heady sensation being able to take down whole lairs on Yavin and other adventure planets in one minute while ignoring any wounds I incurred. Unfortunately my sense of invulnerability caused my common sense to flee and I abandoned all the tried and true tactics I had developed over the last 10 months, and in a surprisingly short time I was back to watching the clouds again wondering what I did wrong. Don't forget your tactics just because you're now uber, your almost sure to need them when the revamp hits.
Don't forget your tactics just because you're now uber, your almost sure to need them when the revamp hits.As a complement to my template, I used my remaining SP to get the first-aid box in medic. Basically allows me to extend my time in the field and if I've been using specials heavily it lets me get my health and action back up (food and drink take care of the mind) with stimpak-B's.
As for how viable this template is, I would ask by what measure? Monetarily I've got about 20mil in the bank the bulk of which was earned selling organics to a few repeat customers. 99% of that was hunted and harvested unbuffed (although I will buff now when I go on group hunts or when one of my regulars has an emergency request now that I can see the utitlity). I've probably spent an additional 10 mil on tips, maintenance, possesions (houses, ships, droids, etc), and trying to keep a city solvent. Actually about half of that went to that stupid city... 
. So about 30 mil hunting unbuffed using rifles all the way.
. So about 30 mil hunting unbuffed using rifles all the way.Ability-wise, yes other combat classes can rush in and swiftly devastate a spawn, but as an MRM I can drop most things with a few shots from my T-21. It's just a different style. And really, where is the fun if you can drop anything with no risk. What's the point? Might as well go play Unreal in god-mode.
Wow. I can really ramble at 2:00 in the morning . Oh well, I hoped I helped some.
. Oh well, I hoped I helped some.
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