Ranger Archive

I know I have seen someone around here who is using this combination. I thought I would ask about it and see how well it performs. I was heading for TKM/CH/Medic0430, but I feel compelled to reconsider Ranger again for some reason.

As I am now in possession of a newly Sliced and ADKed set of Knuckles of Katarn, I think the TKM side of the house is fairly fixed for the moment, but if I can combine it with Ranger I think it might be a lot of fun.

My concern is that most Ranger hunting discussions seem to focus around using traps to slow the target and keep it out of melee range while using ranged attacks to kill it, in a circle of kiting around near to the nest so it doesn't run away on you. I can see this might be a time consuming but effective method of dropping the bigger targets like Krayts etc, but how does being a Ranger using traps help the melee fighter? I have to go into harm's way directly, and kiting won't be so effective overall since I will keep having to return to melee range to do damage. As well I am TKM, not known for its huge damage - although the Knuckles of Katarn will help a lot in that regard I am sure.

So if you can provide any feedback on how well this spec performs (particularly with regards to healing since it has none, are stims and food enough?), and an idea of what you can take on (can you solo Krayts as Phenix and others seem to manage?), I would be most appreciative.

My alternative spec if I don't go Ranger is TKM/CH/Medic0430 as I said, so keep that in mind as a template to contrast to if you choose. Another alternate might be TKM/MDoctor/Scout3040.

Thanks

One thing to remember, as a TKM, you have no reason to kite most mobs. You can take a LOT of hits, if you use CoB (I incap if I forget to turn it on...I have yet to be incapped if I do remember to use it). It takes a little while to take down mobs, but I am still using my Blaster Fist. I imagine with the KoK, whose DPS is almost 100 higher than my Blaster Fist, you should be able to drop things pretty efficiently. As a TKM, the PDart will not really be of great use. You can use other traps to inflict stats that TKM can't (The Bone Spur is pretty nice), or you can use the Stink bomb to help you get Dizzy and Armor Break to stick more easily.

Now, a TKM/Ranger won't be soloing too many krayts, but it is pretty easy to take mobs the same CL as you. This is true for one on one encounters (use traps to pull 1 mob at a time). I get into a little more trouble if there are 2 mobs attacking, but it is still doable. I haven't gone up against more than 2 mobs yet (solo, that is).

Thank you for the feedback, that does let me know that I can expect to be able to hunt my level or thereabouts solo, which is highly useful. It should be more than sufficient for harvesting at any rate.

With my current spec of TKM/CH I expect things will be much the same, with the extra damage and specials of the pets replacing the debuffs of traps overall. The biggest difference is it allows me to keep some healing

Its funny, but although in reality the abilities given by the Ranger profession seem somewhat limited and the cost for it seems very high, I am still compelled to give it a shot, and I find myself reading these forums more than any other profession on most days.

Perhaps I am merely mentally unstable

I have a TKM/Ranger that I am learning to work with more effectively all the time. I think you do need strategy to pull MOBS off singly, though I have done okay if several attack. I use bone spurs or noise makers or adhesive meshto pull, then when they are in range I toss a glow wire trap to take down their defenses, and the p-dart to tranquilize, maybe toss in the stink bomb too for a tougher creature. In most cases I don't take much damage but a well timed stim D usually does the trick if I do. For near my level (80) MOBS I use rakirian (sp?) burnout sauce and Corellian Ale and those help. Still checking for other foods and haven't tried clothing that helps with defense and accuracy yet (my tailors factory run was eaten in some insane bug ack). I haven't even tried VK's or other knuckers yet, but expect if my daydreamy little self gets around to it I'll be more effective yet. Powerboost and COB add to the ability to stand against the attacker of course. (Atheren/Bria)

As a contrast I have an almost master ranger/master rifle on another serverand it is easier nailing stuff before it gets close for sure, but once they are on you, you seem to get dropped much more quickly. I'll need to master both rifles and ranger with that character before I can really compare.(AmeliaRose/Naritus)

I can kill anything in the game (and i use a good long rifle to tap...don't tell) solo. The elete mobs,yes them also, it just takes a long time. Make friends and learn how to fight together, for the K. dragons and stuff.

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Starson wrote:
I can kill anything in the game (and i use a good long rifle to tap...don't tell) solo. The elete mobs, yes them also, it just takes a long time. Make friends and learn how to fight together, for the K. dragons and stuff.

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Okay, so can you give me a rundown on your tactics when taking on something large? My main concern is the lack of healing other than Bliel/Stims which don't seem like they will be sufficient. I appreciate any feedback on what is essential to hunting this way. I don't care if a hunt takes a long time, I just want to know how you go about doing it in some detail. Thanks for any response...