Ranger build advice

[kieranm]

Hi all,

I used to play ranger all the time, but never have made on on Amia. I'm really excited about the new epic companion and want to give ranger a go! I was hoping to get some advice on a few key points and general advice on the build itself. I'd like to go for a dev crit, str-based ranger with bane of enemies.

First question are any recommendations for ranger multi-class combos:

There isn't a lot of wiggle room here because I'll need to take 25 ranger for the epic companion. There are a few nice combos I can think of including Ranger/Cav, Ranger/MS or Ranger/Fighter/Rogue.

I've seen Ranger/Cav a lot and considered this at first, but I think I'm shying away from it. Something about a ranger always needing to be on a horse in battle doesn't sit well for me and I don't know why. I've kind of ruled this one out but am open to the argument of having Ranger/Cav. If anyone has really loved the combination, please let me know.

I also thought 25 Ranger/4 Fighter/1 Rogue would work well or some variation of fighter/rogue. The benefits are that I could get more base damage out of this build with EWS (only needing to sacrifice epic prowess to get this), having UMD, and I get more feats because I won't have to use any for class requirements - which ends up giving me 2 more feats than the other options to be used on KD, expertise, or extend spell if I wanted. I'm currently leaning towards this build but wanted to get second thoughts

I'm also drawn to Ranger/MS because they just make sense together. I do think of this as being a similar build to Ranger/Cav (both get extra feats and AC from either ride/tumble), but to me MS just fits nicely for aesthetic and RP reasons. Plus perma freedom is the bees knees (But is this worth it when Rangers get this as a spell???). This build also gets uncanny dodge (which might not be that helpful for a STR-based ranger), added movement speed outdoors and trackless step.

Second question is about what favoured enemies others would recommend are best:

I plan on mostly using this character for PVE and want the fav enemies to benefit me the most for end game play. I have limited experience with the higher level dungeons, so I would really appreciate some tips for favourite enemies.

Build option 1:

Base Race: Human (going for a special request race to give +2 str and -2 dex)
Build: 25 Ranger / 5 MS
Alignment: LN or TN

STR 16 -> 18
DEX 14 -> 12
CON 12
WIS 14
INT 12
CHA 8

Pre-epic: 20 Ranger
Rang 1 /Level 1: Power attack / Cleave; Fav Enemy 1
Rang 2 / Level 2:
Rang 3 / Level 3: Weapon Focus (either scim or LS)
Rang 4 / Level 4: + 1 STR (19)
Rang 5 / Level 5: Fav Enemy 2
Rang 6 / level 6: Great cleave
Rang 7 / level 7:
Rang 8 / level 8: + 1 STR (20)
Rang 9 / level 9: Blind fight
Rang 10 / level 10: Fav Enemy 3
Rang 11 / level 11
Rang 12 / level 12: Imp crit (scim/LS), + 1 STR (21)
Rang 13 / level 13:
Rang 14 / level 14:
Rang 15 / level 15: SF listen; Fav Enemy 4
Rang 16 / level 16: + 1 STR (22)
Rang 17 / level 17:
Rang 18 / level 18: SF spot
Rang 19 / level 19:
Rang 20 / level 20: + 1 STR (23); Fav Enemy 5

Epic: 5 Ranger / 5 MS
Rang 21 / level 21: Armor skin
Rang 22 / level 22:
Rang 23/ level 23: Bane of enemies
Rang 24 / level 24: Overwhelming crit, +1 STR (24)
Rang 25 / level 25: Epic animal companion
MS 1 / Level 26: Great STR1 (STR 25)
MS 2 / Level 27: Dev Crit
MS 3 / Level 28: +1 STR (26)
MS 4 / level 29:
MS 5 / level 30: Epic Prowess, (FREE: Expertise/Extend spell?)

Build option 2:

Base Race: Human (going for a special request race to give +2 str and -2 dex)
Build: 25 Ranger / 4 Fighter / 1 Rogue
Alignment: LN or TN

STR 16 -> 18
DEX 14 -> 12
CON 12
WIS 14
INT 12
CHA 8

Pre-epic: 20 Ranger
Rang 1 /Level 1: Power attack / Cleave; Fav Enemy 1
Rang 2 / Level 2:
Rang 3 / Level 3: Expertise
Rang 4 / Level 4: + 1 STR (19)
Rang 5 / Level 5: Fav Enemy 2
Rang 6 / level 6: Extend spell
Rang 7 / level 7:
Rang 8 / level 8: + 1 STR (20)
Rang 9 / level 9: Weapon Focus (either scim or LS)
Rang 10 / level 10: Fav Enemy 3
Rang 11 / level 11
Rang 12 / level 12: Imp crit (scim/LS), + 1 STR (21)
Rang 13 / level 13:
Rang 14 / level 14:
Rang 15 / level 15: Great cleavel; Fav Enemy 4
Rang 16 / level 16: + 1 STR (22)
Rang 17 / level 17:
Rang 18 / level 18: Blind fight
Rang 19 / level 19:
Rang 20 / level 20: + 1 STR (23); Fav Enemy 5

Epic: 5 Ranger / 4 Fighter / 1 Rogue
Rang 21 / level 21: Armor skin
Rang 22 / level 22:
Rang 23/ level 23: Bane of enemies
Rang 24 / level 24: Overwhelming crit, +1 STR (24)
Rang 25 / level 25: Epic animal companion
Fighter 1 / Level 26: Great STR1 (STR 25)
Fighter 2 / Level 27: Dev Crit; Epic WF
Fighter 3 / Level 28: +1 STR (26)
Rogue 1 / level 29: [Tumble and UMD dump]
Fighter 4 / level 30: WS, Epic WS

[walnutboy]

MS allows you to make str, con and Dex potions which are better than what you can buy. You also can make weapon essences to enhance melee weapons in a similar way to flame weapon spells.
You're right, ranger gets the freedom spell but unless you invest in wisdom the few spell slots at that level are better used by another spell. Perma freedom as a feat also frees up the need to have a gear piece with it on.

[Frozen-ass]

i know that MS gives more, but if the potions are your focus, take brew potion feat as rangers get them all