Build Recommendation_ Human Ranger

[Giorgo]

I have a lot of casual players in my group who are overwhelmed with the information found here on the forums and on the various spreadsheets and player created tool. I have sent them the links I have created at:
Reference_New Player Resources and I also emailed them the excellent Basic Guide to Budgeting Exp in PFO to get them started.

I would appreciate some recommendations for casual players trying to create the following "build" ideas:

Human Ranger ( stereotype of scout/hunter/ranged fighter)

Thanks in advance for any help, as I am just starting to learn how to play Alpha myself and I honestly don't know what to recommend yet.

[Being]

I don't have a template worked out but I've been building a Fighter (Skirmisher with Bow Specialization/primarily Longbow)/Polearm (Piercing) build.

Since I think settlement combat will favor formation combat, and other heavy-hitting melee weaponry like greatsword, greataxe and longsword/shield include feats that deal quite a bit of splash damage, my thought is that the spear will prove to be more combat effective in ranks line-abreast without significant risk of friendly fire. The spear is at a slight disadvantage in solo PvE where opportunities to pull only one are rare, but it is sufficiently powerful to solo a Yellow Ogre Warrior once it has closed under longbow fire

my character is currently 4 fighter/4 rogue
Power 8
HP5
Perception 5
Archer 4
Bow Specialization 2
Polearm specialization 1
Stealth 4
Base Attack Bonus 2
Ranged Attack Bonus 3
Fortitude Bonus 2
Great Fortitude 2
Heavy Melee Attack Bonus 2
Lightning Reflexes 2
Recovery Bonus 2
Toughness 2

For spear I have slotted Penetrate, Puncture, and impale besides the standard attack and exploit.

For Longbow I am using Overdraw, Parting Shot, and impact critical besides the standard attack and exploit.

I'm sure I can do better, but it's okay.

[Dazyk]

We are working on wiki data as fast as we can!

Hopefully that should be a great resource for dreaming-up builds and comparing feats.

EDIT: To answer the OP, lol

I agree with Being; the fighter:archer build with a smattering of rogue would probably be the most accurate representation of Ranger that we have at the moment.

[Giorgo]

Being, thanks for your input, but it is a bit to much info for a starting casual player. Any recommendations for something smaller, say 1000 XP?

[Being]

Your new player should get the free shortbow and concentrate on the fighter/skirmisher path for the shortbow, especially the 35m shortbow feat (Distant Shot). Get Bow specialization, power, ranged attack bonus, and base attack bonus. Buy HP whenever it is available. Try to wear them down before they reach you but instead of taking a point blank shot when they reach you switch to melee and finish them with whatever weapon you have. They will kill enough before melee to gain the achievements they need.

It would be very beneficial and they would avoid dying more if they did not try and take on large groups solo.

Of course if you are providing for them give them a longbow instead and let them simply focus on that. Shortbow gives you a higher rate of fire but halfdraw is comparable in speed and gives higher damage than most shortbow attacks. Nevertheless Shortbow is viable so long as they train Distant shot and choose a high damage melee weapon for when the mob arrives.

As time passes start training out into something like the pattern I described above, except they may not wish to diversify into Rogue so much as I did.

[sspitfire1]

Giorgo wrote:

Being, thanks for your input, but it is a bit to much info for a starting casual player. Any recommendations for something smaller, say 1000 XP?

Shortbow with these three attacks and they are good to go:

Distant Shot
Clustered Shot (will help teach them to take advantage of opportunity as a target closes)
Point-Blank Shot (does not provoke opportunity!!!!)

Longbow with just the basic attacks and they can be very lethal- The LB Exploit will teach them how to take advantage of opportunity in a jiffy.

Since the "Ranger" build currently requires splitting achievements between Subterfuge and Martial, I would encourage them to stick with the club/longsword/greatsword/polearm/axe if they are using short bows OR stick with daggers and short swords if they are using a long bow.

Armor: I favor Scout but my main build in EE will utilize both Archer and Scout - Scout benefits from Light armor, Archer benefits from Medium armor. Each has its application and both are worthwhile for the beginner.

Skills: Put a point in Stealth, Perception, and Survival. Consider also putting a point in Nature, Geography, and Dungeoneering. Put more points in as Exp and Achievements allow later and per personal tastes.

Feature: Bow specialization if they want to be a ranged Ranger, the proper melee specialization if they want to be a melee Ranger. Picking one and sticking with it is best for the newbie since you can only use one at a time, anyways.

Otherwise, Being's list is pretty much it.