Ruthless Ranger

[Atalius]

My friend is looking to build a Ranger. He's an optimizer, who isn't much into RP, he doesn't mind if hes a melee ranger, a ranged Ranger or an animal loving ranger, he just wants to build the optimal most damage possible ranger. Could I get some suggestions on which race to be and which feats to take at each level.

[Kyrone]

Half-Elf

Get Elf Atavism for Ancient Elf and get Rogue Multiclass.

Hunted Shot
Quick Draw
Sneak Attack
(Natural Ambition Twin Takedown)
Lvl 6 Free
Lvl 8 Free
Lvl 10 Free
Distracting Shot
Lvl 14 Free
Greater Distracting Shot
Ultimate Flurry
Ultimate Skirmisher

Basically a Switch Hitter, begin as a turret and if the enemy gets close quick draw close range weapons to punish

If the player wish at the lvl 9 can get Multitalented for another Multiclass.

[SuperBidi]

Atalius wrote:

My friend is looking to build a Ranger. He's an optimizer, who isn't much into RP, he doesn't mind if hes a melee ranger, a ranged Ranger or an animal loving ranger, he just wants to build the optimal most damage possible ranger. Could I get some suggestions on which race to be and which feats to take at each level.

Put an 18 in his main stats. And it's done!

Nothing you can do much besides that. PF2 is not a game where optimization can get you very far.

[citricking]

I think a ranged shruiken ranger with flurry edge is a good shout. Go rogue mc for sneak attack and have 16 str and 18 dex to start. Pretty much a ninja.

Kyrone's build is good, but I worry about keeping up runes on melee and ranged weapons.

[Atalius]

Kyrone wrote:

Half-Elf

Get Elf Atavism for Ancient Elf and get Rogue Multiclass.

Hunted Shot
Quick Draw
Sneak Attack
(Natural Ambition Twin Takedown)
Lvl 6 Free
Lvl 8 Free
Lvl 10 Free
Distracting Shot
Lvl 14 Free
Greater Distracting Shot
Ultimate Flurry
Ultimate Skirmisher

Basically a Switch Hitter, begin as a turret and if the enemy gets close quick draw close range weapons to punish

If the player wish at the lvl 9 can get Multitalented for another Multiclass.

Good to see you again my friend, thank you.

[Atalius]

Which type of bow should he get and melee weapon? Both him and I aren't sure, what do you like for attribute allocation?

[Atalius]

citricking wrote:

I think a ranged shruiken ranger with flurry edge is a good shout. Go rogue mc for sneak attack and have 16 str and 18 dex to start. Pretty much a ninja.

Kyrone's build is good, but I worry about keeping up runes on melee and ranged weapons.

How would Runes work on the Shuriken? Why do you need such high Dex for Shuriken when they deal STR damage?

[graystone]

Atalius wrote:

How would Runes work on the Shuriken?

Like they do for any other weapon.

Atalius wrote:

Why do you need such high Dex for Shuriken when they deal STR damage?

Better to hit and crit chances are way more important that damage: having the best damage and missing isn't fun. This is a game where every +1 on dice rolls matters.

[Sossen]

I think a switch hitting ranger ought to max Dex and get the initial Str to 16 if possible. This optimizes the hit bonus in both modes as long as you are using finesse weapons. Compared to maxing Str you are only losing out on 1 damage per hit on melee attacks some of the time. And while finesse weapons are slightly weaker, the flurry edge/twin takedown combo is stronger with agile weapons which typically have finesse anyway.

I would choose a longbow as the ranged weapon. Any extra damage is more significant for ranged weapons, and once opponents get close you switch to melee. Shuriken are the strongest at low levels but not with the later striking runes. Also conceptually at odds with the ranger trope.

Beyond this build I would also consider making use of the specialized options available to rangers. This switch-hitter is at its best when delivering Strikes, which can become a bit repetitive. Building around an animal companion instead adds some variation to combat gameplay and can be powerful in its own right.

[Atalius]

Does anyone know if i attack 4x in a round with a shuriken, do i need at least 2 shurikens, or can i just use 1 shuriken which has returning and striking runes on it?

[citricking]

You need just one.