RCR-ing my main.

[Hrafnar]

Now that I have more of a handle on the server and NWN2 I would like to RCR my main to make him more of a contender. I do not want to do this again however so I would appreciate it if someone could check my build and make sure it's solid.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?263538

He's losing a couple of points in CHA so sorry in advance to any secret admirers

I'm Level 18 now so does anyone have a vague idea of what I'll be after RCR? Cheers!

[MasterSilke]

If you're RCRing at level 18, you should end up sitting around level 12 or 13 depending on how far along you are to 19.

[Hrafnar]

If you're RCRing at level 18, you should end up sitting around level 12 or 13 depending on how far along you are to 19.

Ouch! Worth it for build satisfaction I guess. Thanks

[Hrafnar]

Well ended up at 14! So not too bad, get to have the best levels all over gain.

[Sun Wukong]

The only change I would recommend is switching your Weapon Focus and and Weapon Finesse feats. "Rapier" and Shield works wonders during the lower levels. Any +2 or +3 Heavy shield adds a ton of damage.

As for Bane of Enemies, I would take it before the Epic Animal Companion. So swap the two feats. The +2d6 damage gives you a lot more killing power than the animal companion buff. (But both are important for a ranger!)

[Hrafnar]

The only change I would recommend is switching your Weapon Focus and and Weapon Finesse feats. "Rapier" and Shield works wonders during the lower levels. Any +2 or +3 Heavy shield adds a ton of damage.

As for Bane of Enemies, I would take it before the Epic Animal Companion. So swap the two feats. The +2d6 damage gives you a lot more killing power than the animal companion buff. (But both are important for a ranger!)

Okay, thanks!

[chad878262]

Honestly there is no reason to wait past 21 for BoE on a pure Ranger, otherwise as we discussed in the other thread, the build will do perfectly well.

Because you are primarily an archer you should consider moving Epic Animal Companion to where Epic Prowess is and moving Epic Prowess and Expose Weakness back after. I would even consider making Expose Weakness your very last feat, since you will only use that if things go pretty wrong (and you may want to be running anyway). The goal for you should always be to maximize damage by using your bow with Manyshot while your pet tanks. This makes EW pretty useless to you and makes prioritizing great dex increases, along with oneshot and blinding speed better options once you get BoE, Epic Animal Companion and Epic Prowess.

[Sun Wukong]

That is quite true too.

Although, if you are in dire need of extra AC, a dexterity based ranger could always put up a shield and a light weapon and tank it out thanks to your Weapon Finesse. In that case, the bleeding dexterity damage from Expose Weakness actually plays a role. More of your attacks hit, and every round they can bleed away 50 hitpoints on top of your weapon damage. (Which can deal that 1d8 or 1d6 fire damage from Blades of fire, and favored enemy bonuses...)

So all in all, Expose Weakness provides you an alternative, a way to do something little bit differently.

[chad878262]

Absolutely, but you are always going to be better off using your bow over using weapon and shield. That's why I said I would prioritize the other feats over EW. If you are using EW things are probably going somewhat wrong, unless you are just doing it for fun/variety.

[Hrafnar]

Cool well I already did the RCR unfortunately so stuck with weapon finesse. I found in the early levels I was having to melee more often but from about 15 onward my sword was more of a trap springer/lock basher than anything. I have been in odd party situations though where my ranger was the closest thing the group had to a frontliner so I still go sword and board sometimes, as Comments Only says it adds a bit of variety and some survivability if things go south.

That said I'm considering just scrapping EW and finishing with dex on an even number, as Cat's Grace adds +4 I would net an extra +1 to AB and AC. This also means I get Blinding Speed a level earlier. How does that sound? Since I have EW on both of my other builds .

[chad878262]

Sounds good to me. Why spend two feats making your pet stronger if you don't use it, after all? It should remain strong enough (when properly buffed) to ensure it is useful throughout the remaining levels. My opinion when it comes to combat is you really need to focus on one style if you want to get the most out of it. That isn't to say it's a 'waste' to take things like Weapon Finesse or EW on an Archer, but if you can improve your Archery that should take precedence over melee combat, obviously.