--- In EverQuest@y..., "Richard Skelton" <richards@h...> wrote:
> Hi there!
>
> Are there any high level Rangers on this list that could tell me a
little about Archery please? I created a Woodelf Ranger yesterday
and planned to focus on this skill, but a friend has just told me
that Archery is broken and serves no purpose but to pull albeit from
great distances. I was hoping that a well developed archer, along
with snare could do most damage to mobs before its arrival. If this
not true I find it staggering. Its fine for casters to snare, DD and
DoT - ie fighting from a distance, but not bow-wielders?
> Any advice and general observations would be kindly met
>
> Thanks
>
> Legless, 8 Ranger
>
> Aka Rykk Bloodfang, 52 Monk
>
Well, I guess 33 seasons has given me a little experience with the
bow. First, the procedure is called bow kiting. You snare your
prey, DoT it and run backwards sticking arrows in it until the snare
breaks. Then hopefully you've done enough damage to finish it off
with your sword(s). I still do this, though only with blue's.
And your friend was sorta right. It's not bugged so much as it's not
very effective. Arrows cost, even if you make them yourself. And
what self-respecting Ranger doesn't fletch his own bows and arrows?
Even with a quiver to speed up your recovery time you really can't
stick a lot of arrows into your prey. I can get them down to about
60% on a good day. Now if you can get one of the high damage bows
early you may have a better time at this. The Trueshot is attainable
to low levels, and you may get lucky!
The other problem is running backwards sometimes get's you into more
trouble! Especially if your prey is prone to having like creatures
join in. Or Grimfeather comes along! And Rangers can't quad kite!
And you'll find pulling with a bow to be risky in some places. It's
too easy to get a train started. Not that I'm speaking from prior
experience here!
Yes, I would have liked Rangers to be the preeminent Archery class.
We share crits with Warriors, and have a few specials once we hit 50,
but that's it. Yes, we have dual wield, double attack lightning
swords of death! Gotta watch that too.
Good hunting!
Tul