Ranger tips

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

I noticed a few of you guys are building rangers.  In my opinion, the ranger class is the most versitile class in the game.  They can function as spikers (large damage in short amounts of time), AoE damage dealers (area of effect, i.e. Barrage), trappers, shutdown (energy denial and interrupters), solo farmers, etc.  It is very easy to transition from one build to another with a ranger with minimal change in equipment or armor.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Ranger

Secondary Profession

For any type of character, you should research builds and what secondaries go well with primaries before picking one.  Later in the game it will cost you when you have to switch and play catch up with obtaining the skills.  Most rangers use monk secondaries, because most ranger builds require monk skills.  Mesmer is alother popular secondary for a ranger, but is more popular in pvp gameplay.

Armor

In my opinion, the Druid's class is best.  Other armor classes will have an advantage in certain places, but have disadvantages in others.  Druid's is an overall good pick for the energy boost, which you will need in farming and trapping builds.  At 70 armor rating, and +30 vs elemental damage, ranger armor is tough.  However the ranger shouldn't be used to tank enemies except in certain farming builds.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Ranger_armor

Bows

Bow choice is determined by build choice.  Most of the time, you'll be using a longbow or flatbow.  These have the greatest range.  Pullers should always use one.  While a flatbow has a slightly higher refire rate, its arrows have a slower velocity and fly in a higher arc making them less accurate.  Hornbows are typically found in spike builds, due to their undocumented 10% armor penetration, which is stacking.  Recure bows are also found in spike builds as well as needler and quick shot builds.  Shortbows are almost exclusively found in farming builds.  Of course you'll want a max bow, which is 28.  My prefered stats for a general purpose bow are +30hp and 20/20 (armor penetration +20%, 20% chance).  Many farming builds use a vampiric stat in place of the 20/20 stat.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Bow


Some builds that are similar to the builds I use:

Shutdown:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Build:R/any_Competitive_Annoyance

Needler:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Build:R/any_Quick_Needler

BP:
http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Team_-_Barrage/Pet_%28Tomb_Ruins%29

Vigorous Barrager (farming variation):

Click "pve", then look for "Kirin and Undergrowth Solo" under R/Mo.

http://beacon.wiseelben.com/

Runner:

Click "pve", then look for "Runner" under R/Mo.

http://beacon.wiseelben.com/

[KitKat]

What would be a good secondiary for a MONK? I'm working on a monk and can't figure out what to have as a second profession. All I really want to do with this monk is be a healer. I don't plan on fighting very much at all with it. The more points I can stick in healing prayers and maybe protection prayers the better.

[Zero~NBK~]

Monk's best is usually a mesmer. The energy management skills are a must. Bring 2-3 inspiration spells such as energy tap, drain enchantment, inspired enchantment, inspired hex, mantra of recall, energy drain, channeling.

If your into fast energy go Mo/N for Offering of blood as your elite.

[Unleashed{MEOW}]

good stuff Smooth... good stuff.  thank you

[Smooth*{MEOW}*]

Check this out Kit.  This is a popular build for monks doing tombs.  Made completely of core and prophicies skills.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Build:Mo/Me_PvE_WoH_Monk