Aurach's Two Weapon Combat Guide: A Ranger's Perspective
The Two weapon combat Ranger
Drizzsdt, and Aurach are two of the famous fictional ranger types that uses two weapons.
Sword and Shield? A Shield breeds cowardice, climb out from behind your mothers skirt and win the fight.
NOTE: Few rangers take this path. It is up hill both ways, in the snow, at night, crossing frigid streams, and without boots.
Why are you still reading?
Seriously: It is very costly in training points, it delays most other skills/spells and you have less bolt defense. You may find training the twc combat skill and adjusting to this style at cap MUCH easier.
You are still reading?
Other guides have said there is really no bad way to train a ranger. Two weapon combat from a rangers birth is probably really close however.
Why two weapons?
Most ambushing rangers and archers can kill with one well placed strike. So too can the two weapon ranger, but the world has creatures that cannot be critical struck and massive raw damage inflicted in an overpowering manner will only suffice. (golems, undead, Jeril or Ardwen, and most warriors type creatures in plate to name a few)
Enter our hero the two weapon wielding ranger. (Did you hear those trumpets?)
Quote from ranger Archer guide : "Nothing beats taking down a tough enemy with a single, well-placed shot to the eye".
No, that is not our Two Weapon wielding Ranger, our Ranger stands toe to toe and rains down strikes from all angles and directions (see MOC multi opponent combat) (put a link to MOC here) or leaps from hiding and causes a devastating hamstring maneuver (see CMAN hamstring bonus for two weapons)(link to Cman skills hamstring here) and then beats our prone opponent to death.
From the skills and stats Rangers can be 'good two weapon users' Heavier armor is your friend.
Ranger Spells
The ranger spell list provides some unique benefits for TWC rangers, both directly and indirectly.
Phoen's strength (606) gives a phantom increase of +10 to strength bonus. Strength is incredibly important to keep RT down (encumbrance really affects the second strike). Good Agility and Dexterity also play a vital role.
Mobility (618) offers a large bonus to Dodge, a twc rangers primary defense besides brass balls, good armor, and luck.
Camouflage (608) a +30 AS bonus from camouflage for multiple attacks. Yes both weapons get the bonus from a ranger leaping to ambush or 'plain attacking' from a camo 608 position, so this can be used by non ambusher for the boost if your quick, so you at least get the +30 AS bonus.
Wall of Thorns (640) of great assistance to a TWC ranger, the best defense is having the trees block for you and not getting hit at all.
Assume aspect (650) is custom made for a TWC ranger, allowing you to tweak your form to meet the current threat or boost a weakness.
All Rangers also benefit from a plethora of set up spells that can complement any weapon style, such as Sounds (607), Tangle weed (610) and Call Swarm (615).
TWC rangers will find great use in the Minor spiritual spell circle, especially Spirit Barrier (102) and Spirit fog (106), to provide added defenses. Note that 102 gives a penalty to AS so you should stop 102, which removes the spell so you can attack without the penalty making for a creative low mana Shield/stance dance option, also breeze will eliminate 106, however that is mana intensive.
Two Weapon Combat Training
Two Weapon Combat Ranger Core Training
This is your base training that every two weapon ranger should have each level.
(need to ad in the costs here I am low on focus and time to do it at moment)
2x Edged Weapons (/) 1x Perception (0/3) take higher at cap (if you can single, go for it, I think you will be strapped for points: You can skip this when you need to) 2x Two weapon combat (/) Note: If you miss a few ranks it will work out, catch up when they become available, I told you, this is a crazy costing training point ranger to do from birth. 1x Dodge (7/5) 1x Physical Fitness (4/0) (2x as soon as points are available, no shield, you will be getting hit, you need this) 1x Harness Power (0/5) 1x spell (0/17) (May have to skip spells a few levels until training points work out) 2x (/)
Total of
TWC Ranger Discreet Training
These values are plateaus you should strive to reach at some point in your career.
1x armor (5/0)(goal is 110 ranks for a chain hauberk and 170 ranks post cap to reduce maneuver penalties) 5 ranks of Multi Opponent Combat as soon as you can fit it in. (55 ranks allows you to focus mstrike 3 times per weapon on a single target) 50 Ranks in Climbing by level 100, train this as needed to make climb checks prior to that. 50 Ranks in Swimming by level 100, train this as needed to make swim checks prior to that. Spirit Lore Blessing 1 rank as soon as you can fit it in https://gswiki.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Spiritual_Lore,_Blessings Spirit lore Summoning 1 rank as soon as you can fit it in https://gswiki.play.net/mediawiki/index.php/Spiritual_Lore,_Blessings (your 1 rank of these two lores gives increases in many of your spells, low training point cost boosts)
Spell Research – My preferred training order: for a two weapon build 601, 101-103, 602-618, 104-107, 619-640, 108-130, Ranger ranks for life (Others prefer 140 and 662)
Optional Additional Training
A list of the most common skills to use your additional training points on.
1x Ambush when you can fit the ranks in, 1x at cap (more as you feel the need) (I am singled at cap currently and do very well ambushing) 2x Stalking and Hiding – If you plan to ambush at cap you will want to 2x this, post cap 1x-2x Survival – This will aid in skinning and foraging 1x-2x First Aid – This will aid in skinning and reduce herb eating RT Spiritual Lore: Blessing and Summoning ranger preference, I think it should be gained after ranger spells are maxed Magic Item Use I regret not having this 1x earlier. I did it post cap and love it. Arcane Symbols I regret not having this 1x earlier (immediately after MIU). 15 ranks Spiritual Mana Control as soon as you learn it is fun to share and play well with others(15 ranks is enough to share with most Older Spirit mana using folks (25 ranks post cap if you like)
Post Cap Goals
2x Physical Fitness (immediately at cap or earlier) 2 Combat Maneuvers (At cap or earlier) 2x Dodge (after maxing ranger spells) 55 ranks MOC for 6 strikes focused on a single target
Combat Maneuver skills (mine at cap at moment) Post Cap goals: Skill name Mnemonic Ranks Combat Movement cmovement 5* Shadow Mastery smastery 5 Disarm Weapon disarm 5* Sweep sweep 1 Hamstring hamstring 5* Garrote garrote 1 Subdual Strike sstrike 1 Cunning Defense cdefense 5*
- TWCc rangers will find these useful (order of preference for me was Cdefense, Cmovement, Hamstring, Disarm, Smastery)
What weapons to use?
I have tried every combination the game has to offer at one point or another. The two weapon's speed, damage, ability to aim a strike all play a part.
(work on discussion on various sets I have used)
What Armor to use?
Keeping you RT manageable Discuss RT, AGI/Dex, Strength, weapon weights offhand main hand etc
A discussion on stances
No really there are stances other than OFF and DEF (short comments)
Society?
Ok, this is a work in progress, will work on it more when I have time to add in the training costs above etc.
Aurach Moonshadew the Gallant (two-blader)
See Also
- Ranger (main article)
- A beginner's guide to playing a ranger
- Player Guide Contest
References
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