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===Core skills===
===Core skills===


These are the very basic things that every ranger should train in each level. Here, '''Cost''' refers to the [[Training points|training point]] cost expressed as (MTP/PTP) for a full single train at each level. A second training at each level costs double the first one. Note that since level zero exists, it is possible to train at one's level plus two for the single training costs. This is referred to as being ''fully single trained''. The skills listed here should be fully single or double trained unless indicated.
These are the very basic skills that every ranger should train at each level. ''Due to the versatility of the ranger profession, this list is quite short because much of a ranger's training will depend on their particular hunting style and weapon choice.'''

Here, '''Cost''' refers to the [[Training points|training point (TP)]] cost expressed as (PTP/MTP) for a full single train at each level. A second training at each level costs double the TPs of the first one (so double training a skill will cost three times the listed value). Note that since level zero exists, it is possible to train at one's level plus two for the single training costs. This is referred to as being ''fully single trained''. The skills listed here should be fully single or double trained unless indicated.


{|{{prettytable}}
{|{{prettytable}}
|- bgcolor="Lightgrey"
|- bgcolor="Lightgrey"
|+'''Absolute Core Skills for all Rangers'''
| '''#'''
| '''#'''
| '''Cost'''
| '''Cost'''
Line 61: Line 64:
|4/0
|4/0
|[[Physical Fitness]]
|[[Physical Fitness]]
|Necessary for full [[Hitpoint|hitpoints]], as a cheap defense for [[Creature maneuver|maneuvers]], good for [[Redux|redux]].
|Necessary for full [[Hitpoint|hitpoints]], good as a cheap defense for [[Creature maneuver|maneuvers]] and for [[Redux|redux]].
|-
|-
|2x
|2x
Line 67: Line 70:
|Weapon Skill
|Weapon Skill
|Whatever the weapon choice, the training should be maxed out.
|Whatever the weapon choice, the training should be maxed out.
|-
|1x
|7/5
|[[Dodge]]
|Dodge helps you avoid incoming attacks entirely.
|-
|-
|1x
|1x
Line 82: Line 80:
|[[Harness Power]]
|[[Harness Power]]
|Should be exactly at the character's level (not ''fully 1x'') for 3 mana at each level.
|Should be exactly at the character's level (not ''fully 1x'') for 3 mana at each level.
|-
|Total
|4/22
|
|
|-
|}

'''Weapon Skill'''

The total cost of this training does not include weapon training since it is meant to be very generalized. Weapon training costs for a single weapon can vary from 9/3 for [[Edged Weapons|edged]] and [[Ranged Weapons|ranged]] to 21/6 for [[Polearms|polearms]] (if there are actually any rangers who hunt with polearms).

Depending on weapon choice and hunting style, a ranger will want to train in different skills each level as well. For example, an edged weapons user may wish to single train in [[Shield Use]] for an additional (5/0) training points. Meanwhile, archers will typically want to double train in perception (0/6) and either single or double train in [[Ambush|ambush]] (3/3 or 9/9) as well as double training in [[Stalking and Hiding|stalking and hiding]] (6/3) if they plan on sniping.

'''Spell Research'''

Although spell research can be ''fully'' singled, it is not possible to use a spell with a spell number higher than one's level. Fortunately, rangers have access to two spell circles, so they can pick up the first rank or two in the [[Minor Spiritual]] spell circle while still learning a new [[Ranger Base]] spell each level. Since this provides the ranger with an additional [[Buff spells|buff spell]], it is often a good idea to do this, though not strictly necessary since many other professions know [[101|this spell]] and others may offer assistance.

A common way to train in spells is to obtain one rank in minor spirituals, and study in the ranger base each level up to level 40, learning [[640|Wall of Thorns]]. At this point, rangers will often focus on the minor spiritual spell circle at least until they learn [[120|Lesser Shroud]] before switching back to the ranger base for [[650|Assume Aspect]]. However, some rangers continue in the minor spirituals until they learn [[130|Spirit Guide]], especially if they are interested in rescuing and are not a member of the [[Order of Voln]] before resuming study of the ranger base spells while others may skip the rest of the minor spiritual spells entirely until they have finished leveling.

Some rangers also stop training in spell research after learning all the spells they wish to learn, but many continue to study ranger base spells due to the additional benefits to ranger spells achieved in this manner. Rangers who choose to fully single train in spell research at each level typically end up learning 40 ranks in minor spirituals and 62 in ranger base (possibly 30/72 or 20/82, depending which minor spiritual spell they decide will be their last). Note that spell training should be done by all rangers at every level until they have at least 60 total ranks of spell research.

====Defensive Core Skills====

The following is a list of skills which provide the ranger with more defensive capabilities. While it is possible to train all of these skills every level, most rangers will not. However, all rangers should train in at least one or two of these skills, selecting those which best compliment their hunting style.

{|{{prettytable}}
|- bgcolor="Lightgrey"
|+'''Defensive Core Skills for Rangers'''
| '''#'''
| '''Cost'''
| '''Skill'''
| '''Reasoning'''
|-
|-
|1x
|1x
|1/1
|7/5
|[[Survival]]
|[[Dodging]]
|Dodging helps you avoid incoming attacks entirely.
|It's cheap, helps skinning, helps foraging, helps move around in tricky places.
|-
|-
|1x
|1x
|0/2
|6/4
|[[Perception]]
|[[Combat Maneuvers]]
|Adds attack, defense or other special abilities.
|It's cheap, provides maneuver defense, helps rangers be even more amazing at foraging.
|-
|-
|1x
|1x
|2/1
|5/0
|[[First Aid]]
|[[Shield Use]]
|For rangers who use a one handed weapon and are looking for something else to do with their other hand.
|It's cheap, helps skinning and allows more effective wound tending.
|-
|-
|1x-2x
|Total
|12/31
|0/2-0/6
|[[Perception]]
|
|It's cheap, provides maneuver defense, helps foraging, helps spot bandit traps.
|
|-
|-
|}
|}


'''Dodging'''
The total cost of this training does not include weapon training since it is meant to be very generalized. Weapon training for a single weapon can vary from 9/3 for [[Edged Weapons|edged]] and [[Ranged Weapons|ranged]] to 21/6 for [[Polearms|polearms]] (if there are actually any rangers who hunt with polearms).

While dodge is listed here and many rangers train in this skill, others find the relatively high TP requirements a bit high, especially at low levels (and especially ranged snipers). However, since [[Mobility (618)|mobility]] provides rangers with 20 ranks of dodge (plus an additional rank for each subsequent [[Ranger Base|ranger spell]] learned), rangers can be effectively more than single trained in dodge after level 18 without ever actually training in dodging as long as they continue to train in the ranger base. Thus, it is often advised to save the TPs for other skills, though dodging is certainly not a bad defensive skill to select.

'''Combat Maneuvers'''

Training in combat maneuvers is another good option for a ranger looking to increase their defenses. There are combat maneuvers that directly add to [[Defensive Strength|defensive strength]] (DS), [[Target Defense|target defense]] (TD) or general maneuver defenses ([[Combat Movement]], [[Combat Focus]] and [[Cunning Defense]], respectively) and training in a particular offensive combat maneuver also provides defense against that maneuver when it's used by an attacker.

Depending on a ranger's chosen hunting style, combat maneuvers can be beneficial in other ways too. [[Melee]] weapons users (e.g. edged, two handed) may want to fully single train in this skill from the outset because every two ranks in this skill will add one to their [[Attack Strength|attack strength]] (+1 AS). Ranged weapons users may choose to avoid studying combat maneuvers until later in their career since they miss out on this bonus, although they can benefit from the abilities unlocked by specific combat maneuvers as well as obtaining additional defense against combat maneuvers. However, ranged weapons users should be aware that although the combat maneuver [[Multi-Fire]] sounds cool, it is not really as fun as it sounds (seriously, do not bother with this skill).

'''Shield Use'''

This is definitely a relatively cheap skill for a single-handed edged weapons user to pick up. It is an essential part of the training for a ''sword and board'' type ranger.


'''Perception'''
Depending on weapon choice and hunting style, a ranger will want to train in different skills each level as well. For example, an edged weapons user may wish to double train in [[Shield Use]] for an additional (15/0) training points. Archers will typically want to double train in perception (+0/4) and single train in [[Ambush|ambush]] (3/3 or 9/9) as well as double in [[Stalking and Hiding|stalking and hiding]] (6/3) if they plan on hiding (note that hiding ranged rangers can sometimes get away with foregoing dodge).


This is the one skill listed in this section that absolutely everyone should train for at least ten or twenty ranks (not just rangers). This is also a skill that perhaps all rangers choose to single train in at least due to its relative low cost and myriad benefits. Perception is the only way to counteract attacks from hiding and it is very useful when it comes to spotting traps laid down by [[Bandits]] in addition to providing benefits for foraging tasks and simply being able to observe more of the world.
If the training points are too difficult to fit in all of these skills at lower levels, a ranger may choose to skip training in dodge. Since [[Mobility (618)|mobility]] provides rangers with 20 ranks of dodge (with an additional rank for each subsequent [[Ranger Base|ranger spell]] learned), rangers can be effectively more than single trained in dodge after level 18 without ever actually training in the dodge skill. Thus, it is often advised to save the TPs for other skills, though dodge can be trained if desired and if the training points allow.


===Threshold Skills===
===Threshold Skills===

Revision as of 05:14, 20 February 2015

Here's where I'll be trying stuff out instead of breaking pages and hoping to fix them in one shot.

Animal Companion

The Animal Companion spell allows a ranger to summon and befriend an animal as a permanent companion. The ranger can tell their companion to do a number of actions including attacking creatures or defending the ranger, although the companion will respond faster if it has a good relationship with the ranger and slower if not. A ranger can gauge the quality of the relationship by gazing at the animal companion and the relationship is established or improved by feeding, petting, casting helpful spells at or otherwise interacting with the animal companion in a positive fashion.

When a companion has been selected and befriended, it should be told to leave before the ranger retires from a hard day of adventuring or upon gaining a level and can be summoned again by preparing and casting 630 again, then telling the companion to return. Failure to tell a companion to leave before retiring from adventuring means the companion will forget new things (including improvements to the relationship and gear added to the companion) and failing to tell an animal companion to leave after achieving a new level means that the animal will not level with the ranger.

In addition, once a ranger learns this spell, using sense while outdoors will include a list of potential animal companions in the area.

>sense
You scan your surroundings, considering the various flora and fauna found here (and noting those which are absent). The indications of the temperate climate and the deciduous forest are clearly evident. You quickly note the signs of a black-tipped forest tiger, a white-footed woodland jackal and a black-nosed mottled ferret having recently been in the area. Circling overhead is a fan-tailed branch peregrine. You also see a steep path.

There will always be one of each type of animal companion (canine, feline, avian, rodent) in every outdoor room, but the exact animal noun (e.g. tiger, puma, ocelot) will depend on the location, with some animals being exclusive to certain cities and its descriptor (e.g. black-footed, amber-eyed) will depend on the terrain type in a particular room.

Summoning a Companion

Summoning a new companion is relatively straightforward. First, one finds the desired companion using sense, then one prepares 630 and summons the desired animal. Failure to specify a particular animal will summon a random animal in the room.

Example:

>sense
You scan your surroundings, considering the various flora and fauna found here (and noting those which are absent). The indications of the temperate climate and the plain dirt environment are clearly evident. You quickly note the signs of a black-tipped orange tiger, a white-footed drab jackal and a black-nosed mire ferret having recently been in the area. Circling overhead is a fan-tailed dusky peregrine. You don't see any other paths leading away from the area.
>prep 630
>summon tiger
You open your senses wide and allow the desires and feelings of the areas denizens fill your mind. At the very edge of your perceptions, you feel a bright glow of curiousity tinged with wariness. Concentrating, you focus your desire of friendship and camaraderie towards that bright spot. At first the wariness holds but it is soon followed by a sharp peak in curiosity as if a decision had been made.
A black-tipped orange tiger prowls majestically forward!

Companion Mechanics

All four companion types are capable of attacking creatures (or players) and they do either slash (feline, avian) or puncture (canine, rodent) damage. In addition, they each have different special attacks. Animal companions will attack when told to do so and will also attack automatically when the ranger is stunned or killed.

Include examples


Bard

To be added...


Very Generalized Blargle

The goal of this section is to go through what I believe to be the most general possible ranger training guide.

Core skills

These are the very basic skills that every ranger should train at each level. Due to the versatility of the ranger profession, this list is quite short because much of a ranger's training will depend on their particular hunting style and weapon choice.'

Here, Cost refers to the training point (TP) cost expressed as (PTP/MTP) for a full single train at each level. A second training at each level costs double the TPs of the first one (so double training a skill will cost three times the listed value). Note that since level zero exists, it is possible to train at one's level plus two for the single training costs. This is referred to as being fully single trained. The skills listed here should be fully single or double trained unless indicated.

Absolute Core Skills for all Rangers
# Cost Skill Reasoning
1x 4/0 Physical Fitness Necessary for full hitpoints, good as a cheap defense for maneuvers and for redux.
2x Weapon Skill Whatever the weapon choice, the training should be maxed out.
1x 0/17 Spell Research Learning new spells, improving the effectiveness and duration of others.
1x 0/5 Harness Power Should be exactly at the character's level (not fully 1x) for 3 mana at each level.
Total 4/22

Weapon Skill

The total cost of this training does not include weapon training since it is meant to be very generalized. Weapon training costs for a single weapon can vary from 9/3 for edged and ranged to 21/6 for polearms (if there are actually any rangers who hunt with polearms).

Depending on weapon choice and hunting style, a ranger will want to train in different skills each level as well. For example, an edged weapons user may wish to single train in Shield Use for an additional (5/0) training points. Meanwhile, archers will typically want to double train in perception (0/6) and either single or double train in ambush (3/3 or 9/9) as well as double training in stalking and hiding (6/3) if they plan on sniping.

Spell Research

Although spell research can be fully singled, it is not possible to use a spell with a spell number higher than one's level. Fortunately, rangers have access to two spell circles, so they can pick up the first rank or two in the Minor Spiritual spell circle while still learning a new Ranger Base spell each level. Since this provides the ranger with an additional buff spell, it is often a good idea to do this, though not strictly necessary since many other professions know this spell and others may offer assistance.

A common way to train in spells is to obtain one rank in minor spirituals, and study in the ranger base each level up to level 40, learning Wall of Thorns. At this point, rangers will often focus on the minor spiritual spell circle at least until they learn Lesser Shroud before switching back to the ranger base for Assume Aspect. However, some rangers continue in the minor spirituals until they learn Spirit Guide, especially if they are interested in rescuing and are not a member of the Order of Voln before resuming study of the ranger base spells while others may skip the rest of the minor spiritual spells entirely until they have finished leveling.

Some rangers also stop training in spell research after learning all the spells they wish to learn, but many continue to study ranger base spells due to the additional benefits to ranger spells achieved in this manner. Rangers who choose to fully single train in spell research at each level typically end up learning 40 ranks in minor spirituals and 62 in ranger base (possibly 30/72 or 20/82, depending which minor spiritual spell they decide will be their last). Note that spell training should be done by all rangers at every level until they have at least 60 total ranks of spell research.

Defensive Core Skills

The following is a list of skills which provide the ranger with more defensive capabilities. While it is possible to train all of these skills every level, most rangers will not. However, all rangers should train in at least one or two of these skills, selecting those which best compliment their hunting style.

Defensive Core Skills for Rangers
# Cost Skill Reasoning
1x 7/5 Dodging Dodging helps you avoid incoming attacks entirely.
1x 6/4 Combat Maneuvers Adds attack, defense or other special abilities.
1x 5/0 Shield Use For rangers who use a one handed weapon and are looking for something else to do with their other hand.
1x-2x 0/2-0/6 Perception It's cheap, provides maneuver defense, helps foraging, helps spot bandit traps.

Dodging

While dodge is listed here and many rangers train in this skill, others find the relatively high TP requirements a bit high, especially at low levels (and especially ranged snipers). However, since mobility provides rangers with 20 ranks of dodge (plus an additional rank for each subsequent ranger spell learned), rangers can be effectively more than single trained in dodge after level 18 without ever actually training in dodging as long as they continue to train in the ranger base. Thus, it is often advised to save the TPs for other skills, though dodging is certainly not a bad defensive skill to select.

Combat Maneuvers

Training in combat maneuvers is another good option for a ranger looking to increase their defenses. There are combat maneuvers that directly add to defensive strength (DS), target defense (TD) or general maneuver defenses (Combat Movement, Combat Focus and Cunning Defense, respectively) and training in a particular offensive combat maneuver also provides defense against that maneuver when it's used by an attacker.

Depending on a ranger's chosen hunting style, combat maneuvers can be beneficial in other ways too. Melee weapons users (e.g. edged, two handed) may want to fully single train in this skill from the outset because every two ranks in this skill will add one to their attack strength (+1 AS). Ranged weapons users may choose to avoid studying combat maneuvers until later in their career since they miss out on this bonus, although they can benefit from the abilities unlocked by specific combat maneuvers as well as obtaining additional defense against combat maneuvers. However, ranged weapons users should be aware that although the combat maneuver Multi-Fire sounds cool, it is not really as fun as it sounds (seriously, do not bother with this skill).

Shield Use

This is definitely a relatively cheap skill for a single-handed edged weapons user to pick up. It is an essential part of the training for a sword and board type ranger.

Perception

This is the one skill listed in this section that absolutely everyone should train for at least ten or twenty ranks (not just rangers). This is also a skill that perhaps all rangers choose to single train in at least due to its relative low cost and myriad benefits. Perception is the only way to counteract attacks from hiding and it is very useful when it comes to spotting traps laid down by Bandits in addition to providing benefits for foraging tasks and simply being able to observe more of the world.

Threshold Skills

These are skills you can train and then forget about. Once again, the costs listed here are the costs to train each skill once.

# Cost Skill Reasoning
30+ 5/0 Armor Use 30 to use brigandine with minimal spell and maneuver hindrance. To save TPs along the way, train as many ranks as necessary to use the armor you have before moving up to the next class.
10-35 2/0 Climbing For low- to mid-level hunting grounds, somewhere around 10-15 should be enough. You can add more ranks as necessary.
5-20 2/0 Swimming For low to mid-level hunting grounds, somewhere around 5-10 should be enough. You can add more ranks as necessary.
25 0/5 Spirit Mana Control 24 ranks for perfect sharing and an additional one for double incanting ability.

While most of these skills are immediately useful, many rangers avoid studying more than about 10 ranks spiritual mana control until they are very high level. If you have a hunting partner who uses spiritual magic, you may find it more useful to train in this skill earlier on in your career.

Additional Training

Finally here are some additional skills you should train when you can spare the training points.

# Cost Skill Reasoning
?? 0/5 Magic Item Use This skill increases the odds of successfully activating a magic item as well as increasing the duration of the spells contained in these items. It can be especially useful for rangers, who have the ability to create magical items.
?? 0/10 Spiritual Lore, Blessings Increases the benefits and abilities of certain spells. Details can be found in the lore chart.
?? 0/10 Spiritual Lore, Summoning ibid

It is sometimes recommended to obtain one rank of both blessing and summoning lores as soon as possible. Later in a ranger's career, they will definitely want to train more in each of these lores, but the exact ratio depends on a variety of factors. For example, a ranger who hunts in a more magical style may wish to train in more summoning lore to increase the effectiveness of their vine, spike thorn and nature's fury attacks (in addition to others) as well as for creating better imbued items. A ranger who hunts in a more physical style may prefer to learn more blessing lore since this will increase the defensive benefits of natural colours, resist elements, self control and their ability to give their armor better resistance to nature. Eventually, all rangers typically train up to some threshold in each to achieve a balance.