Ranger/Bard/Assassin for PvE and PvP?

[TekPhreak]

In the Open Beta I ran with a Ranger/Bard/Assassin build. I only made it to 28 so I didn't get too far into the trees but I think something like this would work well for pve and could also lend itself to pvp. Of course I could only be half right I couldn't decide on the last few points and would like to get some opinions so thought I'd post it for feedback.

http://rift.zam.com/en/stc.html?t=0M...tcdVbooo.0VMck


Some thoughts:

I went for any critical hit increases in all trees hoping to get some burst damage at times to make the fight a little shorter.

Also put points for additional health since staying alive a little longer is always nice


Ranger

Obviously as a Ranger I rely on the pet. Here I leveled to get the Raptor but since I didn't get that far I am unsure how well it will work in a pvp environment. I put a point in Hasten Call so if the pet dies I can instant Rez.

Points in bleeds for additional damage from shot and pet.

Instants for kiting with Crippling Shot for slow down and could also use Pin Down if necessary (and some path prediction).

Escape Artist for breaking snares, roots..

Assassin

2 Poisons for additional damage.

Stealth and incapacitate as needed.

Binding Powder to confuse.


Bard

Not much to say here but Buffs and heals.


I appreciate any feedback.

Thanks!

[Xerathe]

Hard to imagine how this would pan out for you. I've played both Ranger and Bard extensively, to give you an idea of where I'm coming from.

The pet stable for the Ranger breaks down like this.

Razorbeast - PVE tank
Wolf - PVP
Raptor - PVE dps

You may be able to get some use out of the raptor for throughput in PVP, but the wolf is high on utility, from my experience.

As for the Bard sub-spec, I feel like you're stretching yourself a bit thin. You have only one point into extending the duration of your motifs, which any Bard will tell you is a bad thing. The difference between refreshing every 30s as opposed to 18s with your build is quite a bit. The only way I see Bard working as a sub-spec is with around 6-9 points invested. Enough to get the extra health, the armor buff and perhaps the crit/hit talent. Beyond that, points are better spent elsewhere. In my opinion, you either just barely dip into the tree or you go 38+ and play as a Bard.

The Assassin tree has good synergy with the Ranger, so you can easily go into the 21 points knvested range and not be sorry for it. I'd also recommend the Nightblade tree as a sub-spec option. 10-12 points there really make a difference.

Ultimately, I could also see the argument for investing further into the Ranger tree. I noticed a couple really good talents that you had to skip to fit the points into the Bard.

Hope this is helpful.

[Jamz]

Honestly. You are missing some VERY important ranger talents. Bestial Fury, Opportunity, Prey on the Weak and Master Huntsman. Blinding Powder is pretty useless for a ranger. I disagree with Xerathe with Nightblade. Assassin has a LOT more synergy with a ranger than a Nightblade because it keeps a bleed up and gives you a ton more crit. Nightblade is a good secondary soul for Marksman because they have a lot of sustained damage.
Honestly I do not see the bard as being useful for a ranger because they have a lot of burst damage and the bard would take away from that.

The big question is: what do you want this build for? I made my own build for ranger (http://rift.zam.com/en/stc.html?t=0M...Vz.xhx0V.0VMcx) if you want to see. This one focuses more on dishing out a ton of damage. If you want something to solo with, this is also a good build. When I level a ranger I usually put it with Assassin and riftstalker because the third soul I use for free stuff. Personally, after I get Bestial Fury and Blood rage, I immediately being to dump points into Serrated Blades to get that next poison. At level 18, I usually have 15% crit from talents alone. Then I usually put a point or so into Trick Shot because at that point I just killed Jakub and need to do IT to get another level or so >.< The GREAT thing about Trick Shot is that it can activate Serrated Blades and BOTH poisons.

Hopefully this gives you some insight. I actually used this build to solo with last beta (before open) and I could take on 3 mobs with no problems.

[TekPhreak]

Thanks for the great input Jamz and Xerathe! I was trying to give myself some additional heals and buffs with the Bard but you make some good points. I did fear that I was trying to become a 'Jack of all trades but master of none' or something like that I think I will go with the Ranger/Assassin because I like they way they mesh. I'll have to think about the suggestions above and nail down that 3rd soul. Back to the soul calculator ...

Thanks again!