Melee Ranger for OB

Hi guys,

Firstly, I would like to explain that I am 100% for sure going to roll a Sword'nBoard Ranger as my main for OB. After playing a melee ranger in CB I fell in love with the play style and the aesthetic of the build. I'd also like to take the time now to thank you for reading my post and hopefully you can point out any mistakes in my logic for this build and help create a plan of action as rolling a melee ranger in OB.

70 Point Build (No BM)


85 Point Build (No BM)


85 Point Build (With BM)


I am not sure if I want run a BM build for my ranger or not. I understand the benefits of choosing BM, but I don't think that makes a non-BM build any less viable. Especially because the Ranger gets access to Mana Leech gems through quest rewards.

I think I did a good job allocating skill points for the 85 point builds, but I am not sure how well I did on my 70 point build. That being said, I would appreciate some critiques on these passive builds.

In regards to gem acquisition for OB, it is looking very likely that I will have to run either a Marauder or Templar to Ruthless to get some Reduced Mana and Melee Physical Damage gems (as well as other gems like LS, Anger, Leap Slam, and Heavy Strike). However, I would expect that this is subject to change a bit, given the addition of Act 3.

For skills and their respective supports I was thinking:

Heavy Strike + Melee Physical Damage(?) + Faster Attacks(?)

LS + Melee Physical Damage + LMP + Mana/Life(?) Leech (+Faster Attacks when I get a 5L later on down the road)

Leap Slam + Faster Attacks

Wrath, Anger, and Grace for auras

I think that is everything I had to say, although I am probably forgetting something. In any case, thanks for reading! Please post any comments and critiques!

EDIT: You'll notice I used 2 points to get Celerity in all three of the builds I posted. I chose to do this due to the removal of Phase Run for OB. Is it worth the 2 points or should I allocate them elsewhere?

You seem to have a very good idea of how to approach a melee build for OB, and you're right that you'll probably have to roll a Marauder/Templar to get all gems you need.

I've tried making a SwordnBoard Ranger using mana... and even with Arcane Efficiency, Mana Flows, and a 57% mana regen Jade Amulte, I was still hungering for mana at times. You would be far better off using BM and just save your respec points for DPS/DPH clusters.

I would make a tiny change in your build:

I removed the 2 .4% life regen nodes for the 2 12% increased life nodes under the Blood Drinker notable. More life is better, especially in the case for melee users.

As for the Celerity node, you may or may not want to go for it. Seeing how you picked up the Armor Mastery node, all you need for decent MS is a MS boot. Celerity may be a luxury you can pass up for the moment, e.g. use those 2 nodes for the .4% life regen nodes that I took out for more life.

If you just get 30% move speed boots, you'll be able to outrun pretty much anything.
Movement speed flasks are also being added to replace Phase Run.
Celerity is fine to get, but you should probably leave out unless you find you are having specific issues that would be resolved by 8% more movement speed.

Thanks for the timely response! It is a shame a non-BM build isn't as viable as I once thought. However, I see no detriment to running a BM build, I guess I just wanted the option, haha.

I completely agree with your amendment to my point allocation, I'm kind of surprised I missed that. Furthermore, after some consideration I think I am going to hold off on getting Celerity and get the regen nodes as you suggested. Lezli also makes a valid point. 8% does seem minuscule in comparison to the possible 30% from a pair of boots.

Due to the possibility of more passive points in OB, as far as going past an 85 point build, I was thinking about getting the sword damage nodes in that cluster above US. Do you think there is a better place to allocate points after an 85 point build?

In regards to Skill and Support gems, which ones would you say are bare minimum in respect to maintaining build functionality? Although I am not using it in my current build, I have frequently seen on the forums that Melee Physical Damage is a must have. Are there any other support gems with similar importance?

Again, thank you guys so much for the responses!

"

24Crayons wrote:

Due to the possibility of more passive points in OB, as far as going past an 85 point build, I was thinking about getting the sword damage nodes in that cluster above US. Do you think there is a better place to allocate points after an 85 point build?

In regards to Skill and Support gems, which ones would you say are bare minimum in respect to maintaining build functionality? Although I am not using it in my current build, I have frequently seen on the forums that Melee Physical Damage is a must have. Are there any other support gems with similar importance?

Again, thank you guys so much for the responses!

After 85 points, it comes to personal judgment. Lacking DPS? Head for Razor's Edge (the notable above US). Lacking armor? Grab the second Steel Skin notable next to Might and the 18% starting evasiong rating node from the Ranger tree. Lack resists? Max em out.

As for skill/support gems, consider this:
- Double Strike + MPD + FA (your default attack)
- Heavy Strike + MPD + FA + Added Fire Damage (your boss-killer)
- Leap Slam + FA + MPD + Shield Charge (or instead of Shield Charge, slot in Added Fire Damage)
- Lightning Strike + MPD + LMP + FA + Life Gain on Hit/Life Leech
- Warlord's Mark + Reduced Mana + Decoy Totem
- Anger + Wrath + Grace + Reduced Mana

"

Islidox wrote:

After 85 points, it comes to personal judgment. Lacking DPS? Head for Razor's Edge (the notable above US). Lacking armor? Grab the second Steel Skin notable next to Might and the 18% starting evasiong rating node from the Ranger tree. Lack resists? Max em out.

As for skill/support gems, consider this:
- Double Strike + MPD + FA (your default attack)
- Heavy Strike + MPD + FA + Added Fire Damage (your boss-killer)
- Leap Slam + FA + MPD + Shield Charge (or instead of Shield Charge, slot in Added Fire Damage)
- Lightning Strike + MPD + LMP + FA + Life Gain on Hit/Life Leech
- Warlord's Mark + Reduced Mana + Decoy Totem
- Anger + Wrath + Grace + Reduced Mana

This gives me a lot to think about. Thank you so much for the input. I think I have enough information to adequately plan how I am going to get the gems I need in OB.

Just had a look at your BM build.
Looks like a softcore build imo. Very low survivability.

I just finished the HC race at lvl 63, as a ranged ranger, but I had to focused primarily in defense and life. As a melee I don't see how you can survive without it.
I am also planning a melee ranger for OB, and I don't plan on taking many offensive nodes. In my opinion offensive nodes are not that necessary. Take nugi for instance, he ended up 1st in the week race with a TOTALLY DEFENSIVE build.

So regarding the tree, a few things:

-Why not evasion from the beginning of your tree? If you go Iron Reflexes, why go for armor nodes and not evation nodes?? You want to stack as much evasion as possible, NOT armor.

-Again, dont invest in armor nodes, down left, near Blood Magic.

-When u go BM u have to stack as much hp as possible. Next to the node near BM 'Blood drinker' you have GREAT hp nodes

-Too many dps nodes. They are really not necessary. Especially as a tank. Just make sure you have good gear, so here trading is key.


Hope your char does great and see u in OB!

"

Masky wrote:

Just had a look at your BM build.
Looks like a softcore build imo. Very low survivability.

I just finished the HC race at lvl 63, as a ranged ranger, but I had to focused primarily in defense and life. As a melee I don't see how you can survive without it.
I am also planning a melee ranger for OB, and I don't plan on taking many offensive nodes. In my opinion offensive nodes are not that necessary. Take nugi for instance, he ended up 1st in the week race with a TOTALLY DEFENSIVE build.

So regarding the tree, a few things:

-Why not evasion from the beginning of your tree? If you go Iron Reflexes, why go for armor nodes and not evation nodes?? You want to stack as much evasion as possible, NOT armor.

-Again, dont invest in armor nodes, down left, near Blood Magic.

-When u go BM u have to stack as much hp as possible. Next to the node near BM 'Blood drinker' you have GREAT hp nodes

-Too many dps nodes. They are really not necessary. Especially as a tank. Just make sure you have good gear, so here trading is key.


Hope your char does great and see u in OB!

Although I did not previously make a post about it, I updated my build based on suggestions by Islidox and Lezli.

While I am indeed going to play Default league, I disagree with you that this has "very low survivability". However, because I don't plan on playing HC I think it is pretty self-explanatory why I am applying a bit more focus on offensive nodes.

I chose that particular route for the beginning of my tree because I will be playing sword'nboard and I wished to embellish my shield with higher block rate. If I wanted to play a 2h melee ranger I definitely would have taken the evasion route. Also my 86th point would have likely been the 18% evasion node per Islidox's suggestion.

Armor nodes affect evasion with Iron Reflexes.

Those nodes were pointed out earlier, I opted to trade the 2 points invested in Celerity for the 2 hp nodes under Blood Drinker.

Not playing a tank. While I believe the build will be sufficient in taking a couple hits the focus is definitely on dealing damage as I based my point allocation on the idea that I would be playing Default league.

Thanks for the input!

@Masky
Nugiyen also played with a full group of dedicated teammates. He would not have been able to do content very well without the DPS from the Spork Totemists.
That being said, surviving IS paramount in Hardcore, so although you used a poor example to justify your points, your points are quite good.
Armor nodes do increase your armor after your evasion has been converted though, so no need to avoid them.

Just want to resurrect this one - did anyone get anyway serious with this build?