Ranger

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Description

PC ranger.gif

Rangers are well known as the “great outdoorsmen” of Norrath. Being 3/4 Warrior and 1/4 Druid, they possess the ability to cast spells and fight head-to-head with whoever crosses their path. Rangers come with a wide variety of skills and spells that make them a very self- sufficient class. They Forage their own food and water, they use their Tracking to find or avoid danger (whichever is more appropriate at the time), and once they hit level 9 their Druidic side comes forth and they are granted spells. Their spells include many utility spells, which make them even more self- sufficient. They can heal and buff themselves during downtime, and use their offensive and defensive magic to aid in defeating their opponents.

A Ranger’s mind, body and soul are in tune with Mother Nature, and they may choose either to become a child of Tunare or a follower of the Rainkeeper, Karana. It is their sole duty to preserve and protect the wilderness. Animals of peace will not attack Rangers (except for the occasional frenzied lion that wonders by). Rangers can spend extended amounts of time in the wilderness, and are only briefly seen in towns. They know the lands of Norrath like the back of their hands, and travelers can always rely on a Ranger to know which way to head if they get lost.

Although many melee classes can use a bow, Rangers truly stands out as the most talented in archery. Although their judgement and accuracy with a bow are unsurpassed, they usually prefer to take on their foes up close and personal. Hand to Hand is a Ranger’s primary form of combat, followed by her trusty bow, which she uses to distract, pull and take down escaping foes. Most Rangers take on the trade skill of Blacksmithing, to craft their own armor, but their most popular and useful trade is Fletching, which enables them to carve their own bows and arrows, crafting items more powerful and accurate then anything they could buy at a market.

Rangers make excellent pullers for groups. With the combination of Tracking, Harmony, Snare and their bow, they can pull exactly what they intend to. They can find the mobs that will give their group the best experience or loot, and maybe even that rare spawn that holds a unique item ... if it’s out there, a Ranger will know before anyone else. When the group is resting, Rangers use their keen senses to scout for any danger that might compromise the safety of their party. Rangers make good tanks in groups, especially by the time they’ve accumulated a slew of useful skills and spells — Dual Wield and Double Attack, along with a combination of stat and armor buffs (especially their damage shields).

Being a hybrid class, Rangers are limited on both ends when it comes to fighting and spellcasting. Although they make good tanks, Rangers will not have as much armor class and hit points as a Warrior, and are also limited in what armor and weapons they can use. At lower levels most Rangers will use a sword and shield or a two-handed slash weapon, whichever they prefer. Rangers can also wear hand-made banded armor, which will last them until they can obtain better equipment at higher levels. Rangers get spells much later than Druids, and also have a smaller mana pool, so they can’t rely too much on spells. They will run dry of mana far before a Druid ever would.

by Nathan Smith

Class Titles

Level 1-50 Level 51-54 Level 55-59 Level 60
Ranger Pathfinder Outrider Warder

Creation Guide

It is important to make good decisions on Race, Starting Stats, and Religion. These things combined will allow you to create the Ranger that makes you most happy.

Choosing Race

Choosing a race for any class can be a difficult decision--do not choose a race based on abilities alone. Choose the Race that provides you with the right mix of racial benefits, religion, cultural armor sets, and statistics that benefit your class. Here are some considerations for your Cleric:

Race Benefit Detractor
Half-Elf Good DEX, two starting cities available. Low WIS requires points added.
Human High STA, Common Tongue Poor night vision, low DEX
Wood Elf High AGI and WIS, start in Kelethin lower STR
Halfling* Small size is handy in dungeons, hide/sneak, faster leveling, highest DEX You look like a halfling

Note: The * denotes races that were not originally allowed to be Rangers. On EQ Live these combinations were not possible until the March 19, 2002 patch (4 months after the December 2001 Shadows of Luclin launch).

Starting Statistics

It is important to note that each race has slightly different starting statistics. As melee fighters, Strength and Dexterity are the stats that most will concentrate on raising first, followed by Agility, Wisdom, Intelligence and Charisma (however, racial choice can alter these priorities).

Race STR STA AGI DEX WIS INT CHA Total
Half-Elf 75 80 100 85 65 75 75 555
Human 80 85 85 75 80 75 75 555
Wood Elf 70 75 105 80 85 75 75 565
Halfling 75 85 105 90 85 67 50 557

Each race gets 20 bonus points to apply to the base stats of their choosing.

Experience Penalty

There is a 40% penalty for hybrid classes (which includes Rangers) until the January 17, 2001 patch changes go into effect during the Scars of Velious expansion. While this change was not explicitly mentioned in those patch notes, it was mentioned in the January 14, 2001 Producer's Letter as "going in next patch."[1]

Religion

Religion does not have a large impact upon the Ranger class. The two choices are Karana or Tunare (except for Wood Elves who must choose Tunare). Picking one will not alienate you from another, so choose whichever appeals to you more. There are occasionally Deity-specific items, however, such as the Helm of the Tracker in Velious.

Skills

Female Ranger from Casters Realm ~2000

Casting Skills

Level Trained Skill Cap Until 50 Cap Above 50
9 Yes Abjuration 235 235
9 Yes Alteration 235 235
9 Yes Channeling 200 215
9 Yes Conjuration 235 235
9 Yes Divination 235 235
9 Yes Evocation 235 235
12 Yes Meditate 185 226
30 Yes Specialization

Combat Skills

Level Trained Skill Starting Value Cap Until 50 Cap Above 50 August 26, 1999 patch February 21, 2001 patch October 8, 2001 patch
1 No 1 Hand Blunt 10 200 240 250
1 No 1 Hand Piercing 10 200 240
1 No 1 Hand Slashing 10 200 240 250
1 No 2 Hand Blunt 10 200 240 250
1 No 2 Hand Slashing 10 200 240 250
1 No Archery 10 210 240
1 No Bind Wound 10 100 200
1 No Defense ? 200 200 220
1 No Hand to Hand 10 100 100
1 No Offense ? 200 200 252
1 Yes Taunt 10 150 150
1 No Throwing 10 113 113
5 Yes Kick 0 149 205
8 Yes Dodge 0 137 170 170
17 Yes Dual Wield 0 210 240
18 Yes Parry 0 185 220 220
20 Yes Double Attack 0 200 240
35 Yes Disarm 0 55 55
35 Yes Riposte 0 150 185

Note: As of the July 19, 2000 during the Hole Era in the Ruins of Kunark expansion, Rangers above level 50 do double damage with Archery against non-moving, non-rooted targets.

Miscellaneous Skills

Like many classes, Rangers can raise the following skills:

Level Trained Skill Starting Value Cap Until 50 Cap Above 50
1 No Alcohol Tolerance 10 255 255
1 No Begging 10 200 200
1 No Fishing 10 200 200
1 Yes Sense Heading 0 200 200
1 No Swimming 0 200 200
1 No Tracking 10 200 200
3 Yes Forage 0 200 200
10 Yes Sneak 0 75 75
25 Yes Hide 0 75 75

Disciplines

Disciplines first appeared in the Ruins of Kunark expansion for pure melee classes. However, Ranger disciplines weren't introduced until the Scars of Velious expansion; they offer short term advantages with a long re-use: These are most useful in dragon/boss encounters.

Discipline Name Level Obtained Description Duration Reuse Time Expansion Available
Resistant Discipline 255 (currently unusable) +10 to all resistances. The reuse time for this discipline will decrease as you level. 1 Min 72 Min Veliousicon.gif
Fearless Discipline 54 Imunity to "Fear" and all spells that cause "fear". The reuse time for this discipline will decrease as you level. 11 Sec 72 Min Veliousicon.gif
Trueshot Discipline 55 Imbues your bow with energy, increasing the damage done by each shot [105%] and improving your accuracy. [Increases Archery Skill Check by 12%] 2 Min 72 Min Veliousicon.gif
Weaponshield Discipline 60 Focuses your combat reflexes, allowing you to parry most melee attacks. Parries all melee attacks from the front. 18 Sec 72 Min Veliousicon.gif

Hybrid Casting

The following patch message was included in the February 21, 2001 patch on EQ Live just over two months after the launch of The Scars of Velious. It will not apply to FV server until the project reaches Velious:

Hybrids that cast spells in combat were taking double penalties at higher levels. The casting times of their spells went up, and the amount of melee damage they do per second went up. This results is having to take longer to cast spells, and losing more damage/second for each second taken in casting. To help offset this, Rangers, Paladins and Shadowknights casting non-beneficial spells that have casting times greater than or equal to 3 seconds, now get a 3 % reduction in casting time for each level over 50. 3% at 51, 6% at 52, etc., to 30% at 60. Again, this applies only to non-beneficial spells.

Spells

Level 9

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Endure Fire 20 2.5 2.25 Abj 27m Single 100 Increase Fire Resist by 11 (L1) to 20 (L10) Original.gif
Flame Lick 10 1.5 2.25 Evo 48s Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 1 (L1) to 3 (L4) per tick, Decrease AC by 3, Focus: Fire Beetle Eye Original.gif
Glimpse 5 1.5 12 Div 18s Self 0 Increase Magnification by 55% Original.gif
Lull Animal 10 1.5 3 Alt 2m Anim 200 Frenzy Radius(15/30), Reaction Radius(25/30), Pacify Original.gif
Minor Healing 10 1 2.25 Alt 0 Single 100 Increase Hitpoints by 10 Original.gif
Skin like Wood 10 3 6 Abj 27m Single 100 Increase AC by 3 (L1) to 4 (L10), Increase Max Hitpoints by 11 (L1) to 20 (L10) Original.gif
Snare 15 2 4 Alt 3:54 Single 200 Decrease Movement by 41% (L1) to 55% (L15) Original.gif

Level 15

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Burst of Fire 15 1.75 2.5 Evo 0 Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 12 (L5) to 15 (L10) Original.gif
Camouflage 15 5 2.25 Div 20m Single 100 Invisibility Original.gif
Cure Poison 20 2 3 Alt 0 Single 100 Decrease Poison Counter by 1 (L1) to 4 (L12) Original.gif
Dance of the Fireflies 10 3 6 Con 0 Self 0 Summon Item: Summoned: Firefly Globe Original.gif
Feet like Cat 40 5 2.25 Alt 36m Single 100 Increase AGI by 14 (L5) to 18 (L9) Original.gif
Grasping Roots 35 2 2.25 Alt 48s Single 200 Decrease HP when cast by 10, Root Original.gif
Invoke Lightning 32 2.5 6 Evo 5ms AoE 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 21 (L5) to 25 (L9), (Area 10) Original.gif
Thistlecoat 25 2 2.25 Abj 195m Self 0 Increase AC by 4 (L9) to 6 (L14), Increase Damage Shield by 1 Original.gif

Level 22

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Bind Sight 15 4 10 Div 14m Single 10000 Bind Sight Original.gif
Endure Cold* 20 2.50 2.25 Abj 3 minutes @L1 to 27 minutes @L9 Single 100 Increase Cold Resist by 11 (L1) to 20 (L10) Veliousicon.gif
Enduring Breath 35 4 2.25 Alt 27m Single 100 Water Breathing(1), Uses: Fish Scales x 1 Original.gif
Firefist* 30 3.50 7.00 Evo 12m Self Increase ATK by 5 (L9) to 13 (L29) Veliousicon.gif
Harmony 25 3 12 Abj 2m AoE 200 Frenzy Radius(15/40), Reaction Radius(15/40), (Area 40) Original.gif
Ignite 30 2.1 2.5 Evo 0 Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 32 (L9) to 37 (L14) Original.gif
Light Healing 25 2 2.25 Alt 0 Single 100 Increase Hitpoints by 26 (L5) to 33 (L18) Original.gif
Panic Animal* 10 2.00 4.00 Alt 3 ticks Animal 200 Fear(1) Veliousicon.gif
Skin like Rock 60 5 8 Abj 27m Single 100 Increase AC by 6 (L14) to 7 (L18), Increase Max Hitpoints by 54 (L14) to 110 (L70), Increase HP when cast by 54 (L14) to 110 (L70) Original.gif
Ward Summoned 30 2.1 2.25 Evo 0 Sum 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 35 (L5) to 41 (L11) Original.gif

Note: Endure Cold, Firefist, and Panic Animal were added for Rangers in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Level 30

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Barbcoat 50 2 2.25 Abj 195m Self 0 Increase AC by 11 (L19) to 12 (L24), Increase Damage Shield by 2 Original.gif
Cancel Magic 30 3.5 5 Abj 0 Single 200 Cancel Magic(1) Original.gif
Eyes of the Cat 35 3 6 Div 27m Self 0 Infravision Original.gif
Invigor 20 3.5 3.5 Alt 18s Single 100 Decrease Stamina Loss by 35 (Note: Removed due to client limitations: See December 18, 2003 patch when Stamina was changed to Endurance) Original.gif
Shield of Thistles 40 2.5 2.25 Abj 15m Single 100 Increase Damage Shield by 5 (L9) to 6 (L12) Original.gif
Spirit of Wolf* 40 4.50 2.25 Alt 27.0 mins @L9 to 36.0 mins @L12 Single 100 Increase Movement Speed by 34% (L9) to 55% (L50) Veliousicon.gif
Stinging Swarm 65 2.45 2.25 Con 54s Single 250 Decrease Hitpoints by 13 per tick Original.gif
Strength of Earth 40 5 2.5 Alt 27m Single 100 Increase STR by 9 (L9) to 15 (L20) Original.gif

Note: Spirit of Wolf was moved from L39 (since Original) to L30 for Rangers in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Level 39

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Bramblecoat* 75 2.00 2.25 Abj 1 hour 27 minutes @L29 to 3 hours 15 minutes @L65 Self Increase AC by 17 (L29) to 18 (L34); Increase Damage Shield by 3 Veliousicon.gif
Call of Sky 50 3.50 6.00 Alt 10 minutes Self Add Proc: Call of Sky Strike Veliousicon.gif
Calm Animal 45 2.5 5 Alt 42s Anim 200 Frenzy Radius(5/50), Reaction Radius(10/50), Pacify Original.gif
Careless Lightning 70 2.75 2.5 Evo 0 Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 94 (L19) to 99 (L24) Original.gif
Dismiss Summoned 90 3.3 2.25 Evo 0 Sum 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 140 (L24) to 162 (L35) Original.gif
Healing 60 3 2.25 Alt 0 Single 100 Increase Hitpoints by 84 (L14) to 100 (L30) Original.gif
Levitate 30 3 5 Alt 20:30 Single 100 Levitate(1), Uses: Bat Wing x 1 Original.gif
See Invisible* 25 2.00 2.25 Div 27m Single 100 See Invisible(1) Veliousicon.gif
Skin like Steel 100 6 9 Abj 36m Single 100 Increase AC by 9 (L24) to 10 (L30), Increase Max Hitpoints by 74 (L24) to 100 (L50), Increase HP when cast by 74 (L24) to 100 (L50) Original.gif
Spirit of Wolf* 40 4.5 3.5 Alt 36m Single 100 Increase Movement by 34% (L9) to 55% (L50) Original.gif

Note: See Invisible was added, and Bramblecoat was moved from L49 to L39 for Rangers in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Note: Spirit of Wolf was moved from L39 (since Original) to L30 for Rangers in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Level 49

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Bramblecoat* 75 2 2.25 Abj 195m Self 0 Increase AC by 17 (L29) to 18 (L34), Increase Damage Shield by 3 Original.gif
Call of Flame 125 2 18 Evo 0 Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 206 Original.gif
Ensnaring Roots 60 2.5 2.25 Alt 1:36 Single 200 Decrease HP when cast by 34 (L24) to 60 (L50), Root Original.gif
Immolate 120 3.5 2.25 Evo 1m Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 24 per tick, Decrease AC by 11 (L29) to 18 (L50), Focus: Fire Beetle Eye Original.gif
Resist Fire 50 4.5 2.25 Abj 36m Single 100 Increase Fire Resist by 34 (L24) to 40 (L30) Original.gif
Shield of Brambles 80 2.5 2.25 Abj 15m Single 100 Increase Damage Shield by 11 (L29) to 12 (L32) Original.gif
Spikecoat* 110 2 2.25 Abj 195m Self 0 Increase AC by 23 (L39) to 25 (L44), Increase Damage Shield by 4 Veliousicon.gif
Superior Camouflage 40 5 2.25 Div 24m Single 100 Invisibility Original.gif
Wolf Form 60 4 8 Alt 72m Self 0 Illusion: Black Wolf, Increase Movement by 42% (L24) to 55% (L50), Increase ATK by 25 (L24) to 30 (L29) Original.gif

Bramblecoat was moved from L49 (since Original) to L39, and Spikecoat was added in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Level 50

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Call of Earth 50 3.50 6.00 Abj 1 hour Single 150 Increase Damage Shield by 4; Increase AC by 24 (L50) to 25 (L55) Veliousicon.gif

Level 51

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Ensnare 35 1.75 4.00 Alt 6.8 minutes @L29 to 13 minutes @L60 Single 200 Decrease Movement Speed by 56% Kunarkicon.gif
Jolt* 60 1.50 2.25 Alt Instant Single 200 Decrease Hate by 500 Veliousicon.gif
Strength of Nature 125 5.00 12.00 Abj 1 hour Single 150 Increase ATK by 25; Stacking: Block new spell if slot 4 is effect 'Max Hitpoints' and < 400; Increase Max Hitpoints by 75 Veliousicon.gif

Note: Jolt, a Ranger-only spell, was moved from L55 in Kunark to L51 in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Level 52

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Extinguish Fatigue [2] 35 3.50 3.50 Alt Instant Single 100 Decrease Stamina Loss by 90 Kunarkicon.gif
Firestrike 155 4.60 2.50 Evo Instant Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 282 (L39) to 302 (L44) Kunarkicon.gif

Level 53

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Storm Strength 85 5.00 2.50 Alt 54 minutes 6 seconds Single 100 Increase STR by 32 (L44) to 35 (L50) Kunarkicon.gif

Level 54

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Drones of Doom 141 4.05 2.25 Conj 1 minute Single 250 Decrease Hitpoints by 34 per tick Kunarkicon.gif
Skin like Diamond 200 6.00 10.00 Abj 54 minutes Single 100 Increase AC by 13 (L39) to 13 (L40); Increase Max Hitpoints by 178 (L39) to 200 (L50); Increase HP when cast by 178 (L39) to 200 (L50) Kunarkicon.gif

Level 55

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Call of Fire 50 3.50 6.00 Alt 10 minutes Self Enchant Weapon with Damage proc (self only) Veliousicon.gif
Chloroplast 200 6.00 2.25 Alt 12 minutes 42 seconds @L39 to 19 minutes 6 seconds @L60 Single 100 Increase Hitpoints by 10 per tick Kunarkicon.gif
Cinder Jolt* 60 1.50 2.25 Alt Instant Single 200 Decrease Hate by 500 Veliousicon.gif
Jolt* 60 1.50 2.25 Alt Instant Single 200 Decrease Hate by 500 Kunarkicon.gif
Resist Cold* 50 4.50 2.25 Abj 36 minutes Single 100 Increase Cold Resist by 39 (L24) to 40 (L25) Veliousicon.gif

Note: In the February 21, 2001 patch on EQ Live a few months after the Velious launch, the following spell changes occurred for Rangers at L55: Moved Jolt from L55 (Kunark) to L51, added Cinder Jolt, added Resist Cold

Level 56

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Chill Sight 75 5.00 2.25 Div 36 minutes Self Ultravision(1) Kunarkicon.gif
Greater Wolf Form 90 5.00 10.00 Alt 1 hour 42 minutes @L34 to 1 hour 50 minutes @L37 Self Turn into a wolf; Increase Movement Speed by 52% (L34) to 60% (L50); Increase ATK by 35 (L34) to 40 (L39) Kunarkicon.gif

Level 57

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Greater Healing 150 3.75 2.25 Alt Instant Single 100 Increase Hitpoints by 244 (L24) to 270 (L30) Kunarkicon.gif

Level 58

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Nullify Magic 50 4.50 6.00 Abj Instant Single 200 Cancel Magic(4); Cancel Magic(4) Veliousicon.gif
Shield of Spikes 100 3.00 2.25 Abj 3.9 minutes @L39 to 6.5 minutes @L65 Single 100 Increase Damage Shield by 14 (L39) to 17 (L48) Kunarkicon.gif

Level 59

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Calefaction 250 2.50 45.00 Evo Instant Single 200 Decrease Hitpoints by 444 (L44) to 450 (L50) Kunarkicon.gif
Skin like Nature* 300 6.00 12.00 Abj 1h 12m 24s Single 100 Increase AC by 16 (L49) to 16 (L50); Increase Max Hitpoints by 248 (L49) to 250 (L50); Increase HP when cast by 248 (L49) to 250 (L50); Increase hitpoints by 2 per tick Veliousicon.gif

Note: Skin like Nature was added for Rangers in the February 21, 2001 3:00 am patch on EQ Live a few months after Velious launch.

Level 60

Spell Name Mana Cast Time Recast Time Skill Duration Target Range Description Expansion
Call of the Predator 200 5.00 18.00 Abj 1h 15m 24s Group v2 150 Increase ATK by 40 Veliousicon.gif
Enveloping Roots 80 1.75 2.25 Alt 1 minute Single 200 Decrease HP when cast by 88 (L39) to 110 (L50); Root Kunarkicon.gif
Thorncoat 175 2.00 2.25 Abj 2 hours 27 minutes @L49 to 3 hours 15 minutes @L65 Self Increase AC by 31; Increase Damage Shield by 5 Kunarkicon.gif

Ranger-Specific Quests

Original

Original - Plane of Sky Era

  • Ranger Plane of Sky Tests

Kunark - Epic Era

Velious

  • Ranger Thurgadin Armor Quests
  • Ranger Kael Armor Quests
  • Ranger Skyshrine Armor Quests

Gearing

Best in Slot

References

  1. January 14, 2001 Producer Letter. Available online from the Internet Archive at https://web.archive.org/web/20010124043300/http://everquest.station.sony.com/news/letter.shtml . Last accessed on February 27, 2022.
  2. Stamina was later changed to Endurance in the December 18, 2003 patch and is not currently possible on FVProject since it does not exist on clients that EQEmu supports. See Client_Limitations#Stamina.2FEndurance for more information.