ranger/monk, ranger/barb for bow range

[s002wjh]

between the two for range using bow, what are the pro/cons or both basically has about same dps.  also what subclass  I was think ranger/cipher too but heard I might lack the dps but with cc.

[1TTFFSSE]

It's hard to say they are very similar also in the numbers they will pull. I am assuming you will go /berserker or /helwalker?

 

I personally like berserker because it has a faster setup: you hit frenzy - which gives you both attack speed and extra penetration all in one and you are ready to pewpew (and you need that extra penetration on a hunting bow - and you should be using a hunting bow either Aamina's Legacy or Animancer bow as they generally perform better damage than warbows). 

 

with monk you need to hit lightning/swift strikes and also tenacious blows which you get later to get the attack speed and penetration. 

 

I think "overall" monk has the higher potential if all the stars align on a crit ability etc while berserker is more baseline consistent. You'll be able to do some amazing things with monk at later levels through ability synergies whereas with berserker it is a more passive but efficient playstyle. 

[s002wjh]

some say pure barb no sub class, so i dont whats benefit of zerker?

[1TTFFSSE]

berserker has confusion but extra armor rating and penetration during frenzy. Confusion means your aoe attacks damage foe and friendly targets alike. It is not the biggest of problems generally unless you are a spellcaster and a priest can cast "supress affliction" on you to get rid of the confusion. The extra penetration really helps with hunting bows.

[Burtron]

Carnage only AOEs on melee, so you don't need to worry about Confuse while using a bow. The inability to see health won't be as big of a deal at range, either.

 

Either choice would be functionally similar, but I'd probably go Monk. Their buffs are pretty much neck-and-neck, until you start considering Dance of Death/Enduring Dance, which are incredible on a ranged character that doesn't have to worry as much about getting hit, especially in conjunction with the Helwalker subclass. Plus, the best Barbarian ability - Barbaric Blow - precludes the use of the best Ranger ability - Accurate Wounding Shot, whereas if you take a Monk, you can utilize all of their buffs to make AWS better. Just make sure to take Lightning Strikes instead of Swift Flurry, because LS works great with AWS and I'm pretty sure SF doesn't.

 

Barbs make for better tanky melee, but if you're looking for a pure damage boost on a ranged character, Monk's the way to go.

[s002wjh]

any build for ranger/monk bow then?  like stats, ability etc  and how to use it properly.   

 

also how much of dps lost if I do ranger/cipher(ascended)  a lot, or little.  I do like the idea of charm and use cipher spell, but don't want give up too much dps compare to ranger/zerker/Helwalker

 

also I thought some monk skill change to MELEE only so, barb is better now?

Edited August 7, 2018 by s002wjh

[Haplok]

I'd say you loose a little by going Cipher. But you gain a ton of versatile and potentially powerfull abilities instead.

[Oriz]

Someone else just posted a great Monk ranger guide today, I'm on my phone so I can't link but it's on the first page. It uses an arquebus but would work just fine with a bow.