TOPIC: Ranger build advice

I’m looking for advice and suggestions for upgrades and alternate gear, but without using more URs please.

+2 Scepter of Might
Orb of Might
+1 Elven Long Bow
Archer's Buckler
Crown of Might
Torc of Natural Armor
+2 Cloak of Resistance
Elven Chainmail
+1 Bracers of Defense
Gauntlets of Ogre Power
Ring of Protection +1
Ring of Reflexes
Girdle of Might
Boots of Might
Ioun Stone Black Pearl
Ioun Stone Beryl Prism
Ioun Stone Faceted Amber
Ioun Stone Iridescent Spindle
Ioun Stone Coral Sphere
Charm of the Urchin

are you talking about next year or just in general?

Mainly next year, but I expect to be hooked and keep coming back so general and long term advice is awesome too!

Recommendation: if you're running a Might set, try to upgrade your +1 Elven Longbow to a Mighty Longbow (or Shortbow if you can't get the Longbow) at your earliest convenience.

EDIT: Oops, now I read that you are trying to avoid more URs in the set. So, nevermind. (Or keep it in mind for sometime in the future)

I'd suggests adding a Lenses of Accuracy since you don't have an Eye slot item. You should be able to find these for a reasonable amount. Darkrose50 has them listed on his trade thread for $25.

I'd also suggest looking to swap out your Ioun Stone Coral Sphere for an Ioun Stone Violet Prism. But, those are a little harder to come by these days.

As for your Ranged weapon, the +1 Darkwood Longbow and +1 Longbow both have a slight statical edge on the +1 Elven Longbow (in terms of damage wheels). But, it is only a 0.125 difference. So, I'm not sure it is worth the trouble.

Rings and consumables (Runestones and such) are usually swapped out based on the disposition of each year's dungeons. But, the two you have as your "vanilla" options look fine.

Raven - The Mighty Longbow is definitely on my dream list. *drools*

The Broasted - I overlooked DarkRose50's trade thread... thanks! I will be on the lookout for Violet Prisms, I did get the impression they are hard to find.

I'd suggest that you trade out the Boots of Might for Mithral Boots.... I know you said no new URs, but that would be a trade... The Mithral Boots would give +2 ac, +2 reflex Save, and +2 to hit with your bow. (and open a ring slot for other goodness as the ring of reflexes would be less necessary...)

As a Ranger, your reflex save is naturally pretty good. You might replace the Ring of Reflexes with a Ring that improves your damage, such as a Ring of Frost. The Ring of Frost adds +2 cold damage to all melee attacks, and since the ranger fights with two melee weapons this would be a potential +4 to damage.

You can switch in the Ring of Reflexes when entering dungeons where you know the reflex save will be important.

Likewise, if you are a good slider you might replace your Gauntlets of Ogre Power with Eel Skin Gloves. You would give up +1 to hit for an extra +1 melee damage.

I play a Ranger that looks somewhat similar. IMO, your "up for grabs" slots are:
Ioun Stone (x2): Black Pearl, Coral Sphere
Ring (x2): Reflexes and Protection +1
Charm (x2): Still empty

Before you upgrade too much, you will want to see next year's token list. However, Ring of Frost is double good for the Ranger (with 2 slides and all). I would probably try to find a Necklace of the Oak (+2 Strength, dungeon only treasure). Again, you want to boost both weapons damage as much as possible.

also, you cannot use Archer's Buckler, as you are using the Orb of Might. It is a set item that cannot be "unequipped" when you are using your bow.

You can actually use the archer's buckler with the orb of Might. The bow is a two handed weapon the the orb and scepter go away. Jeff has ruled that the set effect is still in effect when using the bow. Which is the same reason that the orb strength bonus doesn't add to the +1 Mighty Long Bow. The archer's buckler doesn't actually take a hand slot, just gives an armor bonus when using the bow.