TOPIC: 2009 UR's

I am contemplating a 250 order even though, more likely than not, I will not be able to attend Gen Con. <br /><br />The class that I've always played, and really like playing, is the Ranger. My second preference if not able to play Ranger is Paladin. I am curious what others would choose, if they could only pick one of the PURPs for this year, based on picking for a Ranger?<br /><br />My current token set-up is<br />+1 Long Sword<br />+1 Mithral Long Sword<br />Elven Chainmail<br />Gauntlets of Ogre Power<br />Boot of Sure Footing<br />Belt of Retrieval<br />Ring of Prot +1<br />Ring of Pelor<br />+2 Cloak of Resistance<br />Ioun Stones (Faceted Amber and Iridescent Spindle)<br />Long Bow<br />Bracers of Archery

Gearon's +2 Mace...why not!

I'd recommend something like the +1 Celestial Keen Long Sword myself for a Ranger.  The keen aspect definitely helps out in battles.

<br />I'd recommend something like the +1 Celestial Keen Long Sword myself for a Ranger.  The keen aspect definitely helps out in battles.<br />

<br /><br />Yeah, the keen effect is quite good. I saw Superdroid using the +1 Celestial Keen Long Sword along with the +1 Keen Hand Axe in the off hand. Deadly combo there.<br /><br />The other great option would be the Mithral Cap since you don't have anything on your head yet. Then at some point you can try to trade for some Mithral Chain and get the 3-Item Mithral set bonus. I can't actually remember what the bonus is though.

Gearon's +2 Mace is a very good choice.  <br /><br />Alternatively, if you find yourself sliding two melee weapons most of the time instead of missile weapons, I'd recommend either the Celestial Girdle (giving +2 Melee Damage to BOTH of your attacks) or the Celestial Bracers which add +2 to your Armor Class.  

Can ranger's wear "Crown of Might"<br /><br />Seems like the best ranger item to me, as it doubles up for rangers.<br /><br />Or, celestial girdle, which also doubles up well for rangers.

From DMing a number of fights at True Realm here's a few thoughts.<br /><br />1. Anything "keen" adds a nice bonus<br />2. SeyLah's Cestus as a Ranger's secondary weapon would be a nice benefit for the entire party<br />3. Ring of Fire Elemental got some good use, but it really is dependent on "fire" situations to get the full benefit.<br /><br />I also like the idea of the Crown of Power for non-helmet wearing classes. It has a nice balance between hit/dmg bonus.

The cestus is restricted to Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin.<br /><br />I like the Crown of Might or Mithral Cap.  If I had to choose one, it would be the Mithral cap as you are already using one of the Mithral items.  The Mithral chain is supposed to be reprinted (next year?).

<br />The cestus is restricted to Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin.<br />

<br /><br />Oh yeah. Forgot about that. He had mentioned Paladin as his other preferred class and I got locked in on the thought... stay on target, stay on target!<br />

I also heard the mithril chain was being reprinted next year. That would add to armor class next year and make 3 mithrils if you get the cap this year.

As someone who usually plays ranger, I REALLY like my pair of keen weapons (+2 Scimitar as main and the +1 Keen Handaxe as my offhand). Sliding those extra crits is really exciting and my damage output has been great. The keen longsword would certainly not be a bad choice.<br /><br />However, the biggest problem you have as a ranger is AC. I picked the +2 Bracers as my PYP because you don't need that slot for anything else important and you can use them with any class you end up playing. Not as exciting as some items, but very practical.<br /><br />So, my advice is either the sword (lots of fun) or the bracers (live longer). The cap is fine too but it's only +1 AC. You could go for the Mithral set but the ideas I've seen floating around for it are very situational (not sure if a final decision on the effect was nailed down or not). The girdle is a good item but I'd rather have my belt of retrieval.  It's already saved my life at least once.<br /><br />

oh man...thats tough.  i play ranger and also try to equip my friends as best i can...but this years URs had so many options for ranger, hardly anything went to other classes (hey, im gonna get the best stuff for me first).  for reference, my current set-up is:<br />Ranger<br />crown of might<br />amulet of wonder<br />celestial bracers<br />gauntlets of ogre power<br />troll hide armor<br />celestial girdle<br />+1 celestial keen long sword<br />+1 mithral long sword OR +1 keen hand axe (newly added option, luckily still a +1 weapon, so party card stays simple)<br />+1 long bow<br />cloak resist +2<br />boots of sure footing<br />ring of protection<br />ring of fire elemental command<br />ioun stones: iridescent spindle, faceted amber, lavender ellipsoid, violet prism<br />questor's charm of luck<br />goblet of healing<br />spider silk shirt<br />alchemist pouch<br />bone scroll case<br />*also have the mithral cap equipped to someone else...but if the mithral set bonus gets good enough, i will swap headgear around.<br /><br />hmm, so, if only picking one of the new URs...<br />celestial keen longsword-very nice, critting more often is an amazing boon...but it really only adds 'keen' to what you already have.  this is still a very nice weapon, and i was very excited to get/use it, i just dont know about spending a PYP on 'keen'ness of a single weapon...though, maybe it was responsible for more damage than i give it credit for (i know i hit 19s a few times past weekend)...?<br />celestial bracers-when only picking one UR for a ranger, i dont like going for just AC.  i dont know, maybe thats what you are more concerned with, but i figure a ranger is meant to deal as much damage as possible.<br />celestial girdle-now here is a meaty option.  +2 damage to all your meelee attacks...that could be +4/round.  if you dont use many potions with your current belt, this could very well be an easy pick.  if you do, however, have a stash of potions that you are regularly using to boost your stats, then pass on this.<br />crown of might- +1 to hit AND damage, and it doesnt even take anything away that you already have equipped.<br />mithral cap- the other headgear option, but this one is for AC.  i like to go for more damage, and count on the cleric (and my pocket of potions) to keep me alive.  some people like getting the highest AC possible, but then you would be picking the celestial bracers.  if you think you want to get the mithral set, obviously get this, otherwise, you have better options.<br />ring of fire elemental command- very nice, and i was happy to trade for mine.  nice when you do an extra 2 damage because the DM targets you for doing so much damage in the first round (cant count how many times i got attacked first because of hitting with both weapons round one).  BUT, it isnt nice enough to get instead of something else on this list.  if you can get it in a trade, by all means do.<br />questor's charm of luck- the universally useful UR.  doesnt take a slot, will always be helpful, and always be valuable for trade if needed.  after all my talk of getting those bonuses to damage, i hate to suggest this when it doesnt do much of anything during combat (occassionally save your ass)...but the truth is, if it comes down to it, this is more likely to trade for any of the other items you are looking to get.<br /><br />so, my opinion: if you want the best value, i think the charm is the way to go...but if the charm isnt your thing/you want something less subtle, i suggest the celestial girdle if you arent much using potions with your current belt.  if your current belt is doing its job, crown of might.