Ranger Hunting Guide

Introduction

This page is intended as a guide to areas and techniques used by the soloing Ranger. Some grouping and group-play/role suggestions would be welcome as well, but this is mostly a guide for those who never seem able to find groups and really don't want to DC. Please feel free to enter any new suggestions you have.

Levels 1-8

Ask in Dalaya Beginners (The guild you start in) for someone to help you do the quest for a Darkwood Long Bow. This bow hits hard enough at level 1 to kill-shot anything yellow/white and some reds. Just kill newbie trash around the starting area or group. If a druid or ranger drops a SoW on you, you can then bow kite until it wears off. Killing yellow/red mobs, a couple SoWs should get you to 9.

Besides this initiative to get the Darkwood Long Bow, (I am not particularly fond that the Ranger Guide begins with seeking out high-level help) there is AN ALTERNATIVE: hunt in front of the Surefall Glade until you've reached about level 3 and can train Forage. Bind the Forage skill to your left or right movement command, than travel to Newport. Hunt in the newbie grounds, paying extra attention to beetles, which drop Giant Beetle Pincers, you can turn these in at Guardsman Burke for some coin and 500 exp. Hunt here until level 4 or 5.

Afterwards, I suggest exploring the Newport Sewers. There is one particular room in the north west of the zone, which offers plenty of rats (which drop tails, also worth 500 exp at Guardsman Burke) In addition, you can easily pick off green A Sewer Ratlings, which drop Sewer Ratman Hoods worth 1000exp (and about 2gp) for two, and also by Burke. Begin picking off A Sewer Ratman whenever possible, collecting their hoods and gear. Do this until about level 8. [ Efeu Thornpuller ]

Levels 9-15

Please break this up more if you feel it necessary, but I did at the low end of this range was hit the undead camp at the north end of Centaur Hills (only during the night). I would pull the mob with Snare, and if that didn't stick, I'd drop a quick Tangling Weeds as it ran in. Then I would run away a bit, reapply Snare if it didn't stick the first time and then start walking backwards while turning with the mouse (holding the right-button) and pressing 1 (ranged attack) repeatedly. I was able to kill nothing but yellows and reds up to 14 where I am now. I think around 9 or 10, the Western Badlands have a lot to offer... go hunt lion cubs, spiders, and anything else in the white->barely red range. At 13 I discovered a set of 3 Rotting Plague Gnoll camps that were the perfect level; they ranged from level 14 up to probably level 16 or so. I was able to bow kite each and every non-named mob in the groups. I was getting about 7-10% experience per kill.

I suggest you do the first thing mentioned but however kill the wraith that spawns around 1 am and turn his scythe into the ranger in the lake house in surefall for a decent newbie tunic and 15000 experience. Another option quite a few buddies have suggested I try is to go to Lesser Faydark and kill A fae drake which supposedly as said, do not go lightblue until around 14. They also are said to be notoriously weak even for that levels standards. Only thing I would wonder about is the angry adept that could be nearby, No clue if he likes to assist.

Levels 15-22

It's really just a guess at this point, but I imagine in the late teens, early 20's, I'll hit Northern Badlands and kite the spiders and perhaps young griffons around; kiting footpad camps works best when soloing here. You can group in Shrouded Isle and Miel A, which is probably the fastest way to xp at this level range. Al

Okay another level, in which I cannot remember really but will give suggestions to generalized grinding experiences. As a ranger at 15 you get the spell camouflage which in essence only works outdoors, however the effect stays if you zone indoors. This means you can skimp past the annoying kobolds and grind in the throne room of the Warrens or around that area by casting camouflage in erimal. Should you be to slow to get there or just to weak; The bats in the tunnels on the way to the throne room are quite succulent exp.

Personally from 14 or so I just hooked up with a buddy of mine and led a group to flawless victory in Blackburrow. Really alot of people shy away from this place but in the end it comes down to it being close and fast experience and SAFE.

Yes that is right blackburrow is not a death trap, Not everyone is out to train you purposefully or not. Get a good healer and or a tank if you prefer to not do that, and then fill up the rest with whatever and head past the fish pool to the ledge/slope room which is more like a shortcut to jerzakt. More or less the only thing to be afraid of ever is a two sorcerer pull (Never seen three), in which you should prepare for a casualty or two. Can be done to 20 easily.

The least popular place yet arguably the best experience is still Fearstone Keep. It has a high modifier and lots of monsters to slay and some of them are easy. This zone was notorious a while back due to chain fearing , snares and HARM TOUCH. However even though they say it has been made easier and nicer, I found this to be somewhat a lie. Every mob that I had pulled in the castle, pulled a harmtouch on me exception to the shaman/necro mob that sits past the door. There is no way any lowbie group can enter the throne room and not have half their team slaughtered unless they have +1500 hp or so from items. Even then it still is going to hurt. As for the fear factor It happened once to me and my buddy mage during a 3 level stay, and in which he somehow ran all the way out to the zoneline while circling like a silly bard. I would not attempt to solo this zone ever. Duoing it is still a bad idea except maybe if you want really slow and lame experience. In short: Stay away, really just do not go here.

Levels 23-29

A very good place to exp at this level range is Warpstone Caverns. With a good group you can gain 2-3 levels in 1 hour. Other than that there isn't a very good place to solo.

Contrary to the original poster, there are places to solo and rather decently at this level, I will probably put this one a separate page to reduce clutter, but for now:

Goblin Skull Mountains Is a nice place to start assuming you grinded away plenty of bandits in the northern badlands at bandits or on the roamers. The best places I know for soloing are:

1) At the evacuate point of the zone (Outside of kaladim to the east a bit) there is a open area to the right while facing kaladim(east) past the guards. Here you will find wondering drakes which are amiable but likewise they will gang up on you if another is within radius along with some wandering goblins. There is also a goblin camp which I assume will lead to 2-3 of them at once and the somewhat common Dazzling drake (Druid starfall mob) which is more or less 30~ and actually tough compared to the normal drakes which fall like flies.

2)If this proves a little difficult or just to stressful (Honestly I have had about 5 drakes refusing to leave each others comfort zones) or you are just a little lower level. Near the zone to Greater Faydark slightly passed the big camp there is a mountain that turns into the spectre area, however right before this in a little rounded corner there should be a spot with 2-3 goblin highwaymen. They are low level and somewhat weak, root one or two and slay the other. However these seem to spawn VERY FAST and it can be hectic if you rely heavily on mana.

Notes: For reference those spectres you see on track (You are using track right?) are a very nice income and experience source in the early and mid 50's. Furthermore after excelling through this zone (25+) you may be able to kill Chieftain One-Ear and maybe his lackeys (Caution of priests spamming you with blind). He provides some nice loots for his level and relative ease.

The Oasis is another relatively ignored zone especially for this level. What in the world would compel a ranger to go to the desert? Well for experience and ALOT of easy cash especially if you are somewhat a newbie. First off if your starting earlier on you may want to go somewhere else or play one sided arrow tag with the crocodiles, as the mobs that give the best loot are sadly clumped together in no less then two at a time pulls (But you have root and snare!)
The crocodiles lurk around the water, Thats about all you need to know for them.
The orcs (Your main fodder and cash flow) are all over but you want to kill the mean orcs located in the western edge near the corner.
Lets go over the orc camps:

1) The main one is in the middle area on a somewhat flat surface and has a tent or two however it has 3 orcs, all 3 are bloodkins however the one in the back/middle is a placeholder for Desert Lord Ulger who is used not only for easy money but a quest for blackscale service amulet (Gate neck) so sometimes you will have a person run up to this camp, Just let them kill him as he spawns more for me then the blood-kin itself. If you have trouble with this you are best breaking it, Root and snare and then slay one of them and then zone if you have to and then come back for the second and eventually the third. The spawns are fast but it is more or less doable; Worst case scenario ask a buddy.

2) When facing Camp 1, there to the left is 4 orcs, 2 on the nearest ledge , one in the corner of the map and one on the other side of the ledge. They are all bloodkins except the one in the actual corner of the map, sometimes he will spawn into a War Priest which is only useful for beastlords and warriors who wish to get their starfall quest done (Leave him alone really unless you are dieing for every bit of exp, and if thats your case you should go to a better spot). The 2 huddled together will both come at you, the one on the other side of the ledge will come at you and attract the warpriest//ph with him if you pull him from the spot with the twins.

3) Facing camp 1 and looking to the right and going over the hill and passed the little valley you will find a smaller camp with 2 orcs, one is generally a mystic or a fighter (Lower level then bloodkins) but the one on the right side is a placeholder for Sun Dancer. More money!!!!

4/5) To the left of camp 3 you will see a few orcs chilling on the ledge , these are always mystics and fighters and I never really even bother with them as mostly they are green.

Notes: You will notice sometimes they drop headbands, these are not really worth the time in turning in unless you are aiming at an Amice of the Golden Dawn. They do sell for 1.8pp each. All of the items from nameds sell for 15pp minimum and the flash gloves for 35 or so. You would think this is a trap with lore tags on them, however someone placed multiple merchants in the dawntribe camp, so basically a 2 minute run or swim and you are ready to get more money!! Finally you may notice mystics drop some random dagger, ignore them unless you have a bard with you in which case he should loot I believe 4 (EDIT: Bards need 2 of them.) of them for his final quest augment from the bard guild in newport.

Levels 30-33

At 30 you get SoW, so now the kite involves SoW'ing yourself, pulling with a snare, and then running backwards while firing arrows into their faces once again. You can solo Liodreth Warders outside the Paw entrance. Collect the Liodreth Warder Paw and turn them in 2 at a time at the North Badlands Bridge headed to South badlands for 8500 xp + 1pp.(note: you cna only turn in 20 then the quest becomes trivial)

Around 30 you have plenty of places to be a silly ranger solo as well. Lets go with the most cool spot first Cauldron of Dawn Yep this is where you go to kedge later on , however almost NOONE ever comes here. The terrain that is not water is jagged and hard to see things however you are a ranger and the only thing that I believe will see through your camouflage is the undead in the water.

You can go around picking off aggressive snakes to your pleasure or the lizards, the goblins however are better left alone unless your sure you can handle the roaming adds or the 4ish camp. Some of the goblins pull and chain cast a 4-6 second stun as well as having nasty heals. There is a few items to get here as well. Overall good luck trying to kite, this is a good place to learn the value of levitate.

You can also hunt in Goblin Skull Mountains as well still , I found a nice camp of 4-5 dwarf skeletons and still some light blue drakes to pick off.

However the majority of my early thirties were still spent in those darned badlands, south and north. Early on I decided I needed to up my weapon levels and decided to roam around the Northern badlands plucking off griffins and occasional spiders/lions for exp turn ins. Eventually I came out around 450 plat richer after 4 hours of raising my 1hb from a pathetic 20 to about 120.

After ensuring your lethality with preferred weapons, you should head to the southern badlands. As stated earlier there are some nifty little exp items from the cats roaming outside of paw. However if you are not a superior twink; You may want to start killing the corrupt centaur all over the zone saving up 50 of their manes and occasionally pop to the southeast to attempt to kill Ulidrak the Insane for not only his nice bow but this: Voice of the Centaur Quest. Do not worry about the number 50, that will fly by once you realize how fast they spawn compared to some other things and that manes are a GUARANTEED drop. You most likely will come across a weapons cache as well, I suggest picking this up for the newport ring quest later on.

Note: be VERY careful when and where you afk in southern badlands, the corrupt kargyxx are not very forgiving and will steamroll you without breaking a sweat.

Levels 33-39?

Okay. Before we go into where you should hunt; You may probably be noticing that your gear does not cut it anymore if you aren't twinked or are still wearing your blackburrow leather pants. I will throw in a section to getting a few pieces of mediocre gear for cheap or camping it yourself in a bit.

Around this time I spent a good portion of the playtime RAISING MY COMBAT SKILLS. Seriously at 30 I had about 50 archery and would miss at a pathetically bad rate.
I recommend you go and max out at-least 2 of your 1handed skills, there are plenty of dirt cheap items and my pick of the crop is the generic ghostmetal items. Working on your 2handed is a good idea as well , according to the wiki and players we have to raise our 2 handed blunt for a portion of the mainquest (sidequest but gives alot of experience). Sadly I have not seen many good 2handed blunts for the mid-level ranger. I focused heavily on grinding light mobs that had decent rewards (Silly griffons and later giants)for the money and the skill gain. You will also probably see a huge drop in your ability to inflict hurt with your bow around 35; I started to save up for a new bow then.

So now to the leveling:

1) As much as you may hate it by now, The eastern and northern badlands still hold together. The griffons still are easy money sources. The roaming weaker mobs in the eastern badlands faired me until around 38 (That is the spiders , the beetles and the lions). I would stay away from the gnolls, not because they are hard but because it adds an unwanted effect to your buff box. That plague is annoying and its a waste of time for you to cast your cure disease 5 times to remove it, Its also a waste of arrows to kill it entirely from the range.

[NOTE: The plaguefang gnolls have a chance of dropping plaguegnoll fur or something like that, like many other badlands quest items, can be turned in two at a time for a good 8500 exp. Up to 20 can be turned in.) - Judast

1a) Around 38 I was exclusively in the eastern badlands except the few times I felt tired of doing what I am about to say; and decided to go farm out some more lovely griffon trash. However the main portion of experience came right inside of the eastern plains at a small farm area with 3 houses and a fenced area. Of course this is shards of dalaya so the logic that every house is filled with undead applies. I killed these zombies almost exclusively until 43 (Old area bonus inbound). At first it will be a pain in the arse for the homegrown ranger but you can handle the double pulls with root and or kiting one down to the weakest point you think you can bare and then swapping to stance five to slaughter him and then drop his buddy even faster. There are two warnings for this spot. The first is that at night you can see the nightshades (wolves) in the pen area. They social the ZOMBIE and each other and are somewhat harder then the zombies. The second is the zombie hiding in that shed, Do not pull him or her without clearing out the left house or doing it from the back of the shed. The situation is not as fun when you aggro the other ones through the walls of the houses.

You may find fun in the slaughter of cyclops but honestly watching their eye scan and wobble all the time creeps me out and for most people meleeing them will be a quick death and arrows will sadly be dodged and or missed somehow.

For those who may be tired of the solo ranger action: Groups aplenty in these level ranges. Paw, Yaralith, warpstone, Kaladim. Go wild.

Level 49-55

You can go to the Great Divide and track cloud wolves, polar bears and kodiaks. It's a good place for kiting, except that there are a lot of hills so try to find a flatter part or it'll say you're too above or below target. Obviously, you can't kill these without rooting or snaring. At 49 you get ensnaring roots, which you can snare on top of, so I like to do both at once. There are wyrms and drakes in this zone too, and I know the wyrms affect your faction with dragons, so if you don't want to be on the giants' side of that fight, don't kill them. I'm not sure if drakes affect faction. If you are in wolf form the dwarves will try to kill you, so stay clear of them unless you look human. This zone is especially good if you're a wood elf, because it's mostly animals- which won't attack you.

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