Ranger/general questions

[rane]

So I'm only starting out and I've been wondering about a few things about my ranger, in case it is maybe better to restart and re-spec while it's still early.

First, I have Nature Magic lv 1. This gave me two spell choices (picked Barkskin and Cure Poison). Is that all lv 1 spells that will be available to me, or do I get to pick more / change my picks later?

Additionally, which would you say is a better back-up weapon for a Ranger, sword or axe?

Finally, I'm assuming that it's better to have a party of specialists rather than trying to do several things at once with a character?

[Joshy]

There is no re-spec in the game. You'll have to stick with your decisions.

When you leveled up magic skill, you'll only be able to pick 2 out of the available options (depending on the lvl of spells). You cannot change them. There are however, magic books available in the game in merchants / loot. You can possibly learn everything if you find them all.

Back-up weapon, it depends on you really. Both have its own abilities.

You are right at the final point. Otherwise, you'll be wasting points trying to be jack-of-all trades, master of none.

[etalian]

Originally posted by rane:

Additionally, which would you say is a better back-up weapon for a Ranger, sword or axe?

Finally, I'm assuming that it's better to have a party of specialists rather than trying to do several things at once with a character?

It's a waste to worry about a back up melee weapon as a ranger.

The class specialty is being to put out massive range damage per turn once you get the extra attacks feats.

There's also a unlock called "point blank" which allows bows to be used in melee range.

[Neo007]

Originally posted by rane:

So I'm only starting out and I've been wondering about a few things about my ranger, in case it is maybe better to restart and re-spec while it's still early.

First, I have Nature Magic lv 1. This gave me two spell choices (picked Barkskin and Cure Poison). Is that all lv 1 spells that will be available to me, or do I get to pick more / change my picks later?

Additionally, which would you say is a better back-up weapon for a Ranger, sword or axe?

Finally, I'm assuming that it's better to have a party of specialists rather than trying to do several things at once with a character?

A broadsword and shield are actually good tanky picks for ranger if you want to save ammo or use your ranger as an effective dodge tank (remember to use light armor as encumbrance negates doge from agility) broadsword gives you basically the same damage as two hander but you can still use the shield. With critical strike ability you can deal unreasonable amounts of damage specially if you spec into crit build. I have my ranger companion specced this way and he can fill any role in a pinch, devastate at range with 3-4 attacks most of them crits or melee if needed.

When he's not killing everything in sight hes tanking or manoeuvring into place to help Kat get a backstab (found a plus 1 move ring for him with the evasive feat means he doesnt lose his turn when moving away from enemies)

He can still self heal with second wind, heal others, and using mark plus that heal party ability which you can setup to proc every turn on kill he the real mvp...honestly its overpowered.

....poor BattleMagos...:)

*edit the ranger has to be the one who makes the kill for the HEAL THE ENTIRE FRICKIN PARTY FOR FREE move to go off...i'm not salty ...just impressed....

[Neo007]

Originally posted by rane:

So I'm only starting out and I've been wondering about a few things about my ranger, in case it is maybe better to restart and re-spec while it's still early.

First, I have Nature Magic lv 1. This gave me two spell choices (picked Barkskin and Cure Poison). Is that all lv 1 spells that will be available to me, or do I get to pick more / change my picks later?

Additionally, which would you say is a better back-up weapon for a Ranger, sword or axe?

Finally, I'm assuming that it's better to have a party of specialists rather than trying to do several things at once with a character?

mouse over for mild spoiler to get free spells.

also...you can get free spell books from the flashback scene if you take a left from the final chamber that way you can get some tier 1 spells you missed, you can't keep the books so must read them during the flashback but you retain the spells you learned.

[rane]

>spoiler
What the heck lmao, how does that work.

Well, I have started anew and went as far as the lighthouse, and yeah it seems just arrowing everyone should work out best, as long as I have the arrows to spare. The answers cleared it all up quite a bit.

[Citronvand]

The only time I used my ranger in melee was to set up my thief for a backstab. I guess it can be useful early game when you have low amount of arrows.

[andersonm]

About spells, I would try to find the Strength and Agility buff spells, when you start seeing spellbooks a bit later in the story. They are amazing buffs - +2 strength is +2 to hit and +2 to damage the entire combat. Agility will boost all thief skills +2, and +2 to hit ranged.

You can also cast them out of combat when you have rested, and they will stay active as you walk around literally until the first combat.