Ranger Veteran's Melee options

[Kenshii]

What have other ranger vets been running for melee? I've only found a few weapons, but all of them generally work better on IB (for stamina) or Slayer (for attack speed).

When I look at it half of Bardin's weapons are slow -- from either just general attacks or trying to block immediately after attacking. Most of Bardin's weapons don't cleave too well either.

From trying out different setups, I found:
Dual Hammers
Hammer & Shield
2H Hammer
To be useful. 1H Hammer is okay, but dual hammers seem overall better aside from 0.5 less stamina.


To be fair, I've done alright with all weapons in general. It's just Beastmen hordes. They're quick and pushing/cleaving the few that I reach within a horde are quickly replaced, or I'm poked through my push/attack.

[Jolly]

I use 1h Axe but it takes some getting used to. I was able to do fine with it pre2.0 on FoW (it's how I got Legend FoW portrait frame) it is great for armor and is quick with a lot of damage to everything but it sucks for CC but if the crowd gets outta control, that's usually when I ult and have "run outside of smoke" so I can stay focused on problem enemies.

Judging by your list you "found" you really like Crowd Control weapons, so this idea probably wont work for you. I'd recommend dual hammers, if you Charge on their heads you can easily kill elites.

EDIT: Perhaps Also add Power Vs Chaos/Armor etc

[Prydain]

Dual Hammers or H&S is what I've mainly been switching between. Hordes are more deadly now so I tend to focus on them and let everyone else focus elites while shooting specials here and there when I'm able.

[Kenshii]

Originally posted by Jolly:

I use 1h Axe but it takes some getting used to. I was able to do fine with it pre2.0 on FoW (it's how I got Legend FoW portrait frame) it is great for armor and is quick with a lot of damage to everything but it sucks for CC but if the crowd gets outta control, that's usually when I ult and have "run outside of smoke" so I can stay focused on problem enemies.

Judging by your list you "found" you really like Crowd Control weapons, so this idea probably wont work for you. I'd recommend dual hammers, if you Charge on their heads you can easily kill elites.

EDIT: Perhaps Also add Power Vs Chaos/Armor etc

I'm not necessarily looking for just crowd control weapons, but Ranger vet's temp hp is on stagger/multi hit. He also doesn't get Assassin nor Smiter as his stagger trait, so running 1h ax would seem more difficult. It was easier back in 1.7 with temp hp on smoke bomb (I also ran this kit too in 1.7).

I tried 1h ax on v2.0; I paired it with a grudgeraker that didn't seem to cleave more than 4 enemies. I think it cleaves more now, so I'll try it again. Do you run Swift Slaying?

[Li77lehorn]

I think I've settled on the single hammer because it's quick and its power attacks are faster downwards strikes. I like having the dodge range/stamina too(over say the warpick). I might keep trying the single axe though and the dual hammers but so far I keep going back to the single hammer because of it's power attacks.

*I'm also not using any temp health because I'm mainly using the grudge raker anyway. So I'm using the heal share talent.

[Fryskar]

I'd say 2h or dual hammers, best with all 3 AS sources, 5% on the weapon, charm and talent. With that he's 5% quicker than IB which can matter a lot on the 2h hammer.

[Kenshii]

Just wondering, anyone know if Grudgeraker's bash activates heal on stagger?

Edit: Nevermind it does not

[Chris]

I've been playing around with 1H hammer and throwing axes. The hammer has good movement while having passable anti-horde and elite hits. The throwing axes have good synergy with the +25% power with no ammo talent. I don't know if the build has a future, but its different and it has been usable on Legend.

[Jolly]

Originally posted by Kenshii:

Originally posted by Jolly:

I use 1h Axe but it takes some getting used to. I was able to do fine with it pre2.0 on FoW (it's how I got Legend FoW portrait frame) it is great for armor and is quick with a lot of damage to everything but it sucks for CC but if the crowd gets outta control, that's usually when I ult and have "run outside of smoke" so I can stay focused on problem enemies.

Judging by your list you "found" you really like Crowd Control weapons, so this idea probably wont work for you. I'd recommend dual hammers, if you Charge on their heads you can easily kill elites.

EDIT: Perhaps Also add Power Vs Chaos/Armor etc

I'm not necessarily looking for just crowd control weapons, but Ranger vet's temp hp is on stagger/multi hit. He also doesn't get Assassin nor Smiter as his stagger trait, so running 1h ax would seem more difficult. It was easier back in 1.7 with temp hp on smoke bomb (I also ran this kit too in 1.7).

I tried 1h ax on v2.0; I paired it with a grudgeraker that didn't seem to cleave more than 4 enemies. I think it cleaves more now, so I'll try it again. Do you run Swift Slaying?

I run Heal Share as well as Potion Share but if you're looking for temp HP with 1h Axe, then it would be the stagger one called Running Deep or something. My build is pre2.0 and I'm sure my setup will change eventually.

[The Emperors Gooner]

1h axe is the go to for me I like using the 5% attack speed talent and when im using throwing axe's i use the barrage trait and the 25% power buff talent.

[Deja Vu]

1h hammer is my go-to for RV because it has great mobility and dodge (only a dwarf would consider a 10lbs hammer a light weapon...) and great stagger to generate THP, which RV really suffers with. It's overheads aren't that powerful but they are fast and easy to aim at heads so they get the job done.

Dual hammers does the same job but it's worse vs elites cause it's harder to headshot, but otherwise easier to use esp vs hordes.

If you don't need the THP from staggering things then War Pick has a great mix of anti-horde and elite killing.

[Big Sneeze]

I play ALL weapons for fun and replay value, but to be honest, Pickaxe and Dual Hammers outclass everything else Bardin has by far, at least on Ranger Veteran.

Some people swear by the 2H Hammer, but in my opinion it's far too cumbersome to use without damage mitigations on IB and Slayer.

[Scout]

Ranger curently dont have much options,its either 1h hammer or dual hammers,everything else either super unsafe for range career or simply worse.Duals are best dwarf horde clearing weapon,1h hammer have better stamina,dodge and armored elites dps,the choice is yours.

[Noha]

If using Grudge-raker -> 1h hammer, axe+shield or 2h hammer.

If using xbow/gun -> 2h hammer, hammer+shield or double hammer.


1h hammer has best stamina outside of shields, good dodge, cleave and good AP damage with heavy attack.

axe+shield has meh cleave but good AP and high stamina+stagger with push.

2h hammer has good cleave/stagger, average block/stam, good AP with light attacks.


IMO 1h hammer is underestimated, its quite fantastic for an all arounder weapon.
safe -check
able to deal with all enemies - check
BEST at everything - nah
GOOD at everything - check

[Mindwrack]

1h axe is the best allrounder weapon to use on rv.Its fast on its own letting u get other properties then atk speed unlike hammer.U have armor penetration on evry hit.Best boss dps weapon u can have on rv(still weak compare to other weapon).The best dodge range u can get.Combine it with the grudge raker for horde deleting and special and u have a 500 kill legend run caracter in ur hand(if well played)

[Mindwrack]

Originally posted by ???:

Ranger curently dont have much options,its either 1h hammer or dual hammers,everything else either super unsafe for range career or simply worse.Duals are best dwarf horde clearing weapon,1h hammer have better stamina,dodge and armored elites dps,the choice is yours.

Nope grudge raker is the best horde clearing weapon