User:XT-8147/R/Mo Resilient Barrager

The Resilient Barrager allows a ranger to distribute damage amongst tightly-packed foes and recieve powerful self-heals at the same time. Also in this ranger's repertoire are a few interrupts for shutting down skills you'd rather the enemy not use.

Armor
As one might infer from reading my other build pages, Druid's Armor. The usual note about the best available vigor rune applies as always.

Weapons
You'll need a non-vampiric bow and a vampiric bow. I use Drago's Flatbow (mainly because I like the skin) and my own custom Vampiric Shortbow of Fortitude, respectively.

Usage

 * Once in a combat zone, activate Live Vicariously.
 * Proceed to the first mob, lay Favorable Winds, and then activate Vigorous Spirit.
 * Switch to your vampiric bow and begin barraging.
 * Interrupt opponents as necessary.
 * Use Antidote Signet to remove blindness, poison, and disease.
 * If things aren't going too well, use Rebirth to resurrect allies.
 * Watch your effects monitor and reapply Vigorous Spirit and Live Vicariously as necessary.
 * If you begin to run low on energy, stop spamming Barrage.
 * In Factions, when your region has favor, find a Dwayna shrine and get the +1 health regen blessing to counteract your vamp bow. The +25 health/+3 regen one from the Priest tending a shrine just outside of a town will work as well.  If you have the money, also pick up the +1 monk attributes blessing.  Remember to end and recast Live Vicariously after doing this.
 * Also, if you can find a Melandru shrine, get the +1 ranger attributes blessing. I wouldn't turn down the opportunity to trade a little gold for more damage ;)
 * In Prophecies, when your region has favor, find a shrine and make an offering to conquest.

Using this build I have been able to effectively tank a few enemies while the stupid henchmen in my party attack something else entirely. Barrage works surprisingly well at close range.

Variants

 * If you have a competent monk in your party then Antidote Signet will be largely unnecessary.
 * Try adding Concussion Shot.
 * If you want to be a backup emergency healer, bring Infuse Health. You'll need to barrage a bunch after using it to get your health back up, though.
 * If you want to drop a skill to bring a cap sig, this is probably the best skill to drop.
 * If another ranger has Favorable Winds, consider replacing it with Winnowing or another skill at your own discretion.
 * Replace Rebirth with Restore Life if you happen to like it better or whatever.

Counters

 * Enchantment removal
 * Empathy
 * Blurred Vision &lt;-- this one is especially annoying
 * Diversion (nothing quite like a shut-down barrage to ruin your day)