Not sure how tight TPs are but i would at least max out cman cunning defense and then add ranks as you can. Besides that if you can get blues and powerful look easily then go all ranger spells to get the benefits of the mobilies maxed out for defense. Or go until 120 then 80 ranks in ranger

And that was my primary concern. Yes, archer/OHE is possible, but is it worth it? I can’t use them both at the same time, and how quickly is the transition from holding a bow to holding a sword and shield? Probably longer than I’d want it to be for what I’m giving up.

However, at least from an archer perspective , S&H seems more important than ambush. I’m going to play with some numbers. I’m assuming I don’t want to go lower than 1x in dodge. Trying to find out where to get points for CM if possible.

I mistaken thought this was a rp reason. I do agree pick one and go that way. If you want both maybe drop shield use and add more dodge and cman ranks. Lost of DS to pick up more dodge with the bow? Not sure how well that work with a sword though...

To be fair, it would be for both RP reasons as well as functionality. My ranger is level 50 and 2x in ambush and hiding for OHE/shield. I can pretty much take anything like level out in one or two hits (amb head or amb right leg then head). So cross training in ranged doesn’t give me an “advantage” per se.

But my current training plan has me far from optimal, and that’s okay. I don’t want to be a formulaic ranger. But, I also don’t want to take two giant steps back WRT hunting. If I can train both and still be “competitive “ against like level creatures, I may do it.

I have to ask, is that theoretical or have you done it?

Mnar was also ranged/OHE for years before he left. As I recall, he sacrificed TPs in magic/tertiary skills to do it effectively and maintain 2x hide.

- Overlord EK

>You now regard Eorgina with a warm demeanor.

With a longbow, I can generally kill things in 3-6 seconds. Even with rank 5 shadow mastery for a 2 second hide, ambushing takes 2 seconds + 3 seconds minimum, so 5-10 for two hits -- and that's with a nice dagger ambushing the eyes.

~ Nuadjha, the Briar Fox

You inhale deeply upon your pipe, puckering your lips as you send out three rings of smoke before you, then puff out a small vine of smoke that darts right through all three which causes them to disperse in a hazy shroud!

<Is there a point of diminishing returns to training in ambush? I’ve yet to see a formula for ambush, so I don’t know if skulls or ranks are relative to the creature you are attacking. >

From what I've been able to gather, you need 40ish (maybe a bit more) ranks to not get the "failed to find an opening" message. After that you're increasing your chances to hit specific body parts and reducing any penalties for up-hunting (keep in mind that things like level differences, weapon, which body part you're aiming for, etc affect your chances). I'm not sure what the exact maximum % chance to hit a specific body part is, but it seems to be somewhere around 75-80% for the eyes and higher for the legs.

Since the game won't tell you what your chance of success to hit a body part is, the advice generally given is that if you're comfortable with how often you're hitting what you're aiming for, it's ok to slack off or cut back on Ambush training a bit if you need the TPs for something else (esp if you open ambush and have lots of CM ranks). If you start having trouble later, you can always pick up more.

Starchitin

A severed gnomish hand crawls in on its fingertips and makes a rude gesture before quickly decaying and rotting into dust. A gust of wind quickly scatters the dust.