Most of the ranger guides out there push one thing: go for the Greatbow. Even though it has a damage bonus over its cousin the Great Crossbow, the Great Crossbow has a much more important proficiency bonus. The biggest problem, however, is that the Great Crossbow has that really pesky load minor time. While rogues can get around it, it becomes a persistent pain in the neck for rangers whose quarry action is also a minor action so tends to lose out to the Greatbow.
But the Player's Handbook 2 has been released and it gives our crossbow person the things they need to succeed; an improved crit range for bows and crossbows, a flat bonus to attack, and a feat that changes our load time to a free action. Score! So I thought that a guide on how to do a crossbow ranger was in order.
Note on the
Equipment: I assumed that this character, in exchange for having the chance to snag higher-level gear, always opts for selecting an item their level or lower. Occasionally they will grab an extra set of gear, but I make sure that they've been banking up the gold to get the extra bit of equipment and on 'off' levels.
Key:
[AV] = Adventurer's Vault
[MP] = Martial Power
[PHB2] = Player's Handbook 2
Level 1
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Class: Ranger
Stats: STR(13) DEX(18) CON(11) WIS(18) INT(10) CHA(8)
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
Bonus to Defense: +1 Fortitude, +1 Reflex
HP: 28
AC: 17 FORT: 11 REF: 15 WILL: 14
Attack Bonus: +7
Healing Surges: 6
Racial Skill Bonuses: +2 Nature, +2 Perception
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Skills: Acrobatics (+9), Dungeoneering (+9), Nature (+11), Perception (+11), Stealth (+9)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Power: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Two-Fanged Strike (1)
Daily Power: Split the Tree (1)
[b]Feat:[/b] Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow)
Equipment: Great Crossbow, Hide Armor, Adventurer's Kit
Twin Strike Damage: <2> 1d10
Basic Ranged Attack: 1d10+4
The character starts off innocuously enough. Damage is actually pretty low at first level, like all rangers, but a very promising career in striker-dom awaits those willing to stick with it.
Level 2
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2nd Level Utility Power: Yield Ground
Feat: Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +1 Great Crossbow (2)
The character's attack bonus goes up a lot this level and starts to regularly start hitting with both attacks of their Twin strike--average AC for this level is 16 and this character has a +10 bonus to attack.
Level 3
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3rd Level Encounter Power: Disruptive Strike
+5 hit points
Equipment: +1 Dwarven Armor (2)
Dwarven Armor is very good low-level armor, since PCs don't have many ways to activate healing surges in the middle of combat at this level. They also gain the staple power Disruptive Strike, which will become very crucial in saving allies' lives for the rest of their career. This power gets retrained in paragon tier, but only to put it on permanent rotation with Reserve Manuever.
Level 4
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Ability Scores: +1 to Dexterity, +1 to Wisdom
Stats: STR(13) DEX(19) CON(11) WIS(19) INT(10) CHA(8)
4th Level Feat: Lethal Hunter
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +1 Cloak of Distortion (4) [AV]
Lethal Hunter is a nice damage boost that gets appreciated more as the character gains levels. The Cloak of Distortion also becomes a staple magic item in the character's arsenal. It's just beastly on ranged characters; it makes you extremely hard to hit by ranged artillery.
Level 5
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5th Level Daily Power: Spitting Cobra Stance [MP]
+5 hit points
Equipment: Nothing, take the 1,000 gp cash prize.
Ah, Spitting Cobra Stance how I love thee. Your damage really starts to take a huge jump on novas at this level, but you will have to coordinate with your party members to get the most use out of it. You unfortunately won't get a lot of practice with this power so work out something ahead of time.
Level 6
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6th Level Utility Power: Weave Through the Fray
6th Level Feat: Weapon Focus (Crossbow)
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: Level 6 Bracers of Archery (6) [AV]
Very important level for your striker career. You get a damage bonus of +3 on all of your attacks, which means that you're doing damage that makes the monsters really sit up and take notice.
Level 6 Snapshot
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Stats: STR(13) DEX(19) CON(11) WIS(19) INT(10) CHA(8)
Class: Ranger
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
HP: 53
AC: 21 FORT: 16 REF: 19 WILL: 18
Healing Surges: 6
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Skills: Acrobatics (+12), Dungeoneering (+12), Nature (+14), Perception (+14), Stealth (+12)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Two-Fanged Strike (1), Disruptive Strike (3)
Utility Powers: Yield Ground (2), Weave Through the Fray (6)
Daily Powers: Split the Tree (1), Spitting Cobra Stance (5) [MP]
Feats: Lethal Hunter, Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2], Weapon Focus (Crossbow), Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow)
Equipment: +1 Great Crossbow (1), +1 Dwarven Hide Armor (2), +1 Cloak of Distortion (4) [AV], Bracers of Archery (6) [AV], Adventurer's Kit
Level 7
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7th Level Encounter Power: Biting Volley [MP]
+5 hit points
Equipment: +2 Dwarven Hide Armor (7)
Level 8
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Ability Scores: +1 to Dexterity, +1 to Wisdom
Stats: STR(13) DEX(20) CON(11) WIS(20) INT(10) CHA(8)
8th Level Feat: Speed Loader
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +2 Frost Great Crossbow (8)
This character snags a Frost Crossbow ahead of time, since even though they can't use it right now they will be getting the Lasting Frost and Wintertouched feats ASAP and don't need to be running around trying to find a Frost weapon in the meantime. Speed Loader is a huge help, but unfortunately it'll end up being the first feat on the chopping block when it's time to retrain.
Level 9
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9th Level Daily Power: Attacks on the Run
+5 hit points
Equipment: Boots of Quickness (8) [AV]
Equipment: Belt of Vim (8) [AV]
I picked Attacks on the Run over Jarring Salvo. While it's true that eventually Jarring Salvo would dish out more damage, Jarring Salvo would need to overcome a 32 damage deficit to make it deal more damage than Attacks on the Run. By the time we get to that point, however, Attacks on the Run will already have been replaced by a three-attack daily.
Level 10
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10th Level Utility Power: Open the Range
10th Level [b]Feat: Battle Awareness (Heal) [MP]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +2 Cloak of Distortion (9) [AV]
Equipment: Circlet of Indomitability (8) [AV]
Why Battle Awareness over Student of the Sword? Not really much of a reason. In the very very long run this character will eventually get a chance to strike in melee in extremely desperate situations and Battle Awareness will work out better. This feat was put off until level 10 to minimize the amount of time the character was spent dealing with a 'dead level'.
Level 11
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Ability Scores: +1 to all
Stats: STR(14) DEX(21) CON(12) WIS(21) INT(11) CHA(9)
Paragon Path: Pit Fighter
11th Level Paragon Path Feature: Armor Optimization, +1 to AC
11th Level Paragon Path Feature: Extra Damage Action
11th Level Paragon Path Encounter Power: All Bets Are Off
11th Level Feat: Lasting Frost
Retrain Speed Loader to Wintertouched
+1 to damage rolls from Weapon Focus feat
+11 hit points
Equipment: +3 Dwarven Earthhide Armor (11) [AV]
Huge level for our ranger, probably the best one they get; they're in the top five of DPS now thanks to Lasting Frost and Wintertouched and even enjoy an edge over their bloodclaw/reckless abusing melee buddies since Lasting Frost + constant CA does almost the same damage without the disadvantage. Weapon Focus and Lethal hunter give us another +2 boost to damage and Extra Damage Action makes our novas something to fear. Position-agnostic CA is an okay but not exciting ability for most melee strikers, but for you it becomes your bread and butter and is one of the few ways you can keep up with the attack roll arms race.
Level 11 Snapshot
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Stats: STR(14) DEX(21) CON(12) WIS(21) INT(11) CHA(9)
Class: Ranger
Paragon Path: Pit Fighter
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
HP: 84
AC: 26 FORT: 21 REF: 24 WILL: 23
Healing Surges: 7
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Paragon Path Features: Armor Optimization, Extra Damage Action
Skills: Acrobatics (+15), Dungeoneering (+15), Heal (+15), Nature (+17), Perception (+17), Stealth (+15)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Two-Fanged Strike (1), Disruptive Strike (3), Biting Volley (7) [MP], All Bets Are Off (11)
Utility Powers: Yield Ground (2), Weave Through the Fray (6), Open the Range (10)
Daily Powers: Split the Tree (1), Spitting Cobra Stance (5) [MP], Attacks on the Run (9)
Feats: Battle Awareness (Heal) [MP], Lasting Frost, Lethal Hunter, Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2], Weapon Focus (Crossbow), Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow), Wintertouched
Equipment: +2 Frost Great Crossbow (8), +3 Dwarven Earthide Armor (11) [AV], +2 Cloak of Distortion (9) [AV], Belt of Vim (8) [AV], Boots of Quickness (8) [AV], Bracers of Archery (6) [AV], Circlet of Indomitability (8) [AV], Adventurer's Kit
Level 12
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12th Level Paragon Path Utility Power: Deadly Payback
Retrain 3rd Level Encounter Power Disruptive Strike to 3rd Level Encounter Power Cut and Run
12th Level Feat: Reserve Manuever (Disruptive Strike) [PHB2]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: Salve of Power (10) [AV]
Disruptive Strike now permanently replaces the crummy Pit Fighter power you have and you take Cut and Run instead. That's not a particularly exciting power in of itself, but don't worry, it gets better. You also pick up a salve of healing for better Spitting Cobra Stance abuse.
Level 13
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Replace 1st Level Encounter Power Two-Fanged Strike with 13th Level Encounter Power Pinning Strike
+5 hit points
Equipment: +3 Frost Great Crossbow (13)
Equipment: Salve of Power (10) [AV]
Pinning Strike is a humble but important power. Immobilization is an extremely nice status effect to inflict on enemies at range; when you do this to melee-only monsters it's like stunning them for a round. It gets replaced later but will stay with us for a very long time.
Level 14
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Ability Scores: +1 to Dexterity and Wisdom
Stats: STR(14) DEX(22) CON(12) WIS(22) INT(11) CHA(9)
14th Level Feat: Speed Loader
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +3 Earthhide Displacer Armor (14) [AV]
Equipment: Salve of Power (10) [AV]
Displacer Armor is just beastly. When used with your Cloak of Distortion, you are not getting hit at ranged. Ever. Even the occasions when the enemies slip through the frontline and start swarming you aren't going to be so bad, because you have a higher-than-average AC and this power. You also pick up your final Salve of Power at this level, meaning that you can spam Spitting Cobra Stance to your hearts' content. And you know you want to. Also, hello again, Speed Loader! I've missed you.
Level 15
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Replace 1st Level Daily Power Split the Tree with 15th Level Daily Power Confounding Arrows
+1 to attack rolls from Weapon Expertise Feat
+5 hit points
Equipment: +3 Cloak of Distortion (14) [AV]
This is your first 'triple up' power and it's a doozy. Lots of damage and if you're especially lucky, it stuns the enemy, too. Fortunately for you, your Weapon Expertise feat just kicked in and has your back.
Level 16
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16th Level Paragon Path Feature: Dirty Fighting
16th Level Utility Power: Evade the Blow
16th Level Feat: Great Fortitude
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: Level 16 Bracers of Archery (16) [AV]
This is an OMG huge bonus level to damage. +8 bonus to damage rolls, even bigger than when you got the Lasting Frost combo. Further, this scales rather magnificently, too. The character will never be hurting for damage ever again, but since is the CharOp boards, we will be trying to tune up our character for maximum efficiency anyway.
Level 16 Snapshot
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Stats: STR(14) DEX(22) CON(12) WIS(22) INT(11) CHA(9)
Class: Ranger
Paragon Path: Pit Fighter
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
HP: 109
AC: 31 FORT: 28 REF: 29 WILL: 28
Healing Surges: 7
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Paragon Path Features: Armor Optimization, Extra Damage Action, Dirty Fighting
Skills: Acrobatics (+19), Dungeoneering (+19), Heal (+19), Nature (+21), Perception (+21), Stealth (+19)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Disruptive Strike (3), Cut and Run (3), Biting Volley (7) [MP], Pinning Strike (13)
Utility Powers: Yield Ground (2), Weave Through the Fray (6), Open the Range (10), Deadly Payback (12), Evade the Blow (16)
Daily Powers: Spitting Cobra Stance (5) [MP], Attacks on the Run (9), Confounding Arrows (15)
Feats: Battle Awareness (Heal) [MP], Iron Will, Lasting Frost, Lethal Hunter, Reserve Manuever (Disruptive Strike) [PHB2], Speed Loader [PHB2], Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2], Weapon Focus (Crossbows), Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow), Wintertouched
Equipment: +2 Frost Great Crossbow (8), +3 Displacer Earthide Armor (11) [AV], +2 Cloak of Distortion (9) [AV], Belt of Vim (8) [AV], Boots of Quickness (8) [AV], Bracers of Archery (6) [AV], Circlet of Indomitability (8) [AV], <4> Salves of Power (10) [AV], Adventurer's Kit
Level 17
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Replace 3rd Level Encounter Power Cut and Run with 17th Level Encounter Power Pounding Barrage [MP]
+5 hit points
Equipment: Aquamarine Solitaire (16) [AV]
The Aquamarine Solitaire is just the kind of thing you need; it gives you an extra attack, once per encounter, when you score a critical hit. And just to accentuate that, you gain Pounding Barrage, a triple-up power too. This is about the time you start regularly getting critical hits in a fight so the Solitaire is a big help.
Level 18
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Ability Scores: +1 to Dexterity and Wisdom
Stats: STR(14) DEX(23) CON(12) WIS(23) INT(11) CHA(9)
18th Level Feat: Iron Will
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +4 Frost Great Crossbow (18)
Equipment: Iron Ring of the Dwarf Lords (14)
You know what's the 'worst' thing of spamming Spitting Cobra Stance? The healing surge drain. Iron Rings of the Dwarf Lords will help with this.
Level 19
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Replace 9th level Daily Power Attacks on the Run with 15th Level Daily Power Bleeding Wounds
+5 hit points
Equipment: +4 Displacer Feyhide Armor (19) [AV]
Equipment: Iron Ring of the Dwarf Lords (14)
Congratulations, Attacks on the Run, you have served us very well but you have finally been outclassed on your sickening amount of damage. Farewell, sweet prince and blah blah blah gimme the damagez.
Level 20
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20th Level Paragon Power Daily Power: Lion of Battle
20th Level Feat: Lightning Reflexes
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +4 Cloak of Distortion (19)
Equipment: Boots of Quickness (18) [AV]
Level 21
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Ability Scores: +1 to all
Stats: STR(15) DEX(24) CON(13) WIS(24) INT(12) CHA(10)
Epic Destiny: Demigod
21st Level Epic Destiny Feature: Divine Spark- +2 to Dexterity and Wisdom
Stats: STR(15) DEX(26) CON(13) WIS(26) INT(12) CHA(10)
Retrain 20th Level Feat Lightning Reflexes to Martial Mastery [MP]
21st Level Feat: Bow Mastery [PHB2]
+1 bonus to weapon damage from Weapon Focus feat
+11 hit points
Equipment: Belt of Vim (18) [AV]
Equipment: Circlet of Indomitability (18) [AV]
Really exciting a level for you, but not quite as exciting as levels 11 or 16, in the same way that four scoops of ice cream isn't as good as five. But you do get Bow Mastery [PHB2], probably the best feat you'll ever get. You also see the largest spike in damage and attacks you will ever get. +2 to attacks, +16 to damage on basic attacks and your at-Wills: but you're getting to the point where you don't need to use your At-Wills that often and they do slightly less damage than your 'real' encounter powers. You get access to the nearly-as-awesome Martial Mastery [MP] feat. This feat will really cause your novas to skyrocket. 6 attacks at 1d10+42? Heck yes!
Level 21 Snapshot
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Stats: STR(15) DEX(26) CON(13) WIS(26) INT(12) CHA(10)
Class: Ranger
Paragon Path: Pit Fighter
Epic Destiny: Demigod
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
HP: 140
AC: 36 FORT: 33 REF: 35 WILL: 36
Attack Bonus: +27
Healing Surges: 9
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Paragon Path Features: Armor Optimization, Extra Damage Action, Dirty Fighting
Epic Destiny Features: Divine Spark (Dexterity and Wisdom)
Skills: Acrobatics (+23), Dungeoneering (+23), Heal (+23), Nature (+25), Perception (+25), Stealth (+23)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Disruptive Strike (3), Biting Volley (7) [MP], Pinning Strike (13), Pounding Barrage (17) [MP]
Utility Powers: Yield Ground (2), Weave Through the Fray (6), Open the Range (10), Deadly Payback (12), Evade the Blow (16)
Daily Powers: Spitting Cobra Stance (5) [MP], Bleeding Wounds (19), Confounding Arrows (15), Lion of Battle (20)
Feats: Battle Awareness (Heal) [MP], Bow Mastery [PHB2], Iron Will, Great Fortitude, Lasting Frost, Lethal Hunter, Martial Mastery [MP], Reserve Manuever (Disruptive Strike), Speed Loader [PHB2], Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow), Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2], Weapon Focus (Crossbows), Wintertouched
Equipment: +4 Frost Great Crossbow (18), +4 Displacer Feyhide Armor (19) [AV], +4 Cloak of Distortion (19) [AV], Aquamarine Solitaire (16) [AV], Belt of Vim (18) [AV], (10) Boots of Quickness (18) [AV], Bracers of Archery (16) [AV], Circlet of Indomitability (18) [AV], <2> Iron Rings of the Dwarf Lords (14), <4> Salves of Power, Adventurer's Kit
Twin Strike Damage: <2> 2d10+24
Basic Ranged Attack: 2d10+32
Level 22
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22nd Level Utility Power: Master of the Hunt
Retrain 18th Level Feat Great Fortitude to Epic Resurgence
22nd Level Feat: Hawkeye Warrior [MP]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
And those novas keep skyrocketing. Your burst damage is getting to the point where you can reliably kill all but the baddest of bads in one or two rounds, with Master of the Hunter here to have your back. You can 'only' kill normal enemies without a real expenditure of anything (including action points) in two rounds. Hawkeye Warrior [MP] becomes a staple of your arsenal, especially when foes start pulling away in AC. This feat has your back. Epic Resurgence is another one of those 'this is a must have' feat that really helps people who dish out a lot of attacks with an expanded crit range. You are one of those people.
Level 23
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Replace 7th Level Encounter Power Biting Volley with Manticore's Volley
+5 hit points
Equipment: +5 Frost Great Crossbow (23)
Another triple-attack power. Always freakishly helpful.
Level 24
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Ability Scores: +1 to Dexterity and Wisdom
Stats: STR(15) DEX(27) CON(13) WIS(27) INT(12) CHA(10)
24th Level Epic Destiny Feature: Divine Recovery
24th Level Feat: Epic Fortitude [PHB2]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +5 Displacer Stalkerhide Armor (24) [AV]
Really? There's not a lot of must-have feats for our crossbow ranger after the first few levels. So I have decided to dedicate these levels to boosting up their weak NADs. It does get a little silly later on, as the ranger will have a reflex and will save greater than their AC and their weakest NAD is only three points away from their AC. Craziness.
Level 25
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Do not replace any Ranger Daily Powers
Retrain 16th Level Feat Iron Will to Epic Will [PHB2]
+1 bonus to attack rolls from Weapon Expertise feat
+5 hit points
Equipment: +5 Cloak of Distortion (24) [AV]
That's right. All of the level 25 ranger daily powers SUCK. Tiger's Reflex would be an acceptable, if pathetic power if we weren't packing a better and more replenishable stance already... and frankly, we're starting to get a bit swoll on stances. If it wasn't for the attack bonus from Weapon Expertise this would probably be the most boring level in the game. But you're really starting to feel the pushback from enemies on the attack arms race so, you know.
Level 26
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26th Level Epic Destiny Utility Power: Divine Regeneration
26th Level Feat: Epic Reflexes [PHB2]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: Violet Solitaire (26) [AV]
Ah, Divine Regeneration. It's like pushing the 'I win' button. But would could beat a power that lets you say 'screw you' to the monsters you hate? Why, the humble Violet Solitaire of course. The Aquamarine Solitaire has really served you well up until now, but in conjunction with Bow Mastery [PHB2], it's the dawn of a new era. An era of regularly getting 3 to 4 attacks per turn. An era where you can start and end combat using nothing but the triple-attack powers. It's a glorious era, yes?
Level 26 Snapshot
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Stats: STR(15) DEX(27) CON(13) WIS(27) INT(12) CHA(10)
Class: Ranger
Paragon Path: Pit Fighter
Epic Destiny: Demigod
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
HP: 165
AC: 41 FORT: 38 REF: 43 WILL: 42
Attack Bonus: +32
Healing Surges: 9
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Paragon Path Features: Armor Optimization, Extra Damage Action, Dirty Fighting
Epic Destiny Features: Divine Spark (Dexterity and Wisdom), Divine Recovery
Skills: Acrobatics (+26), Dungeoneering (+26), Heal (+26), Nature (+28), Perception (+28), Stealth (+26)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Disruptive Strike (3), Pinning Strike (13), Pounding Barrage (17) [MP], Manticore's Volley (23)
Utility Powers: Yield Ground (2), Weave Through the Fray (6), Open the Range (10), Deadly Payback (12), Evade the Blow (16), Master of the Hunt (22), Divine Regeneration (26)
Daily Powers: Spitting Cobra Stance (5) [MP], Bleeding Wounds (19), Confounding Arrows (15), Lion of Battle (20)
Feats: Battle Awareness (Heal), Bow Mastery [PHB2], Epic Fortitude [PHB2], Epic Reflexes [PHB2], Epic Resurgence, Hawkeye Warrior [MP], Lasting Frost [MP], Lethal Hunter, Martial Mastery, Reserve Manuever (Disruptive Strike) [PHB2], Speed Loader [PHB2], Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2], Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow), Weapon Focus (Crossbows), Wintertouched
Equipment: +5 Frost Great Crossbow (23), +5 Displacer Stalkerhide Armor (24) [AV], +5 Cloak of Distortion (24) [AV], Boots of Quickness (18) [AV], Belt of Vim (18) [AV], Bracers of Archery (16) [AV], Circlet of Indomitability (18) [AV], <2> Iron Rings of the Dwarf Lords (14), <4> Salves of Power (10) [AV], Violet Solitaire (26) [AV], Adventurer's Kit
Twin Strike Damage: <2> 2d10+25
Basic Ranged Attack: 2d10+33
Level 27
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Replace 13th Level Encounter Power Pinning Strike with Triple Shot
Retrain 22nd Level Utility Power Master of the Hunt to Forest Ghost
+5 hit points
Equipment: Shadow Band (27) [AV]
And finally, we replace all of our encounter powers with triple-up attacks. Arrow of Vengeance finally gets picked, to help out with the issue of first strikes. Triple Shot would do a tiny bit more damage but the opportunity to use Manticore's Volley + Spitting Cobra Stance + Arrow of Vengeance in the first round is awesome. You also pick up the Shadow Band at this level and retrain for Forest Ghost. Shadow Band gives you always-on concealment, which is like a +2 bonus to all defenses. Forest Ghost gives you invisibility as long as you have concealment or cover, which is like having instant win.
Why Forest Ghost? Even though Master of the Hunt is a very nice stance to have, the sad fact of the matter is that it dishes out less damage than the level 5 daily, Spitting Cobra Stance. It shines a little bit in first-strike mega-novas, but I value the ability to be practically unhittable once a day more. It also really comes in handy for those rare occasions when you meet an enemy that's frost-immune. Frost is not a common resistance in the MM, but it does happen.
Level 28
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Ability Scores: +1 to Dexterity and Wisdom
Stats: STR(15) DEX(28) CON(13) WIS(28) INT(12) CHA(10)
28th Level Feat: Epic Will [PHB2]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +6 Frost Great Crossbow (28)
Equipment: Bracers of Archery (26) [AV]
We pick up our final defense-booster at this level and it also comes with a consolation prize of +2 bonus to attack and a +3 bonus to damage.
Level 29
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Replace 15th Level Daily Power Bleeding Wounds with 29th level Daily Power Five Missile Dance
+5 hit points
Equipment: +6 Displacer Voidhide Armor (29) [AV]
Five Missile Dance! It's a must-have power, don't get me wrong, but we've been spamming so many attacks up to this point that it's not as OMG AWESOME as you would think. Certainly not as dramatic as grabbing Blade Cascade for the first time, but when you spend an Action Point, activate your Violet Solitaire, and also trigger your Spitting Cobra Stance you dish out 12 attacks on a nova.
Level 30
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30th Level Epic Destiny Feature: Divine Miracle
30th Level Feat: Peerless Hunter [MP]
+1 BAB, BDB and checks
+5 hit points
Equipment: +6 Cloak of Distortion (29) [AV]
Equipment: Boots of Teleportation (28) [AV]
Really, this is just our victory lap level. You don't abuse Divine Miracle anywhere near as badly as anyone else, though getting a free reroll on everything else. Instant and constant teleportation is always a goody, but who really cares?
Level 30 Snapshot
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Stats: STR(15) DEX(28) CON(13) WIS(28) INT(12) CHA(10)
Class: Ranger
Paragon Path: Pit Fighter
Epic Destiny: Demigod
Armor Proficiencies: Cloth, Leather, Hide
Weapon Proficiencies: Simple Melee, Military Melee, Simple Ranged, Military Ranged
HP: 185
[b][b]AC:[/b][/b] 45 FORT: 42 REF: 45 WILL: 46
Attack Bonus: +36
Healing Surges: 8
Racial Traits: Elven Weapon Proficiency, Fey Origin, Group Awareness, Wild Step
Class Features: Hunter's Quarry, Prime Shot, Two-Blade Fighting Style
Paragon Path Features: Armor Optimization, Extra Damage Action, Dirty Fighting
Epic Destiny Features: Divine Spark (Dexterity and Wisdom), Divine Recovery, Divine Miracle
Skills: Acrobatics (+29), Dungeoneering (+29), Heal (+29), Nature (+31), Perception (+31), Stealth (+29)
At-Will Powers: Twin Strike, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Elven Accuracy (RACIAL), Disruptive Strike (3), Triple Shot (17), Pounding Barrage (17) [MP], Manticore's Volley (23)
Utility Powers: Yield Ground (2), Weave Through the Fray (6), Open the Range (10), Deadly Payback (12), Evade the Blow (16), Forest Ghost (22), Divine Regeneration (26)
Daily Powers: Spitting Cobra Stance (5) [MP], Confounding Arrows (15), Lion of Battle (20), Five Missile Dance (29)
Feats: Battle Awareness (Heal), Bow Mastery [PHB2], Epic Fortitude [PHB2], Epic Reflexes [PHB2], Epic Resurgence, Epic Will [PHB2], Hawkeye Warrior [MP], Lasting Frost, Lethal Hunter, Martial Mastery [MP], Peerless Hunter [MP], Reserve Manuever (Disruptive Strike) [PHB2], Speed Loader [PHB2], Weapon Expertise (Crossbows) [PHB2], Weapon Proficiency (Great Crossbow), Weapon Focus (Crossbows), Wintertouched
Equipment: +6 Frost Great Crossbow (28), +6 Displacer Voidhide Armor (29) [AV], +6 Cloak of Distortion (29) [AV], Belt of Vim (18) [AV], Boots of Teleportation (28) [AV], Bracers of Archery (26) [AV], Circlet of Indomitability (18) [AV], <2> Iron Rings of the Dwarf Lords (14), <4> Salves of Power (10) [AV], Shadow Band (27) [AV], Violet Solitaire (26) [AV], Adventurer's Kit
Twin Strike Damage: <2> 2d10+29
Basic Ranged Attack: 2d10+38
It's been a really long journey for our crossbow ranger, but in the end they ended up ascending and can now with all seriousness call themselves the God(dess) of Archery. This character doesn't end up as broken or as awesome as a Ranger/Pit Fighter/Demigod who abuses the ever-loving crap out of Follow-Up Blow and Trip-Up, but really, what you have is one of the top-five non-nova damagers who can attack from any angle, is insanely hard to hit, and is a beast in skill challenges. I'd definitely say that this character was worth it. I refuse to acknowledge the existence of Divine Miracle and I'm not retooling the character to work around an obviously broken power. If your DM for some reason loses their brain and lets you use it, then make adjustments accordingly.
Just so you know, the average AC for a monster at this level is 44. With the combat advantage from Wintertouched, this character hits monsters of their level on a 6 or greater on the d20 roll, or hits monsters 70% of the time without any assistance. So not bad, eh fellas?
