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A few notes on Hunter's Bear Trap versus Split the Tree.
- Ongoing damage on a boss/solo is less likely to stick around since they often have save bonuses, so think of HBT giving just 5 extra damage (since they'll take it at least once before a first save, unless a healer (caster or skill) helps beforehand) though even a round of slowed can be good against many solos.
- It has a miss effect while Split the Tree does not, however, Split the Tree allows the higher to-hit roll versus each target, a major benefit, and probably better than the HBT miss damage.
- It can be used in melee or ranged (if you are so dedicated to ranged, it may not matter) unlike Split the Tree.
- It requires only 1 target, so works against a solo by itself, unlike Split the Tree which requires 2 nearby creatures (but itself is a benefit for many situations).
- Split the Tree does much more damage total unless HBT's ongoing damage goes on for a while.

So that's a lot of considerations. I'd probably take Split the Tree because I like the "take the higher of 2 attack rolls" so it is more likely to hit and the greater damage even without that feature, but note the risk of not being able to use it on a solo alone, not using it in melee, and not getting a round of slow which can matter tactically.

At lvl 1/early levels I'll got HBT. Am considering if I should swap it out later on.

Main reason for my choice that it is,as mentioned, less situational so at early levels when I have less attack choices I can rely on it.

Also I find the slow highly useful. So until we have some other way to slow things down, I consider even 1 round of slow good for the party.

Do note however the synergy between Split the Tree and Elven accuracy.

seanlink wrote:

Heh, I was wondering same thing as I'm just creating an Archer Ranger.

StT sounds great, but likelihood of having two creatures that you can target and that are 3 squares apart or less seems less than average. Also, would wonder if many times your allies would already be on top of these enemies, making it more difficult to hit them as your allies are block most of your target.

StT does sound cool as all hell for picturing it though.

Your allies don't block your shots (anymore).

seanlink wrote:

Guess I haven't read enough into it yet.

So if an ally is one square in front of me, and an enemy is one square in front of the ally (thus 2 squares in front of me) i can fire an arrow and there is no penalty or problem for having the ally in front of my attack?

Exactly. Not only is there no problem for having an intervening ally, there is also no problem with having an ally in melee and shooting his foe!

dark_poet wrote:

Do note however the synergy between Split the Tree and Elven accuracy.

Which synergy? You can reroll one of the two for a total of 3 die rolls. As opposed to rerolling a power that has only one attack.

Elven Accuracy's potencial is really lots in powers that require many rolls.