Seyha wrote:A Hunter/Ranger spec comparison is not exactly apples and apples. I hate to nitpick, but since this is a question thread I think it will be helpful for newbies.

It is true that Rangers receive the same number of spec points but have one more skill to train than Hunters (this extra skill being Celtic Dual). First, we should note that while the Ranger has to effectively spec 2 skill lines for melee (weapon and CD), he only needs to cap his composite weapon spec at his level. Where as a Ranger only needs ~35 weapon spec to cap the skill at 50, a Hunter must spec his weapon line as high as possible to maximize the 2hand bonus for spec.

Compare the cost in spec points between the two classes:

39 spear = 779 spec points
35 weapon/18 CD = 799 spec points

Both of these specs have a medium duration positional stun. I'd bet the Hunter has a small advantage in raw DPS (depending on resists), but the Ranger is blocked and evaded only half as much as the Hunter (thanks to Celtic Dual) which is just a phenomenal advantage on this server.

Not only that, but as the Ranger gains RR he can spec lower and lower in his weapon line. As long as his composite skill spec is capped at 51 he can shift points from weapon spec and stealth to CD and maximize his melee power. The Hunter benefits less from higher RR because he must increase his weapon spec, not lower it, and is subject to diminishing returns from DAoC's weird skill system.

Seyha wrote:Multiple attackers do not reduce evade. We tested this on live.

If the pet reduced evade, you would never see me on this forum.

Website wrote:Evade effectiveness is reduced by each attacker beyond the first

The difference in dmg output is significant, but not as drastic as the large difference between dmg avoidance (this includes ensuring the pet reduces his Evade 7). Summaries of the tests are available for test 1 and for test 2.

Q: If evade is capped at 50% chance to evade, and I have evade 7 and dodger 5, where do I stand without any buffs and capped stats? Do I have any use for the highest level of dodger? Is it possible to give a simple answer?

A: It isn't possible to give a simple answer. The formula includes such elements as your level, your target's level, your level of evade, your QUI, your DEX, your buffs to QUI and DEX, the number of people attacking you, your target's weapon level, your target's spec in the weapon he is wielding, the kind of attack (DW, range, etc), attack radius, angle of attack, the style you used most recently, target's offensive RA, debuffs, and a few others. (The type of weapon – large, 1H, etc – doesn’t matter.) So it's entirely situational.

Your base chance to evade at Evade 7 is 35% (5% per level). Dodger 5 (3% per level) adds another 15%. But that's just a BASE. Those percentages can be modified by all of the above. The cap is 50% - but after your base is modified, you might not be at 50.

So if you were fully buffed, fighting a lower level opponent who wasn't very skilled, had evade 7, and dodger 5, you would be over your cap for certain. Which element took you over your cap, I couldn't say. Could be a buff, could be dodger, could be the level and skill of your opponent.

But if you're fighting multiple attackers, or significantly higher level mobs, or someone your level who was buffed and specced better than you are, or someone smacks you with a debuff, then you would still need dodger 5 to hit your cap. It might take you over, but you wouldn't reach the cap without it.

So you see, it's really up to you. Do you mostly RVR, or do PVE? Solo or group? Do you have friends that will keep you buffed all the time, or do you spend a lot of time without buffs? The decision is yours, and there is no real right or wrong answer.

We've decided to make Hunters more effective in Melee combat. These changes will help them greatly in both PvE as well as RvR:

- All Hunter melee skills base damages have been increased "behind the scenes". The specific melee skills involved are sword and spear. Hunters will now notice that they do more damage every time they attack an opponent with these weapon types. Hunters now do more base damage than the other two Archer classes, and will not need to do anything to take advantage of this change - it will happen automatically every time they hit with a weapon.

Magicco wrote:well lets try to think this way

mythic's logic isnt fail this time e.g.

more attackers will lower block (shield size matters within)
more attackers will lower parry
more attackers will lower evade

but to find true proofs it will be harder, but i would love to see more hunters in rvr

Seyha wrote:Multiple attackers do not reduce evade. We tested this on live.

If the pet reduced evade, you would never see me on this forum.