Is there any difference if having the ranger's self buff PLUS other classes buff? or they do not sum on each other? like having ranger damage add of 1 DPS PLUS other class damage add of 1DPS for a total of 2 DPS?

I think I have made a wrong choice of class (scout) for sniping /sigh Scout has nothing exceptional about bow performance more than the ranger, except 100 units more range, while ranger has self buffs (supposing there are no support classes near).

slam + critshot?

dex/quick charge and add dammage charge?

just equip your scout and you should be able to do nice dammage

the problem is just, u cant have most of the self-buff charges before 4x/50. ranger can buff himself on level 2 if skilled in pf. so ranger is much faster to level,and much easier. level 50-playstyle is totally different. u can have many buffs per items _(beside the run away-spell) and so get a bit equal to the ranger with his buffs. advantage of the ranger on 50 is..can run away,can be skilled melee, got 2 wpns (half block etc on shield for the scout). the scout got on 50 his shield for 9sec stun. (dont count the 100 range..u will not often get to use it.) €, plus the engange-ability.

Elwin:
Yay I know what you mean, slam + crit is very handy, but Black Shadow's question (and my point too) was about sniping only. Shields, dual wields, etc are something else. A luri ranger has better dex for his bow damage AND an add damage charge while a scout can only spec 50 bow, which a ranger can too. So ranger is supposed to have better bow performance if he really focuses on bow (50 bow spec + high PF)

I have read somewhere that scouts can get 6.0+ delay bows, though. But that is not the case of Uthgard because it is past SI.

Panach:
Er... right, you got me. Er.. what is the difference buff/charge?

Danger:
I THINK got your point. But if I, the ranger, use my charge for 1 extra DPS and then a supporter class comes and buffs me for another 1 extra DPS, will I do 2 extra DPS or not? if you answered that on your post than... er... than I did not get your point, sorry.

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I will not give up my scout and start a ranger now... just want to know if my logic is right. Thanks.

First of all dex/qui charges are available in all realms and they buff you 75points
dex/qui. Thats even more than you could have with maximized pathfinding or
beastcraft (72points), so using these charges is recommended. Even though
dexterity is the dmg-stat influencing your bow-dmg, it does NOT influence your
dmg dealt with critshot. Critshot is mainly based on your bowspec and the delay
of the used bow.
The critshot cap for a RR5 archer with 50bowspec and a 5.5delay bow thatfor
is capped at 1070dmg. Using a 5.0delay bow your cap will be at 960dmg.
To give a short overview on how bowspec determines critshot-dmg here is a short listing:

5.5delay bow 16.5dps rr5 saracen scout
50bowspec: critshot-cap = 1070 | regular shot-cap = 535 | WS (using charge) = 1562
45bowspec: critshot-cap = 1052 | regular shot-cap = 526 | WS (using charge) = 1515
40bowspec: critshot-cap = 1034 | regular shot-cap = 517 | WS (using charge) = 1469
35bowspec: critshot-cap = 1014 | regular shot-cap = 507 | WS (using charge) = 1423

You can see that the bowspec doesn't influence your cap-dmg that much, but
by dropping your bow-skill you seriously lower your WS (weaponskill) which
determines your actual dealt dmg via the defense of your prey and thats
exactly why you usually choose melee OR ranged combat until you reach a high
realmrank to compensate the lack of WS due to low bow-spec.

The dmg-add buff of a ranger is well, a welcome addition to your dmg-output and is best
used in combination with rapid fire. Problem about dmg-add selfbuff...you can
get 11.x 60sec dmg-add charges on dropitems.

These are the reasons why rangers usually don't spec that many points into
pathfinding, but still enough to at least have the blue speedburst. This means
in conclusion that rangers are not really able to spec bowskill to 50, otherwise
they will totally biase their ability of melee-combat.

With regards
Sethor

ooookkkk so at moment what is beter?

For sniping only, as you first asked? Mmm... Even with Sethor's infos (Sethor, you are mid but I am your fan) I still think that ranger is better for sniping. Ranger can do the same 50 bow than scout and drink the same potions BUT has his own dex charge to add with the potions and buffs of others.

But I am still somewhat new to the game so... better to listen to the pros and have scout for better sniper.

you cant use dex/quick charge and dex/qui buff at same time, only one of it.

oki so u say scout is beter?

that depend what you means as sniper... if you means an archer that just leech in fight, i think that ranger is better cause you'll just have to dring endu potions and put rapid fire on and enjoy your add dammage... but i think such way to play wont learn you how to play and won't bring you lot of friends.

for a me a sniper would be a archer that hide in trees target a solo enemy and bring him to death. so scout is better cause you usually have a better stealth, you can stun and hide again if you wanna kill a fighter, and can put a second critical on the slam....

What is better depends on the situation.

RvR Group:

If you are a group player and you go for RvR, it does not matter that you dont have selfbuffs, because your group'c Clerics, Friaar, Wizis,... will get you buffed. In this Combat it's almost the same for all Bow-Classes atleast using the bow. The scout should deal a bit more damage than the other classes (not much!!).

The only difference is the melee. Scout (1h Weapon) does less damage in melee than Hunter (2h Spear) or Ranger (Dual Wield).

In "real" RvR it shouldnt be the Bow-class, that is attacked on first place. So you dont need the "uber-defensive-skills" of a Scout. And if the Assistrain locks on you, you still can run... just like every caster does.
What if you decide to assist your own assistrain in melee for some purpose? Well Ranger / Hunter do more damage. Ranger has an attack to slow enemies (snare) and Hunter has a backstun if needed. Some could tell Scout has a 9sec Shieldstun? But isnt that the job of some tanks in your group? For RvR I would suggest you to specc enough shield just to get the backstun. So u can help to stun the adds of clerics/Casters etc.

All in all i would favour Hunter/Ranger abit more than scout in RvR.

What i described will happen in some good rvr, but there are often situations when you are not completly buffed, enemies attack you first, ...

Solo:

All 3 Classes can have a Stun:

Hunter: Backstun. This comes very handy if your favorite caster runs away. Use your selfbuffs speed (if needed) + backstun and he is done. There are some people who can use backstun from the front but it is little tricky.

Ranger: Has only a after-evade-stun. So only usefull if beeing attacked. If your Target runs aways. You still can follow him with your selfbuff speed (if needed) and use your slowing styles. That caster sure wont live long.

Scout: Can have Backstun (~23 shield) or anytime-9s-shieldstun (~40). You can use it in defense to stun enemies and escape. And also to stun enemies that try run away, but unfortunatly you dont have the extra speed...

What about dmg? I played a Hunter for some time. My personal feel on it:

Bow: Hunter/ Scout < Ranger <--- Doesnt really matter at all : )

Melee: Scout<Ranger< Hunter <--- Saved my hunters live alot ^^

Ranger/Hunter have Speed, nice for escape and offense.
Hunter has an additional pet. So hunter can even solo 2 caster with it. It does not much damage but it stops people from casting. It stops Ranger/Scouts from using bow. It follow Infis / NS so they cant go stealth. Its a detector that can be placed anywhere you like. But its also can demezz/deroot enemies if you dont watch out.

So if you ask me what is better i would say: Hunter > Ranger > Scout

But far more important:

You need to like the gameplay of the bowclasses. You will sure get frustrated if you try Crit-Shot on a Caster. The first shot always goes into the selfbubble -> no Dmg. Then he could already have your location (./face). And if he plays good he has some quickcast NS/Mezz/Root/Stun./Snare DD whatever. Causing you some trouble. It needs alot patience to play a Bow-Class. Its lot about camping spots waiting for the perfect situation.

If you dont like it or are looking for damage you better take a tank or a caster (needs more skill).

Greetz
Nes

oki so u say hunter is best with low bow range and all?

Just one question...do you want to muck us up!? I mean there have been
several detailed explanations for the concerning classes and you still ask:
"uhhmm so you say hunter is best..."?
Please read the descriptions of the classes other players have given you
think about it and then just make your choice!

http://daoc.catacombs.com/cbuilder.cfm

there check the skillines and the possible speccs for lvl 50 maybe this also helps you°°