Halfling Ranger (AKA melee druid)
 

Hello. I'm working on putting together a halfling ranger. They will primarily melee, but casting damage spells in-between weapon swings, ect.. is also fine, just the way that a ranger would. I'm curious to see how far this style of play can go. And before people tell me just how much damage my character will be taking: yeah I know, they're a ranger.

I'm posting the gear that I have and the gear I am planning to get. I'm going to farm a little more plat but I'm not super rich so my ability to acquire new gear is limited.

Already Own:

Earing 1: Cougar Claw Earing
Earing 2: Cougar Claw Earing
Helm: Kobold Jester Helm (I don't know it has AC? Maybe I should buy an Iksar Hide Cap?)
Face: Crystal Spider Eyes
Chest: Fungi Tunic
Neck: Black Sapphire Velium necklace
Arms: Crystal Chitin Armplates
Back: Cloak of the Maelstrom
Waist: Spiked Seahorse Belt
Shoulders
Wrist 1
Wrist 2
Legs
Gloves: Crystal Chitin Gauntlets
Boots: Crystal Chitin Boots
Ring 1: 65hp/6ac ring
Ring 2: 65hp/6ac ring
Primary:
Offhand: Sarnak Battle Shield
Ranged: Idol of the Thorned

Those are all the gear I already own that I think would work well. I also hope to buy a fungus covered greatstaff. Do people have good suggestions for the remaining empty slots?

My total budget for additional items (including the fungus staff) is probably about 20k (currently I only have 9k).

Nathsar wrists? Crystal Legs? Sarnak battle beads? Skyfury Scimitar?

Let me know what you think and if you have experience with this playstyle already and how far you got sticking to melee.

It’ll hold up pretty well to 20. With fungi you can go further but in reality you’re going to inevitably end up having bad melee dps and relying mostly on dmg shield.

Nice quest!

It's not worth it past level 35

There are people that have tried

But once you get 60 it works great, you can do all the jobs rangers do on raids.

Die.

It’s going to be a worse ranger. That said the first 30 or so levels will be better than casting I expect. Fungi > All.

Do you have a ranger? Its a fun class…I’d just make one of those.

Don’t let anyone squash your dreams. Pump up that AC, carry the beefiest shield you can and see how far DS / passive healing can take you!

Honestly
Just buy a jade mace
You aren't gunna do any damage but atleast with a jade mace you'll bonk stuff for max damage until the cap comes off

There's no weapon ratio in the game thats gunna save you here. It's gunna be terrible and sorta hilarious if you join a group lol

Yeah I'm striking out on twink weapons that a DRU can equip but if you're going full melee definitely want a good weapon. Unfortunately the normal go to's like venomous axe, velium crystal staff, and poison wind censor and no go for ranger druids.

Get one of the Velium 2HB staves, it will help a lot 30+. I leveled a Cleric to 40ish with mostly melee and it worked pretty well. Mob selection is key. You need to just chew through low blue cons that you can efficiently tank without too much trouble. You have the right idea in stacking AC, STR and HP. With a Fungi and good haste this strategy is probably feasible into the mid-40s if you pick your spots well. Don't neglect your casting skills though or you'll regret it.