Stat gearing strategy for 50s ranger.
 

For the first 40 or so levels I've been focusing in AC and Str. This worked well enough.

Unfortunately the last ten levels for a ranger are completed with the defence skill of a level 40. It is my suspicion that no amount of worn AC is going to be able to mitigate decent mob ATK with this hamstring. The reputation of rangers is being paper tanks kunark and beyond.

I currently need a jade reaver, SeoC and VS stone to complete epics.

Besides that, for levelling up through the 50s what should a ranger be focusing on stat wise?

I think rangers will eventually get a 225 Def cap. But for now.. regen is the biggest stat for you. 50+ soloing requires a fungi imo. Keep DS up and make them suffer for hitting you. If and.. when you get knocked low HP, root and regen till you're strong enough to get back in the fight. Can fire arrows in between ticks / tolans arms for a little more efficiency. Once you can cast chloro, this gets alot faster but low 50s will suck. On the bright side, using stall tactics like root medding / bow kiting / snare and running to other side of zone, there's nothing outside that can kill you easily and nothing under 51 you can't kill solo.

AC / STR isn't a bad way to gear up. STA / DEX are both super important too. Personally, I'm high STR, moderate DEX, and lower STA. That worked out well to 60, but I think I'm gonna scrap DEX for STA to get tankier.

Thank you for your thoughts, Cecily. Sounds like I gonna be hitting seb hard for a Tolan's bracer and fungi. Fortunately that is pretty much Jimjam's home at the moment so he can get my ranger sorted!

Without a fungi, fear kiting is probably gonna be your best bet. Are EW mobs still blue?

No idea, I finished 40s in NK on Rabid Griffons. Very easy.

I'll check out EW. Any other suggestions? I heard TD raptors got nerfed to non-animal status?

I'll also try sonic bats, they're notoriously easy once you can resist the stun.

At a certain point you're going to have to accept that you're a ranger and, like a rogue, simply can't take hits like a monk or tank class. Mobs start doing a lot more damage and have a lot more HP once you hit 50.

This is pretty much the point of the thread, how should I be gearing instead?

I went for STR and AC in those cases I had to choose.
STR because when I play in group I mostly just DPS and want to do as much damage I can.
AC because when I solo I want to be able to take as much damage I can. Many seem to favour HP over AC but I think thats mostly for main tanks that gets completely healed often? I rather have 10 AC more than 50 extra HP.

Thanks for your suggestion. I'll keep an eye on how often I'm getting chealed and maybe load up on HP based on that.

I already swapped out my cougar claw earrings for orc fangs.

I think +hp will be more versatile than ac, if I tag along to any dragons I'll probably not be using my AC but I will be using my hp (applies to other AoE casters too I suppose).

201+ str self buffed seems to strike a balance that allows me to chase other stats?

If you're soloing and/or raiding without a shaman that sounds good. Whenever a shaman is present, you can easily max strength, even with as low as 120 base (maniacal strength and FoS stack)