Game changer ranger items
 

Insofar as a ranger can be effective, what are the best items to (realistically) get them? A guide recommended paying attention to their survivability as well as their dps, so outside of dragon loot what is the best way to kit one out?

I have an fbss, dual EBWs and a gigantic zweihander on mine, not sure whether to emphasize strength gear, ac/hp gear, or some combination of the two for his armor slots though.

you should have 2 sets of gear, doesn't have to be crazy different. But if you are tanking +ac/hp is best. You can easily hold agro with snare. If you are straight deeps, Str is going to be your best bet

cleric epic

Red wood wands

LOL!

magic boots

a bow and good arrows so you can shoot stuff while running away because your dps is too shit to justify tanking it

I think Pegasus Cloak sure makes the game more pleasant. Can get it before 39, and never needing a bat wing/spell slot is handy.

Perm Lev lets you survive plenty of situations where you'd otherwise die.

Also, as a ranger, the existence of the cloak is a good mechanic by which you can leverage strengthened alliances, or if you are more mercenarily inclined, platinum.