1. Ambush and Dodge

I won't be able to be fully 1x in both until level 45. My question here is: should I start with ambush (fully 1x by 17), dodge (by 24), or add both in equal number (.5x by 20, .75x by 25)? I'm not sure how early in my training I will be able to reliably and effectively aim my throws; I'm guessing this won't be a staple until the 30-40 range, so before that the dodge DS might be slightly more valuable than the ambush.

You'll probably want the DS boost at lower levels until you can more reliably snipe as you get older, so I would go with the dodge for now. You get pulled from hiding much more often as a hurler than you do as an archer. It's better than it used to be, but still inferior to archery snipers.

2. Perception

Do the other hurlers out there consider 2x Perception to be worth the training for the marginal AS increase?

Yes, definitely.

3. CMANS

How valuable would having a setup maneuver like Hamstring be for a hidden hurler build? I believe small races like halflings get a significant bonus to this maneuver, but I'm not sure I'll be able to hamstring effectively with a handaxe if I'm not trained in edged weapons, or if I would be better served by going straight into Shadow Mastery to help me remain hidden while hurling.

Shadow mastery and any manuevers you can train in that will increase your DS/TD. Set up manuevers are largely unnecessary when you can simply aim for the head/eyes and have the lower ranged DS to contend with in the first place.

4. RT

I just want to confirm that spells like Strength (509) and Phoen's Strength (606) help reduce hurling RT. I'm pretty sure they do but during testing I came across some inconsistencies with regards to dual-hurling axes from the bandolier with my Paladin. I'm guessing this has something to do with the intricacies of TWC RT but I just wanted to double check.

Both help reduce encumbrance which greatly increases your RT when hurling. Encumbrance factors into hurling RT much more significantly than it does with melee attacks.

5. Brawling

Finally, brawling. I'd hate to have to add it into my training, but I just wanted to check if the more experienced hurlers out there think I will need the parry DS or if I can live without it.

I use a returner, so can't speak from experience on this one. Anything that will help your DS when you're left exposed on a botched snipe would probably be good though.

-Richard.

(at level 92), your current skill bonuses and ranks (including all modifiers) are:
Skill Name | Current Current
| Bonus Ranks
Armor Use..........................| 124 32
Shield Use.........................| 194 94
Combat Maneuvers...................| 194 94
Thrown Weapons.....................| 288 188
Ambush.............................| 194 94
Multi Opponent Combat..............| 25 5
Physical Fitness...................| 194 94
Dodging............................| 194 94
Arcane Symbols.....................| 54 11
Harness Power......................| 190 90
Spirit Mana Control................| 102 24
Spiritual Lore - Summoning.........| 50 10
Survival...........................| 149 49
Stalking and Hiding................| 287 187
Perception.........................| 287 187
Climbing...........................| 82 18
Swimming...........................| 126 33
First Aid..........................| 149 49

Spell Lists
Minor Spirit.......................| 30

Spell Lists
Ranger.............................| 62
Training Points: 5 Phy 0 Mnt (518 Phy converted to Mnt)

So thats my giantman ranger hurler...hurled all the way from 0-lvl. I did the first 30 trains sans-bandos just to see how crap it was without them. He has two on him. Two handed hurling is pretty wonky so i'd stay away from it until the review fixes or abolishes it...My guy has a small shield for the dodge and the spells certainly augment the DS as well. Get into the 600s fast...they grant a lot of DS bonus...613, 618, 640...plus the set up spells are nice. Of all the skills i have MOC, AS, Lores, climb/swim were all add ons as i have points, I got into a 6x hcp brig set as fast as i could. I'd 2x thrown, hiding...1.5-2x perception as you can allow...1x spells, FA/Survival, dodge, PF, ambush, cman, shield. I've never tried getting brawling. Its been a long time since my ranger was young and TPless, but i think i'd sacrafice AS for DS at the lower end of the spectrum. You can get some of those thrown bracers for a bit of AS boost too(panther agate or somesuch)...

I'd try and get shadow mastery 1st as it allows you to stay out of combat a decent percent of the time. I think i also have combat focus...just for a higher TD. You won't need many set up manuevers with 616, 610, 615, 117, 118.

It is a fun weapon style, but not as fast and effective as most. I've set up macros for target random\r, and rub bando1\r hurl\ to make life easier. I've deffinately been killed by crit flares from my own weapons more than i've seen them outright drop opponents...i might need to get some fancy resistances in my armor...if you can do natures resistance against your element...do it...

The most fun i ever had hurling was from a feras ball and chain i found. It got me through a train and a half blasting hill trolls with the extreme feras flares...it was fun...

>Finally, brawling. I'd hate to have to add it into my training, but I just wanted to check if the more experienced hurlers out there think I will need the parry DS or if I can live without it.

I've used bandolier javelins almost exclusively from 40-90+ and never had any brawling. Never really felt I needed it, but then I pick my fights and timing pretty carefully, so I'm rarely caught between shots.

- Greminty

>I've used bandolier javelins

<--- Jealous


-farmer

*

That's just what we want, criss-crossing furrows all over the town streets from someone wandering through with their animated plow super buddy.

-Strath

>I couldn't find it anywhere on Krakiipedia or here on the official website, but I'm assuming the hurled RT reduction is similar to ranged: -1 second per +10 STR bonus.

It is not.

Strength helps you get to a lower tier of "effort" for the hurl, but once you pass that threshold, strength only helps RT via encumbrance. For example, to hurl a javelin you need a bonus of +0 STR to get the minimum RT, any further STR doesn't help. However, DEX/AGI do help, same as for melee RT.

Really you hit the best tier pretty quickly; I think the highest you need is +15 or +20 STR. And if you have decent AGI/DEX, you don't even need that much, because the next tier down gives +3 RT, which needs about +38 combined AGI/DEX.

I don't know if those spells effect the "effort" tier, but I would offhandedly guess that strength does, but Phoen's doesn't.

- Greminty