Let's talk (alternative) runes!

[Dezember.1295]

So, recently I've been looking around at our options when it comes to runes for power based builds (I, personally, usually play core ranger - I really dislike SB and druid just feels so "meh" DPS-wise) - open world only (and maybe casual fracts)... Now I wanna know what you guys use when you're NOT USING SCHOLAR RUNES.

These are the runes I've been looking at - which one would you choose and why?

1. Fireworks - new year's special... The extra movement speed is welcome for core rangers and the boon delivery upon entering combat is pretty neat. It has lower cooldown (but shorter duration) than Pack runes.

   ! Firework set bonus:! 1) 25 Power! 2) 5% Boon Duration! 3) 50 Power! 4) 10% Boon Duration! 5) 100 Power! 6) Gain 25% movement speed. Gain 6 stacks of Might, Fury, and Vigor for 6 seconds while in combat. (Cooldown: 20 Seconds)

2. Pack- pretty decent, especially if you play with other players. Boon share but longer cooldown (and longer duration) than Firework runes.

   ! Pack set bonus:! 1) 25 Power! 2) 5% Boon Duration! 3) 50 Power! 4) 10% Boon Duration! 5) 100 Power! 6) +125 Precision; grant nearby allies 5 stacks of Might, Fury, and Swiftness for 8 seconds while in combat. (Cooldown: 30 Seconds)

3. Strength - for those who can maintain a high strength uptime... A pretty decent budget version of scholar - 5% damage while under the effect of might.

   ! Strength set bonus:! 1) 25 Power! 2) 10% Might Duration! 3) 50 Power! 4) 20% Might Duration! 5) 100 Power! 6) +20% Might Duration; increase damage by 5% while under the effect of might.

4. Privateer - just a fun alternative rune for people who like pets (birds, in this case)... Similar to Rune of the Pack in buffing allies.

   ! Privateer set bonus:! 1) 25 Power! 2) 10% Might Duration! 3) 50 Power! 4) 20% Might Duration! 5) 100 Power! 6) Shout "Yarr!" while in combat, summoning a parrot and granting Might to allies. (Cooldown: 60 Seconds)

5. Ogre - also an option for people who likes pets (rock dogs, in this case)... Gives a flat 4% damage (which is 1% less than scholar) - but gives no additional 125 ferocity.

   ! Ogre set bonus:! 1) 25 Power! 2) 35 Ferocity! 3) 50 Power! 4) 65 Ferocity! 5) 100 Power! 6) +4% Damage; summon a rock dog while in combat. (Cooldown: 60s)

6. Golemancer - the final "summon" rune - summons a golem. More crit oriented than the Ogre and Privateer runes.

   ! Golemancer set bonus:! 1) 25 Ferocity! 2) 35 Precision! 3) 50 Ferocity! 4) 65 Precision! 5) 100 Ferocity! 6) +125 Ferocity; summon a golem while in combat. (Cooldown: 60s)

7. Eagle - For crit builds, including 10% more flat damage vs. targets under 50% health.

   ! Eagle set bonus:! 1) 25 Precision! 2) 35 Ferocity! 3) 50 Precision! 4) 65 Ferocity! 5) 100 Precision! 6) +125 Ferocity; damage targets with less than 50% health for 10% more.

8. Ranger - Crit build AND pet lover runes! 7% flat damage whenever you have an active companion!

   ! Ranger set bonus:! 1) 25 Precision! 2) 35 Ferocity! 3) 50 Precision! 4) 65 Ferocity! 5) 100 Precision! +7% damage while you have an active companion.

9. Rage - For those who maintain a high fury uptime. 5% flat damage increase whenever under the effect of fury.

   ! Rage set bonus:! 1) 25 Ferocity! 2) 10% Fury Duration! 3) 50 Ferocity! 4) Gain Fury for 8 seconds when entering combat. (Cooldown: 10 Seconds)! 5) 100 Ferocity! 6) +20% Fury Duration; increase damage by 5% while under the effect of fury.

EDIT: ... Sorted the wall of text up a little bit.

[InsaneQR.7412]

I use fireworks for my oPvE boonbeast.Its great for boon generation. Always gives a dmg boost especially with bountiful hunter and the vigor and fury is not to shabby either

[Dezember.1295]

@InsaneQR.7412 said:I use fireworks for my oPvE boonbeast.Its great for boon generation. Always gives a dmg boost especially with bountiful hunter and the vigor and fury is not to shabby either

I can imagine! Luckily, I bought 6 runes during the celebration just in case I wanted it later. :D Looking at the market right now, I'd say I made the right choice.

[ChillyKoti.1928]

Runes of Ranger is a very nice rune to use, especially if you are a ranger.

[Dezember.1295]

@Edge.8724 said:Runes of Ranger is a very nice rune to use, especially if you are a ranger.

Figures! I am leaning towards Ranger runes since their flat 7% is pretty good... I mean, I am most definitely not holding 7+ boons at all times (in combat) so it should be worth it even though I am running Bountiful Hunter...

However, it's been so long since I didn't run these boon-sets that I don't really remember what my boon uptime is without them... Might be worth getting a few Diviner pieces?

[Turkeyspit.3965]

I don't play my Ranger at all, or Core for that matter, but I'm a big fan of Fireworks Runes for OW. if I was taking a toon into 4 fractals I wouldn't feel comfortable not using Scholar, but for just map farming, metas, etc, I love the passive movement buff from Fireworks as well as the boon duration. I use them on my Necro (I play her as Power Scourge) and power Holosmith. One of the better runes they introduced imo.

[InsaneQR.7412]

@Dezember.1295 said:

@Edge.8724 said:Runes of Ranger is a very nice rune to use, especially if you are a ranger.

Figures! I am leaning towards Ranger runes since their flat 7% is pretty good... I mean, I am most definitely not holding 7+ boons at all times (in combat) so it should be worth it even though I am running Bountiful Hunter...

However, it's been so long since I didn't run these boon-sets that I don't really remember what my boon uptime is without them... Might be worth getting a few Diviner pieces?

I actually manage to permanently have about 7 boons.But I use fireworks mainly for the utility and the boon duration build in.

[Opopanax.1803]

Have you thought about runes of speed? They are super expensive, but if you are going for a kiting build, they are hard ro beat. Especially with how much swiftness ranger oozes out...

[Yasai.3549]

There was that stupid Trapper Druid Condi build back then which was toxic as heck.