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I did the ranger quest this past weekend and start levling. All I can say is WOW. I have never did this much damage at such a low level. I am at lvl 7 now and am using a long bow, lt crossbow, and I picked up a blind dagger. I am thinking of droppin the crossbow. Should i keep the long bow or get a Self Bow? So far pretty fun playing this job.

Drop the blind dagger and invest in a beestinger - or hunt sophie for the drop. You won't regret it....one of the best weapons I've ever used at that level and it can last you until level 28 easy. I still carry it as my main.

I think I tried everything out until level 12...it doesnt really matter as long as it's a bow...and it keeps you alive ;D. At level 12 there's no other way to go than the Hunter's, but upgrading to the pb+1 is debateable. I had a level 45 rng friend say to not even worry about the power bow and stick with the hunters...after pairing with another ranger I would have to agree. The damage is only a couple points less and the accuracy is Identical (I am mith and he was hume, we had identical equip and were both eating mithkabobs).

I would have still bought the powerbow...but couldnt find any for sale so just kept on going. Oh well...my hunter's is up for sale now, and when I go back to ranger I'll be using a powerbow+1 till my next upgrade.

Oh yeah...ALWAYS eat the best food yuo can also.

As a lvl 6 WAR / MNK using a lvl 1 crossbow I surprisingly don't miss all that much, maybe 20% of the time. At first I did, and my Marksmanship skill is only at 5 right now, but I still land most hits. Accuracy bonus items are a RNGs best friends :)

The passive accuracy bonuses help a lot, but you also have to invest in gear that will boost your RAcc (Ranged Accuracy). At Lv38, I have gear that gives me somewhere around RAcc+32, and AGI+15. Even as an Elvaan, I hit a very good majority of the time...

Conclusion: only buy the best (read expensive) gear!

I total understand about the expensive part. Like you said that goes with every job. While leveling my paladin i always bought the best armor (bone +1, beetle +1 etc). I am no stranger to food but was leary of using it at such a low level but seeing how you all recommmend it I am gonna start tonight. I have a stack of kabobs in my mog safe waiting for me. :)

Don't even worry about +1 items until your level 30 +1bow. (and the level 21 +1beetle rings). It will make a difference, but isnt necessarily worth the 20k extra over a regular 10k Power Bow that you'll be replacing with another 45k Great Bow+1 at level 30.

Accuracy Up helps, but getting your +rng acc +agi items helps more. Every ranger starts slow, and misses a TON, so dont fret. I solo'd to level 18 with ease, then when things got rough I partnered WHM to level 24. If you already have Utsusemi you can solo to 24 yourself (on worms in Highlands, Koro, and Qufim, of course).

At level 36, I have +12agi and +42rng acc. I miss probably 10-15% of the time, at most. Keep in mind, each +2 AGI= +1rng acc and +1 evasion... so I would boost +rng acc, +rng atk, +AGI, +STR, in that order.

You'll far surpass all others for damage all the way on up to 30+, with the exception of BLM, who you will be toe to toe with. So I wouldnt worry about having the best gear and items early on. However, when you do get 30+, its best to work by the policy "No money... no exp." When you get low, go farm. Don't be cheap about it... you pay to be the best as a ranger... :)