Ranging is another distinctive combat skill, allowing you to attack your enemies from a distance, rather than close-up. This gives you the advantage, since most of your enemies are unable to attack you from far away, and you have the opportunity to inflict massive amounts of damage before they even reach you!
The Basics
Rangers can be quite powerful as they become stronger and more experienced at the art of Ranging, but you need to know several things before starting out.
Basic Equipment
The weapon of choice for many Rangers is the Bow, which uses arrows to hit your enemy. There are 2 kinds of bows: Shortbows and Longbows. Shortbows are known to fire arrows more quickly than Longbows, but they’re mainly used for close combat. You can also use a Crossbow and bolts, but generally they are less effective as you become a more experienced Ranger, since they only add 6 to Ranged Attack.
The basic Ranging equipment can be bought from Lowe’s Archery Store in Varrock, located just northeast of the General Store, and also from a new Arrow Merchant in Rimmington which is a great place to buy supplies due to the fact that most people disregard it, and the stocks are always high.
There’s also a Member’s shop in Catherby that sells more advanced equipment, the Grand Tree Shop that sells bows and arrows, and of course the Ranging Guild. The Fletching skill can be used to make bows and arrows.
Combat Info
Now that you have your Ranging equipment, equip the bow and arrows (or crossbow and bolts) by clicking on them in your Backpack. To attack an enemy, just click on the “Attack” option to begin firing arrows or bolts. The most effective way to attack an enemy would be to stand behind an obstacle such as a gate or table, since they will be unable to attack you. Although, some of your foes may have the ability to attack you with their own Ranging weapons.
You may also notice that some of your arrows “disappear” after hitting an enemy. This is simply due to the fact that some of your arrows will be damaged on impact or the enemy, and your character will not even try to salvage them.
When you equip a Bow, you have the choice of using 1 of several Fighting Styles; each of which give different amounts of experience, although each style gives about 1.3xp to Hitpoints:
Accurate - This style of Ranging is slightly slower, but more accurate than the ‘Rapid’ style will give 4xp to your Ranged level.
Rapid - This Ranging Style sacrifices accuracy, but fires about 1 second faster than the ‘Accurate’ style. It gives 4xp to your Ranged level.
Longrange - This style fires arrows at about the same speed as the ‘Accurate’ style, but it gives 2xp each to both Ranged and Defense.
Helpful Drinks
If you need a small boost to your Ranged level, have a drink of a Ranged Potion. it will increase your Ranged level by 15% for a short amount of time, and it can be made with your Herblore level if you’re a Member.
Bows & Arrows
Bows
Bows are the most widely used Ranging weapons, using arrows as their ammo. There are various Bows that you can use, although Free-Players can use up to Maple Bows. The Ogre bow is obtained from the Big Chompy Bird Hunting Quest. Crystal Bows are only available after completing the Roving Elves Quest. Check below for more info about it.
