Ranged

Ranged is the skill that determines how good a player is in the ranged combat style, which allows players to shoot enemies from a distance with projectiles. Players who practice the ranged combat style are called rangers.

Overview
Since ranged allows players to shoot enemies from afar, it is recommended that players hide behind something so that they can avoid damage, though still deal damage to an opponent.

Just like the other combat classes, ranged also has its own attack styles. They are accurate, rapid, and longrange. A formula is also used that decides how much experience a player obtains when ranging.

When a player is ranging accurately or rapidly, whatever damage they deal is multiplied by 4 and given to the player's ranged. For example, if a player hits a 1, then they will recieve 4 ranged experience. If a player is ranging with the longrange attack style, they will receive 2 ranged experience, 2 defense experience, and 1.33 hitpoints experience.

Most players prefer ranging rapidly as this attack style allows players to shoot rapidly while dealing a fair amount of damage. This is the recommended attack style rangers use.

Range bonus
To the right of the inventory menu is the equipment menu. Here, players can see their bonuses. These bonuses give players advantages and disadvantages in combat.

Players have a range attack bonus as well as a range defence bonus. The higher the range attack bonus is, the better chance a player has of dealing higher damage. The higher the range defence bonus is, the better defence a player has against mages.

Players can also use ranged prayer spells to give themselves an extra boost while ranging.

Bows
Ranged has many weapons, and the most popular of these are bows. Players can wield bows as a weapon. However, they will need arrows as ammunition. Bows are the recommended weapons players use while ranging. All bows only give a range attack bonus.

Some bows can only use certain arrows. For example, shortbows can only use bronze arrows. Also, non-members cannot use all the bows and can only use arrows up to adamant.

Players also have a choice as to what kind of bow they want. There are two kinds of bows: shortbows and longbows. Shortbows deal more damage than a longbow, though they can't shoot as far. Longbows can shot far away, though they don't deal as much damage as shortbows. It is recommended that players use a shortbow when ranging to deal more damage.

While in the Wilderness, players may benefit more with a longbow, as when their opponent runs, they can shoot them from a farther istance than what a shortbow can shoot.

Arrows
Arrows are used for ammunition with bows. The better the arrow, the higher damage a player can deal. However, players require certain bows to use certain arrows. Non-members can only use bronze to adamant arrows. All arrows can be fletched by members.

Brutal arrows
Brutal arrows are only available to members. They can be fletched after completing the Zogre Flesh Eaters quest. These arrows inflict more damage on big undead monsters, such as Zogres, than regular arrows. All brutal arrows can only be used with an ogre bow.

Crossbows
Crossbows are different than bows in that they are horizontal and can be held with one hand, allowing a player to carry a shield with the other. Non-members are recommended to stay with bows as the crossbows available to them are weak, while members have very strong crossbows. Also, crossbows do not require arrows, though instead require bolts as ammunition.

All crossbows only give a range attack bonus. Also, members can make crossbows if they have the required fletching, smithing, cooking, and crafting levels.

Bolts
Bolts are the ammunition for crossbows. Members can create them with the smithing and fletching skills. Silver bolts, however, are crafted rather than smithed. Bolts that do not have gem tips can be poisoned, while gem tipped bolts can be enchanted. These options are only available to members.

Enchanted bolts
If a member has gem tipped bolts, then they have the option of enchanting them. Each type of gem has a different magic in it, making some bolts better than others. To enchant bolts, players have to click on the spell book and use the level 4 spell Enchant Crossbow Bolt. Doing so will make a menu pop up that will ask what kind of gem tipped bolts they want enchanted.

Each spell require runes as well as a certain magic level. Players can only enchant 10 bolts per spell. It is also important to note that enchanted bolts cannot be traded.

Mithril grapple
Members can use a mithril grapple as a tool for scaling high obstacles, such as walls. Rangers can create mithril grapples and attach them to mithril bolts provided with the required smithing level. To use the grapple, players use a rope with the graplle and then use it on the shortcut. Players will need to have a crossbow equipped to use the grapple.

Each time a player uses their grapple, there is a chance that it can break. It cannot be repaired, meaning if a player's grapple does break, they will need to make a new one. Shortcuts that require grapples also require ranged, strength, and agility levels.

Pouches
Although not a weapon, members have access to a bolt pouch, allowing them to carry more bolts. They can be purchased from the crossbow salesdwarf in Keldagrim.

Bolt pouches can only hold 4 different kinds of bolts. To store bolts in a pouch, players have to use them with the pouch. Left-clicking on the pouch will open a menu showing players what bolts are currently in the pouch. Each of the four slots can hold up to 255 bolts. Bolts can be removed from the pouch or equipped by right-clicking on them. Grapples, however, cannot be stored in pouches. Bolt pouches are also untradable.

Throwing weapons
Members have a wide arrange of throwable weapons at their disposable. Though not as popular as bows or crossbows, some players prefer them over other ranged weapons as they can be thrown very fast, creating faster ranged experience.

Darts
Darts can be made after completing the Tourist Trap quest. Players smith 10 dart tips per bar and can then attach feathers to create a completed dart. Darts are stackable, just like arrows and bolts. They can be wielded as a weapon, allowing players to also carry a shield. When throwing darts, players are recommended that they use the rapid attack style so that they can throw them very fast and earn fast experience. All darts give a range attack bonus when wielded.

Javelins
Javelins are slightly similar to spears, though are throwable. They can only be bought from them Ranging Guild or obtained from monster drops. They can be wielded as a weapon, allowing players to also wield a sheild. Javelins are slow at throwing, but can hit hard. However, because of how slow they are, players are recommended that they do not train their ranged with them. All javelins give a range attack bonus when wielded.

Throwing axes
Throwing axes are throwable battleaxes. They can only be purchased from the Ranging Guild. They can be wielded as a weapon, allowing players to also wield a shield. Throwing axes are slow, though like javelins, can deal good damage, though are not recommended to use as a training weapon. All throwing axes give a range attack bonus.

Throwing knives
Throwing knives are similar to darts as they are very fast, can be smithed, and can be poisoned. They can be wielded as a weapon, allowing players to also wield a shield. When smithed, players recieve 5 throwing knives per bar. Throwing knives are also stackable. However, they cannot be thrown as far as a player with a bow. All throwing knives give a range attack bonus.

Popular armour
Rangers have their own sets of armour made out of various materials. Ranger armour is good against magic, though weak against melee. Also, all armour designed for ranging give no strength or prayer bonuses, and most give no stab, slash, or crush attack bonuses.

Leather armour
Leather armour is good for beginning rangers. They are very cheap and can also be crafted. Leather armour can often be found in Al-kharid's general store, as many crafters often sell leather items there.

Snakeskin armour
Snakeskin armour is only available to members. Snakeskin armour can be made through the Crafting skill from snakeskin, which can be obtained by killing snakes that appear in the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup or Temple Trekking minigames.

Spined armour
Spined armour is Fremennik armour armour for rangers, and the spined helm, body, and chaps give a slight range bonus. Spined armour cannot be bought from stores and instead has to be earned from drops by the Dagannoths under Waterbirth Island.

Dragonhide armour
Dragonhide armour is the most popular and the recommended armour players wear when ranging. Free players can only wield green dragonhide armour, and must complete the Dragon Slayer quest to wield the green dragonhide body. Blue, red, and black dragonhide is only available to members. Members can also craft dragonhide armour.

Karil the Tainted
Members can obtain a set of ranged barrows equipment, Karil the Tainted's, as a reward from the Barrows minigame. When a player is ranging with the complete set, including Karil's crossbow, some ranged attacks have a chance of reducing the opponent's agility.

Other armour
Members also have access to different kinds of armour. Ranger boots and robin hood hats are rare rewards from treasure trails, Archers' ring can be obtained by killing the stronger Dagannoths under Waterbirth Island, and archer helms can be bought from Rellekka after completing The Fremennik Trials quest.

Other weapons
Members also have access to different kinds of weapons. They are:


 * Dwarf cannon
 * Holy water
 * Cyrstal bow
 * Ogre bow and ogre arrows
 * Ogre composite bow and brutal arrows
 * Seercull

Non-member training

 * Level 1 to 30 - Rats in Varrock's sewer.
 * Level 1 to 30 - Chickens in Lumbridge.
 * Level 1 to 30 - Goblins in Lumbridge.
 * Level 1 to 30 - Cows in Lumbridge or near the Crafting Guild.
 * Level 1 to 30 - The NPCs behind bars at Port Sarim's jail. However, players cannot get back their arrows unless they can cast Telekinetic Grab.
 * Level 30 to 40 - Barbarians in Barbarian Village. Players can range them across tables in the bar.
 * Level 30 to 40 - Goblins in Goblin Village.
 * Level 40 to 50 - Guards in or on Varrock Castle.
 * Level 60 to 99 - Ice giants in the Ice Cave. A good spot to range from is in the southeast corner near some stalagmites.
 * Level 50 to 99 - Moss giants on Crandor Island. A good spot to range from is in front of the bush near the coal and adamant rocks.
 * Level 60 to 99 - Lesser demons in Karamja's volcano. A good spot to range from is from behind some stalagmites.
 * Level 60 to 99 - Black knights at the Black Knights' Fortress. Players can range them across the table on the first floor.

Quests
The following quests give ranged experience upon completion.
 * Big Chompy Bird Hunting - 735 xp
 * Recipe for Disaster - 1,500 xp (sidequest)
 * Death to the Dorgeshuun - 2,000 xp
 * Zogre Flesh Eaters - 2,000 xp
 * A Fairy Tale Part II - 2,500 xp (optional)
 * Heroes Quest - 2,075 xp
 * Horror from the Deep - 4,662.5 xp
 * Shadow of the Storm - 10,000 xp (optional)
 * One Small Favour - 10,000 to 20,000 xp (optional)
 * Temple of Ikov - 10,500 xp
 * Recipe for Disaster - 20,000 xp (optional)

Temporary boosts

 * Ranging potion - Boosts ranged level by 10%.