Bunny Thumper

From Guild Wars Wiki

Thumpers (or Bunny Thumpers) are melee Rangers who use a combination of Hammer attacks and Beast Mastery skills to inflict pressure damage. The name is given from the awkward "hopping" animation seen when a Ranger carries a hammer. The name "Bunny Thumper" was coined by Izzy, shortly after game release.

Contents 1 Advantages 2 Disadvantages 3 Variants 4 Notes

[edit] Advantages

• Creates high single target pressure
• Difficult to kite
• Hammer Bash is used as an adequate knockdown.
• The most common variants use Irresistible Blow, which can punish enemy targets using common melee counters such as Guardian and Aegis.
• Crushing Blow inflicts the Deep Wound condition, creating a sudden spike in the pressure damage.
• It has flexible skill slots.
• Rampage as One is frequently used as the elite for attack speed/move speed purposes. The pet (required for RaO to activate) is also used for Bestial Mauling, which dazes the knocklocked target.

[edit] Disadvantages

• Lack of self healing. The common 3 attribute spread between Expertise, Beast Mastery and Hammer Mastery makes it difficult to fit in a self-heal.
• Low armor against physical attacks means thumpers are a vulnerable target to spikes and counter-pressure. (in case of rangerspike, paragon spike, or melee spike, not against the majority of caster spikes)
• Rampage as One requires your pet to be alive. This can become more and more difficult throughout the game, as your pet also accumulates Death Penalty in PvP.

[edit] Variants

• The most commonly used elite is Rampage as One, which functions as both a speed boost, and an attack speed increase for you and your pet. A wonderful pressure tool and it is priced accordingly in terms of energy. A zealous hammer is suggested when used with this elite.
• Both Enraged Lunge and Ferocious Strike can find themselves in skill bars of thumpers in conjunction with Tiger's Fury or Bestial Fury.
• Irresistible Blow is an attack skill that is commonly used on thumper skill bars, due its fast recharge, low energy cost and ability to knock down blocking opponents.
• Pet attacks such as Bestial Mauling or Poisonous Bite are effective.
• You can choose between an Elder, Dire or Hearty Pet if you are using a PvE character (PvP characters can unlock a Dire or Hearty Pet from the Zaishen Menagerie).
• Occasionally other elites are used, such as Heal as One. These variations are not common, and may not be as effective as the more canonical versions seen in organized play.
• Useful nature rituals can be easily packed on to a thumper skill bar, such as Fertile Season. These spirits are more commonly seen in teams running in HA.
• As an extreme and uncommon variant, the hammer can be substituted for another weapon, such as a Scythe, an Axe, Daggers, or even a Spear. While not technically thumpers, these rangers have many of same capabilities and play in a similar fashion.

[edit] Notes

• The Beast Mastery IAS skills are:
  • Tiger's Fury (Duplicate: Bestial Fury)
  • Heket's Rampage
  • Rampage as One