Under which conditions should a ranger (usually dex-based) consider taking the Iron Grip passive?
With around 200 Str, Iron Grip would add another 40% projectile damage - I was tempted by this until reading an analysis of just how underpowered it is, considering the several nodes needed to reach it for dex-based builds ... with 5 pts to traverse it becomes a measly 8% damage boost per node.
There are several factors that I can't analyze well for the trade-offs concerned, such as
- With Iron Grip, there is more justification to take Str nodes - this also raises life, and there is some decent max life scaling near that area too
- Utmost Strength cluster nearby could boost the life/dmg values higher
- A major reason for me to pass it up, is because I gave up on a generic 'projectile tree' (to try wander later) and am going for bow nodes; maybe its better for non-bow builds?
- Not sure if any dex-based builds would use Resolute Technique, but if so then I can see Iron Grip being an easier pick-up and also more useful
Also, are there conditions under which a crit bow build would benefit enough to take IG with an investment of 5-7 pts?