Optimal Gear Set

[warlord1427]

I am in the process of trying to design the optimal gear set for my WF Artie.

So far this is what I have come up with. Please let me know if you have any suggestions to improve it.

Thanks

Head: Greensteel Concordant Opp - Wizardry 6, +150 SP, +5 cha skills, +1 int skills, Concordant opposition

Goggles: Tinker's Goggles - +6 int, +15 disable device (+5 backstabbing set bonus)

Neck: Shintao Cord - +6 con, +15 concentration (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)

Trinket: Epic Spyglass - True seeing, +2 exceptional int, +20 spot, +20 search, +3 UMD (+2 good luck crystal)

Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak - +7 con, +5 resists, greater poison guard (+6 cha crystal)

Belt: Greensteel Min2 - +45hps, +6 con skills, +5 protection, heavy fortification

Gloves: Tinker's Gloves - +6 dex, +2 exceptional seeker, +15 open locks (+5 backstabbing set bonus)

Boots: Propultion Boots - +30% movement, featherfall

Bracers: Wind Howler Bracers - Marksmanship, shrieking bolt

Armor: Epic Blademark's Docent - DR 5/epic, superior false life, lifeshield, +2 plating (toughness & +6 str crystals)

Ring 1: Kyosho's Ring - +6 wis, +1 expceptional str, +2 exceptional con (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)

Ring 2: Rahkir's Ring - +6 int, +1 expceptional int, +2 exceptional dex

Rune Arm: Lucid Dreams - superior potency 6, arcane lore (+4 attack crafting)

Weapons: Greensteel Lit2 and Greensteel Ash for epics

These items should leave me with the stats (including shipbuffs and +3 tomes)
Str: 20
Dex: 30
Con: 32
Int: 38
Wis: 16
Cha: 16

[maddmatt70]

Head: Greensteel Concordant Opp - Wizardry 6, +150 SP, +5 cha skills, +1 int skills, Concordant opposition

Goggles: Epic Raven's Sight/Tharnes

Neck: Shintao Cord - +6 con, +15 concentration (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)

Trinket: Epic Gem of Many Facets (+6 int w/ crystal)
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak - +7 con, +5 resists, greater poison guard (+2 Good luck crystal)

Belt: Greensteel Min2 - +45hps, +6 con skills, +5 protection, heavy fortification

Gloves: Epic Claw
Boots: Propultion Boots - +30% movement, featherfall

Bracers: Wind Howler Bracers - Marksmanship, shrieking bolt

Armor: Epic Blademark's Docent - DR 5/epic, superior false life, lifeshield, +2 plating (toughness & +6 cha crystal)

Ring 1: Kyosho's Ring - +6 wis, +1 expceptional str, +2 exceptional con (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)

Ring 2: Epic Stalker's Ring - with +1 int crystal /Ring of Master Artificer with +1 int crystal

Rune Arm:Toven's Hammer (upgrade w/ exceptional int +2 and transform kinetic energy)
Weapons: Tripple Alchemical Earth

Proposed gear above: Note it is a little unclear from the wiki what the Toven's hammer will upgrade too but it will almost certainly have more dps then the lucid dreams. The tripple earth and even double earth are very nice ranged weapons. The claw set adds more damage and healing amp helps any build and you have option of either using the +4 to hit with epic raven or tharnes depending on situation. The ring of master artificer for reconstructing swap slot purposes. One negative is no greater arcane lore so this could use perhaps a little swapping for blade barriors..

Edit: there is no greater evocation focus or greater arcane lore which I do not like. The boots is not a great item really so between boots, belt, and head make two shroud items and try to get greater evocation focus/greater arcane lore if possible..

[warlord1427]

Thanks for the suggested changes.

I definitly like the claw/ring combo for the extra damge

[BlackSteel]

I dont find an SP GS item necessary on an arti. 1400+ base then you can toss on a bauble/RSS/earslugs along with ConOp and the torq effect is way more than enough. You could always have it iniatially equiped, then swap out once that SP is used up, same with an archmagi item. For my guy, crafting an SP item has been at the very bottom of his list, I d much rather redo where his HP slot is located.

I was originally thinking raven/claw/Gem as well for my final setup. But I dont want to give up the +1 profane Int/Con from litany (along with its +1 dam/hit). And in order to replace tharnes, I would have to start doing abbot again for the wretched twilight.

I'm favoring:

3 Pc Abishi : Helm/Cloak/Boots
ConOp HP Helm swap to abishi helm when safely rune arm nuking for +3 CL's
Abbot quiver
Epic diabolists robe / Epic Denieth Chain
Epic Lionheaded Belt Buckle
Epic Stalker Ring
Shintao Set Ring/Neck (20% amp on ring)
Litany
Propulsion: swap with Abishi boots
Claw gloves/bracers
DQ bracers on swap

Both Tovens and Lucid are fantastic RA's, along with Glorious Ob. Currently I favor Lucid, but I also havent had the opportunit to play with a tovens yet.

I'm not sure where I could slot Greater evo. I have a Bel's scepter with major Kin lore and greater evo focus. But I'm less concerned about the DC on BB and more about getting that little bump on the RA DC.

denieth chain and DQ bracers for that extra sturdiness in solo play when needed. in party the extra Int and damage is preferable.

[maddmatt70]

Why abashi set? +3 evocation caster level..shrug.. Epic diabolist for +7 int also seems shrug because from what I can tell the artificer does not have conjuration dc spells of note..

The howling bracers add more ranged dps/to hit then litany..

[Blank_Zero]

Why abashi set? +3 evocation caster level..shrug.. Epic diabolist for +7 int also seems shrug because from what I can tell the artificer does not have conjuration dc spells of note..

The howling bracers add more ranged dps/to hit then litany..

I think the +3 Evo CL from he abashai set has an effect on Rune Arms. +3 CL = more damage.

[BlackSteel]

Why abashi set? +3 evocation caster level..shrug.. Epic diabolist for +7 int also seems shrug because from what I can tell the artificer does not have conjuration dc spells of note..

The howling bracers add more ranged dps/to hit then litany..

depends on ur stats.

litany will give up to 20 more HP, +2 to hit, +2 damage, extra saving throws, and more UMD. but most importantly, that can be another 1 DC or saving 6 AP from Int 3.

windhowler +2 to hit, and averages out to +2 damage if you consider most end game mobs will be making the saving throw. altho honestly I havent paid much attention to it to see if the dice are weighted. avg should be 35, then half that. I use them currently but never examine the procs.

epic Diab. would simply be for the extra Int. Other thoughts would be for the epic Utility vest or the calvary plate. I like the Deneith chain for all purpose, but if theres a dedicated tank, and little to no risk of being attacked, why NOT grab another +1 damage from higher int? situationally useful if it makes you an even number.

I didnt really think much about the extra CL until reading another thread today. And really for my setup all it does is makes me lose having ConOP on permanently. Same can be said for 30% striders until you can loot the quiver. The extra CL is another 3d10 + item + enhancements, equates to ~35 DPS.

I definetly feel like my arti has two different playstyles, both of which benefit from different setups.

The solo, or tanker, ranged kiter. circle strafing while pew pewing. or just generally zerging. nearly impossible to make use of the rune arm while in this mode.

And the ranged DPS (or not so ranged, as you can sport upwards of 600 HP, and shoot from melee range once geared enough if you so choose). This is mainly for when partied, and someone has established aggro or cc'd mobs. BB becomes useless, but the RuneArm becomes a 6 second super nuke.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Head: Greensteel Concordant Opp - +45 HP, +6 con skills, Concordant opposition
Goggles: Tharnes
Neck: Shintao Cord - +6 con, +15 concentration (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)
Trinket: Litany of the Dead (+1 AB/damage, +1 all stats)
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak - +7 con, +5 resists, greater poison guard (heavy fort slotted)
Belt: ??
Gloves: Epic Spectral Gloves (+7 dexterity, +4 AB, GFL slotted)
Boots: GS +150 SP, airguard/haste clicky, +6 charisma skills boots/cannith boots/LGA +20 HP boots
Bracers: Wind Howler Bracers - Marksmanship, shrieking bolt
Armor: Red Dragon Scale Robe/armour, toughness slotted
Ring 1: Kyosho's Ring - +6 wis, +1 expceptional str, +2 exceptional con (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)
Ring 2: Epic Stalker's Ring - with +1 int crystal /Ring of Master Artificer with +1 int crystal
Rune Arm:Toven's Hammer (upgrade w/ exceptional int +2 and transform kinetic energy)
Weapons: Tripple Alchemical Earth

To be sure, Belt, Boots and Helm are quite flexible. I only ever plan to have 1 GS item permanently equipped being a conc-opp HP item. SP items can be swapped after buffing or whatever.

I think epic spectrals are an important inclusion on an Artificer build as the +7 dex and +4 AB are really important for maintaining a decent AB considering that level ups are going into int.

[BlackSteel]

I think epic spectrals are an important inclusion on an Artificer build as the +7 dex and +4 AB are really important for maintaining a decent AB considering that level ups are going into int.

I'd have to agree, and spectrals are relatively easy to get. Its currently what I'm using until I have enough tokens to slot some other items before changing gear. But the AB property on the spectrals is less attractive if you have a high enough crafting level to put it on ur rune arm.

[Dark-Star]

After much thought, here is my Artificer Cleen's eventual gear set up at end game:

Trinket: Epic Gem of Many Facets (Yellow: Wizardry VI)

Head: Shroud Con-Op +45 hps

Cloak: Epic Evenomed Cloak (+5 resist, +7 con, Greater Poison Guard, green slot: +6 Charisma)

Boots: Propulsion (30% striding, Leap of Faith clicky, jump +10, enhanced jump +5, feather falling)

Bracers: Windhowler (+2 attack, +1 Damage, Shrieking Bolt (1 damage average per shot))

Gloves: Epic Gloves of the Claw (+6 str, +30% healing amp, +4 damage, +20% Incite)

Belt: Epic Belt of Mroranon (+7 str, Toughness, Heavy Fortification, Yellow: Blindness Immunity)/ Rahkirs (Archmagi, Archmage set bonus)

Neck: Gilvaner's (+6 con, +2 attack competence, Arcane Archer set bonus- +10% ranged attack speed increase)/ Torc (Transform Kinetic Energy)

Goggles: Tharnes (True Seeing, +5 sneak attack)

Ring 1: Gilvanor's (+6 dex, +1 exceptional Dex, +2 exceptional Dex (or +2 Con))

Ring 2: Epic Ring of the Stalker (+6 seeker, +3 exceptional sneak attack, Manslayer, Ghostly, Colorless: +6 int, Yellow: +1 exceptional Int)/ Rahkirs (+6 Int +1 exceptional Int - for Blade Barrier crits)

Armor: Epic Blademarks Docent (Superior False Life, Life Shield Proc 10% chance, DR5/epic, blue slot: Good Luck +2 to skills and saves, colorless slot: +1 exceptional con)

Rune Arm: Toven's Hammer (+2 exceptional Int, Transorm Kinetic Energy, Lightning Strikes, Superior Potency 6, +10% exceptional Fortification; +4 attack crafted (this does not stack with Epic Spectral Gloves))/ Lucid Dreams (for creatures with evasion or immunity to lightning)

Weapon: Alchemical Heavy Repeater (Flametouched Iron (breaks good DR), Earth1: Acid Burst, Greater Stone Prison, Earth Grab; Earth2: +2 Alchemical con, Acid Blast, Disintigration; Mystical Fire3: Efficient Maximize, Greater Evocation Focus, Spell Augmentaion IX (+2 to caster levels) red slot: +7)/ Epic Hell Fire Repeater (2d12 base damage, Flaming Burst, Incineration, red slot: good)

Edit: After testing, the 10% ranged speed bonus on Gilvanor's does not work, so go with the Shintao set instead.

[Adrenas]

A lot of good suggestions here. I'm surprised no one suggested epic ring of spell storing, or even a normal ring of spell storing until you can make the epic... 105sp per charge is 105sp per charge. That alone could replace conc opp. and sp GS. Ring is a tough spot, but i'd still switch it on and off.

[RedDragonScale]

Head: Minos Legens (Hvy Fort, Toughness)

Trinket: Bloodstone (+6 Seeker)

Necklace: Verik's (+6 CON, Lesser Action Boost (2 more uses of Endless Fusilade))

Goggles: Epic Kundarak Delving Goggles (+15 Search, +20 Spot, +15 Open Locks, +15 Disable Device, Blindness Immunity, Yellow Slot filled w/+6 CHA)

Gloves: Titan's Grip (+6 STR, Upgraded for Improved Reconstruction IX, Major Repair Lore, Repair Systems)

Bracers: Greensteel (+5 CHA Skills, 150 Spell Points, Greater Lightning Resist, Air Guard)

Cloak: Greensteel (45 HP, +6 WIS, +10 Diplo, +10 Haggle, Conc. Opp., +1 STR skills, +5 CON skills)

Ring 1: Epic Buccaneer's (+7 DEX, +2 Luck, Underwater Action, +15 Swim, +5 Deflection, Green Slot filled w/ GFL)

Ring 2: Rakhir's (+6 INT, +1 Exceptional INT, +2 Exceptional INT)

Body: Cannith crafted Docent (+5, Deathblock, +6 Resist/+6 Deflection (Superior Stability))

Belt: Rakhir's (Archmagi, Superior Efficacy VIII clickie, Archmage Set Bonus)

Boots: Propulsion (30% Striding, Featherfall, Jump +10, Enhanced Jump +5, Leap of Faith clickie)

Rune Arm 1: Lucid Dreams (Superior Potency VI, Arcane Lore, Mind Drain, Will Save -2, Rune Arm Imbue: Force IV, Crafted Major Kinetic Lore Shard for it)

Rune Arm 2: Toven's Hammer (Lightning-Strike Weapons, Superior Potency VI, Exceptional Fortification (10%), Missing Parts, Rune Arm Imbue: Electrical IV, Crafted Major Lightning Lore Shard for it)

[Kilarthia]

Veriks? Ranged alacrity doesn't stack with the haste spell, and more importantly, [both haste and alacrity] doesn't work on repeaters...

[RedDragonScale]

Veriks? Ranged alacrity doesn't stack with the haste spell, and more importantly, [both haste and alacrity] doesn't work on repeaters...

You should read what I wrote right next to Verik's Necklace. It fulfills the +6 CON spot and (some would argue more importantly) the Lesser Action Boost from the necklace gives 2 more uses of Endless Fusilade and Artificer Damage Boost.

[Galeria]

the Lesser Action Boost from the necklace gives 2 more uses of Endless Fusilade and Artificer Damage Boost.

Ooooooooooh. That's nice.

[RedDragonScale]

Ooooooooooh. That's nice.

Yes, it is. If you spent the 10 APs on Artificer Damage Boost I, II, III, and IV, you'd then have access to Artificer Extra Action Boost I & II.

All of that combined with Verik's (Stalwart Necklace also gives you Lesser Action Boost like Verik's does) gives you a total of 9 (yes, 9) Endless Fusilades.

I did this on my Arti for a while but found that because of the cooldown time and the fact there's so much else to do as an Arti, there were very few times when I used more than 7 so I dropped the Extra Action Boost I & II and used the 6 extra APs elsewhere. I might change my mind once I start running Elite/Epic MA and Elite/Epic LoB. Those two raids would be long enough for me to use all 9 Endless Fusilades.

[Jinpo]

I'm certainly not end game or even close, but here's what I'm currently targetting (most I have except for the Rune arm and T3 on MA Ring):

Head: Minos Legens (Hvy Fort, Toughness)

Trinket: Greater Bold Trinket (+2 exceptional seeker, +1 Damage (Comp), Shocking Blow)

Necklace: Torc (G Spell Pen VI, Kinetic Energy)

Goggles: Tinker Goggles (+6 Int, Treason, +10 DDevice, +5 Enhance DDevice, Set Bonus: +5 Sneak Attack, True Seeing)

Gloves: Tinker Gloves (+6 Dex, +2 Ex Seeker, +10 Open Lock, +5 Enhance Open Lock)

Bracers: Medium Guild Aug Crafted (+10 Concentration, Greater Evoc Focus, +15 HP) (I've got the Windhowler, I guess i should spot swap it in when i'm not blade barriering it)

Cloak: Epic Cloak of Night (Ghostly, Death Block, Nightmare guard, +2 Dodge, DR5/good)

Ring 1: Epic Stalker Ring (+3 Ex Sneak Attack, +6 Seeker, Manslayer, Ghostly, +6 Str (Colorless Aug), +4 Resistance (Yellow Aug))

Ring 2: Epic Master Artificer Ring (Reconstruct, Archmagi, Superior Recon IX, Superior Repair Lore, Greater Auto Repair, +6 Charisma (colorless Aug), +2 Good Luck (Green Aug Slot))

Body: Dragon Touched Robe (+6 Con, Greater False Life, Ice Guard)

Belt: Green Steel (45 HP, Con Op, +6 Wis, +5 Con skill, +1 str skill, +10 Diplo, +10 Haggle)

Boots: Propulsion (30% Striding, Featherfall, Jump +10, Enhanced Jump +5, Leap of Faith clickie)

Weapon: GS Lit II Heavy Repeater with Force Damage Ritual

Rune Arm: Lucid Dreams (Superior Potency VI, Arcane Lore, Mind Drain, Will Save -2, Rune Arm Imbue: Force IV, Crafted Major Kinetic Lore Shard for it)

[Adrenas]

Head: Greensteel Concordant Opp - Wizardry 6, +150 SP, +5 cha skills, +1 int skills, Concordant opposition

Goggles: Epic Raven's Sight/Tharnes

Neck: Shintao Cord - +6 con, +15 concentration (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)

Trinket: Epic Gem of Many Facets (+6 int w/ crystal)
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak - +7 con, +5 resists, greater poison guard (+2 Good luck crystal)

Belt: Greensteel Min2 - +45hps, +6 con skills, +5 protection, heavy fortification

Gloves: Epic Claw
Boots: Propultion Boots - +30% movement, featherfall

Bracers: Wind Howler Bracers - Marksmanship, shrieking bolt

Armor: Epic Blademark's Docent - DR 5/epic, superior false life, lifeshield, +2 plating (toughness & +6 cha crystal)

Ring 1: Kyosho's Ring - +6 wis, +1 expceptional str, +2 exceptional con (+2 hit/dmg set bonus)

Ring 2: Epic Stalker's Ring - with +1 int crystal /Ring of Master Artificer with +1 int crystal

Rune Arm:Toven's Hammer (upgrade w/ exceptional int +2 and transform kinetic energy)
Weapons: Tripple Alchemical Earth

Proposed gear above: Note it is a little unclear from the wiki what the Toven's hammer will upgrade too but it will almost certainly have more dps then the lucid dreams. The tripple earth and even double earth are very nice ranged weapons. The claw set adds more damage and healing amp helps any build and you have option of either using the +4 to hit with epic raven or tharnes depending on situation. The ring of master artificer for reconstructing swap slot purposes. One negative is no greater arcane lore so this could use perhaps a little swapping for blade barriors..

Edit: there is no greater evocation focus or greater arcane lore which I do not like. The boots is not a great item really so between boots, belt, and head make two shroud items and try to get greater evocation focus/greater arcane lore if possible..

I'm debating on whether I should go with lucid dreams or upgraded toven's hammer myself. The transform kinetic energy on Toven's is of course uber (unless you've run ADQ 20 times and got your torc) and the base damage is the same or close for both rune arms at charge tier V iirc. Where lucid dreams becomes a contender for me is that its damage is FORCE, which means I can stick with force amp to boost rune arm, blade barriers, prismatic, and TD. On the other hand Toven's is electricity damage, so you would have to choose between amping your rune arm damage and having uber BB etc., I guess you could amp both if you gave up trap-monkey enhancements, but who wants to do that?! I was thinking of just switching in toven's when I start getting low on sp or just farming ADQ to replace my alchemist's necklace with torc.

If you have it then I suggest using Epic Treasure Hunter's Spyglass for trinket, that will take care of your search/spot/true seeing, and also has +2 exceptional int. For goggles and gloves I went with the tinker's set, but I switch the gloves out in content where sneak attack doesn't matter or I don't need to open locks at the moment. Epic Ring of the Stalker is a great choice, and the Ring of Master Artifice is great, but if you have lucid dreams then even the upgraded epic version will only give you another 10% to repair amp, 3% repair crit, and the occasional reconstruct on getting hit so that is a debatable slot. Epic Blademark's Docent is a great choice, but if someone doesn't have that upgraded that yet (or is short of epic tokens for augment gems) then the unsupressed Quorforged Docent of Battle is a good substitute until you have the epic blademark's docent.

All of the suggestions so far seem like great choices, the differences between the lists being mostly situational. Deciding between Toven's Hammer and Lucid Dreams seems to be the biggest conundrum for Arti optimal cap gear. Then again imo we shouldn't have to pay AP for the rune arm upgrades and should instead get the RA upgrades as granted feats at various levels... then Arti's might actually have enough AP to at least somewhat invest in 2 spell lines.


Yes, it is. If you spent the 10 APs on Artificer Damage Boost I, II, III, and IV, you'd then have access to Artificer Extra Action Boost I & II.

All of that combined with Verik's (Stalwart Necklace also gives you Lesser Action Boost like Verik's does) gives you a total of 9 (yes, 9) Endless Fusilades.

I did this on my Arti for a while but found that because of the cooldown time and the fact there's so much else to do as an Arti, there were very few times when I used more than 7 so I dropped the Extra Action Boost I & II and used the 6 extra APs elsewhere. I might change my mind once I start running Elite/Epic MA and Elite/Epic LoB. Those two raids would be long enough for me to use all 9 Endless Fusilades.

That's a lot of AP to spend just to get 2 extra fusillades. If we could use damage boost and fusillade at the same time that would be different, but that's 10AP on something you wouldn't really be using in addition to the AP for the extra action boost I and II. Stick those AP into rune arm upgrades and force damage and they'll be better spent. You'll do more damage than the extra 2 fusillades offer you (by FAR) and every AP you spend will actually do something for you. As it sits I have 6 endless fusillades per rest along with damage boosts, I typically use the damage boost going through trash and have more than enough fusillades for bosses and other named mobs (or for when a group bites off more than they can chew, then I aim for the mob in the back and fusillade). I wouldn't put more than the needed DB II for the pre in.

[Carpone]

Gloves: Epic Gloves of the Claw (+6 str, +30% healing amp, +4 damage, +20% Incite)

Rune Arm: Toven's Hammer (+2 exceptional Int, Transorm Kinetic Energy, Lightning Strikes, Superior Potency 6, +10% exceptional Fortification; +4 attack crafted (this does not stack with Epic Spectral Gloves))/ Lucid Dreams (for creatures with evasion or immunity to lightning)
I noticed a lack of Major Lightning Lore in your gear set. You wouldn't go with Epic Spectral Gloves for +4 hit and +7 DEX and the Lore crafted on the Hammer instead? Runearms are better DPS than repeaters, and you can use them while scroll healing in raids.


Trinket: Epic Gem of Many Facets (Yellow: Wizardry VI)
Really wish there was a way to fit in Epic Raven's Sight as well with the eGOMF. SA+5 would have to go on the bracers or cloak slot. The bracer slot is already overloaded though.


Bracers: Windhowler (+2 attack, +1 Damage, Shrieking Bolt (1 damage average per shot))
At least for Toven's Hammer, the Epic Bracers of Wind (with Superior Lightning Lore) is a better choice. I don't have time to do the math, but I also wonder if crafted bracers with Greater Evocation Focus would be more runearm damage (due to higher DCs/fewer saves) compared to repeater damage.


Boots: Propulsion (30% striding, Leap of Faith clicky, jump +10, enhanced jump +5, feather falling)
Not quite end-game:
Striding 30% goes on the Quiver of Alacrity.
Swap in for the clicky when you need it.
Feather Falling can be swapped in, or cast.
Jump (as a 20th level Artificer) is +30 bonus, which is plenty for kiting. Swap in boots if you temporarily need 40 Jump.

If it wasn't for ToD, boots would be a great spot for Green Steel.

[voodoogroves]

If it wasn't for ToD, boots would be a great spot for Green Steel.

So ... this may be a bit heretical ... but have we moved past the point where all builds need ToD?

I can envision a non-TOD gear set...

[Carpone]

So ... this may be a bit heretical ... but have we moved past the point where all builds need ToD?

I can envision a non-TOD gear set...
My misgivings about boots and ToD are probably misplaced. However, it still gives me pause when I'm planning out Green Steel for a character.

[Jiipster]

I'm pondering Rahkir's Set + Noxious Embers for my Arti. BB crits would be glorious and plentiful, but it's three slots... although I'm not 100% sure what I'd use otherwise. Don't need neck for Torc if you have an upgraded Toven's, and with that you can also slap +2 CON or DEX on your ring, depending on what your other ring is.

[FooWonk]

Primary
Goggles: Tinker's Goggles
Helm: Charisma +6 Tiara of Diplomacy +13 with Guild Concentration Crystal
Necklace: Shintao Cord
Body: Epic Red Dragonscale Robe (+6 STR, Toughness)
Cloak: Conc-Opp (Blindness & disease, +5 CHA skills)
Bracers: Greater Evocation Focus Bracers of Resistance +5 with Guild HP Crystal
Belt: Epic Spare Hand (+1 INT, Heavy Fortification)
Ring 1: Epic Ring of the Stalker (+1 CON, Greater False Life)
Boots: Earth Grab Boots
Gloves: Tinker's Gloves
Ring 2: Kyosho's Ring (+2 CON)


Rune arm option 1 traps/blasts
Trinket: Epic Treasure Hunter's Spyglass (Good Luck +2)
Rune Arm: Lucid Dreams of Major Kinetic Lore
Body: Infused Chaosrobe (Uncanny Awareness)


Rune arm option 2 extra shocking
Trinket: Greater Bold Trinket
Rune Arm: Toven's Hammer of Major Lightning Lore


Rune arm option 3 best to-hit
Trinket: Epic Treasure Hunter's Spyglass (Good Luck +2)
Rune Arm: Tira's Splendor of Attack +4


Weapons
Lit2 Bastard Sword
Pos3 Bastard Sword
Calomel Repeater
Vacuum Repeater
Epic Chimera's Fang (w/o dragonmarks)
+5 IC repeater of ID with Guild to-hit crystal

[itraylor]

I have been playing with various gear sets myself and have yet to find an ideal one. I am a Half Elf DPS build which is why I flirt with some things like eMC, eClaw set, etc. I also plan on testing out a melee version with Storm dragonmarks, eChimeras Fang and Crown but that is weeks away. The tough thing at the moment is there are really no perfect gear setups for Artificers so it is largely preference. I am currently wearing:

Goggles: Tharne’s Goggles // Epic Kundarak Delving Goggles (Swapped in for traps etc.)
Helm: Minos Legens // GS - Conc Opp +150 SP +5 CHA
Necklace: Verriks Necklace // Torc (when I get it)
Trinket: Bloodstone // Epic Treasure Hunter’s Spyglass
Armor: Epic Robe of the Diabolist // Epic Marilith Chain (need base item)
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak
Bracers: Epic Bracers of the Claw
Belt: GS - Smoke +45 Hit Points
Ring: Epic Ring of Master Artifice (Tier 3)
Ring: Epic Ring of the Buccaneer
Boots: Cannith Boots of Propulsion
Gloves: Epic Gloves of the Claw
Rune Arm: Toven’s Hammer (Upgraded)
Weapon: GS - Lightning 2 Heavy Repeater

Goggles: I think this slot is set with Tharnes and Kundarak

Helm: When I get the tokens Minos is history but I am not sure if GS is the way. Could potentially free up the belt slot for something else and make a GS hp helm.

Necklace: I like Verriks now but will use the Torc most of the time when I get it. The Torc affect from the rune arm and torc actually proc separately so could be nice. Also have a Shintao/Kyoshos which I could use in the future depending on the rest of my gear.

Trinket: Will probably wear the spyglass full time once I sort out seeker somewhere else.

Armor: I like the robe and would need to slot INT someplace else before I use the eMC.

Cloak: I think I am solid with the Envenomed cloak here.

Bracers: I like the bracers and more importantly the set. The heavy fort frees up an epic slot elsewhere and the +2 con gives me flexibility on ToD rings or not using them at all.

Belt: I like the belt here but in the future could use an Epic Spare Hand or something else. This is also a flex slot sort of like the helm slot.

Ring: I like the Artificer ring and I think it will be a stable.

Ring: I like the Buccaneer ring here for the DEX but could drop it for a Kyoshos when I get the tokens to slot DEX someplace else. I have Epic Spectral Gloves to but enjoy the claw set bonuses.

Boots: I like the Cannith boots but I am not married to them. I wear them because there is not a lot of awesome boots. I could craft a GS here but it is not crucial.

Gloves: I like the claw set but could always use Epic Spectral Gloves depending. I also have the Tinker set and stuff but I think the Claw set is sexy for a DPS centric Arti.
Rune Arm: I like the Toven’s and actually redid my enhancements for primarily electric, but I do like Lucid Dreams and straight Force enhancements as well. The torc affect and the +2 INT is nice as well but when I start wearing the Spyglass full time this item may take a back seat. I am still undecided.

Weapon: It is hard to beat a Lit2. I have an Epic Storm, Epic Hellfire Crossbow, Tier 2 Alchemical Earth H. Repeater, and could craft some things but I always find myself equipping the Lit2.

[-Mojo-]

I am Bumping this thread to get people talking now that update 17 (Return to Gianthold) is out.

Just a few that stick out for me:
-EPic Helm of black Dragon (+8 con) with slots.
-Flawless Black Dragon Armor (upgraded 2x
-Dream Visot EE version +5 damage and to attack, +20 Spot and Yellow slot
-Trinket , Tier 3 Crystal Cover Spyglass
-Cross bow Needle from Caught In The Web (Upgrade 2x)

Lets get this thread going, I need to hear from you other Arti's of what you found good and helpfull for end game items thus far.

Other Questions:
Are people still useing TOD rings and if so what? Arcane Archer with DEX for Ranged Alcarity ?
WHat other Cross bows are people switching out and useing (Double cross bow? Slavers hand? Alchemenical?
Anyone found any good Combos for your dog's docent and collor?

Lets get the chat started about End Game Arti gear.

[CThruTheEgo]

I am Bumping this thread to get people talking now that update 17 (Return to Gianthold) is out.

Just a few that stick out for me:
-EPic Helm of black Dragon (+8 con) with slots.
-Flawless Black Dragon Armor (upgraded 2x
-Dream Visot EE version +5 damage and to attack, +20 Spot and Yellow slot
-Trinket , Tier 3 Crystal Cover Spyglass
-Cross bow Needle from Caught In The Web (Upgrade 2x)

Lets get this thread going, I need to hear from you other Arti's of what you found good and helpfull for end game items thus far.

Other Questions:
Are people still useing TOD rings and if so what? Arcane Archer with DEX for Ranged Alcarity ?
WHat other Cross bows are people switching out and useing (Double cross bow? Slavers hand? Alchemenical?
Anyone found any good Combos for your dog's docent and collor?

Lets get the chat started about End Game Arti gear.

The link in my sig is an endgame arti build and is updated for U17. The full gear list can be found there, including the dog's.

[Loriac]

I am Bumping this thread to get people talking now that update 17 (Return to Gianthold) is out.

Just a few that stick out for me:
-EPic Helm of black Dragon (+8 con) with slots.
-Flawless Black Dragon Armor (upgraded 2x
-Dream Visot EE version +5 damage and to attack, +20 Spot and Yellow slot
-Trinket , Tier 3 Crystal Cover Spyglass
-Cross bow Needle from Caught In The Web (Upgrade 2x)

Lets get this thread going, I need to hear from you other Arti's of what you found good and helpfull for end game items thus far.

Other Questions:
Are people still useing TOD rings and if so what? Arcane Archer with DEX for Ranged Alcarity ?
WHat other Cross bows are people switching out and useing (Double cross bow? Slavers hand? Alchemenical?
Anyone found any good Combos for your dog's docent and collor?

Lets get the chat started about End Game Arti gear.

For a caster arty, I think the fully upgraded blue dragon armor is the one to aim for - major arcane lore. Black dragon armor is more aimed at melee imo.

If you're using Needle, a prowess planar conflux trinket seems a better bet than the spyglass (mainly for the 15PRR), whilst the dream visor for the goggles is debatable vs. intricate field optics. Intricate gives you back true seeing, whilst the +5 damage you've listed is really only +3 once you factor in ship buffs.

If there are any artificers still using Toven's (this seems unlikely with the ongoing increase in mob saves) the new iron beads are nice.

Adamantine cloak of dragon still seems best in slot for any arty that can't get spellcasting implement from the crossbow (which would require a fully upgraded Needle not slotted with good, which seems unlikely, as slotting it with good allows an arty to break almost all dr in the game).

Daggertooth's belt looks good for a WF arty using mithral body, as it expands MDB and therefore maximum dodge.

Quiver of poison is obviously good for any ranged character, arty being no exception.

Only useful switch out for a Needle slotted with good might be the silver flame xbow that deals bludgeoning when the situation requires. Otherwise, Needle will outdamage anything else in the game (and I suspect may outdamage the silver flame xbow even for bludgeoning lol).

[thx.janus]

For a caster arty, I think the fully upgraded blue dragon armor is the one to aim for - major arcane lore. Black dragon armor is more aimed at melee imo.

If you're using Needle, a prowess planar conflux trinket seems a better bet than the spyglass (mainly for the 15PRR), whilst the dream visor for the goggles is debatable vs. intricate field optics. Intricate gives you back true seeing, whilst the +5 damage you've listed is really only +3 once you factor in ship buffs.

If there are any artificers still using Toven's (this seems unlikely with the ongoing increase in mob saves) the new iron beads are nice.

Adamantine cloak of dragon still seems best in slot for any arty that can't get spellcasting implement from the crossbow (which would require a fully upgraded Needle not slotted with good, which seems unlikely, as slotting it with good allows an arty to break almost all dr in the game).

Daggertooth's belt looks good for a WF arty using mithral body, as it expands MDB and therefore maximum dodge.

Quiver of poison is obviously good for any ranged character, arty being no exception.

Only useful switch out for a Needle slotted with good might be the silver flame xbow that deals bludgeoning when the situation requires. Otherwise, Needle will outdamage anything else in the game (and I suspect may outdamage the silver flame xbow even for bludgeoning lol).

You have a lot of good points in there, but I partialy have to disagree.
The majority of damage from an arty comes from the combination of rune arm and repeater. Even though major arcane lore affects the rune arm damage, I don't think that an upgrade from Arcane Lore (Lucid Dreams) to Major Arcane Lore will deal more damage than the armor piercing of the black dragon armor.

The Adamantine Cloak of the Dragon collides with the Stormreavers Tablecloth, which doesnt have a spellcasting implement, but nicly consolidates spell focus mastery, int and cha.

And for the goggles slot, I still think Tharnes trumps dream visor or field optics, if you dont wear the tinkers set.

My layout would look like this:

Head: Lvl 25 Helm of the Black Dragon with Constitution 8
Neck: Gilveanors Necklace
Trinket: Planar Focus of Prowess with insightful Con +3
Cloak: Stormreavers Tablecloth
Belt: GS 45 HP Min2
Ring1: Epic Ring of the Stalker
Gloves: GS Cha skills conc op 150sp
Boots: Treads of the Shadow / Anchoring / Propulsion / Spiked Boots
Ring 2: Gilveanors Ring with insightful Int 2
Bracers: Twisting Shade / something of superior Parrying
Docent: Flawless Black Dragon Docent
Goggles: Tharnes
Rune Arm: Lucid Dreams
Weapons:

Alchemical Heavy Repeater, Adamantine, Earth-Earth-Water (All martial, obviously),
Needle
Epic Silver Slinger,
+1[w] Cannith Crafted Holy Burst of Greater Construct Bane and
+1[w] Cannith Crafted Holy Burst of Greater Evil Outsider Bane.


ALL weapons need a red slot slotted with Impulse 114.

This will net you:

max con
almost max int (if using a globe of true imperial blood, your only 1 point shy of max int)
lotsa umd
seeker +6 (stalker ring)
a total of 11 sneak dmg (tharnes and stalker ring)
blur and ghostly (stalker ring and twisting shades)
a whooping +30% attack speed (needle 20% enhancement + 10% AA ToD Set competence bonus)
all the goodies from the black scale, including 20% armor piercing and relentless fury
a whole bunch of impulse spell power for lucid dreams, tactical detonation and blade barrier
a weapon for every situation.
up to 29 PRR with prowess set bonus and +14 slotted


The only thing missing imo is the major arcane lore and maybe the last point of insightful int. But I think that the advantages outweigh those setbacks.

greetings

Janus

[CThruTheEgo]

You have a lot of good points in there, but I partialy have to disagree.
The majority of damage from an arty comes from the combination of rune arm and repeater. Even though major arcane lore affects the rune arm damage, I don't think that an upgrade from Arcane Lore (Lucid Dreams) to Major Arcane Lore will deal more damage than the armor piercing of the black dragon armor.

I think fundamental to Loriac's gear set (and may he correct me if I am wrong) is using Corruption of Nature over either of the force rune arms. I would love the synergy of going fully force specked, but after seeing Corruption of Nature in action, it does considerably more damage than the force rune arms. While I agree an arti's dps comes from a combination of sources, much more damage comes from the rune arm (no matter which one your using) than the crossbow. And Corruption does far more damage than the force rune arms. So if max dps is the goal, Corruption of Nature is a significant part of the equation.

Rune arms are each affected differently by spell power, which scales between 50-80% depending on the rune arm. It is not known exactly how much each rune arm is affected by the scaling, but the experience of several posters here on the forums seems to indicate that Corruption>Archaic Device>Lucid Dreams. So if you lose Lucid Dreams, you lose arcane lore. Now you could use the Epic Rock Boots for superior acid lore, but then you are left with no lore for your spells. The bluescale armor gives you major arcane lore and some additional spell power from the set (which only further increases the damage of your rune arm).

From my own personal experience, the crossbow is a lesser factor in the overall damage of an arti. It's certainly not an aspect you want to ignore altogether, but using Corruption and maximizing spell power will net you much greater overall dps.

Your gear set seems to emphasize the ranged capability of an arti, but I think more dps can be found by emphasizing the casting/rune arm capability. I'm not saying you are neglecting the casting/rune arm capability, just like I don't neglect the ranged capability, but it's a choice of which one is the greater priority.

If ranged is the priority, I think you have a pretty solid gear set. One question I have about it though. I thought I remember reading something about Gilveanor's not working with repeaters. Even if it does, are you sure it stacks with Needle?


The Adamantine Cloak of the Dragon collides with the Stormreavers Tablecloth, which doesnt have a spellcasting implement, but nicly consolidates spell focus mastery, int and cha.

I have seen some people suggest that red slotting spell power on a weapon will enable it to provide an implement bonus, but I don't know if that's really how it works.


And for the goggles slot, I still think Tharnes trumps dream visor or field optics, if you dont wear the tinkers set.

I honestly don't see why more people are not committed to the Dream Visor. +5 damage in a single slot is greater than any other bonus we have seen in the game thus far, including those from sets. I know Loriac mentioned that it doesn't stack with ship buffs, but I prefer not to constantly expect ship buffs. Also, sneak attack can be found in a variety of slots.

[thx.janus]

I think fundamental to Loriac's gear set (and may he correct me if I am wrong) is using Corruption of Nature over either of the force rune arms. I would love the synergy of going fully force specked, but after seeing Corruption of Nature in action, it does considerably more damage than the force rune arms. While I agree an arti's dps comes from a combination of sources, much more damage comes from the rune arm (no matter which one your using) than the crossbow. And Corruption does far more damage than the force rune arms. So if max dps is the goal, Corruption of Nature is a significant part of the equation.

I must admit I don't own a Corruption of Nature, so I haven't been able to test it myself. I'm relying on a couple of friends here, which are among the best players I have ever met (30+ lives). They found that while Corruption of Nature does significant damage, its not that much more than Lucid Dreams. Part of that comes from the save type of the rune arms. Afaik, Lucid Dreams has a will save, while almost every other runearm has either a reflex or fort save.
Unfortunatly I don't have any dev quote or something else to back this up, so it might still be wrong.

Rune arms are each affected differently by spell power, which scales between 50-80% depending on the rune arm. It is not known exactly how much each rune arm is affected by the scaling, but the experience of several posters here on the forums seems to indicate that Corruption>Archaic Device>Lucid Dreams. So if you lose Lucid Dreams, you lose arcane lore. Now you could use the Epic Rock Boots for superior acid lore, but then you are left with no lore for your spells. The bluescale armor gives you major arcane lore and some additional spell power from the set (which only further increases the damage of your rune arm).

From my own personal experience, the crossbow is a lesser factor in the overall damage of an arti. It's certainly not an aspect you want to ignore altogether, but using Corruption and maximizing spell power will net you much greater overall dps.

My experience is exactly the other way around, but its still only that, experience. This might also be based on the fact, that I'm using Shiradi as my main destiny.

Your gear set seems to emphasize the ranged capability of an arti, but I think more dps can be found by emphasizing the casting/rune arm capability. I'm not saying you are neglecting the casting/rune arm capability, just like I don't neglect the ranged capability, but it's a choice of which one is the greater priority.

If ranged is the priority, I think you have a pretty solid gear set. One question I have about it though. I thought I remember reading something about Gilveanor's not working with repeaters. Even if it does, are you sure it stacks with Needle?

The Gilveanors set states that it is a competence bonus, while Alacrity is an Enhancement bonus. And according to this thread (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=395640), it should stack.

I have seen some people suggest that red slotting spell power on a weapon will enable it to provide an implement bonus, but I don't know if that's really how it works.

Good point, I haven't tested this yet, but I will do so today or tomorrow and report the results

I honestly don't see why more people are not committed to the Dream Visor. +5 damage in a single slot is greater than any other bonus we have seen in the game thus far, including those from sets. I know Loriac mentioned that it doesn't stack with ship buffs, but I prefer not to constantly expect ship buffs. Also, sneak attack can be found in a variety of slots.
Dream Visor adds a competence bonus to damage, which not only doesnt stack with ship buffs, but also not with the Shiradi Stand and Deliver. This also gives a competence bonus (up to 10) to ranged damage and thus would override the Dream Visor completly. The Sneak Attack damage from tharnes is hard to replace, at least I don't have a good idea.


comments in red

and if you find any mistakes, blame my english teacher here in germany :)

[CThruTheEgo]

I must admit I don't own a Corruption of Nature, so I haven't been able to test it myself. I'm relying on a couple of friends here, which are among the best players I have ever met (30+ lives). They found that while Corruption of Nature does significant damage, its not that much more than Lucid Dreams. Part of that comes from the save type of the rune arms. Afaik, Lucid Dreams has a will save, while almost every other runearm has either a reflex or fort save.
Unfortunatly I don't have any dev quote or something else to back this up, so it might still be wrong.

Before I got a Corruption, I was also fully force based. The synergy is fantastic. But I had heard others comment on how powerful Corruption of Nature was. When I finally got one for myself, I became a convert. I haven't found the fort save to be a problem, not like the reflex save rune arms. When I use Toven's I will frequently see 3 of the 4 lightning balls hit for less than a 100 damage, which is just ridiculous. Corruption consistently hits for around 300 a shot. I was worried about the fort save as well before I got one, but it is not a problem. It has the same spread shot as the force rune arms, but 2 of the 5 shots commonly end up circling around the target without actually hitting it. I never see this with the force rune arms. Even with 2 of the shots missing, however, it is still more damage than the force rune arms, which means when 4 or 5 of the shots hit, it is a lot more damage. And as I mentioned previously, the spell power scaling on rune arms seems to favor Corruption over the force rune arms.

I would recommend trying one out for yourself, that's the only real test anyway.


The Gilveanors set states that it is a competence bonus, while Alacrity is an Enhancement bonus. And according to this thread, it should stack.

Thanks for the link. I thought I remember a thread that tested it specifically with repeaters and found it wasn't working. My memory about that could be wrong though.


Good point, I haven't tested this yet, but I will do so today or tomorrow and report the results

I would like to see the results. I was going to test this out myself but haven't gotten around to it yet.


Dream Visor adds a competence bonus to damage, which not only doesnt stack with ship buffs, but also not with the Shiradi Stand and Deliver. This also gives a competence bonus (up to 10) to ranged damage and thus would override the Dream Visor completly. The Sneak Attack damage from tharnes is hard to replace, at least I don't have a good idea.

I almost never stand still with my arti, so I didn't even bother taking Stand and Deliver when I was leveling Shiradi. Off the top of my head, I know sneak attack can also be found on the ring and cloak slot. But it all depends on how you have the rest of your gear set up.

[Loriac]

The spellcasting implement thing definitely does work - the best way to get it on Needle is to use the winter festival cold power upgrade (which doesn't use up the red slot). If this is done, then I'd agree that the adamantine cloak is not the best choice, but if you don't have Needle upgraded to that yet, leaving 18 spellpower on the table seems wasteful.

A nice thing about the spellcasting implement is that the battle-engineer PRE adds another 6 from the +2 if its on Needle.

I'm also not particularly struck by the tablecloth over the dragon cloak - the +8Int is nice, the +8Cha is meh when you can slot +7 into any colourless slot, and the +2 spell focus is found on both. In other words, you don't gain all that much from the switch, and certainly not if you don't have spellcasting implement spellpower somewhere else.

I think the xbow vs. runearm damage depends on your choice of race. For WF, runearm damage is definitely higher than xbow, for a HElf I suspect its the other way round.

As CThru mentioned, I am predicating the blue dragon armor on the use of Corruption of Nature, which is currently the best runearm in the game. Arcane lore is the hardest single thing to slot imo, and having major lore on the blue dragon armor makes it a no-brainer for a pure Arty. I'd probably still stick with the rock boots too, although this choice is debatable.

Re: the dream visor, I can certainly see the strong arguments in its favor vs. intricate. You basically have to weigh up the hassle of keeping true seeing up at all times vs. the +5 damage. On any mobs that dispell and have displacement, the intricate field optics will give you far higher practical dps. You could certainly slot in the spyglass to your trinket slot, but from a dps standpoint a prowess trinket is far better (the 15PRR you get too is also highly desirable).

I also stick with my view that FotW is higher ranged dps than shiradi - it seems extremely unlikely when you look at the ED on paper, but in practice it gives some very good burst damage as well as the always on +6 from innates. If overwhelming force worked with ranged, it wouldn't even be a contest, FotW would be hands down better.

Edit: if I was still playing my pure artificer, I would have him in FotW, with either double rainbow, prism, and brace for impact twisted, or energy burst, brace for impact, and some other tier 1 or 2 twist. The first set up, with double rainbow, mixes the best feature of shiradi into the high damage of FotW for extremely good ranged damage. The second set up gives you an area trash mob clearing ability every 30 seconds, at a very good DC as its Int based.

[CThruTheEgo]

The spellcasting implement thing definitely does work - the best way to get it on Needle is to use the winter festival cold power upgrade (which doesn't use up the red slot). If this is done, then I'd agree that the adamantine cloak is not the best choice, but if you don't have Needle upgraded to that yet, leaving 18 spellpower on the table seems wasteful.

Good to know. Thanks for the confirmation.


I think the xbow vs. runearm damage depends on your choice of race. For WF, runearm damage is definitely higher than xbow, for a HElf I suspect its the other way round.

Ah, right. I wasn't considering racial differences. I would agree with this, crossbow is probably more for a helf, rune arm is more for WF.


I also stick with my view that FotW is higher ranged dps than shiradi - it seems extremely unlikely when you look at the ED on paper, but in practice it gives some very good burst damage as well as the always on +6 from innates. If overwhelming force worked with ranged, it wouldn't even be a contest, FotW would be hands down better.

Edit: if I was still playing my pure artificer, I would have him in FotW, with either double rainbow, prism, and brace for impact twisted, or energy burst, brace for impact, and some other tier 1 or 2 twist. The first set up, with double rainbow, mixes the best feature of shiradi into the high damage of FotW for extremely good ranged damage. The second set up gives you an area trash mob clearing ability every 30 seconds, at a very good DC as its Int based.

I just started leveling FotW, so I'll find out soon enough. Those are some interesting choices for twists. I might have to try them out while I'm leveling FotW.

[Yarrrrr]

Head: EE blue dragon helm -- +8 int, good luck +2 slotted, deatblock slotted
Googles: Dream visor -- +5 dmg and atk, FF slotted
Necklace: Gilvaenor's necklace -- For set bonus: 10% alacrity
Ring: Gilvaenor's ring -- Ex. dex +1, For set bonus: 10% alacrity, with 20% healing amp in the incredible potential slot
Second ring: Ring of the stalker -- Seeker +6, Ex. sneak attack +3, manslayer, Ex. int +1 slotted, con +7 slotted
Belt: GS hp belt -- +45 hp
Boots: Treads of falling shadow -- +8 dex, Ex. dex +3, striding 30%, ghostly
Trinket: Giantcraft siberys compass -- True seeing, +35 false life slotted, Ex. Con +1 slotted
Cloak: Adamantine cloak of the wolf -- +4 AB, dodge 4%, Ex. Seeker +5
Gloves: Epic gloves of the claw -- 30% Healing amp, Set bonus: +4 dmg
Bracers: Epic bracers of the claw -- Ex. con +2, heavy fortification, Set bonus: +4 dmg
Armor: Spider silk robes: Resist +6, toughness, Ex. int +3

This set means: Max int, max dex, lot of hp, constant true seeing, max attack bonus, good seeker effects, good additionnal bonuses to Xbow dmg and good healing amplification.
With artificer limited spell pool and low DC, this set has no caster focus. Choose your runearm and put the spell power effect you want in your weapon red slot and here you go! You got some nice, but not optimal runearm dmg!
I prefer this set because while running away with BB I tend to never use my runearm, it slows me too much. And I run away casting BB often ;)

Edit: If you wear Corruption of nature as your main runearm, you can switch the spidersilk robes for the blue dragon armor. You keep max int, you gain lot of spellpower and shiny stuff ;) But you lose toughness

[Singular]

Excellent thread - glad you necro'd it!

First - stop using Lucid Dreams and switch to Archaic Device immediately. I have both, did testing, LD does about 60% of the damage that AD puts out. I, too, thought that LD, with it's 6% lore, would be useful but nope. It's hurting your dps.

Second, I'm fully force specked - haven't gotten a Corruption of Nature to try out yet.

Loriac is correct about Fury of the Wild having the most DPS output (Loriac is essentially an artie encyclopedia :) ). Legendary Dreadnaught is next, for pure DPS - it doesn't have Adrenaline, but you get a slightly higher crit range (+1 from 19-20) and 3 extra Endless Fullisades. Plus an extra clickie to reduce incoming damage. Back to Fury, adrenaline provides me with 7 free crits, plus 1 crit every 10 seconds of 800-1200 hp damage, plus the epic feat of 1 crit/3 seconds for 30 seconds. Nothing beats that.

I use the restored blue dragon armor - wow, what a huge difference in my damage output from the rune arm, spells and EDs. When I switched to the Blue Dragon Armor, my Boulder Toss went from max crit of 4500 damage to 7500 damage (I believe I've seen 8400, but let's eliminate the outlier). Keep in mind you can use BT every 15 seconds - it's a must have twist if you want to max dps, for that gives you an extra 200-600+ dps. My Primal Scream went from ~900 hp damage to 1400 dam (pretty sure I saw a 1900, but let's ignore outliers). Rune arm damage went up - my Archaic Device does around 1600 damage per volley (4*200+1 crit of 800 or so, sometimes more, sometimes less).

If instead you choose the Black Dragon armor, you'd be gaining +4 dps from the bonus to ranged damage and a 5% bonus every now and again, plus armor piercing, at the expensive of 9-12% extra crits, depending on the tier of the armor, and .5% extra crit damage for your spells, EDs and rune arms. That's a massive amount of damage output you're giving up for an ok gain in xbow damage. Just looking at Boulder Toss, you're dropping a potential 100-200 dps there alone.

I use the following:

Head: EH blue dragon helm -- +8 int, +10 PRR slotted, slotted
Googles: Dream visor -- +4 dmg and atk, +6 resistance slotted, +6 wis slotted?
Necklace: GS +45 hp + displacement clickie, permanent blur
Ring: Epic Ring of the stalker -- Ghostly, Seeker +6, Ex. sneak attack +3, Manslayer, Ex. int +1 slotted, +30 striding slotted
Second ring: Epic Buccaneer's. Prot +5, Dex +7, Heavy Fort slotted
Belt: EH Arkat's Cord - toughness, +1 con slotted, +6 Natural armor slotted
Boots: EH Spiked Boots - balance +20, immunity to slippery surfaces, 2 augment slots
Trinket: Epic Treasure Hunter’s Spyglass - +3 UMD, Green slot, +20 spot/search, True seeing
Cloak: Normally a Epic Jeweled Cloak w/ +2 DC Evocation slotted, but I sometimes switch out to an Adamantine cloak of the Dragon (if I'm in EH where Artie spells matter) or a Drow Piwafwi (for parties w/high dps to distract the baddies and give me extra sneak attack damage)
Gloves: Purple Dragon Knight's gloves - 30% convalescence, +2 insightful con, +7 str
Bracers: EH Steady Handed Armband: +4 exceptional seeker. Yellow, colorless slots
Armor: Restored Blue Dragon armor, tier one (almost tier two!). +35 hp slotted

Of course I want the above to become Epic Elites - you really want 5 Green/Blue Augment slots (hp, resistance, PRR, armor, heavy fort), and EE's would provide better dps output and better everything. Three tiered blue dragon armor grants a +12 % Lore - increasing your damage output.

After wearing the Epic Jeweled Cloak, I'll never go back. I LOVE blocking spells that are cast on me. I also swap to a Pale Lavender Ioun Stone when the Cloak wears out.

I don't have a Needle and I use a GS fire/earth/fire - it's the highest damage output crossbow in the game (maybe Needle beats it) for creatures that are susceptible to those elements. It offers:

Flaming Burst, Flaming Blast, Seeker +10
Acid Blast, Disintegration, Alchemical Constitution +2 (stacks w/exceptional and insightful)
+6 Enhancement Bonus, Fiery Detonation, Red Augment Slot

I have Superior Frost (+1-8) slotted, but will swap that out for Sovereign Fire after I get my water/water/water completed (It's at tier 2). Right now it's a good place holder and gives some damage to fire giants.

Alchemical crafting is here: http://ddowiki.com/page/Alchemical_Crafting

As you can see, that's a ton of damage output sources. It's possible that Needle's extra dice, slightly faster fire rate, and higher crit number beat it - and Needle would certainly perform well under Adrenaline - but Alchemical offers a very good alternative. Otherwise, I have a smattering of other xbows: GS +++ (beats the Silver Slinger hands down), GS Rad II (good for TRing), GS Lit II (great all around), a banishing xbow, a smiting of greater force xbow.

However, if you prefer to add CC and take a support role for higher dps output melee, then you'd want an earth/earth/earth and be in Shiradi - which is a fine option in EE content, but, imo, it wastes the dps potential of arties in EN and EH content. EE is the only content where your damage output won't bring single trash targets down before they kill you, so CC helps.

As far as rune arms go, Toven's and all the Giant Hold ones are a waste of time (I don't even find the frost one situationally useful on fire stuff), Lucid Dreams is good for TRing but not above 20, when Archaic Device beats it hands down. Tier Three Glass Cannon is useful if you're in EN or EH as a support class, if you rely heavily on force spells, or just want to break stuff. It might be useful soloing EN or EH stuff, too. Loriac and Cthru swear by Corruption of Nature and its synergy with Draconic - I haven't yet gotten one or gotten to the ED and I really like full force speck for the massive additional DPS Boulder Toss brings, so haven't tried it out yet.

Arties are the Indian Jones' of DDO - ridiculous fun!

[Singular]

Thanks for the link. I thought I remember a thread that tested it specifically with repeaters and found it wasn't working. My memory about that could be wrong though.

I would like to see the results. I was going to test this out myself but haven't gotten around to it yet.

I play with people who swear alacrity does nothing for repeaters. They have Needles and told me they tested it. But these people also swear that Armor of Speed didn't work, either, and I have to disagree - I can feel the change when its timer runs out.


I almost never stand still with my arti, so I didn't even bother taking Stand and Deliver when I was leveling Shiradi. Off the top of my head, I know sneak attack can also be found on the ring and cloak slot. But it all depends on how you have the rest of your gear set up.

I never stand still, either. Though...I did in that destiny - since Stand stacks with Archer's focus. That caused a lot of damage, but I really, really, really hate standing still. How annoying that DDO is such a dynamic game and they try to force statues of us.

The Drow Piwafwi has sneak attack to be combined w/ Epic Ring of the Stalker, or the Tinkerer's set. I put my build above - I thought I was going to use the Tinkerer's set, but the other items I have are just much better.

RE: full specked acid for Corruption - you'd also be losing some damage on your boulder toss, in addition to minor losses on your spells.