critique my monkcher

[ulticleo]

EDIT: though I am still not 100% convinced about IPS based on my experiece with my arty, I have modified the build to include it. I left the pre-build description as is, so it doesn't fully match the current stats.

I am thinking to TR my second life monk to an arcane archer. I don't play him any more, I really enjoy my artificer, and so thinking of trying out finally the AA angle.

his melee won't be amazing (no gtfw, IC, PA), but I should still be able to punch the abbott with the mabar wraps when necessary. His range should be awesome, with 34 str + bow strength, 46 wis+10k stars, and MS. I am lacking IPS, which is a **** shame, but I'll have to live with that.

NS2 adds a ton of survivability via shadow fade, with some gear swaps (I have icy, epic scorched, and chattering ring) I could even get a somewhat serviceable AC at the expense of some dps. 3d6 sneak is nice to have as well.

half elf of course gives me AA, and was picked over elves for the cleric dilly (elf would have been more dps)

Level 20 Lawful Neutral Half-Elf Male
(2 Fighter / 12 Monk / 6 Ranger)

36 points:
Str 15+2tome+6item+1lotd+1ftr+1human+2ship+2ram+2rage+ 2madstone+2exc-2stance=34
Dex 16 + 3 tome(need to get) + 1 lotd = 20
Con 14+2tome+6item+1lotd+2rage+4madstone+1exc+2ship+2y ugo=34
Int 10 +3tome(already eaten this life)=13
Wis 16+5lvl+3monk+1human+6item+1lotd+3stanc+3exc+2tome +2ship+2yugo=44
Chr 8 + 2 tome + 1lotd = 11
- can drink SF pots

Hit Points:
20 ftr
96 monk
16 rgr
20 heroic
10 draconic
44 2xtoughness
30 toughness enhancements
240 con
30 gfl
45 shroud
20 toughness
20 yugo
= 591

heal amp: 20% human, 20% monk, 10% dt, 20%dt, 10% ship = 209% (229 self heal scroll)

1 ranger: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
(Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Cleric
(Past Life) Past Life: Monk
(Past Life) Past Life: Monk
(Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons
2 Monk: (Monk Bonus) Zen Archery
3 Ranger: (Selected) Point Blank Shot
4 Ranger
5 Ranger
6 Ranger: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Construct
(Selected) Mental Toughness
7 Ranger
8 Monk: (Monk Bonus) stunning fist
9 Monk: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons
(Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness
10 Monk
11 Monk
12 Monk: (Monk Bonus) Toughness
(Selected) Toughness
13 Fighter: (Fighter Bonus) Precise Shot
14 Fighter: (Fighter Bonus) Dodge
15 Monk: (Selected) IPS
16 Monk
17 Monk
18 Monk: (Selected) GTWF
19 Monk
20 Monk

Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Ranger Sprint Boost I
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Improved Cleric Dilettante IIII
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Ten Thousand Stars
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy II
Enhancement: Winter's Touch
Enhancement: Adept of Wind
Enhancement: Adept of Rain
Enhancement: Master of the Sea
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Improved Jump II
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I

gear (from memory, what I have, nothing exciting):
head: minos
bracers: windhowlers
belt: 6con+gfl
cloak: shroud HP
goggles: tharnes/mentau
neck: oremi/sf/??
trinket: lotd
ring1: wis+6, wis+2 wis+2
ring2: str+6, con+1, str+2
gloves: ??
boots: anchoring/cannith
body: DT 10%/20%/guard

[JasonJi72]

Get Improved Precise Shot. You will not regret it.

[wax_on_wax_off]

Why not decrease wisdom from 18 to 16 and increase dexterity to 16 (bit of other jostling around too). I just don't see the point in this style of build without IPS as the strength of ranged combat is it's versatility and IPS is a big part of that.

Some people disagree of course.

For ideas on gear you can look at the gear that I'm planning on for some ideas here (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=354668). The build is just what I'm planning at the moment but I've got most of the gear together and it is just a time issue with TRs. One point in particular is the dilettante choice. For low levels ranger wands will work fine. For high levels gear swaps for UMD and SF pots will work fine. Not sure if there's any overlap, self healing might be a pain for a few levels. Not sure if cleric diettante is worth it overall.

[JasonJi72]

Archers are AOE dps. What makes archers AOE dps is IPS.

[ulticleo]

IPS... yeah. I know.
to get IPS, I'd have to drop 3 points from wisdom (2 points at creation, 1 lvl up) unless I can get my hands on a +3 dex tome. I have pulled 0 +3 tomes in my time of playing, and the few that I have are from shroud completions. I am currently 12 completions away from an even 20 on my monk, and not sure I want to wait quite that long (plus, I am so sick of that raid, it's not even funny), nor is there a guarantee I'd get it.

tough choice - slightly better single target dps, or IPS. considering the trouble I have on my arty to line them up (if I can get two mobs, it's cause for celebration), I am not 100% convinced. On my arty, I didn't have to give up int for IPS, and needed reasonable dex to hit anyway. on this toon, if it wasn't for feat requirements, I'd dump dex altogether.

Regarding UMD - with charisma as dump stat, and no rogue/arty/bard levels, I can't convince myself it's worth it
11 base + 4 gh = 15
with gear swap (as I won't have any of this equipped otherwise):
+6 shroud + 3 charisma + 3 cartouche + 2 luck = 27. enough for a raise scroll in non-emergencies, but that's it.
The cleric dilly gives me 95% heal scroll and no fail raise scrolls without any gear swap. I am wiling to give up some SA for much higher survivability (I have one toon who is not self sufficient. have not intention of having another).

[FengXian]

While I do think you'd be better off with IPS I would also like to see how your build performs at 20. 46 wisdom is a lot, and your 10k stars should be dealing tons of damage (altho getting to 46 wis is very ap-intensive).

I don't think precise shot alone is worht a feat tho. Usually you should be able to hit your selected target anyway, by jumping etc...I would definitely take stunning fist tho, you should have huge dc and it can be very handy in some situations.

Aside from that, I assume you've already checked the other monkcher builds, and as I said I am curious about how your version would perform, so if you feel like "testing" rather than going with an already tested build, it would be nice to hear from you again when you hit 20 :)

P.S.: not taking IPS does have its advantages as you said. It saves you a lot of stat points and 2 feats. By the way, I guess you won't be taking ToD. Then you migh as well consider going light and thus completely dumping dex (since you woundn't need 13 for dodge anymore). Besides I think shintao special moves are wis-based so you might be able to get to a decent DC on those even with 12 monk levels.

[ulticleo]

Thanks, FengXian.
you make a good point about dark/light. I wanted dark for shadow fade, but I'll have to think about it. I am waiting for u13 to retain tomes, so it'll be a while before I can report. I could drop some heal amp to get tod, but not sure I want to.

btw, I am taking stunning fist.

I am taking PS as I found it extremely useful even without ips. it makes quests like sleeping dust MUCH easier. I have enough feats as is, so if I dropped it, it would be for yet another toughness...

Edit: oops, stunning fist didn't make it into original build... fixed

[wax_on_wax_off]

While I do think you'd be better off with IPS I would also like to see how your build performs at 20. 46 wisdom is a lot, and your 10k stars should be dealing tons of damage (altho getting to 46 wis is very ap-intensive).

I don't think precise shot alone is worht a feat tho. Usually you should be able to hit your selected target anyway, by jumping etc...I would definitely take stunning fist tho, you should have huge dc and it can be very handy in some situations.

Aside from that, I assume you've already checked the other monkcher builds, and as I said I am curious about how your version would perform, so if you feel like "testing" rather than going with an already tested build, it would be nice to hear from you again when you hit 20 :)

P.S.: not taking IPS does have its advantages as you said. It saves you a lot of stat points and 2 feats. By the way, I guess you won't be taking ToD. Then you migh as well consider going light and thus completely dumping dex (since you woundn't need 13 for dodge anymore). Besides I think shintao special moves are wis-based so you might be able to get to a decent DC on those even with 12 monk levels.

14 dex required for 10k stars.

[FengXian]

14 dex required for 10k stars.

right, adept of wind...sucks.

Anyway, about going dark: you can keep shadow fade up in most situations, but you will have to melee sometimes in order to do that and to have the ki for 10k stars too. I tried ToD and I didn't like it. While it is amazing sometimes, doublestriking for 1500+ on stunned targets, 50ki is too much, especially since you have a lot of abilities to use ki on. Not taking it saves you 10 AP...

I still think PS is a waste tho: quests like dusts or cursed crypt or...pretty much it I think, you can simply jump high enough to attack your target. Or you can melee, or rely on some cc (from others of from a paralyzer), and those aren't end game anyway. It is useful to attack dangerous casters while there are some other mobs in the way, but again, the lack of PS can be compensated by moving to the right position, it's not that difficult.

My AA has 511 hp now, 531 raged, 551 when I decide where to craft toughess (since this is not his final life), 591 with pot, up to 671 with double madstone. For now, in tough-ish situations I just settle for double madstone (like war-mode adq2) or pot + madstone (like eLoB), but I do have to be careful about the hits I take. With more HP it would be easier, and it would be actually possible to tank a lot of bosses, since earth stance is great for holding agro while your MS/10k stars are on timer. So yeah you don't really need more HP but I wouldn't despise even a 5th/6th toughess, considering your build, if it means replacing a feat you don't really need :)
Or you could take quick draw (faster activation is always nice since you have a lot of stuff to click^^).

[ulticleo]

All good points about PS.

Been thinking to switch - 12 ranger/6monk/2ftr.
6 monk still gets me 10k stars, 12 ranger gets me PS and IPS without ridiculous dex requirements, not to mention GTW for better melee when I do use it.

I lose 2 wisdom (waterIII stance and wis enhancement), some heal amp, imp evasion, and sneak attack from NS2.

hmmm, not sure that's worth it.

I think I'd stick with the original build for now. If I feel that 22hp would serve me better than PS, I can always switch.

btw, you mentioned ki building - does ki not build up with bows? I was thinking I would switch to sun stance when 10k is on timer for both regular pew pew and MS. I was assuming ki would still build up. And yes, I know melee will likely come ahead of pew pew dps wise, but I like to play my toons to flavor. unless the mob is on top of me, I'd likely be shooting it instead of switching to melee and closing even when 10k and MS are on timer.

[krackythehoodedone]

Have a look at some of the other Monkcher builds about.

Sure Thrudh will post in here soon. I think he is 12 mnk/6 ftr/2 rgr but their is loads of builds to look at.

What i really wanted to say having played an exclusively ranged (main) toon for three years solid .

You cannot have a serious ranged build without IPS. Your main strength is moving around swapping targetting and hitting evrything in between you and your target at the same time. If you can catch three or four enemies that is three or four times the effectiveness.

The only meaningful Ranged build without IPS is the burst build that just unleashes a manyshot vs a boss then switches to weapons

[Thrudh]

Have a look at some of the other Monkcher builds about.

Sure Thrudh will post in here soon. I think he is 12 mnk/6 ftr/2 rgr but their is loads of builds to look at.

What i really wanted to say having played an exclusively ranged (main) toon for three years solid .

You cannot have a serious ranged build without IPS. Your main strength is moving around swapping targetting and hitting evrything in between you and your target at the same time. If you can catch three or four enemies that is three or four times the effectiveness.

The only meaningful Ranged build without IPS is the burst build that just unleashes a manyshot vs a boss then switches to weapons

Agreed... You have to fit IPS in. Buy a +3 tome from the store next time they're around... :eek::eek:

[Thrudh]

Anyway, about going dark: you can keep shadow fade up in most situations, but you will have to melee sometimes in order to do that and to have the ki for 10k stars too. I tried ToD and I didn't like it. While it is amazing sometimes, doublestriking for 1500+ on stunned targets, 50ki is too much, especially since you have a lot of abilities to use ki on. Not taking it saves you 10 AP...

Yeah, I've given up on Touch of Death (ToD) on my monk archer. Costs too much Ki. By the time I have enough Ki built up, it's time to switch back to my bow.

[Thrudh]

Been thinking to switch - 12 ranger/6monk/2ftr.
6 monk still gets me 10k stars, 12 ranger gets me PS and IPS without ridiculous dex requirements, not to mention GTW for better melee when I do use it.

I lose 2 wisdom (waterIII stance and wis enhancement), some heal amp, imp evasion, and sneak attack from NS2.

hmmm, not sure that's worth it.

I thought about 12 ranger too, but the new waterIII and earthIII stances are too good.... plus Abundant Step... I couldn't give up Abundant Step (sucks to not get it until level 20 though)


btw, you mentioned ki building - does ki not build up with bows?

Ki does not build up when using bows... You have to switch to melee now and then to rebuild Ki (plus melee is a better option when 10k stars and manyshot are on timer).

I'd replace a toughness with GTWF too for melee situations.

[Ausdoerrt]

No IPS = bad. Noone should ever make an archer without that feat. Dump 2 WIS for 2 DEX and eat a +3 tome. Shouldn't be unreasonable to get. If you have one eaten on this life, it'll carry over after U13, so you could wait to TR till then.

Cleric dilly is OK, but you can afford to do without and put some points into UMD. Then get Rogue dilly for extra SA damage.

You can also afford to drop some of the many Toughnesses for feats like GTWF and IC:B. Unless we see a significant boost to ranged sometime soon, a good ranger will want to be competent in a secondary melee style. Doubly important for monkchers who have to melee to get ki.

You can dump HA: Strength for HA: Con and take Racial Toughness III for +10HP.

I haven't tried this myself, but many people recommend Mountain stance for monkchers, at least when not using 10k stars, for better crits and ki generation. Seems logical.

As for gear, have you consitered Glivaenor? You won't be getting the ranger capstone after all...



By the way, I guess you won't be taking ToD. Then you migh as well consider going light and thus completely dumping dex (since you woundn't need 13 for dodge anymore). Besides I think shintao special moves are wis-based so you might be able to get to a decent DC on those even with 12 monk levels.

And he also loses 3d6 sneak damage, and ranged hurts for any DPS boosts possible.

[FengXian]

Yeah dumping dex isn't an option since you need 14 for 10k stars as pointed out by wax.

Thus, since you already need 14 base dex, yeah, getting 16+3 tome becomes an interesting option.

Honestly I'm not sure what to think about IPS anymore. On my ranger lives it was sooo good, now situations where it really shines seem to be less frequent, not sure about why. I can seldom line up 3+ mobs, sometimes I end up playing as if I didnt have IPS at all shooting them one by one.
I think it's also because CC like mass hold used to be much more frequent in old epics, now you still see it sometimes but casters nuke and instant-kill a lot more.
If you have good melee you can consider not taking IPS, but a build like this that already has to have 14 base dex and spends most time using a bow would prolly regret not taking it.

As I said, tho, I'm very curious about how 46 wisdom 10k stars would perform^^ should it not be viable you can always LR into a more "classic"...monkcher... BTW, I don't like "monkcher" let's find another name for this kind of build :P

[Thrudh]

BTW, I don't like "monkcher" let's find another name for this kind of build :P

Agreed... I hate the term "monkcher"... It's not that hard to write monk archer, and it sounds a lot cooler. Monkcher sounds like munchkin to me.

[ulticleo]

I thought about 12 ranger too, but the new waterIII and earthIII stances are too good.... plus Abundant Step... I couldn't give up Abundant Step (sucks to not get it until level 20 though)

The plan is to melee for 30sec out of 2 min, with 2 30sec 10k, and one 20sec MS in there. I guess earth 3 is for the duration of MS. I didn't fit it into my original post, but could probably work it in. it seems, however, that during melee, I'd want to be in sun stance to build ki for 10k... that seems like a lot of stance switching with the delays involved...



Ki does not build up when using bows... You have to switch to melee now and then to rebuild Ki (plus melee is a better option when 10k stars and manyshot are on timer).

I'd replace a toughness with GTWF too for melee situations.
thanks for that. I will get IPS, if only so you guys don't harass me about it :D. plus GTWF... so 44 less hp than the OP.


No IPS = bad. Noone should ever make an archer without that feat. Dump 2 WIS for 2 DEX and eat a +3 tome. Shouldn't be unreasonable to get. If you have one eaten on this life, it'll carry over after U13, so you could wait to TR till then.

ok ok :). I am waiting for u13 anyway, but haven't eaten a +3 dex... will have to get one somehow.



Cleric dilly is OK, but you can afford to do without and put some points into UMD. Then get Rogue dilly for extra SA damage.

I addressed my choice of dilly in a post above. don't think I'll change it.



You can also afford to drop some of the many Toughnesses for feats like GTWF and IC:B. Unless we see a significant boost to ranged sometime soon, a good ranger will want to be competent in a secondary melee style. Doubly important for monkchers who have to melee to get ki.

GTWF adds 12.5% dps (180% over 160% with ITWF), IC:B adds roughly 5%. I'll get GTWF as I said above, but IC:B just isn't worth it on the worst crit profile weapon when it's used 25% of the time.



You can dump HA: Strength for HA: Con and take Racial Toughness III for +10HP.

HA will be used to even out stats. str was just a place holder. 10hp for 3ap is a tradeoff I usually skip unless rolling a tank. in this case, as AP starved as I am, it won't happen.



As for gear, have you consitered Glivaenor? You won't be getting the ranger capstone after all...

gear will come. I just wrote what I already have. I would rather have the abbot quiver, though :D

[FengXian]

The plan is to melee for 30sec out of 2 min, with 2 30sec 10k, and one 20sec MS in there. I guess earth 3 is for the duration of MS. I didn't fit it into my original post, but could probably work it in. it seems, however, that during melee, I'd want to be in sun stance to build ki for 10k... that seems like a lot of stance switching with the delays involved...


Actually no, I barely ever use fire stance even when I need to build some ki. I spend most time in mountain stance, I probably should swap to ocean every time I use 10k stars but I don't think the dps increase from +3 wis is that much higher than the benefits of mountain stance. Sometimes can go ocean, sometimes can stay mountain I think. Besides, I'm already busy using clickies, swapping gear, refreshing shadow fade, and ofc clicking MS, 10k stars, boosts, static charge sometimes etc...spending most time in earth 3.

[Ausdoerrt]

gear will come. I just wrote what I already have. I would rather have the abbot quiver, though :D

IIRC, AA set alacrity stacks with haste or wind stance. Quiver doesn't. Quiver is only good for no-ML 30% striding, or if you solo a lot w/o haste clickes/pots.

[ulticleo]

IIRC, AA set alacrity stacks with haste or wind stance. Quiver doesn't. Quiver is only good for no-ML 30% striding, or if you solo a lot w/o haste clickes/pots.

good to know. I'll bear that in mind.

[JasonJi72]

I always called it a moncher or monk archer. Perhaps a new name would be in order though. Zenbow maybe?...

I built mine to be a little different; I took 7 fighter for haste boost III instead of Earth III, and I stay in fire most of the time. I did notice a slight increase in stars rate of fire when I switched to water though. It will be interesting to see how many shots you can get with a 46 wisdom. I am still gearing mine out atm.

In non-boss fights I usually start with manyshot instead of stars so I can get it on a timer quicker. While fighting bosses and such, I go with the stars/manyshot/stars/melee repeat method.

Why don't you just allocate 1 level up to dexterity, and use a +2 tome; that's what I did. IPS is definitely worth taking.

My monk archer is Jyni of Thelanis.

[Lifespawn]

All good points about PS.

Been thinking to switch - 12 ranger/6monk/2ftr.
6 monk still gets me 10k stars, 12 ranger gets me PS and IPS without ridiculous dex requirements, not to mention GTW for better melee when I do use it.

I lose 2 wisdom (waterIII stance and wis enhancement), some heal amp, imp evasion, and sneak attack from NS2.

hmmm, not sure that's worth it.

I think I'd stick with the original build for now. If I feel that 22hp would serve me better than PS, I can always switch.

btw, you mentioned ki building - does ki not build up with bows? I was thinking I would switch to sun stance when 10k is on timer for both regular pew pew and MS. I was assuming ki would still build up. And yes, I know melee will likely come ahead of pew pew dps wise, but I like to play my toons to flavor. unless the mob is on top of me, I'd likely be shooting it instead of switching to melee and closing even when 10k and MS are on timer.



only need 11 ranger for ps ips and gtwf

i have a build almost capped that will be 11 ranger 6 monk 3 artie

12 dex to start +2 tome qualifies for adept and 10k stars

[ulticleo]

it's been a while, but I felt like revisiting this.
I TRd, capped, and TR'd back into a pure monk.

It wasn't a bad build. don't get me wrong. completely viable end game, with decent sustainable dps, and kick ass burst dps during MS + haste boost I + damage boost IV.

but it just didn't do it for me.

I have a sorc, a wiz, and an arty. all of them put this toon's ranged dps to shame. and mellee wise, it wasn't quite what it could have been. And while my arty can stand face to face with a mob and keep on pew-pewing it in the face, this toon had to go mellee for at least 30 sec every 2 min to get ki back. I think that the part that really did it for me. if they'd allowed me to generate ki while shooting a bow, I would have been happy just pew-pewing all day.

so I am back to pure dark monk. no more switching stances every min, no more switching paystyle every 1.5 min. I'll keep my arty (and sorc, and wiz, and fvs) and go back to melee.

** this is my own personal opinion. The toon is viable end-game, just wasn't fun for me **

To all the monkchers, zen archers, bowbarians, and others - have fun!

[slarden]

Thank you for the update. I just capped my helves angel and was considering TR'ing and giving this a try to build a few passive past life monk feats. It seems like with the monkcher build trade-offs are a necessity and all the trade offs have negative consequences. With the helves angel it's only necessary to focus on 2 stats instead of 3 (not including con which is always important) with a primary emphasis on strength which helps your damage ranged/melee and your attack bonus for melee.

I think i'll try to understand epic destinies better before deciding whether there is a better option for a ranged or partially ranged toon. Currently I am range mostly for the manyshot but use bows situationally at other times as well. I use 2 khopeshes between manyshot. Of course, I am all ears if someone has any news ideas to improve on helves angel, especially with epic destinies.

The improved precise shot discussion was interesting. I also wondered whether 2 feats was worth it for a 20 second burst. As you said the mobs move around so you can't just line up a perfect shot and for boss fights it is rarely helpful since I am almost always in with the melee characters. I currently have precise shot and improved precise shot, and am getting benefit out of it, but have been considering whether I can quantify the benefit. When hitting epic mobs with manyshot - many of the enemies I hit are likely go down with terror, death spells, other death procs and/or caster damage. Is the extra damage I am doing to mobs really helping bring down those enemies any quicker. I am sure it is to some extent, but I am not 100% convinced it is worth 2 feats for a hybrid build that uses manyshot only in 20 second bursts. At the moment I am keeping both, but have been considering paying fred to swap feats to test it out without PS/IPS and see how it works. I may come to the same conclusion as everyone else :)

[wax_on_wax_off]

Thank you for the update. I just capped my helves angel and was considering TR'ing and giving this a try to build a few passive past life monk feats. It seems like with the monkcher build trade-offs are a necessity and all the trade offs have negative consequences. With the helves angel it's only necessary to focus on 2 stats instead of 3 (not including con which is always important) with a primary emphasis on strength which helps your damage ranged/melee and your attack bonus for melee.

I think i'll try to understand epic destinies better before deciding whether there is a better option for a ranged or partially ranged toon. Currently I am range mostly for the manyshot but use bows situationally at other times as well. I use 2 khopeshes between manyshot. Of course, I am all ears if someone has any news ideas to improve on helves angel, especially with epic destinies.

The improved precise shot discussion was interesting. I also wondered whether 2 feats was worth it for a 20 second burst. As you said the mobs move around so you can't just line up a perfect shot and for boss fights it is rarely helpful since I am almost always in with the melee characters. I currently have precise shot and improved precise shot, and am getting benefit out of it, but have been considering whether I can quantify the benefit. When hitting epic mobs with manyshot - many of the enemies I hit are likely go down with terror, death spells, other death procs and/or caster damage. Is the extra damage I am doing to mobs really helping bring down those enemies any quicker. I am sure it is to some extent, but I am not 100% convinced it is worth 2 feats for a hybrid build that uses manyshot only in 20 second bursts. At the moment I am keeping both, but have been considering paying fred to swap feats to test it out without PS/IPS and see how it works. I may come to the same conclusion as everyone else :)

IPS is a toggle, just turn it off for a while.