Endgame Gear Setups

[Malithar45]

Curious on what some of you guys are viewing as your ideal setups are as of U7. Been thinking a lot on it myself, and keep kind of arguing with myself over what's best.

The current setup that I'm aiming for is:

Weapons: Rad IIs, DR beaters, Picks, ect; generally whats needed dictates these slots rather than options.

Body: DT Shroud: Cha skills +3, Excep Con +1, Tharne's
Head: Min II HP Helm
Neck: Shintao Cord
Goggles: Tharne's
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak, slotted with Toughness
Bracers: Epic Scorched Bracers, Good Luck +2 slotted
Gloves: Epic Charged Gauntlets, GFL slotted
Belt: Ravanger's Belt
Boots: Madstone, any Striding 30% for times when UMD will be relied on at a moment's notice
Ring 1: Shintao, slotted +2 exceptional Con
Ring 2: Ravanger, slotted +2 exceptional Str
Trinket: Epic Bloodstone

Current build is a Str based Human pure Rogue with rapiers. See a lot of people talk up the Claw set for the gloves/bracers, and thats mainly what I'm finding myself going back and forth with. By going for that, I'd gain the head slot's Heavy Fort in the set, +4 damage, +20% threat, +2 exceptional Con (switch to +20% Healing Amp in ring), and +30% more Healing Amp. Its a lot to take in.

With the setup I'm aiming for currently, it'd offer a lot of flexibilty in terms of slots, sub in any immunity into the gloves if I find myself with FB's belt for instance, switch in Heavy Fort to cloak/bracers if something were to replace the helm, as well as maintaining the +3 Profane Str/AC (not built for AC, but I still take notice.)

It also has enough UMD from the Good Luck and +3 Cha skills to 80% heal scrolls, and just a skill boost away from 100%ing as needed.

The epics afford a nice jump in DPS in the 20d6 from the gloves, although I haven't read if they're confirmed to be weighted or not, or if they even work as I have the epic Cloak and the Greater Poison Guard proc is still set to the ML 5 version. The cloak also covers an additional 20 HP for me with the 7 Con, as well as covering Resist +5. The Bracers are really more of a tack on as the way to gain the profane bonuses, as well as a solid boost in my meaningless AC, and a useful perm resist, as well as the lightning resist on the gloves.

Looking between the two sets, I'm just really torn. A good bit more healing Amp by going the Claw route, as well as freeing a slot, but missing out on the additional DPS that Charged Guantlets provide, the profane bonuses, and the flexibility of the slots.

Any input from others would be appreciated, whether its "this is what I'm planning" or whatever. Not really certain why, but I've been finding myself more interested in the gear choices people make rather than builds, I suppose its just because the tools people choose to use can vary so greatly depending on availability, choice, preference, ect that it creates a more diverse character, rather than deciding what cookie cutter/fotm/common sense build to take up next.

[Hokonoso]

unless you plan to maintank, you dont need 60% of the hp your gearset offers... seems like a waste to me imo. just a thought, i know everyones playstyle is diff but to me hp is a crutch on a rogue, it isnt needed near as much as other classes cause ideally you dont get hit at all cept during times like shroud part 4/5 which is painfully easy.

gear does depend on build/playstyle but off the bat id say

weapons: lit 2 khopeshes until radiance is needed then swap 1, dr beaters only for elite tod
armor: various dt, i run (10% heal amp, 20% heal amp, disint guard), (resist 5, exec str 1, destruct/melodic/enervation, yes i farmed a lot of sets)
sets: epic venom set (neck/ring), assy 3 tod set with exec str +2
gs: 45hp radiance goggles (venom set gives my SA so no need for tharnes), conc opp blindness/disease immunity bracers with 5 cha skills
epics: cloak of night, charged gauntlets (still working on gauntlets)
misc: minos legen cause cant fit toughness or heavy fort anywhere else, will be able to slot +1 str to charged gauntlets and change dt to something else for tier 2 on main sets. bloodstone, i do not farm desert and will never see an epic version of this item.

what this gearset offers: near full immunities (poison from neck and belt, blindness/disease from bracers, deathblock from cloak, only missing fear immunity which gh offers most of the time) and perma blur from cloak as well as full time radiance/conc opp/melodic guard when needed

sup toughness from neck, reg toughness from helm so hp are decent but not overboard with +3 exceptional con or anything like that.

what this gearset lacks: hp (30ish from normal builds), +1 sneak attack from tharnes (minor), and some str from the new set bonuses. still unsure bout ravager set, the neg levels from assy 3 set as well as the huge SA dmg seems to outweigh the big bleed damage but could be debatable depending on the situation.

edit: p.s. id never use claw set, there is just no way to make up for that 20% threat, 30% heal amp means nothing if you have aggro and are dead cause 20% threat will give you aggro so fast you cant blink an eye, i sit at -50% threat at all times and still can pull aggro off barbarians if im not careful.

[Ssmooth]

I disagree with Hoko on a couple of points:

#1: You can never have enough hp. A 20 rogue will pull agro off almost anyone without some care and need to be able to survive it when it happens. Hp's are never a crutch.

#2: The neccesity to bypass dr may be more important on elite shroud/vod/tod, but to say it's ok to loose 15dam/hit on normal is rediculous. Are Min II's required? No. But if you don't make them, at least have some metaline of pure good/holy silver on hand. Breaking DR on bosses should be a no brainer.

#3: Using the Raven set with the ring and not the Gem of Many Facets is a dps loss vs the Ravager set and a hp loss as well. The combined benefit of the Gem/Claw/Raven set=+4 to-hit/dam, 30% HA. The threat can be offset with enhancements/DT armor/Tharnes set.

If you were to fit in 3 items from Chronoscope, you would add an additional +3 str to your build and rogues need all the help they can get in the to-hit department. From your gear set-up currently, it looks like you have 3 already in play, but the guard on the boots is nice and seems a better fit than the gloves. Loosing the shocking blow is not a loss to your dps. The +4 to dam/hit if far more valuable and is actually a dps gain vs the Charged gauntlets. Assuming 2-20 hits 100%: Gloves of the claw add ~76 over 20 hits, gauntlets add ~100 over 20 hits, but has a save and will not be reliable dps, especially on epics.

I would also recommend going khopesh or heavy picks unless you rarely run epics, then rapiers are fine.

[Wraithkin]

So, I seem to bring in the non-standard or something I guess.

Tharne's Goggles
DT - +5 Saves; +6 Int; Tharnes
GS Triple Neg Gloves - Immunities
GS HP; Blur; Dex Skills; Displacement Cloak
Kensai Set - 2 Exceptional Con
Assassin's Set - 2 Exceptional Dex
Arrowhead
Epic Dustless Boots
Minos

I switch around -
Lit II
Rad II
2 Min II
Epic Midnight Greetings

I currently use the bracers from Hound that give Healing amp, I'm planning on moving my GS immunity item to bracers and picking up the charged gloves from Chrono.

I'm a Finesse build though. I just turn off PA when needed and haven't had any to hit issues in epics. I run them all the time.

I have crafted the Mabar Cloak, the House P cloak, the Epic Venom and the Epic Ravens set, none do anything for me in epics that I really want/need. The epic Venom doesn't work on Epic Mobs so it's pretty useless compared to the Kensai set. The Ravens set is mediocre to me personally since I loose my True Seeing bonus.

- I use the -40% Threat from Rogue line, the Tharnes and Assassins stack so I'm roughly -74% threat. I do have a lot of situational gear I swap out to hit epic traps and the like including but not limited to Mechanics set with +2 exceptional Int, Ventilated Bracers and Head of Good fortune. I sit about 60 Search and Disable with those unbuffed and without tools. I also use Head of Good fortune, Epic Big Top (with Cha gem) and the +3 UMD necklace (whose name eludes me at this moment) for UMD. This gives me 42 UMD when I have GH.

[Thundr]

Head - Minos
Cloak - GS 3x Water/HP or bard's cloak
Gloves Gloves of the Claw / 3xAir/HP / Gloves of Titan Grip (strictly for the +6 STR clicky)
Bracers - Bracers of the Claw or 3xNeg GS item
Rings Cinder's Band / Encrusted Ring
Belt - Knosts Belt
Boots - Madstone
Goggles - Tharne's or 3xNeg GS goggles
Armor - DT with 30% healing amp and 20% threat bonus
Neck - Stalwart Necklace or Silver Flame Talisman
Weapons - Min II or Trip Positive (for portals and such)

When main tanking (which is normal) I use the Claw set with the GS Goggles and Cloak. When not being main tank I use the Air gloves, Tharne's goggles and tipple neg bracers. Might also take off the Stalwart Necklace and put on the Silver Flame Talisman

[Draccus]

I disagree with Hoko on a couple of points:

#1: You can never have enough hp. A 20 rogue will pull agro off almost anyone without some care and need to be able to survive it when it happens. Hp's are never a crutch.

#2: The neccesity to bypass dr may be more important on elite shroud/vod/tod, but to say it's ok to loose 15dam/hit on normal is rediculous. Are Min II's required? No. But if you don't make them, at least have some metaline of pure good/holy silver on hand. Breaking DR on bosses should be a no brainer.

#3: Using the Raven set with the ring and not the Gem of Many Facets is a dps loss vs the Ravager set and a hp loss as well. The combined benefit of the Gem/Claw/Raven set=+4 to-hit/dam, 30% HA. The threat can be offset with enhancements/DT armor/Tharnes set.

I fully agree with all points. Especially point #1. If you have an interest in running epics or high level raids on elite, you need every hit point. Deaths may seem like no big deal in Part 2 of the Shroud but they are a much bigger deal in endgame content. And the OP is asking about an endgame gear set.

[Fafnir]

It's low hps that are giving rogues a bad rep.

[Malithar45]

unless you plan to maintank, you dont need 60% of the hp your gearset offers... seems like a waste to me imo..

Can't wrap my head around this statement at all. :/ If you're going with 2x ToD sets, the only other variable thing to slot would be 20% healing amp, and +20 HP is much more useful than that, to a rogue IMO. The rest of the gear set that I'm using will only grant an additional +2 Con over any other standard build. Your's even incorperates Superior False Life, for an additional +10 HP. By gear, I've got +10 HP over you, a far cry from having 60% too much. :P

As far as the other things mentioned, not too huge on the Venom set. Just can't see the vorpal venom being useful, and while you can sub out goggles and use the Gem of Many Facets to grab the set bonuses easily, outside of epics the +hit isn't needed, and the additional -20% threat from the Venom set isn't very enticing. When combined with the Fang set though to offset it, as well as the +4 damage, then I can get on board with that. But thats a total of 4 epic pieces, and there's two parts that turns me off on that. The loss of the Charged Gauntlets and a ToD set. Even if they're not loaded dice, looking at 3.5 average DPS on things without lightning resistance which is strong for one item, and much stronger if they're loaded.

Didn't make the post to really focus on weapons, as I feel that its foolish to give up that much DPS by ignoring DR breakers. There's plenty of options in weapons to cover yourself where you need it.

As far as healing amp goes, while I can see the much hightened worth in it in some events or while soloing, generally it seems to be a waste as a single heal from a healer can already fill us up fairly easily. Maybe I'm a bit byassed though with the extra 10% from Human t1. Worked Levik's Bracers back in as well for now and it seems like so much overkill in raids. Soloing though, <3 the 150ish Heals.

As far as threat enhancements/gear, I try and keep myself at 40-50%. Still holding out for Ravanger or FB rings, so for now I'm at Shintao and Assassin sets, as well as the Tharne's set. Anything over that amount and I just can't see the point. Maybe I will when (if?) Madstone Boots ever show up.

Good info so far, would like to see more gear sets, whether its what you're planning or working on, or just what you've thrown together from whats available.

[Hokonoso]

Can't wrap my head around this statement at all. :/ If you're going with 2x ToD sets, the only other variable thing to slot would be 20% healing amp, and +20 HP is much more useful than that, to a rogue IMO. The rest of the gear set that I'm using will only grant an additional +2 Con over any other standard build. Your's even incorperates Superior False Life, for an additional +10 HP. By gear, I've got +10 HP over you, a far cry from having 60% too much. :P

As far as the other things mentioned, not too huge on the Venom set. Just can't see the vorpal venom being useful, and while you can sub out goggles and use the Gem of Many Facets to grab the set bonuses easily, outside of epics the +hit isn't needed, and the additional -20% threat from the Venom set isn't very enticing. When combined with the Fang set though to offset it, as well as the +4 damage, then I can get on board with that. But thats a total of 4 epic pieces, and there's two parts that turns me off on that. The loss of the Charged Gauntlets and a ToD set. Even if they're not loaded dice, looking at 3.5 average DPS on things without lightning resistance which is strong for one item, and much stronger if they're loaded.

Didn't make the post to really focus on weapons, as I feel that its foolish to give up that much DPS by ignoring DR breakers. There's plenty of options in weapons to cover yourself where you need it.

As far as healing amp goes, while I can see the much hightened worth in it in some events or while soloing, generally it seems to be a waste as a single heal from a healer can already fill us up fairly easily. Maybe I'm a bit byassed though with the extra 10% from Human t1. Worked Levik's Bracers back in as well for now and it seems like so much overkill in raids. Soloing though, <3 the 150ish Heals.

As far as threat enhancements/gear, I try and keep myself at 40-50%. Still holding out for Ravanger or FB rings, so for now I'm at Shintao and Assassin sets, as well as the Tharne's set. Anything over that amount and I just can't see the point. Maybe I will when (if?) Madstone Boots ever show up.

Good info so far, would like to see more gear sets, whether its what you're planning or working on, or just what you've thrown together from whats available.

things change when you get madstone, they become a near permanent feature on your feet as they add a +6 to hit by themselves (allowing you to change some +hit gear out), and i agree about charged gauntlets (as i add them to my build) but i made a mistake, i thought you were taking the full new set bonus for the +3 con which coulda given you much more hp than me, at a second glance i see only a 3 piece set which does not include the con so forgive me of my stupidity

p.s. id never wear envenomed cloak. to me, there are 2 items right now in game that a rogue must wear, and they are epic cloak of night and madstone boots, every thing else is purely optional compared to those two items...

p.p.s. when your dps hits the max it can hit, -50% threat wont be enough. ive been told the dif set bonuses stack weirdly so the 20% from assy 3 set and 20% from venom set stack as well as the 30% i get from enhancements... even with this it is hard not to pull aggro at times when max haste boosting yourself (TR horc if you havent for the extra 3 haste boosts and 6 str over halfling)

[Malithar45]

You're forgiven, its np. :P

As far as the Madstone issue and fully hasted, I can imagine plenty of situations where the -50% threat won't be enough, but I'll need to see just how much of an issue it is prior to commenting much on it. They are far, far too elusive.

As for the 5 piece Abishai set, I couldn't agree more. With the 5 slots, you're just giving up so much. But they sure did a good job making it at least mildly tempting with the boots having two slots. Glad we agree on the gloves, and for me thats where using the cloak stems from. Looked at my options after ruling out Claw set by going with the Charged Gauntlets, and bracers freed up, or in the case of using the Gem of Many Facets, quite a few extra slots freed up. I decided to fill in the bracers with the Epic Scorched as +2 Con will be covered by a ToD ring, and Heavy Fort by a Min II item, or the green slot on Bracers if I so choose. Since I plan on using the gloves nearly full time, and the cloak full time, seemed only logical to toss in the Bracers for +3 Profane Str since there's little else there that would be useful.

I'm curious what about the Epic Cloak of Night you feel makes it a must have. I have it as well, and while I do love it for soloing (enhancement boosts to stealth, DR for when SS drops, Invis guard helps with buying time for Radiance fails as well as straffing around to avoid hits, perma blur instead of wanding, and the Nightmare guard for occasional bits of damage or instant death if lucky) but in an endgame set, I can't really see the usefulness in it. Invis is fairly pointless in raiding as it doesn't shed aggro nor give SAs, the blur is covered by buffs, DR covered by initial SS, and can't really see the large usefulness in that throughout a raiding situation. Nightmare more than likely won't successfully go off on trash, and definately not a boss for anything meaningful. I went with the Epic Envenomed Cloak more out of being able to swing the additional HP by switching my Tempest rune to +1 Con and saving my Eldritch slot from being Resistance +5, opening it up to the Cha skills, or a resist or anything else I feel is needed in the future.

As for TRing to HOrc, I've already got plans for this next life to be Human as well, but its daaaang tempting to go with HOrc. The Str was a nifty touch, but I wasn't ready to give up versatility in stats/enhancements for +4 Str. The extra boosts though, they got me there. Already addicted to having 7 boosts, I can't imagine having more. Think I'll give it til after my next life though to make sure they don't pull a "oh, we messed up, enjoy buying hearts to reincarnate to something better " on everyone.

[Hokonoso]

lol about the cloak of night, id rather all those things you mentioned over the extra con from the envenomed cloak. now if i had bracers (im not farming for it so not an option and i use a GS there) i could consider it for the +3 str, but for me it would be gloves and cloak only and that cloak is not better than cloak of night for anything, especially raiding. 5dr there + the 4dr from my conc opp bracers (temp hp avgs to bout 4dr) is 9dr over the 3 str i could gain, not to mention the 6 wis for the will save (i use ring of venom not kyosho's) and the fact that i just tr'd to half-orc for an extra 6 str over halfling makes me not need envenomed cloak for anything. only way i could fit it in is if i went with helm of frost, slotted heavy fort/toughness on cloak/helm, then i would consider it, but until then ill stick with my setup since i have all the epic items minus the gloves already (too busy leveling to farm any new content at this time :/)

[thomhas_of_mabar]

Thanks for the ideas.


This is what I'm using (halfling rog 18/fighter 2 AC build):

Tharne's goggles
Kensai set necklace
AC+8 bracers with 3 clickies divine favor. Backup: Tharne's
Icy Raiments + AC ritual for the extra +1 AC
Head of Good Fortune
Mineral II Helmet
Epic Cloak of Night. Backup: +6 CHA cloak for UMDing
+30 HP & Poison Resist Belt
Bramble Casters (I got nothing else to equip). Backup: Seven Fingered gloves for UMDing; Ventilated Bracers.
Kensai set Ring & +2 exc con
Deepwood Sniper set ring & +2 exc dex
+30% Striders

My base AC is 54 (using radiance rapier with +4 AC on it) and I have 24 STR, 445 HP.
(I took weapon focus - piercing weapons as a feat. Useless. A 2nd toughness would have been better).

Weapons: I got too many.


I'm missing 1 item to craft the epic monk bracers from Sentinels pack - the +3 exc. Will save will help.
I'm also working on midnight greetings. I will craft an exc. INT tod ring and/or GS items just for traps on
EPIC quests. Similarly, exc. CHA items for UMDing.



I'm open to ideas/suggestions,


Thank-you.

[maddmatt70]

Epic Red Dragon Leather with +1 con and heavy fort on it then make the helm radiance.

[Malithar45]

Bit of a necro, but I started it, think that's allowed. ;P

Regardless, I've finally managed to hit the desired gear I had set out to get, with the exception of the Epic Bloodstone. After a TR and the work back to cap, I'm currently at...

Weapons: 2x Lit II Khopesh, 2x Lit II Heavy Picks, Ele Beaters, DR Breakers, Undead Beaters, etc
Armor: DT - GFL, +1 Exceptional Con, Tharne's
Helm: 45 HP Min II, Bunny Helm overlay
Goggles: Tharne's, Epic Time Sensing Goggles - slotted: +6 Int
Neck: Shintao Cord
Trinket: Bloodstone
Cloak: Epic Envenomed Cloak - slotted: Toughness
Belt: Colethenis's Belt, Mechanic's Belt
Ring: Ring of the Ravanger - slotted: Exceptional +2 Str, Ring of Deftness - slotted: Exceptional +2 Int
Ring: Kyosho's Ring - slotted: Exceptional +2 Con
Gloves: Epic Charged Gauntlets - slotted: +6 Cha (dice roll is 20d3+60 no save, for those wondering)
Boots: Madstone Boots, Gyroscopic Boots of Striding when UMD is needed/running around
Bracers: Epic Scorched Bracers - slotted: Good Luck

Gear set combined with a fresh TR has worked out well. 38 buffless Str, 30 buffless Con, base Int of 8, but due to gear/tomes/GH, I'm able to hit epic traps without any additional buffs/gear, though Vent Bracers and Human Vers +5 skill boost is available if needed. Standing UMD of 37 with GH, slacking a tad more than I had hoped in this area in a standing gear set, but I'd rather not give anymore slots to gear to increase it.

Mainly, I'm looking at the setup now and wondering what direction I should go now. The most obvious improvement I see is ditching my bracers and getting the Epic Boots of Corrosion (seal and shard done already) and using that as a swap point. Will be minorly annoying to keep up with Madstone proc due to the buffs scaling off of the drawling area, though a quick look at the character sheet should be telling enough. By doing this, I'd open my bracers slot and lose nothing except for 30 fire resist, but gain Disintigration Guard, a green slot (Good Luck there) and a colorless slot (prolly Dex +6 just to take care of the saves) while maintaining the Greater Abishai set, as long as I don't have Madstones on waiting for a proc. It may not even be feasible to make the switch between them in the heat of a fight, only as an inbetween type thing (trash during VoD, ToD p3, enemies before Harry comes down, Un-conjoined Abishai before the Conjoined Devastator, etc. By freeing this slot, I could then switch in the Epic Bracers of the Claw as a mainstay to take care of my Heavy Fort and +2 Exceptional Con, freeing my Kyosho's for +20% Healing Amp (such a nightmare to get more rings...urg.) Doing so would also allow me to switch my helm out for say a guard or Smoke item perhaps. Such a small change in the setup, and I find everything going all over the place. XD

Another change I was considering was my trinket. While Epic Bloodstone would still be best in this slot (or Litany should I find myself breaking the Abishai set at some point) the new trinket coming with the event has piqued my interest. By my understanding, its +1 damage, +2 stacking Seeker, and Shocking Blow. No idea if the Shocking Blow will stack with the Epic Charged Gauntlets, both are different effects, but both being based on Vorps, etc, its hard to say. It'd come down to 6 seeker VS 4 seeker (since I've 2 on my belt) 1 damage, and Shocking Blow. Defiitely seems like a clear winner to me, save for auto crit situations and picks. Even assuming that the Shocking Blow won't stack with the Epic Charged Gauntlets, 1 damage > 2 seeker, I believe. Granted, this wouldn't carry over for those that use the Frenzied Berserker set instead of the Ravager set.

Epic Red Dragon Leather with +1 con and heavy fort on it then make the helm radiance.

Never got back to this nearly three months ago, but that's a change I'm also considering. Though I'm very hesitant to put something as needed as Heavy Fort on it because it wouldn't be a full time item for me. It boggles me why some still continue to wear it in say Shroud, ToD, VoD, eChrono, eDQ, eVoN6, etc. Putting such a needed effect into the slot would cause that IMO, and doing so is pretty sub-optimal since you could be gaining a useful guard and immunity from DT, while still maintaining the +1 Con. Regardless, Red Dragon Scales are more of a currency than a collectible for me at this point, it's rather far back on the list.

Any input is greatly appreciated, as always.~