i need help finding the AA for me

[Sgt_Hart]

Well, my AA is a very-much-non-optimal-three-ring-circus unto himself.

Admittedly, a singing sniper isn't for everyone. However, I do have a great time in shroud(Try busting those 3 crystals into the lunar fountain room with an oozebow and manyshot), The augment helps in HoX(As well as with oozebow), and you can scroll Mass-bear/bulls/shield of faith/what-have-you.

The down side is it doesn't come into its own until late. This is particularly troubling with no unlimited/returning arrows @6+(I got around it by using a Xoriat quiver on my divine tank and shipping alt arrows.), and the AA buffs are dramatically delayed to begin with, and racially delayed from then on.

I dislike not fitting in Improved precise, but at the same time.. /meh. Overall This notion is about as non-gimpy as I could make it, thought it remains Fire Support.

Would I recommend it for a new player: No.
Would I recommend it as a good time: Yes.

Doubt it'll suit you, but at the same time.. no one expects a bard/AA to be awesome.

[TheOneofShadows]

Issue is that you'll end up with low DPS compared to a character that puts down their bow occasionally (to build Ki for 10k stars) or often (when manyshot is on timer).

If you plan to never put down a bow then I don't know what to tell you ... maybe try a different game? I make special note of the rangers that determinedly plink plink despite how inappropriate it is and laugh to myself how they always have roughly only 1/10th the kills of my Artificer (who is totally gimped at the moment with a bunch of barbarian levels for the PL) and then I probably don't group with them again.

Perhaps an Artificer might work for you? Just, you know, sideways bow.

i have to say that i meant no intentional harm or put downs but i can't say that you meant the same. thank you for trying to be supportive. and i do follow some of your builds by the way and i would like to say that i look to you as a highly respective build planner.

[ferrite]

nvm

[wax_on_wax_off]

i have to say that i meant no intentional harm or put downs but i can't say that you meant the same. thank you for trying to be supportive. and i do follow some of your builds by the way and i would like to say that i look to you as a highly respective build planner.

No worries, if you ask a question (what are my options?) it's best to expect an answer and even the possibility that it will be an answer you don't like. I'm doing my best not to attack anyone personally but rather the ideas (which is what healthy debate is all about).

Whoaa. I guess we need to start over yet again.
Let me start by stating what hasnt been said yet.
I really, honestly, respect your opinions, you're very knowledgeable with many differant builds and advice, I've read more than a few of them and theyve always been very informative, ive went to lengths to send links to others along with a few other great ranged-based players.
What suprises me, is the borderline trolling. (never putting the bow away is useless, etc etc etc... whatever!)

Thank you for your kind words. I don't see this as trolling, never putting the bow away on a bow character (not crossbow) is useless, it's just simple fact.

The OP (again) doesnt fancy the 10k stars. Whether its TPS or flavor, who knows. But its toon. He wants alternatives, thats all.

I've done my best to provide alternatives as I see that they exist (artificer, a different game).

It's very true that the 10k has more (guythang) DPS. (Gotta beat those melee's... again, whatever!)

It's not just this, a 10k stars build can be better in every way as well as having a considerable DPS advantage (especially in comparison to a kensei III build, a pure(ish) ranger at least has some versatility/hard to find buffs but they're outshone by improved evasion, more SA, stunning fist, +1 crit multiplier etc).

What I've seen many non-10k stars builds doing in groups is applying debuff or CC effects with weapons like paralyzers, cursespewers etc but even at this the 10k stars build is vastly superior (due to additional arrow procs providing more chances at applying the effects).

I've built a 10k. Still young, but i do enjoy the damage.
Creating is a hobby -to build just about every ranged build i can find, what can i say, i m addicted.
The Kensai II, however, really fits me playstyle more than any of the others.
It's dex based over strength (another biting point that the experts dont agree with, but my philosophy is... if i cant hit them (while circling and jumping like i do) then i cant hurt them. And, it DOES make a difference.
i went through at least 6 hearts of wood to get the toon just right for me. (originally 20 Ranger)
The toon is high performance and high team player... im still a firm believer that each member of the party has a certain job to do. Epics included.
I found out early in the noob dayz that Rangers were the blacksheep, even though i luved them anyway.
Found out ways to compensate. Early on with a good paralyzer, learning to circlestrafe, learning to jump over and spin and fire, not taking damage, etc...
Then... i found out that a LitII and Slayers are pretty much the great eaqualizers in combat. With more on the horizon.
So, long story short, having nice gear and using proper tactics is still a win. not a loss.
I'm happiest with me main, and prolly always will be.
Maybe... when i get deeper into running more Epics, I'll find more use for me 10k, but not until the rest of guild is better geared up for it.
I hope this exlains a little better where i'm coming from?
-Tarelyn ~Achillesia, Thelanis

AB is really important and I don't follow the crowd on ignoring it completely (realistically only fighters and barbarians can hit on a 2 and even that is out the window with U14). In quite a few of my builds you can see AB calculations as I strive towards some of the magic numbers to let me hit on a 2 in various content.

AB being a concern is part of the charm of a 10k stars build; you're combining your DPS stat with your AB stat on a ranged weapon (as 10k stars gives more DPS from more wisdom and zen archery lets you use wisdom as your attack stat). Where perhaps there was contention before with the advent of U14 I don't see any argument that a wisdom based 10k stars AA is the only way to build an archer (due to how much more important AB is). Regarding dexterity based though you have to see that getting only half of the benefit from your main stat (AB) compared to what a 10k stars build does with wisdom (AB and DPS) isn't a path to success.

I'm glad that you're happy with your character and I'm sure that you are a valuable addition to parties, I firmly believe that both player skill and gear trump build but there's no indication that the OP has either so might as well get the build right (no offense to the OP, gear takes time and skill/knowledge does too).

Elf is certainly a valid choice for an archer, particularly in U14.

[Havok.cry]

snip

I haven't checked out that guy's builds, but I have to ask, are you opposed to any 10kstars build or is it just that you haven't met one you liked yet?

If you are willing to consider them, I am currently working on my 3rd ranger life as this: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...ighlight=Storm Its could be tweeked a bit here and there to fill your needs. If you are interested let me know and I'll see what I can do.

[Kawai]

I'm glad that you're happy with your character and I'm sure that you are a valuable addition to parties, I firmly believe that both player skill and gear trump build but there's no indication that the OP has either so might as well get the build right (no offense to the OP, gear takes time and skill/knowledge does too) ...Elf is certainly a valid choice for an archer, particularly in U14.

Cheers Luv & +1 to you (been meaning to do that
-Tarelyn

[TheOneofShadows]

No worries, if you ask a question (what are my options?) it's best to expect an answer and even the possibility that it will be an answer you don't like. I'm doing my best not to attack anyone personally but rather the ideas (which is what healthy debate is all about)

thank you for that and i completely agree that it is. On the note that i started this thread for, I am going to throw out all my expectations and worries and roll up one of your 10k AAs. what is one you suggest and what do you think i should have in mind as i get into this?

[wax_on_wax_off]

thank you for that and i completely agree that it is. On the note that i started this thread for, I am going to throw out all my expectations and worries and roll up one of your 10k AAs. what is one you suggest and what do you think i should have in mind as i get into this?

The ranger build (11 ranger/6 monk/3 artificer) is the one with the least gear/tome requirements I'd tend to think and will let you level into the Shiradi Champion epic destiny without any messing about and provides the best past life should you TR back into another archer build (like the monk one which is probably the best once you get gear together).

I did a rewrite up of that build recently as I'm considering it for my next life which you can find at the end of the thread. It's a very flexible build and you can level it in a variety of ways, if you prefer to stay ranged most of the time then I'd suggest to use the free artificer feats to shoot a repeating crossbow at the low levels until you have 10k stars enhancement and manyshot which is when you can swap to using bow most of the time.

As a leveling order to get to almost full time bow use as fast as possible:
1 Ranger (highest first always, for skill points)
1 Artificer (for repeating crossbow proficiency, UMD and trap skills)
1 Ranger (for rapid shot)
6 monk (and choose manyshot feat at level 9)
1 artificer (assuming using a +2 int tome you shouldn't take your second artificer level until 8 to maximise skill points)
4 ranger (swap out manyshot feat before you take the 6th level of ranger or you lose a feat forever)
1 artificer
5 ranger

This gives you the 3/4 or 2/3 ranged with a bow (not repeater) feel by level 9 which is about as quick as you can do it. If you're still leveling when U14 goes live (24th iirc?) then at ranger 4 you will get precise shot and can choose improved precise shot at level 15 and then swap it out (using free feat swap) at level 20. While questing it should be reasonably easy to make sure that you have enough Ki for 10k stars without having to engage in melee by meditating/running in earth stance and you can probably time it so that most of your "down time" is between fights to limit the amount of melee that you have to engage in to almost 0.

Before U14 AC is quite easy with your high wisdom and moderate dexterity, preferably either chug cats/owls potions or have equivalent or better items, barkskin potion (before you get spell), protection item (or shield of faith/protection from evil potions/wands), dodge items (if you can get them), abishai set etc. After U14 everything is up in the air, the AC will still help but don't expect to be untouchable like you can be in most content before U14.

Look for a variety of bows and ammo, you can't rely on just 1 setup as some vets do as you'll be at a severe gear disadvantage to them. If you have a crafter, great, there's some good options, if not, consider getting one or befriending one to do some easy crafting for you. Even if you don't want a crafter leveling up high enough to craft masteful craftsmanship shards (30ish iirc?) to reduce ML on crafted items by 2 (as long as you have 75 cannith favour on one of your characters) is a great idea.

Ideas for cannith crafted gear:
Lifeshield of Invulnerability Outfit (preferably with a guild augment slot for fortification with mod fort ring)
Enhancement vs enchantments +6 Bracers (or other slot)
Screaming +5 Longbow of Bleed (preferably with a guild augment slot for accuracy)
Goggles of Accuracy (replaced later by Spectral Gloves)
Ring of Moderate/Heavy Fortification
+1 Holy Arrows (very cheap, make a few thousand, don't use all the time but use a fair bit)
Ghost Touch Longbow of Undead Bane (for delera's combined with holy arrows, righteousness/pure good if you can't source the undead soul gems)
Hat of Concentration +7-13 (preferably with a guild augment for even more concentration)
Belt of Improved/Greater False Life

If you're on Khyber I can craft all of this at a competitive rate (at least what can be crafted unbound). If you have the bits then apply them one a time to items as you get to the right level to use them (invulnerability on outfit first, add lifeshield at level 7 iirc when you can use it, same with bow, bleed first, then screaming at level 3, then +5 at level 13).

Good luck with the build and post there if you have any other questions about it.
Cheers,
Wowo

[TheOneofShadows]

i have to thank you first Wowo and i have to give thanks also to everyone else here whom loves to give an oppinion when some one asks for help. i have learned that not only people whom are new to a game are noobs, but also those whom are stuck up in their ways not willing to change may also attain this title. i hope that every one can open their eyes comfortably and see when they are wrong or see when they have lost an argument and change and adapt to the new setting and/or environment. sorry to turn that into a life lesson but :P i learned something

[wax_on_wax_off]

i have to thank you first Wowo and i have to give thanks also to everyone else here whom loves to give an oppinion when some one asks for help. i have learned that not only people whom are new to a game are noobs, but also those whom are stuck up in their ways not willing to change may also attain this title. i hope that every one can open their eyes comfortably and see when they are wrong or see when they have lost an argument and change and adapt to the new setting and/or environment. sorry to turn that into a life lesson but :P i learned something

Is that just directed at yourself? Everyone else was just trying to help you as best as they were able from the perspective of their own game experiences.