So I pulled a Connor's Ring yesterday, not the ideal Gilvaenor's but it's halfway there. Picked up the pendant with a normal run on New Invasion but now worried about reports that the set bonus wasn't stacking with normal ranged alacrity like what is granted from my Quiver of Alacrity.
Some basic tests:
Light Crossbow, no buffs, precision turned off, normal bolts (cold iron actually), outside of PBS range, helpless training dummy:
W/set bonus: 4:16
W/out set bonus: 4:18
Certainly within a margin for error. Not looking good.
Shortbow, no buffs, 15 strength, not helpless training dummy, otherwise as above:
W/set bonus: 5:58 (399 arrows)
W/out set bonus: 6:03 (396 arrows)
So, 1.4% difference just by the times but the arrows/second might help the situation.
399 arrows in 358 seconds = 1.11452513966 arrows/second
396 arrows in 363 seconds = 1.09090909091 arrows/second
(399/358)/(396/363)=1.02164804469
or, 2.2% attack speed increase from Connor's set.
This outcome is about in keeping with current knowledge that alacrity effects provide roughly half of their advertised value. It would stand to reason that Gilvaenor's set provides a similar increase so maybe 4.4%?
Final test is to see if I get an extra volley of manyshot while it's equipped.
Alacrity: 22 volleys
Alacrity+Connors: 23 volleys(!)
Haste:
Haste+Connors: 23 volleys
If that extra volley with Connors isn't an anomaly (anyone else want to try something similar?) then it's a worthwhile +4.5% DPS to each manyshot activation.
This is on a 7 Ranger/7 Artificer/6 Monk/3 Epic with 20 BAB w/Flurry of Blows (18 w/out).