Monkcher gear discussion

[emptysands]

Boots: Halcyon (Ghostly, Dexterity +8, Wis +2, potency 80)

Doesn't provide Ghostly.

I'm trying to figure my regearing plan at the moment.

Basically assuming Dun'Robar Tendon Slicing, Black Dragon Set and Heal Amp bracers as fixed options.

Improved Deception/Sneak: Backstabber/TOD Set/20% Heal Amp vs Seal of Avithoul/Nether's +2 STR Diversion/ Optics (WIS) vs Visor.

Planar WIS/Dream Visor vs Planar STR/Optics - basically dodge vs PRR, as Subterfuge set gives true sight, dodge 3% and full eSneak. So Dream Visors (+4/5 dmg) vs max STR/+4 dmg.

I haven't tested but +2 artifact bonus from Black armour shouldn't stack with Planar Prowess bonus, but will stack with Dream Visor. So over all Subterfurge set may be better.

I have tested the Sun Soul set. That does stack with the Prowess set (+4+2). I think the Sun Soul set is still untyped, so this may change.

It some what depends on your tomes and even/odd brackets: WIS vs STR. +1 WIS bracket is 3.1% more 10k dps according to reports, for 50% of the over all time. +1 STR vs +1 WIS bracket, then depends a lot on you gear, build and crit profile.

Halycon is good for potency if you can twist cocoon, but Surefooted with Mobility and Balance/2% dodge could be nice as well.

Spare Hand is a strong option for non-full UMD builds. You can use Arkat's Cord to slot Toughness, if you don't have an old Spare Hand, plus it gives you extra slots. I think belt slot is pretty much the only useful non-blocking slot for greensteel.

I like the idea of Waking on the black slot for CHA/Ghostly/Resists - especially if you drop enlightenment and need to save Ki. But eSeeker/Dodge/Diversion on Iron cloak is also a strong choice.

Symbol of the Shining Sun could be cheap way to slot WIS+7/CHA+2/Concentration +15, or a Random WIS+8 necklace with a slot. Also Alchemist's Pendant with +20HP and Ki+1 is worth considering.

Unfortunately I never grabbed Gilvaenor's in all the 60+ TOD runs I did. TOD isn't run much in the AU/NZ timezone at the moment. But I just got Yugo favour again, so I might start it up again once a week.

Also you are not at full BAB at 18 so there is a difference there... since BAB is supposed to determine base attack speed

See some part efforts:

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=351973 - +2 WIS is 3.125% increase in 10k dps.
http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p...9&postcount=57 - BAB and ranged number of shots
From http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=354668 - check out https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...4QzdtNVE#gid=0

[emptysands]

Necklace: Pendant of the stormreaver (Striding 30%,

The ddowiki description says Thunderstruck procs on melee only. Anyone confirm that?

[Symerith]

The ddowiki description says Thunderstruck procs on melee only. Anyone confirm that?

Yes.

[scoobmx]

Doesn't provide Ghostly.

rofl, you quoted my post that said Halcyon Boots, then you added all that stuff into the quote to make me look bad? read my post again...

[emptysands]

rofl, you quoted my post that said Halcyon Boots, then you added all that stuff into the quote to make me look bad? read my post again...

That was just a typo. I was quoting Atomic's OP, but it got mixed somehow. Sorry about that.

[AtomicMew]

It does more than just stacking :P It's a huge increase in DPS, and it's probably one of the only TOD sets worth using now). And since it has been asked in the past, it stacks - tested multiple times.

Also, the reason why the dun'robar ring is included is because it provides +4% dodge and +10 tendon slice which is freaking awesome for any ranged character. With the stalker ring/halcyon, you basically gain manslayer at the cost of +1 reflex save, +10 tendon slice (great defense) & +4% dodge. There aren't many humanoids in today's "endgame" and halcyon proc is weak/you don't get hit much/you'll never run out of sp anyway.

The epic spare hand is a must have if you are UMD based without it as a class skill (so for me).

The Dream Visor is +3 DPS at the cost of TS (Giants dispell a lot.. it's good in theory but ingame, you would rather never be dispelled and lose 3 seconds where you could have shot 3 arrows..) and +1 wisdom. I think I remember Varz saying it was roughly a 3.1% increase in 10kstar DPS, and if there's one person that knows his numbers, it's him

There are many good options, it comes down to playstyle. Always does ^^

According to the testing thread, it's a 3.1% increase in 10k stars DPS per wis bracket. I don't think it's a huge loss to lose one wis bracket.

You do have me convinced me that I should slot true seeing somewhere, but I still have a hard time giving up +5 dmg/attack from dream visors. That's just such a large bonus. I could potentially craft true seeing onto the boots slots and lose treads (-2 DEX, -1 WIS trade off for +5 dmg/attack) which seems weird but looks like a much better deal to me. What do you think?

[Symerith]

According to the testing thread, it's a 3.1% increase in 10k stars DPS per wis bracket. I don't think it's a huge loss to lose one wis bracket.

You do have me convinced me that I should slot true seeing somewhere, but I still have a hard time giving up +5 dmg/attack from dream visors. That's just such a large bonus. I could potentially craft true seeing onto the boots slots and lose treads (-2 DEX, -1 WIS trade off for +5 dmg/attack) which seems weird but looks like a much better deal to me. What do you think?

By the huge loss in DPS, I meant the AA set: 10% is a lot, it's the largest bonus you can get. Varz suggested changing the planar set to get TS, 3% dodge/SA, and I like that alternative, although losing the +4 dmge from set also makes you lose another damage from loss of either +8 str or +3 insight. str.

I think the best thing is go with the dream visors in the first place, and if you find the constant TS scrolling and debuff to be a big issue, switch it out for the intricate field optics.
You could also very well keep the dream visors on for specific quests, and switch to field optics when needed. Ex: for Tor/cabal/madstone red name giants/foundation, it's nice to have the intricate field optics. For FOT/maze/TBF/feast/cry/pop, you are better off with the dream visors.

[emptysands]

By the huge loss in DPS, I meant the AA set: 10% is a lot, it's the largest bonus you can get. Varz suggested changing the planar set to get TS, 3% dodge/SA, and I like that alternative, although losing the +4 dmge from set also makes you lose another damage from loss of either +8 str or +3 insight. str.

If you have the black armour set, then you actually only lose +2, as Draconic Ferocity gives +2 artifact ranged damage.

So the main thing is 15 PRR - that could be worth switching too depending on the quest.

Really depends on your build, the -1 STR ( +7+3 or +8+2 = 10 vs 11) may not make you lose a +1 dmg bracket.

I think it's a good idea to have options - I'll probably plan to grab a +3 WIS optics as well.

[scoobmx]

If you have the black armour set, then you actually only lose +2, as Draconic Ferocity gives +2 artifact ranged damage.

So the main thing is 15 PRR - that could be worth switching too depending on the quest.

Really depends on your build, the -1 STR ( +7+3 or +8+2 = 10 vs 11) may not make you lose a +1 dmg bracket.

I think it's a good idea to have options - I'll probably plan to grab a +3 WIS optics as well.

According to effect log the ranged artifact bonus stacks with plain artifact bonus. Should be tested.

[emptysands]

According to effect log the ranged artifact bonus stacks with plain artifact bonus. Should be tested.

Odd. I should check the claw/eclaw+prowess. Maybe the artifact bonuses are bugged at the moment.

[scoobmx]

Odd. I should check the claw/eclaw+prowess. Maybe the artifact bonuses are bugged at the moment.

I doubt those stack as it was tested on Lamaland. These two are different effects. One is artifact bonus to damage and one is artifact bonus to ranged damage. Even if it is not WAI I can see how those two might be treated as different types in code.

[AtomicMew]

...

Lots of great advice here, thanks. I didn't realize black dragon set bonus didn't stack with prowess. That makes the black dragon set bonus pretty questionable. Is the black dragon armor alone worth using? I have no idea how valuable the armor piercing is, as I said earlier I have been playing only casters seriously up to this point. Alternatively, the caparison from MOTU looks pretty decent and carries toughness too and allows for +8/+3 max wisdom. But I'm just not sure how high to assess the black dragon armor. Feel free to enlighten me

I also looked at the subterfuge set bonus, but it seems really weak. +2 exc. SA over the backstabber gloves and true seeing, but I hate to use up an entire slot for just that.

The other weak slot IMO seems to be the treads (personally). Since I'll be using the mabar cloak which already has ghostly, I'd only be getting +2 dex compared to +7/+2 slotting.

[scoobmx]

The other weak slot IMO seems to be the treads (personally). Since I'll be using the mabar cloak which already has ghostly, I'd only be getting +2 dex compared to +7/+2 slotting.

depending on how you build your monk archer you can just shadow fade instead of using ghostly somewhere. shadow fade is better

[emptysands]

Lots of great advice here, thanks. I didn't realize black dragon set bonus didn't stack with prowess. That makes the black dragon set bonus pretty questionable. Is the black dragon armor alone worth using? I have no idea how valuable the armor piercing is, as I said earlier I have been playing only casters seriously up to this point. Alternatively, the caparison from MOTU looks pretty decent and carries toughness too and allows for +8/+3 max wisdom. But I'm just not sure how high to assess the black dragon armor. Feel free to enlighten me

I also looked at the subterfuge set bonus, but it seems really weak. +2 exc. SA over the backstabber gloves and true seeing, but I hate to use up an entire slot for just that.

The other weak slot IMO seems to be the treads (personally). Since I'll be using the mabar cloak which already has ghostly, I'd only be getting +2 dex compared to +7/+2 slotting.

According to scoobmx the ranged +2 artifact damage is in fact stacking with the +4 general artifiact damage bonus. I finally got a black hat the other day, so I'll double check this later.

It's actually +3 extra sneak damage (+8 vs +5). You also get 3% dodge.

The Sun Soul set is nice, in fact in earth stance it could be good for survival mode - the 50% of the time -50% damage proc is useful. I've been using this, but the option of armor piercing on the black set has convinced me to switch. Mainly for bosses, but particular for fury shots: the difference between 500 x4 vs 2000 x4 is alot.

[AtomicMew]

According to scoobmx the ranged +2 artifact damage is in fact stacking with the +4 general artifiact damage bonus. I finally got a black hat the other day, so I'll double check this later.

It's actually +3 extra sneak damage (+8 vs +5). You also get 3% dodge.

The Sun Soul set is nice, in fact in earth stance it could be good for survival mode - the 50% of the time -50% damage proc is useful. I've been using this, but the option of armor piercing on the black set has convinced me to switch. Mainly for bosses, but particular for fury shots: the difference between 500 x4 vs 2000 x4 is alot.

Keep us updated on your testing. If it does stack, it would make the choice very easy. Assuming it does, here's what I finally have planned:

Helm: Helm of the Black Dragon +3 str (2)
Goggles: Dream visors (1)
Necklace: Gilvaenor's Necklace
Armor: Black Dragonscale Robe (2)
Trinket: Planar focus of Prowess +3 dex (subterfuge for TS on swap)
Cloak: Mabar cloak
Belt: Min II GS HP
Ring1: Gilvaenor's Ring (20% Amp)
Ring2: Dun Robar Ring +7 str (Tendon Slice)
Boots: Halcyon boots (2)
Gloves: Backstabber's Gloves (1)
Bracers: lesser convalescent of superior parrying w/ slot (1) (greater convalescent w/ slot would be best, but extremely rare)
Quiver: Quiver of Poison (Venomed Ammunition - 1d10)

Total slots (9)

Slots would be extremely tight, but I think I can make it work:

Essential slots:
+2 good luck
+7 resistance
+14 sheltering
+35 HP

Stats boost:
Str: +7 dun robar / +3 black dragon
Dex: +8 halcyon / +3 planar trinket
Con:+7/+2 (2 slots)
Wis: +7/+2 (2 slots)
Cha: +7 (1 slot)

[emptysands]

Keep us updated on your testing. If it does stack, it would make the choice very easy. Assuming it does, here's what I finally have planned:

Looks like it does stack. At least the general log does not complain that they are the same type.

[Alternative]

Keep us updated on your testing. If it does stack, it would make the choice very easy. Assuming it does, here's what I finally have planned:

Helm: Helm of the Black Dragon +3 str (2)
Goggles: Dream visors (1)
Necklace: Gilvaenor's Necklace
Armor: Black Dragonscale Robe (2)
Trinket: Planar focus of Prowess +3 dex (subterfuge for TS on swap)
Cloak: Mabar cloak
Belt: Min II GS HP
Ring1: Gilvaenor's Ring (20% Amp)
Ring2: Dun Robar Ring +7 str (Tendon Slice)
Boots: Halcyon boots (2)
Gloves: Backstabber's Gloves (1)
Bracers: lesser convalescent of superior parrying w/ slot (1) (greater convalescent w/ slot would be best, but extremely rare)
Quiver: Quiver of Poison (Venomed Ammunition - 1d10)

Total slots (9)

Black scale robe has only one slot, and besides that it looks like you only get 2 blue/green slots with that set up. So you only get to slot two of: 35hp, 7 resist, 14 PRR, 2 luck, and there's no toughness item either. Halcyon boots are supposed to get a green slot but they currently don't, in which case they are really poor choice and personally I'd prefer treads + mithral wolf cloak combo (seeker 4, dodge 3, ghostly, 9 dex), but it still wouldn't give me enough slots.

I've been thinking about GS necklace (might not have to be min2), EE ring of stormreaver's prophecy (8 wis, green slot), and EE arkat's cord (toughness, green slot). That would give me all the slots I want AND possibly a wis bracket, but ofc at the price of losing that AA tod set.

So I sit here, in quite a fix...

[AtomicMew]

Black scale robe has only one slot, and besides that it looks like you only get 2 blue/green slots with that set up. So you only get to slot two of: 35hp, 7 resist, 14 PRR, 2 luck, and there's no toughness item either. Halcyon boots are supposed to get a green slot but they currently don't, in which case they are really poor choice and personally I'd prefer treads + mithral wolf cloak combo (seeker 4, dodge 3, ghostly, 9 dex), but it still wouldn't give me enough slots.

I've been thinking about GS necklace (might not have to be min2), EE ring of stormreaver's prophecy (8 wis, green slot), and EE arkat's cord (toughness, green slot). That would give me all the slots I want AND possibly a wis bracket, but ofc at the price of losing that AA tod set.

So I sit here, in quite a fix...

******... good catches, I thought I had it all figured out

I really, really don't want to lose gilvaenor's, it just seems too good, doesn't it? It's a flat 6-8% dmg boost, and so if we go by Sym's calc dmg per arrow of ~350 before crits (if I'm reading it right), you'd need to add roughly ~24 dmg per hit with the two free slots to make up for the AA tod set. That's impossible. You could drop dream visors and planar conflux instead and still come out ahead with gilvaenor's.

So in other words, I think it would be optimal to do just that. From the previous setup I posted, I plan to drop dream visors and dun'robar and pick up intricate optics and stormreaver prophecies. This gets me another wisdom bracket and enough slots so I can drop the slotted lesser convalescent bracers for a greater convalescent bracers. I also don't have to worry about true seeing, which is a nice convenience. I lose quite a bit (dodge 4%, tendon slice and +5 dmg/attack) but of course, this setup didn't have enough slots to work anyway.

The plan version 2:

Helm: Helm of the Black Dragon +3 str (2)
Goggles: Intricate optics +3 wis (2)
Necklace: Gilvaenor's Necklace
Armor: Black Dragonscale Robe (1)
Trinket: Planar focus of Prowess +3 dex
Cloak: Mabar cloak
Belt: Min II GS HP
Ring1: Gilvaenor's Ring (20% Amp)
Ring2: Stormreaver prophecies (2)
Boots: Halcyon boots (2)
Gloves: Backstabber's Gloves (1)
Bracers: Greater convalescent of superior parrying
Quiver: Quiver of Poison (Venomed Ammunition - 1d10)

Total slots (10)
Total blue slots (4)

Essential slots:
+2 good luck
+7 resistance
+14 sheltering
+35 HP

Stats boost:
Str: +7 / +3 black dragon (1 slot)
Dex: +8 halcyon / +3 planar trinket
Con:+7/+2 (2 slots)
Wis: +8 stormreaver prophecies / +2 (1 slot)
Cha: +7/+2 (2 slot)

Alternatively, with cloak of the wolf and treads:

Helm: Helm of the Black Dragon +8 str (2)
Goggles: Intricate optics +3 wis (2)
Necklace: Gilvaenor's Necklace
Armor: Black Dragonscale Robe (1)
Trinket: Planar focus of Prowess +3 str
Cloak: Adamantine cloak of the wolf
Belt: Min II GS HP
Ring1: Gilvaenor's Ring (20% Amp)
Ring2: Stormreaver prophecies (2)
Boots: Falling treads
Gloves: Backstabber's Gloves (1)
Bracers: Greater convalescent of superior parrying
Quiver: Quiver of Poison (Venomed Ammunition - 1d10)

I notice that this turns out almost identical to norge's setup. The difference being dream visor traded for intricate optics, which of course loses 1 wisdom and the 4th blue slot for +2 good luck.

[scoobmx]

Again you might want to check yourself if gilvaenor's is actually doing anything for you beyond haste, since myself and symerith seem to disagree on this. Test at level 25 with rapid shot and haste, and swap the set on and off.

[Alternative]

I just did the test, twice to see if I get the same result both times

lvl25 monkcher (12/6/2)
haste clicky + pinion + AA set = 114 arrows
Haste clicky + pinion = 110 arrows

I got the same result both times, then I noticed I have quiver of alacrity on so I removed it and did the test once more, and again the same result. So it looks like "to me" this isn't worth it at all, wish I tested before I crafted that min2 belt, doh!