32 pt HE Monkcher OC or Combat Archery?

[forest60]

I'm loving the Archery goodness and finally got my little 32 pt first life Monkcher to 21. I have an LR waiting (or the LR20) to fix things as necessary. I just don't see a way to get a high wisdom for 10k stars, high strength for OC, and high dex for Combat Archery.

My current relevant tomes are:
+2str
+3dex
+2con
+5wis (weee Mabar)

My current level split is 12r/6m/2f (though that could easily change if necessary.) This allowed me to keep dex low and still get IPS through Ranger, but now I have a decision to make. I'm leaning toward OC for the increased STR to every shot, plus crits obviously. Of course the +1 per shot from CA might help a little.

Thoughts?

[unbongwah]

CA isn't +1 per shot, it's +1[W] while in PBS range; with Pinion, that's an extra 2d6 base dmg per shot (avg 7 dmg, 21 on crits).

Is that more valuable than +1 crits from OC? No clue! But it's more DPS than your OP suggests.

[forest60]

CA isn't +1 per shot, it's +1[W] while in PBS range; with Pinion, that's an extra 2d6 base dmg per shot (avg 7 dmg, 21 on crits).

Is that more valuable than +1 crits from OC? No clue! But it's more DPS than your OP suggests.

Oops, thanks for pointing that out.

Trying to do some math (not my strong suit) I figure I go just enough dex/str for either feat and assuming I can get a +3 STR tome my lvl 20 stats would be:

CA / OC
18 / 23 STR----(0lvl ups vs. 3lvl ups) losing 1 WIS lvl up but I think I can still hit 40 with level 20+ gear.
21 / 16 DEX----(2lvl ups vs. 0lvl ups)

So OC gives me +2dmg per shot, 16 on crits?

IF my I did that right then CA is the obvious choice since Pinion is my goal weapon and with U20 it will be an easy pickup (ran Shroud already.) Bonus, no useless PA/Cleave/GCleave....but then why add 2 Fighter levels? Ugh more decisions.

[DareDelvis]

Oops, thanks for pointing that out.
IF my I did that right then CA is the obvious choice since Pinion is my goal weapon and with U20 it will be an easy pickup (ran Shroud already.)

Pardon my ignorance and I am not trying to derail the thread, but what is up with U20, Shroud and Pinion?
Thanks,
DD

[elg582]

Once you hit epic levels, you will start using adrenaline from the fury line with deadly shot and manyshot. At that point, OC simply annihilates CA.

Of course, I say take both; you have until 24 to get another tome.

[forest60]

Pardon my ignorance and I am not trying to derail the thread, but what is up with U20, Shroud and Pinion?
Thanks,
DD

From Lama Release Notes:
"As an apology for the issues with Raid 20th completion reward lists, a Raider's Reward Box should appear in your inventory if you meet one of the two prerequisites:
You have completed a Raid on your current life. (This does not include Chronoscope or Tempest Spire.)
You have performed a TR since U19."

The Box brings up a barter UI with CITW weapons.