Help with pure Ranger gear (DWS Archer)

[nibel]

I have been busy with the TR train for the last years, so while I did played the quests released after Shadowfell, every piece of gear that was above ML 25 I ignored because I would stay on 26-28 very little time. However, now I decided to keep one alt on permanent cap, and I noticed I have absolutely no no idea where I start to build my gearset considering current endgame.

I have a good bunch of bows (with a T3 Pinion being my primary weapon), and a pair of Celestias (unupgraded) for my melee backup. Other than that, I recognize all my gear is pretty useless.

I say that I am DWS because I know about the AA changes, and will not be focusing on that tree, so I still only need Positive spellpower for healing. I'm a dragonmarked elf ranger (for extended displacement) dex-based build. My usual playstyle is sniping from as far as I can using crippling attacks (leg shot, Pin) and stacking Archer's Focus. Only switch to IPS when I'm forced to kite many mobs.

I do not have the patience to run 20 raids in a single night (mostly because I can't do it solo), so any help on gear guides that do not include raid-only gear is very welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[Assassination]

You can run the orchard quests for some great non weapon items. All lvl 27 stuff that is bound to account. Nice goggles, bracers, and the super duper belt of innocent that has +11 con, +11 dodge, +11 resistance.

For weapons you can make thunder forged without running the raids. You can get to tier 2 this way, for tier 3 you need "phloggies" which only drop in raid.

Devils gambit quests have some nice gear that has a +3 set bonus to all stats, but you have to wear 5 items, which may be difficult. The "Trials of the Archons" also has some nice gear, lvl 28 bound to account....

All this gear is bound to account so your other toons can use it as well....

Good luck and good gaming.... the wiki is your friend for specific items!

[unbongwah]

Other than that, I recognize all my gear is pretty useless.

Why don't you list your gear anyway so we know what needs upgrading?

Also, apart from wanting non-raid gear you can solo-farm, any restrictions in terms of content etc.?

[nibel]

Why don't you list your gear anyway so we know what needs upgrading?

Sure, why not? Some of those are things I got after I decided to keep her at 28, but they are more placeholders than actual decisions thus far.

Armor: EN Whisperchain (for Blurry and Ghostly)
Goggles: Random loot: Deadly 10 of Resistance +9
Head: Epic Muffled Veneer (for spot and stealth, mostly)
Necklace: EN Death's Locket (Deathblock)
Trinket: EH Shamanic Fetish (Devotion, and Master's Gift slotted while I level EDs)
Cloak: Literally empty. Currently biding on a EE Jeweled Cloak to fill the slot, because I know spell absorb will be useful even as a swap item.
Belt: Random loot: Fortification 125% of Speed IX
Gloves: PDK Gauntlets (for Healing Amplification)
Boots: Cannith Boots of Propulsion (but as good as empty now, can switch it when I need a wings)
Bracers: Epic Inferno Bracers (Had it on my shared bank, using for Con+11 only)
Ring 1: EE Ring of the Djinn (found one cheap on the AH, using for DR)
Ring 2: Heroic Guardian's Ring (for Sheltering, can easily upgrade for epic version)
Quiver: EN Quiver of Poison

Weapons are basically a fully upgraded Pinion, an Epic Bow of the Silver Flame, crafted +5 Holy Burst of Evil Outsider Bane, and random loot something of Smiting. My melee backup is a pair of Celestias (still unupgraded, need more Commendations of Heroism)

Also, apart from wanting non-raid gear you can solo-farm, any restrictions in terms of content etc.?

Not really. I'm VIP and have both expansions. And I hoard my monthly TP to buy AS when they go on sale (have around 600 right now), so I have no problem getting to the required chest and using the reroll function.

I think maybe Mythics is the only thing I might not purposefully run after (both epic necro and the "new" mythic bonus). If they drop, good. Otherwise, the average-sized gear is enough.

[blerkington]

Hi,

I don't see a seeker item in your gear list anywhere, though I may have missed it. If you don't have one, try to work it in; it will improve your damage output even with low crit range weapon like a bow. Edit: Pinion has seeker, but you will lose that when you use other weapons.

The Iron Mitts from epic 3BC are a nice upgrade from the PDK gloves, and won't require you to make other changes to your gear because the effects are so similar.

Another item I'd recommend is the Epic Dynamistic Quiver from Grim and Barret, one of the new quests from u28. The ranged power and doubleshot are nice to have even now, and this item will become even better if the loss of the doubleshot penalty after using manyshot goes ahead. There has been some talk the item is bugged, but I haven't noticed that myself.

You've said you don't want to do a lot of raiding, but if something changes, an Epic Litany and the Arcane Archer ring and necklace set from ToD are very nice to have too. The damage and stacking ranged alacrity boosts are valuable, and you won't be making any major sacrifices by changing your current gear set.

Thanks.

[unbongwah]

I usually start with easy-to-acquire gear upgrades then work my way up to the better stuff. With that in mind...

Armor: EN Whisperchain (for Blurry and Ghostly)

Restored giantcraft leather is an easy DPS upgrade. Ring of Shadows is the usual recommendation for concealment + Ghostly; EE version is best, ofc, but even the EN version would be acceptable.

Trinket: EH Shamanic Fetish (Devotion, and Master's Gift slotted while I level EDs)

Since you're still using CitW weapons, I'd consider a Planar Focus; either Prowess for +4 dmg +15 PRR or Subterfuge for Insight SA +5 & True Seeing.

Cloak: Literally empty. Currently biding on a EE Jeweled Cloak to fill the slot, because I know spell absorb will be useful even as a swap item.

Cloak of the Wolf is a good option if you don't already have Exceptional Seeker + Dodge slotted.

Gloves: PDK Gauntlets (for Healing Amplification)

I usually swap these for Iron Mitts; same healing amp, but +1 STR, Vitality +40, Resistance +7 (redundant in your case, though), with a colorless slot to tweak a stat (EDIT: or a skill). I've got a pair slotted with Insightful CON +2 to make up for losing that from PDK gloves; since it's BtA, I can share it with all my chars.

Ring 2: Heroic Guardian's Ring (for Sheltering, can easily upgrade for epic version)

Good idea!

Quiver: EN Quiver of Poison

Now that Doubleshot is about to become important to archers, I will also recommend swapping for either Dynamistic Quiver or Quiver of Alacrity.

[DirkTyrant]

Do you folks know of any other gear that enhances ranged power? I have a pure ranger AA.

[unbongwah]

Do you folks know of any other gear that enhances ranged power? I have a pure ranger AA.

AFAIK, Dynamistic Quiver and ToEE armor set are your only gear options for Ranged Power.

[Jasparion]

AFAIK, Dynamistic Quiver and ToEE armor set are your only gear options for Ranged Power.

Anyone know the drop rate on the quiver? Between 5 of us we have hundreds of chest loots across our toons and none of us have seen it even once.

Dozens of all the other named items get vendored, but just dont see the quiver.

[CrackedIce]

I have been busy with the TR train for the last years, so while I did played the quests released after Shadowfell, every piece of gear that was above ML 25 I ignored because I would stay on 26-28 very little time. However, now I decided to keep one alt on permanent cap, and I noticed I have absolutely no no idea where I start to build my gearset considering current endgame.

I have a good bunch of bows (with a T3 Pinion being my primary weapon), and a pair of Celestias (unupgraded) for my melee backup. Other than that, I recognize all my gear is pretty useless.

I say that I am DWS because I know about the AA changes, and will not be focusing on that tree, so I still only need Positive spellpower for healing. I'm a dragonmarked elf ranger (for extended displacement) dex-based build. My usual playstyle is sniping from as far as I can using crippling attacks (leg shot, Pin) and stacking Archer's Focus. Only switch to IPS when I'm forced to kite many mobs.



Thanks in advance.

I like the idea of having equipment that provide unique benefits that do not lose its significance at higher levels. Such as:

Shimmering Arrowhead on crit will always cripple no matter the level your playing - I consider worthwhile on Pinion with Deepwood core four and especially when using LD's Pulverizer. But it honestly is a hard call, because of set bonus for Pinion is a trinket as well.

Improved deception item

Seal of House Don'Robar with Tendon Slice 10%

You twist in Stay Frosty and you got yourself really nice slow mechanics in addition to what is already available in Deepwood Stalker.

Restored Giantcraft is an excellent idea as this nets you a 5% damage increase with 15% fort bypass

Do not forget the easy to acquire skirmisher' bracers that add 8% doubleshot and doublestrike

Since you already have the extended displacement based on character level, you do not need blurry item (I run an extended dragomarked elf as well) as you should always be displaced anyway. I may want to consider either treads of falling shadow, or better yet epic golden guile for improved deception and incorporeal.

[DirkTyrant]

Anyone know the drop rate on the quiver? Between 5 of us we have hundreds of chest loots across our toons and none of us have seen it even once.

Dozens of all the other named items get vendored, but just dont see the quiver.

Funny thing.... after Umbonga's info above... I went and ran that quest..... and the quiver dropped for me on the first run! Maybe I got really lucky.... idk.

[nibel]

Thanks everyone that helped me with hints. In the end, I decided to pursue the following list. Nudge me if I forgot to slot something essential.

Armor: Flawless Black Dragonhide Armor (+2 Armor Max Dex Bonus)
Goggles: Shadowsight (Draconic Soul Gem)
Head: Halcyonia (250 Sp)
Necklace: Epic Vim and Vigor (Proof Against Poison +10)
Cloak: Guardian's Cloak (Epic)
Belt: Epic Belt of Thoughtful Rememberance (Proof Against Disease +10, Blindness Immunity)
Gloves: Iron Mitts (Globe of True Imperial Blood)
Boots: Epic Ship Kickers (Fear Immunity, Diamond of Hide +13)
Bracers: Epic Ethereal Bracers (Good Luck +2, Diamond of Move Silently +13)
Trinket: Planar Focus of Subterfuge (Wis +3)
Ring 1: Epic Laurel Helix
Ring 2: Seal of House Avithoul
Quiver: Epic Dynamistic Quiver

Situational stuff: Shimmering Arrowhead, PLIS, Cannith Boots of Propulsion.

The Hide + MS diamonds are there because I ran out of stuff to slot. I could switch Draconic Soul for Resist 40 in fire, cold, electric (since armor take care of acid), but since those augments can only be randomly looted, and I already have a Draconic Soul...

I made a T1 TF longbow with 1st degree burn, and it didn't appeared more powerful than Pinion (specially while using the +[w] attacks). Going beyond that would require some raiding, and I think I will wait for U29 to see how Epic Green Steel fare before committing to build a T3 TF.