"Strimtom's Acid Arrow", Maximum Bow DPS, F2P/new player Friendly

[unbongwah]

I think haste now only provides 15% ranged alacrity as well, leaving blinding speed the only source of 22.5%.

Really? *sigh* So hard to keep up with all the bugs in this game...but that pretty much makes Blinding Speed a must-have for any archer who doesn't have Sapphire Sting.

[CThruTheEgo]

Really? *sigh* So hard to keep up with all the bugs in this game...but that pretty much makes Blinding Speed a must-have for any archer who doesn't have Sapphire Sting.

Yep. It's easy enough to confirm, I can't login at the moment to verify though.

[barecm]

[QUOTE=unbongwah;5964478][*]Embolden Spell doesn't apply to AA imbues, unfortunately. Wellspring of Power does, though, so that might be worth considering.


QUOTE]

Is there any proof behind this? Not doubting you, just am curious how it is know since there is no listed DC (mouse hover over ) that I am aware of. And, to answer other questions about boosting Enchantment focus, I would suggest running Reaper mode beyond r1-3... every point is crucial to a successful paralyze/fear arrow. CC is critical for a ranged ranger in reaper.

As far as attack speed, yeah I misstated... take 21 combat archery, 24 overwhelming crit, 27 blinding speed, 30 embolden (if it works) or whatever if it doesnt. I mistakenly was swapping out blinding speed for embolden where I should have taken it at level 30.

[CThruTheEgo]

Embolden Spell doesn't apply to AA imbues, unfortunately. Wellspring of Power does, though, so that might be worth considering.

Is there any proof behind this? Not doubting you, just am curious how it is know since there is no listed DC (mouse hover over ) that I am aware of. And, to answer other questions about boosting Enchantment focus, I would suggest running Reaper mode beyond r1-3... every point is crucial to a successful paralyze/fear arrow. CC is critical for a ranged ranger in reaper.

As far as attack speed, yeah I misstated... take 21 combat archery, 24 overwhelming crit, 27 blinding speed, 30 embolden (if it works) or whatever if it doesnt. I mistakenly was swapping out blinding speed for embolden where I should have taken it at level 30.

I would also assume that embolden does not apply to AA imbues, but as you pointed out, cannot prove it. I would assume it does not apply because no other metamagic toggle feat applies to them. Because metamagics are a toggle, it seems reasonable to assume that you can simply turn them on and they work on anything that uses whatever they grant. But we know that maximize, empower, and intensify do not affect elemental imbue damage even though they are also toggles. For this reason, I would assume that embolden also does not universally apply if simply toggled on. But again, can't prove it. It sure would be nice if there was a DC display for AA imbues, as well as a fully detailed breakdown of that DC.

[barecm]

I would also assume that embolden does not apply to AA imbues, but as you pointed out, cannot prove it. I would assume it does not apply because no other metamagic toggle feat applies to them. Because metamagics are a toggle, it seems reasonable to assume that you can simply turn them on and they work on anything that uses whatever they grant. But we know that maximize, empower, and intensify do not affect elemental imbue damage even though they are also toggles. For this reason, I would assume that embolden also does not universally apply if simply toggled on. But again, can't prove it. It sure would be nice if there was a DC display for AA imbues, as well as a fully detailed breakdown of that DC.

I've heard both sides... some say it works, some say it does not. Maybe we can get some sort of answer from a Dev.

[Nightmanis]

Because I'm here:

Is there still a case to be made for the Gilvaenor's set bonus or is it generally just too difficult to fit into the full gear plan?

Stacking 10% alacrity from a level 20 item is pretty fantastic, even though it provides literally nothing else to the build.

[LrdSlvrhnd]

Because I'm here:

Is there still a case to be made for the Gilvaenor's set bonus or is it generally just too difficult to fit into the full gear plan?

Stacking 10% alacrity from a level 20 item is pretty fantastic, even though it provides literally nothing else to the build.

I suspect that 18-20, maybe 22, it *might* be worth it... but beyond that, what you could equip in those places would just be too much better to be worth it. I mean, at 18 I'm wearing a CON +9 Necklace of False Life 33 w/ Insightful CON +4; an SR 29 ring of Corrosion 104 w/ Insightful Magical Sheltering 10; and a Ring of Prowess with Deadly +7, Accuracy +14, Ranged Power +2, Mythic Boost +1, AND a green slot (which I forget what's in it, Topaz of Power maybe). I'm not sure I'd want to give two of those up for 10% alacrity - assuming the corrosion ring because the Ring of Prowess is just too good, I'd be losing 87-105 HP, 29 SR, 10 MRR, 26 Corrosion, and my Ruby Eye of Force (or possibly I'd lose all the Corrosion... and either way, when I switched to force arrows for whatever reason, I'd lose all my force spellpower because a swap Kinetic ring is easier than a bunch of swap bows with Impulse rubies).

...Yeah, for my money, the loss of all that HP & defense just wouldn't make up for the fairly marginal DPS upgrade (once you factor in the Ruby), and certainly not when I upgrade all my gear at 21.

[Nightmanis]

I suspect that 18-20, maybe 22, it *might* be worth it... but beyond that, what you could equip in those places would just be too much better to be worth it. I mean, at 18 I'm wearing a CON +9 Necklace of False Life 33 w/ Insightful CON +4; an SR 29 ring of Corrosion 104 w/ Insightful Magical Sheltering 10; and a Ring of Prowess with Deadly +7, Accuracy +14, Ranged Power +2, Mythic Boost +1, AND a green slot (which I forget what's in it, Topaz of Power maybe). I'm not sure I'd want to give two of those up for 10% alacrity - assuming the corrosion ring because the Ring of Prowess is just too good, I'd be losing 87-105 HP, 29 SR, 10 MRR, 26 Corrosion, and my Ruby Eye of Force (or possibly I'd lose all the Corrosion... and either way, when I switched to force arrows for whatever reason, I'd lose all my force spellpower because a swap Kinetic ring is easier than a bunch of swap bows with Impulse rubies).

...Yeah, for my money, the loss of all that HP & defense just wouldn't make up for the fairly marginal DPS upgrade (once you factor in the Ruby), and certainly not when I upgrade all my gear at 21.

That's part of why I had to ask. I see a lot of people trying to stack attack speed, and I was curious since this is such a unique bonus if it made sense despite the base items being just outright terrible.

[Strimtom]

Updated to U35, as well as adding reaper mode guidance.

[Noxer]

Really loving the build so far. This is basically my first character. Just hit 15.

Does anyone have a suggestion for good named items to farm as I progress (mostly specific to ranger or this build)? I know they wont last forever but I like doing a little diversion from leveling to try and get a cool item.

Some things I have so far:

• Silver Longbow
• DM Set
• Dynamistic QUiver
• Wind Howler Bracers
• Sapphire Sting (maybe?)
• Lizardfolk Gloves of Accuracy

other nice named items of any level range would be appreciated!

[LrdSlvrhnd]

Ring of Prowess from Good Intentions gives Deadly, Accuracy (both as high or higher than anything else you'll get at that level), ranged power, and if you're lucky a Mythic Boost to RP/MP/SP. That's ML17, though, so something to look forward to. I know I see LFMs farming for specific items on epic all the time, so I assume it wouldn't be too hard to find a heroic group.

I'm not sure if the list you did was what you HAVE, or what you've already noted as worth farming (the "(maybe?)" after Sapphire Sting suggests the latter) but the Quiver of Poison from Gianthold is also worthy, especially if you get the Ring of Prowess for the RP & Doubleshot from somewhere else. Sure, it's only a tiny amount of damage, but every little bit helps!

Also, if/when you start running Shroud, a Smoke accessory item provides blurry, and you can make one that's HP/HP/SP for 25 points of HP, 100 points of SP, and +6 to INT skills, including Spellcraft (also +4 to DEX skills, which would include Balance, which is never bad)

[Noxer]

That ring sounds great, I'll focus on it soon.

I actually just got the Poison Quiver from Gianthold last night (ML14 1-4) so ill replace Dynamistic when I get the ring.

I'll have to look into Shroud, not sure what that is yet but I'm sure I will eventually.


Anyone have any other worthwhile items to look for? Thoughts on Sapphire Sting over Silver?

[CThruTheEgo]

Thoughts on Sapphire Sting over Silver?

Both can be situationally ahead. In general, I'd favor Sapphire Sting, but Silver isn't that far behind. If you already have one of them, then I wouldn't bother farming out the other. In epics, definitely Epic Sapphire Sting over any other bow imo.

They both have a red slot, +3 enhancement bonus, and the same crit profile, so that's a wash.

Sapphire Sting has slightly higher base damage with 6.75 vs Silver's 5.5. Silver favors any +[W] attacks, but those are generally on a long enough cooldown that they aren't a big source of dps.

Silver offers an extra 7 average holy damage only against evil enemies. Silver bypasses good DR, but so does the aligned arrows imbue.

Sapphire offers an extra 4.5 average damage only against humans and an extra 1.05-2.1 average crit damage depending on your crit range. Sapphire has fort bypass through destruction, which boosts the whole group's dps, so is better against fortified targets. And if you don't have ranged alacrity or speed slotted elsewhere, or a source of haste, then Sapphire has 10% alacrity making it a stronger choice.

[LrdSlvrhnd]

I'll have to look into Shroud, not sure what that is yet but I'm sure I will eventually.

Shroud is a raid (called the Thirteenth Eclipse in your Compendium) requiring the quest pack "Vale of Twilight". Used to be one of the most-run raids in the game, but I still see LFMs for it on Thelanis. To make Greensteel items, you need up to four Shards of Power (regular, Greater, and 1-2 Supreme) and various unbound ings; the ings are also found in the flagging quests as well as the raid itself. There are enough ings floating around to make it fairly easy to get them from players, and most are willing to pass you their Shards, especially if you mention it's your first time running it. (Also, be VERY SURE to mention it's your very first time running it!)

There are a few crafting planners out there, but http://crafting.cubicleninja.com/ is the one that I use. You want to build a Smoke item; what I do is work backwards. Pick the item; then scroll alll the way down to pick the Bonus 2 (Aspect of Smoke II, in this case), which you get with T3; pick Bonus 1 (Only Aspect of Smoke I is available), which you get with T2; and then work backwards with what you want. I go backwards because I always want to pick the highest preferred effects, especially in this case when you'll be choosing from two elements (fire and air).

http://crafting.cubicleninja.com/ind...s1=3&bonus2=52 is the item I made; T1 is +10 HP/+2 DEX skills; T2 is +15 HP/+4 DEX skills; T3 is 100 SP/+6 INT skills. The skills don't stack with each other, but they do stack with most other common sources, and the HP & SP also stacks with virtually everything else (there are a few items from the Eveningstar vendors that have those effects, but for the most part they'll be stacking with everything). So this gives you +25 SP, +100 SP, +4 DEX skills (good for Balance & Tumbling), and +6 INT skills (Good for Spellcraft, which will boost your Elemental & Force Arrows) & Search). Also gives you a 2/day Displacement clicky and permanent blur, which is very useful.

If you have the High Road pack, you could also go for the Bracers of Twisting Shade, which has Blurry, Exceptional Seeker, and Resistance.

[barecm]

Really loving the build so far. This is basically my first character. Just hit 15.

Does anyone have a suggestion for good named items to farm as I progress (mostly specific to ranger or this build)? I know they wont last forever but I like doing a little diversion from leveling to try and get a cool item.

Some things I have so far:

• Silver Longbow
• DM Set
• Dynamistic QUiver
• Wind Howler Bracers
• Sapphire Sting (maybe?)
• Lizardfolk Gloves of Accuracy

other nice named items of any level range would be appreciated!

For heroic, these are the bows I use and level for TR:

Cloven Jaw Warbow (lvl 1)
Crafted Good of Undead Bane (lvl 1)
Greatbow of the Scrag (lvl 4)
Silver longbow (old one is lvl 6, new one is lvl 8)
Elemental Bow of Earth (lvl 8)
Greensteel (lvl 12)
Unwavering Ardency (lvl 14)
Bow of Sinew (lvl 14)
Alchemical (lvl 20)

Some take more of a grind than other to get. Greatbow of the Scrag can be a pain to get and it is bound to char, but it is awesome at low levels. Crafted bows can be very nice at low levels too.

Other Items to be on the lookout for:

Frozen Tunic (lvl 4 version) has freezing ice at lvl 4!
ToD AA ring/necklace set (only stackable source of ranged alacrity)
Cannith crafted items - they are better than what you can find otherwise and fit into various item slots. I use them in for everything up through lvl 18 (gets you to lvl 20). Just make some for different lvls.

[Nightmanis]

So what kind of damage are people seeing at the higher spellpower amounts and how are people hitting 500+?

[Alfhild]

So what kind of damage are people seeing at the higher spellpower amounts and how are people hitting 500+?

Currently on a TR but I think at Level 30 I run with:

AA AP +45 (if AA T5) or +30 (if not)
Equipment +159 CC
Insight +79 CC
Quality +27 Leathers of the Celestial Sage
Implement +33
10 Epic Levels +60
Epic Destiny Feat +20
Scion of X +40
Draconic Twist +30
=493/478

Then factor in the Spellcraft skill
Base 12 Intelligence
+5 Tome
+15 and +7 from CC
+2 Profane
+1 Exceptional (Globe Augment)
+2 Completionist
Gives 44 Int for a +17 mod

Spellcraft
+11 from Ranks
+17 from Int
+22 from Spellsight with Insightful Spellsight
+2 Completionist
+1 Drow Mask
+10 Epic Skills
=+63 Spellpower

So 556 or 541 depending on whether I go AA or DWS.


So the average elemental damage comes out to about 275 when the relevant elemental scion is added if going with T4 imbues or 335 if going with a T5.

[Mindos]

So the average elemental damage comes out to about 275 when the relevant elemental scion is added if going with T4 imbues or 335 if going with a T5.

This jives with what I can remember.

I took acid arrows, then Scion of earth or whatever its called (gives acid damage on attacks, including ranged, based on spellpower)

So we have the bas damage, acid arrow imbue damage, scion acid damage, and whatever else you got, such as shiridi sonic damage etc.

Per arrow: you've got 335 plus 335, plus about 250 or so base, so roughly about 1000-1250 per NON crit arrow.

add up all the alacrity you can get, blinding speed, givenors set, etc, plus the insane STANDING doubleshot, and that 1250 damage per arrow, with rediqoulous arrows per min, all while at distance from the target AND WE HAVENT EVEN MENTION CRITS, or sneak attack, or slayer arrow, or nerve venom, or twisting sense weakness. and the hits just keep on coming...

[Arctigis]

This jives with what I can remember.

I took acid arrows, then Scion of earth or whatever its called (gives acid damage on attacks, including ranged, based on spellpower)

So we have the bas damage, acid arrow imbue damage, scion acid damage, and whatever else you got, such as shiridi sonic damage etc.

Per arrow: you've got 335 plus 335, plus about 250 or so base, so roughly about 1000-1250 per NON crit arrow.

add up all the alacrity you can get, blinding speed, givenors set, etc, plus the insane STANDING doubleshot, and that 1250 damage per arrow, with rediqoulous arrows per min, all while at distance from the target AND WE HAVENT EVEN MENTION CRITS, or sneak attack, or slayer arrow, or nerve venom, or twisting sense weakness. and the hits just keep on coming...

Nerf Warlocks more... Oh, wait. Wrong thread.

[Nightmanis]

This jives with what I can remember.

I took acid arrows, then Scion of earth or whatever its called (gives acid damage on attacks, including ranged, based on spellpower)

So we have the bas damage, acid arrow imbue damage, scion acid damage, and whatever else you got, such as shiridi sonic damage etc.

Per arrow: you've got 335 plus 335, plus about 250 or so base, so roughly about 1000-1250 per NON crit arrow.

add up all the alacrity you can get, blinding speed, givenors set, etc, plus the insane STANDING doubleshot, and that 1250 damage per arrow, with rediqoulous arrows per min, all while at distance from the target AND WE HAVENT EVEN MENTION CRITS, or sneak attack, or slayer arrow, or nerve venom, or twisting sense weakness. and the hits just keep on coming...

Hot ****, very nice.

Of course now I'm wondering if Ethereal is more damage than Scion of Earth, but I think it's still better just because it's sneak vs a specific element.

Stats

• Starting 20
• Level 7
• Tome 6
• Item 17
• Insightful 7
• Exceptional 1
• Twists 0
• Enhancement 6
• Stance 0
• Destiny 0
• Quality 4
• Litany 2
• Festive 0
• RR 2
• RRcompletion 2
• Primal 0
• Tensers 4
• Yugo 2
• Potion 2
• Ship 2
  
• Total 84
• Modifier 37

Skills

• Leveling 23
• Item 22
• Quality 0
• Stat 37
• Tome 5
• Insight 10
• Enhancement 3
• Skill item 39
• Epic 10
• GH 4
• Ship 3
• Spell-camo 10
• Good Luck 4
• Total 170
• Ethereal 56

Ranged Power

• Epic 30
• Focus 0
• Dread core 18
• Blitz 70
• Prowess 8
• Total 126

189 damage if I did that right. The RP calcs are from my rogue build, so I'm not sure if I'm missing anything. Obviously this also has a max range (without the DWS capstone) so YMMV.