U50 Comprehensive Guide to Bow DPS

[Carpone]

Complete write up is available in Google Docs because it is too long for the forum software to handle. It includes three gear sets (good, better and best), different builds for solo vs. group/raid play, frequently asked questions, and a breakdown of all important stats.

This guide will be updated over the next few weeks as additional information is gathered such as the rare bonus for the new filigree, and Legendary Sands items are released.

[GeoffWatson]

Complete write up is available in Google Docs because it is too long for the forum software to handle. It includes three gear sets (good, better and best), different builds for solo vs. group/raid play, frequently asked questions, and a breakdown of all important stats.

This guide will be updated over the next few weeks as additional information is gathered such as the rare bonus for the new filigree, and Legendary Sands items are released.

You have two Warlock levels in your build, but I don't see why?

[Arkat]

You have two Warlock levels in your build, but I don't see why?

Wand & Scroll Mastery?

[Caarb]

You have two Warlock levels in your build, but I don't see why?

Its for taint the aura enhancement - an important debuff that every raid group should have. With Warlocks being suboptimal at least one person needs the 2 warlock splash. This build gives up very little to pick it up.

[Kza]

Complete write up is available in Google Docs because it is too long for the forum software to handle. It includes three gear sets (good, better and best), different builds for solo vs. group/raid play, frequently asked questions, and a breakdown of all important stats.

This guide will be updated over the next few weeks as additional information is gathered such as the rare bonus for the new filigree, and Legendary Sands items are released.

Thanks alot for the insights!! Well written.

[Tlorrd]

Very nice guide. Thank you ... Question: Is it easy to maintain your AF stacks while using misty step/tumble every 12 seconds for max RP from both sources?

Great guide and thanks for the group/solo split as well as the levels of gearing setup. Very impressive work.

[Carpone]

I added a piece of gear to the guide: An LGS INT skills item for trapping. After the stat squish for certain traps like VoD I think it's necessary.

You have two Warlock levels in your build, but I don't see why?

Taint the Aura applies -10 PRR and -10 MRR (total). You'll have full stacks on a boss after 4 seconds, at which time it's a 10% damage increase for everyone in the group/raid.

Is it easy to maintain your AF stacks while using misty step/tumble every 12 seconds for max RP from both sources?

Using Misty Step on cooldown requires some relearning. I've played ranged for years, and got into the habit of remaining stationary to maintain Archer's Focus and Stand and Deliver stacks.

In places where you are relatively stationary like a raid, you want to use Misty Step instead of Tumble, since the former doesn't reset Shiradi Stand and Deliver competence damage stacks but the latter does. In quests where you're constantly running from one pack of mobs to the next, the HW enhancement Hunter's Focus is a must have for keeping up Archer's Focus up between packs. I went through R10 Feywild and Sharn 1+2 and didn't have too much of an issue keeping stacks up. I am considering a switch from Favored Hunter to Aimed Shot when running back to back quests for RXP.

[Noir]

On the solo build, What is the purpose of the Barbarian level at 8?

[Cordovan]

That is some extensive work you have done in your document, OP, thank you for doing that!

[CrackedIce]

((Oh, yes, I made an alt with 12 Ranger / 7 rogue / 1 barbarian - 13 Rogue is the better option, but I prefer to have the heals of Ranger 12))

You mentioned that you looked at a bunch of other build options and came out with what you have as the best.

Just for reference sake, can you rank the ones not chosen from most damage to least?

Thanks.

[Epicsoul]

On the solo build, What is the purpose of the Barbarian level at 8?

Run speed so you can kite better and annoy your melee friends.

[unbongwah]

Complete write up is available in Google Docs because it is too long for the forum software to handle.

Looks like you changed your mind about the monk splash for Master Fire stance. Is that because of the squishiness factor, armor options, or what?

[R1ncewind]

I have two questions
1.- FE damage is counted twice against a favored enemy (one from Marked Target, then again as a FE). So 1 FE damage
against a Favored Enemy with Marked Target is +0.74% damage total.
I thought It just added +2 extra damage to an existing FE, for example, if you are doing +10 FE dmg then after the mark you will be doing +12, but for what I understand you will be doing +24 dmg?? ugh

2.- Doubleshot calculation seems odd, can u explain how you did it? I'm not really that good at math, but to mee DS seems to be better the more dmg you already have, so 1 DS is worst than 1dmg whe you do lets say 50 dmg but its better when you do 600. to just throw a number at it. I would love to understand it a little more. THX
Great build.

[Xgya]

I have two questions
1.- FE damage is counted twice against a favored enemy (one from Marked Target, then again as a FE). So 1 FE damage
against a Favored Enemy with Marked Target is +0.74% damage total.
I thought It just added +2 extra damage to an existing FE, for example, if you are doing +10 FE dmg then after the mark you will be doing +12, but for what I understand you will be doing +24 dmg?? ugh

I can at least help with this one.

Favored Enemy gives +2 damage per Favored Enemy you have against anyone on that list. The bonus stacks.

The capstone adds a new Favored Enemy category: Marked Target. Say you had 5 favored enemies before, now you have 6. 6x2 is 12, so you get +12 damage against all your favored enemies.

Marking a target makes it a Favored Enemy. If it already was a Favored Enemy, it's now your Favored Enemy TWICE, which doubles the bonus (+12x2)
If it was a Devil, and you had Favored Enemy(Lawful Outsiders) and Favored Enemy (Evil Outsiders), it was already adding up twice. Marking them triples the bonus instead.
(Devils without the Mark are Lawful Outsiders and Evil Outsiders, both of those give you bonus damage. Adding the Mark adds a third valid Favored Enemy category, which also gives you damage)

[Carpone]

Updated the guide to include the +2 Listen bonus from the Falconry Summon Avian Companion. I've also added the Epic Collapsible Shortbow (soon to be Legendary) for slashing DR bypass. Thanks to Mindos for pointing out the unique feature of that bow.

Just for reference sake, can you rank the ones not chosen from most damage to least.

The 13 Rogue/6 Ranger/1 Monk is the next best option over the Warlock split due to the Greater Sun Stance crit multiplier. The downside is 50 MRR cap, and any weapon swaps you have need to be ki weapons otherwise you'll be falling out of monk stance.

Looks like you changed your mind about the monk splash for Master Fire stance. Is that because of the squishiness factor, armor options, or what?

Warlock splash is higher damage thanks to Taint the Aura. Not being limited to 50 MRR is a bonus.

On the solo build, What is the purpose of the Barbarian level at 8?

When paired with TA Fast Movement, it's a combined 24% runspeed. When soloing runspeed and Deflect Arrows are your primary survival mechanics.

I have two questions
1.- FE damage

2.- Doubleshot calculation seems odd, can u explain how you did it?

Steelstar confirms how FE and HW works.

Calculate average damage from one attack (value1). Increase doubleshot by 1%, and recalc (value2). (value2/value1) = percentage damage increase from 1 doubleshot. Rinse and repeat for +1 ranged power, base damage, crit damage, etc.

[R1ncewind]

Calculate average damage from one attack (value1). Increase doubleshot by 1%, and recalc (value2). (value2/value1) = percentage damage increase from 1 doubleshot. Rinse and repeat for +1 ranged power, base damage, crit damage, etc.

What is your Value1?

[Carpone]

What is your Value1?

I've provided the model and the data to plug it in is published in the guide. I'm happy to debate the merits or downsides of the model, but I'm not deep diving into calculations on this forum.

[TFerguson]

That is some extensive work you have done in your document, OP, thank you for doing that!

In reading this do you acknowledge that the Arcane Archer tree is a bunch of garbage weaksauce?

[Arkat]

In reading this do you acknowledge that the Arcane Archer tree is a bunch of garbage weaksauce?

I think you can figure that out for yourself.

[Malignar]

Complete write up is available in Google Docs because it is too long for the forum software to handle. It includes three gear sets (good, better and best), different builds for solo vs. group/raid play, frequently asked questions, and a breakdown of all important stats.

This guide will be updated over the next few weeks as additional information is gathered such as the rare bonus for the new filigree, and Legendary Sands items are released.

Nice work! A lot of solid opinions and suggestions in there. Do you have any screenshots or video of what your damage numbers look like?