RNG Merits!

[Callisto]

My RNG mule is basically completely unmerited(1 each MM/Archery atm), but I figure I may as well keep it in Campaign when doing nothing else and get a few merits...not sure what to go with though.

I have a PPA(until I shoot it again) so I was thinking of Unlimited Shot recast, but otherwise no clue on Group 1. For Group 2 was thinking 5 Flashy Shot but not sure otherwise, I was curious as to how Snapshot worked with Velocity Shot, if anyone has tested to see if there's a delay reduction cap for Ranged Attacks, etc.

Anyways any recommendations are appreciated.

[Tan]

Way to ask me first... If I had unlimited merit points I would do:

Group 1's
5/5 Rapid Shot
5/5 Unlimited Shot

Group 2's
5/5 Snapshot
5/5 Flashy Shot

If there was a Ranged Attack Delay cap I don't think you would be going over it with 5/5 Snapshot and Velocity shot, that would only a be a 25% delay reduction well short of the Haste Cap. 5/5 Rapid shot is smart choice since it will up the % chance that you will fire sooner, that + AF head is a nice boost to Rapid Shot.

[Callisto]

I did lol, I knew your answer already. Just wondering what else others have done, and the Snapshot question was the largest one.

[Kirschy]

I've been doing some testing on snapshot + velocity shot. But I have a bit before I'm done =x.

For what it's worth, Ranged Attacks appear to occur in 4 phases. And Snapshot/Velocity shot only affect one of these phases. As soon as I get any solid data I promise to post~ VZX did a lot with our current understanding of ranged attack delay, so he might be able to provide some useful information.

[Callisto]

4...wow, I figured it had to be at least 2, one where Rapid Shot checks and one where Velocity/Snapshot check, interested to see what else there is.

[Kirschy]

Phase 1: Start~ This is the animation that starts it off by taking out the Bow.
Phase 2: Aim~ This is where the start animation stops, the shooter aims.
Phase 3: Shoot~ This is where the animation changes, and the ammunition fires. Then the bow is put away.
Phase 4: Reload?~ This is where the idle animation plays, but you are unable to use items, JA, or shoot for a certian period of time.

My testing was done a Hume F. I used Bows /w delay of 540, 450, 360, and 261. (I don't know if these values change for other races, like I said, I need to test more =x.)
Phase 1: Always 58 Frames (~2 seconds)
Phase 2: Varies based on Delay/Rapid Shot
Phase 3: Always 54 Frames (~2 seconds)
Phase 4: Seems to vary a lot :/ 30-70 frames

In a small sample size of 5 shots /w a 540 Delay Bow on my DRK and on my RNG(3 Snap Shot merits):
DRK- Phase 2: ~81.3 frames
RNG- Phase 2: ~79.3 frames

In a small sample size of 5 shots /w a 360 Delay Bow:
DRK- ~38.6 frames
RNG- ~38.5 frames
RNG /w Veloshot- ~23.7 frames

Like I said, I need to do some more thorough testing before I try and make any claims.

[LinktheDeme]

I'd do

Group 1's
5/5 Rapid Shot
5/5 Unlimited Shot

Group 2's
5/5 Snapshot
4/5 Flashy Shot
1/5 Stealth Shot

[Starr]

If I ever get round to meriting my RNG again I think I'll do 5 Recycle cus I'm poor

[toqabowl]

I currently have:

5/5 rapid shot

3 stealth shot
1 flashy shot
3 snapshot
1 recycle(meant to put another in snapshot, but wasnt paying attention. Gona take this off when I cap snapshot so i can put the last merit in stealth shot)

The -30 enmity helps out when I take too much hate, and the tank can get back the mob easier and faster.

[VZX]

As far as the ranged delay test. I haven't done more after that time I did my testing

In a small sample size of 5 shots /w a 360 Delay Bow:
DRK- ~38.6 frames
RNG- ~38.5 frames
RNG /w Veloshot- ~23.7 frames

This is all phase 2? That means it has less than 2s aiming time :/

EDIT: nvm, forgot the delay on putting out the ranged weapon

I didn't test much on the putting out ranged weapon animation duration, but to me, this is the thing that makes bow fire slightly faster (aiming with less delay) : because the putting out ranged weapon animation duration is slightly longer than that of marksmanship.

[Mellema]

The -30 enmity helps out when I take too much hate, and the tank can get back the mob easier and faster.

Stealth shot does not affect your accumulated enmity or lower it in any way. All it does is lessen the amount of enmity generated by your next ranged attack.

[Kirschy]

I didn't test much on the putting out ranged weapon animation duration, but to me, this is the thing that makes bow fire slightly faster (aiming with less delay) : because the putting out ranged weapon animation duration is slightly longer than that of marksmanship.

Yea, I only tested /w bow and on Hume F animations. It was just initial testing, I plan to try different races, xbow, gun, and throwing. I'm hoping to have a better understanding of how Velocity Shot/Snapshot affect ranger.

[jPuff]

Why are some people in this thread maxing out Flashy Shot? Pretty much a total waste.

Also, Stealth Shot is rather pointless unless you're at LEAST going to give it 2 extra levels. Preferably all 5.

[Turambar]

Why are some people in this thread maxing out Flashy Shot? Pretty much a total waste.

Also, Stealth Shot is rather pointless unless you're at LEAST going to give it 2 extra levels. Preferably all 5.

Why not max out Flashy Shot? Stealth Shot is a total waste of merits, even at max level. Recycle is a waste too, since if you're really that hard up for cash you shouldn't be playing Ranger or Ninja in the first place. The only other possible reason to consider Recycle would be if you're careless with your CP arrows, in which case it might save it for you.

[jPuff]

Stealth shot is a 5 minute ability which when capped gives your next shot/WS -50 enmity. Capped flashy is what-- getting the timer down to 10 minutes? When are you going to need that? In fights long enough to constitute a shorter timer, the -50 enmity on a WS every 5 minutes is going to be a hell of a lot more useful than an extra 100-200 damage + a fuckton of extra enmity every 10 minutes.

I'm not really the one that has to explain here.

[Zilong]

I'd do 5/1/4 on Snap/flash/stealth

[Amele]

Stealth shot is a 5 minute ability which when capped gives your next shot/WS -50 enmity. Capped flashy is what-- getting the timer down to 10 minutes? When are you going to need that? In fights long enough to constitute a shorter timer, the -50 enmity on a WS every 5 minutes is going to be a hell of a lot more useful than an extra 100-200 damage + a fuckton of extra enmity every 10 minutes.

I'm not really the one that has to explain here.

but Big Damage™ is good!

I think the question becomes what you spend your time doing. if mostly you do short but frequent fights vs. higher level things* and don't spend much time on ranger for longer hnm events, then you don't really need stealth shot on a fast timer (since you'll rarely use it)

on the other hand, if you plan to be using ranger in long fights often then it makes alot of sense to have stealth shot on the fast timer and only unlock flashy.

so it comes down to whether you're a primary ranger or if it's just a toy job that you'll rarely get to bring to the big dances.



*technically this is 80%+ of the content most people do but you're not exactly going to be dying for more frequent flashy shots vs level 78 trash in some limbus or nyzul zone or level 81 mmj.

[Callisto]

I think the question becomes what you spend your time doing. if mostly you do short but frequent fights vs. higher level things* and don't spend much time on ranger for longer hnm events, then you don't really need stealth shot on a fast timer (since you'll rarely use it)

Basically it's just a 2boxed mule for Sky/Dynamis, I don't really merit on it, I just tap RAtk macro ever few seconds and fire of a WS when I get a spare second. Would likely the the most use at something like Kirin.

[Amele]

Basically it's just a 2boxed mule for Sky/Dynamis, I don't really merit on it, I just tap RAtk macro ever few seconds and fire of a WS when I get a spare second. Would likely the the most use at something like Kirin.

I'd get stealth shot moreso than flashy then, since you're not going to be paying very close attention to it it's probably better to be safe (and while flashy does alot for fights with mobs as high as kirin it's a good way to get your mule eaten)

[Callisto]

The worst part about not paying full attention is dumping your PPA into an orc 3 days after you get it. Crossbow only for Dynamis from now on.