End-Game Ranger Weapons

[Tsuko_Asura]

I considered dropping this discussion in the merit thread, but I'd rather it wasn't drowned out by the flaming.

Its a universally understood concept that if you're looking for maximum damage output, generally speaking, a five-hit setup is going to produce the most favorable results. When a substantial portion of a Ranger's damage comes from Sidewinder and Slugshot, lessening the delay before doing so becomes an option again by an entire shot becomes quite significant. That said, for extended fights, Hellfire has an advantage by supplementing the most practical five-hit build, requiring no more than a Rajas Ring to do so. Unfortunately, gun DPS isn't all that stellar, leading me to analyze other options available, utilizing more efficient weapons.

Vali's Bow was out of the question, simply because it has such an otherwise favorable delay. Beyond that, the options are Gendawa +1, Shigeto Bow +1, and Cerberus Bow +1. Given that there are generally plenty of outside means of accumulating vast amounts of ranged attack, I deemed Gendawa +1 the most ideal(Shigeto may still be a better option, but for theoretical purposes, I'll just use the former). With Mekki Shakki, Skadi's Chausses, and Rajas Ring, you hit 20TP/shot. Relatively speaking, you sacrifice ~30 ranged attack and ~3-13 STR(depending on what you Sidewinder in in your leg slot), and gain a few base damage.

Then I considered Othinus' Bow, which is without question the highest DPS, practical, non-relic ranged weapon available. By using identical equipment to the Gendawa +1 build, you also attain a five-hit. Couple the increased weapon skill pace with the ability to Acid or Holy Bolt when applicable, and I would think that it would be a fierce competitor to a five-hit Hellfire build.

Thoughts?

[Cream Soda]

I thought u quit? That didn't last long.

[VZX]

Firing Slug @100% may not be practical.

Until the day they really fix ranged accuracy, I'm holding my argument for 5-hit build.

[Zilong]

I wonder just how will 4:3 ratio work out for Ranged Attacks/ACC and how badly it'd affect the entire game.

[Tsuki]

Theres no question if you can stick acid's and have access to such prettys as GMB and a decent MND setup for holybolts that O.Bow is hax. That said, I'm just curious on what your target would be to use this setup on? Merit mobs or something else?

[Wulfgang]

I agree with VZX; an X-hit build for RNG on legitimate mobs is slightly overrated. Even if accuracy @ 100 TP is great, ripping a Slug / SW every five shots will maximize damage as well as HP/XP loss. On pink birds, can do whatever floats your boat.

[Spider-Dan]

5-hit build is only relevant if you can fire WS at 100 TP.

Furthermore, HF+1's shooting DPS is better than all of the bows you listed save E-bow, so your premise of finding a high delay bow is fundamentally flawed.

[oldoldman]

E-Bow is the answer, no matter how much you don't want it to be.

[Thorny]

Mekki Shakki, Rajas Ring, Skadi's Chausses, Cobra leggings, vali's bow

VS gendawa+1 and the setup you mentioned, assuming scout's socks;
you lose 1 ranged accuracy and 5.5 base damage during tp(closer to 4.5 during ws because of the str mod) to gain 13 ranged attack and -16% delay.. you're crazy if you think your option is better

If skadi's chausses are not available, enkidu subligar + shooting in brutal(can still WS in str earring) remains 5hit.

[Tsuko_Asura]

Mekki Shakki, Rajas Ring, Skadi's Chausses, Cobra leggings, vali's bow

VS gendawa+1 and the setup you mentioned, assuming scout's socks;
you lose 1 ranged accuracy and 5.5 base damage during tp(closer to 4.5 during ws because of the str mod) to gain 13 ranged attack and -16% delay.. you're crazy if you think your option is better

If skadi's chausses are not available, enkidu subligar + shooting in brutal(can still WS in str earring) remains 5hit.

I had completely forgotten that Cobra Leggings and Enkidu's Subligar existed.

[Tsuko_Asura]

5-hit build is only relevant if you can fire WS at 100 TP.

Furthermore, HF+1's shooting DPS is better than all of the bows you listed save E-bow, so your premise of finding a high delay bow is fundamentally flawed.

Othinus' Bow as well?

[Spider-Dan]

If you have Skadi pants, 5-hit O-bow might be viable. Presuming /SAM, you need Store TP+17 from gear, which is Mekki/Chausses/Rajas.

Without Skadi, you need to start piling on crappy Store TP gear, which makes the comparison look something like O-bow/Mekki/Enkidu pants/Cobra Leggings (RATK+18/STR+9/RACC+0) vs. HF+1/Vulcan's/Pln./relic (RATK+37/STR+8/RACC+11). And you can't swap that out for WS, either.

If your goal is WS at 100 TP in the fewest shots possible, guns are simply built for that task. 240 delay ammo is serious business, and gun is pretty damn good for the WS itself, too.