Raidng advice

[voxranger]

<p>OK, I've been through these forums up and down and could still some advice on how to get my dps up during raids.</p><p>Here is the deal:</p><p>I am about ready to level my ranger to 69 and have only recently started raiding. On the raids I have been on, my parse is around 550 dps and it strikes me that at my level i should be running around 1000 dps.</p><p>In terms of aa lines, i have maxed out agi/int, conservation and multishot, and am applying the remaining points into snare and focs (currently have 16 aa left to spend).</p><p>Spells are mostly m1 on ranged attacks (couple a111 due to m1 availability) and most melee attacks at this point are a111. Focus aim and cover fire are a111 (cause the price for m1 was rediculious).</p><p>As i mentioned, i have read through the forums and know that timing my auto attack is critical. So, when engaging the mob, here is how i usually do it (foregive me, i dont remember the names of all the ca's here):</p><p>1. auto attack</p><p>2. hate transfer ranged</p><p>2. lower dps ranged</p><p>3. higher dps ranged</p><p>if all my hot buttons are still re-timing i will surveil and launch my hidden fire.</p><p>if i am close enough to the mob and am fortunate enough to have a tank who turns the mob, i will do my my high damage melee combo and also my snaring shot(ironically, i have found that running to get behind the mob can take valuable seconds and as a result, valuable dps away from the group).</p><p>Once my my hot buttons become active, i begin spamming what ever comes up in between auto attacks. I stay away from sniper shot (due to time involved to steal and fire) and rain of arrows (man this ca sucks).</p><p>I am using my imbued ebony long bow and imbued slashing and peircing weapons.</p><p>Am i off base for thinking i should be doling out more dps at level 68? Is it a matter of leveling into new gear and spells to break 1,000, or, does my technique simply suck?</p><p>Advice from raiding rangers about how to maxmize my dps for the group would be appreciated.</p>

[Deterre]

Your bow is absolutely AWFUL, but CAs alone should get you more than 500 DPS.- Are you sure your parser is working correctly?- What arrows are you using?- How much STR and INT do you have?- What poisons are you using?- Are you really using ranged auto attack whenever possible?- Can you link us your character?

[voxranger]

<p>Thanks for the reply:</p><p> 1. yeah - thought about the bow so I have started the rain caller hq as it seems to present the best all around option for both pvp and raiding.</p><p>2. Posions are all master crafted (1) caustic (2) warding ebb, and (3) the snaring one (cant remember what its called).</p><p> 3. Str is around 330 and intelligence is somewhere in the high 100's (like 190 i think)</p><p>4. Am using summoned arrows for my tier as i have read here on the forums there is no clear evidence that crafted arrows outperform the make-shift ones.</p><p>5. In terms of the ranged attacks, i checked weapon stat and my delays when buffed are around 4.5 seconds, so I have been trying to work within that cycle. </p><p>6. I'm not sure how to link my character, but it's Ghap on vox server.</p><p>Is it possible that my ca's are disrupting my auto attack? Maybe I am being too impatient with them and need to limit my ca's to one or two between auto attacks.</p><p>????</p>

[voxranger]

<p>OK, i forgot that i recently upgraded some of my equipment. Here are the actual stats as they sit now:</p><p>str 264</p><p>agi 353</p><p>stam 210</p><p>intell 219</p><p>wis 77</p>

[EQ2Magroo]

Your STR really is ver low. Get this up to around 500-600 or so self buffed. Ditch that useless AGI gear for STR stuff. Buy some STR adornments too.You say there is no clear evidence player made arrows are better ? Not sure where you read that, but it's 100% wrong. Go grab some player made ammo and remove that summoned arrow icon from your hotbar ! Field points are best overall bet as they will hit more, although doing less damage than others. If an arrow doesn't hit, it can't do any damage. You can fine tune using different types once your DPS is where it should be, but for now you need some emergency buffing !I'd be be interested to see your parse broken down by spell/damage type to give an overall feel of where your damage is coming from. In general, I see the following breakdown:CAs - 40%AA - 40%Poison - 10%Off Stance Proc - 10%Are you also using a STR or Crit potion ? I used to use a STR one until I got my STR high enough without it, then switched to Crit. With the Conservation line it's a must have IMO.What's your Haste and DPS stat ? Haste should be in region of 60-70 or so, but DPS will show you the biggest returns. Get this as high as possible - 18% is easily doable, but with Raincaller you are a bit restricted on options to increase as you can't adorn it.Don't forget, food & drink can help you max your STR. STR is good !I've still not had it 100% confirmed, but you should also try to remember to recast your Off Stance once your STR is maximized. Also, don't cast it if you have Revice Sickness. The proc is based off your current STR at the time it is cast, so if your STR is reduced, so will your proc.I would try to go for Focus line of AA and get final ability. The extra range is nice, but the 5% bonus to hit is the best part about it.At level 70 with Raincaller you should easily be able to consistently pull 1k+ DPS zonewide even in a PUG.Note: The above applies to PvE servers. I may be talking rubbish for PvP servers. Sorry.

[Bre]

<p>I'm a PvE player so this may not help you much, but I'll put in some things that might help.</p><p>- Respec to get Focus Aim to M2- Take Summoned Arrow off your hotbar and forget you ever saw it. I like player crafted field points for the bonus to hit.- Consider Using the Ghostly Bow of Bylze from the Claymore line till you get a better bow. It is a easy line to get and well worth the small effort required.- I like to use the Gracelessness debuff poisons cause its debuffs will directly effect you.- Work on getting your str in the 600 range or so. hex dolls, general gear, str potions, whatever, just get you str up</p><p>Drawing a complete blank now. anyways, those stated here and earlier in this thread ( and other, look around a bit, lots of usefull info here ) should help you a bit. </p><p>Goran - 63 Ranger, Unrest</p>

[voxranger]

<p>Thank you for the responses. The numbers just weren't making sense and in raid situations i have been incredibley attentive to the auto attack cycle so its just weird.</p><p>The poisons are procing right on cue. I also estimted my ca's should deliver 40% of damage and auto attack 40-50%, so i think the problem lies within factors that are affecting my auto attack.  </p><p>In terms of the str issue, i have always loaded up on agi as i believed that is where our power pool lies which i thought was most important stat for a ranger - guess ill try out your advice and see what happens.</p><p> On the food issue, yeah, always take the bump to strength.</p><p>Potions, admittedly, havnt been using em cuase i'v been spending a plat every days on posions (i have been playing quite a bit lately, so been buring it up pretty fast).</p><p>In terms of the arrows, well, i've seen arguments both ways in the forums - but ill give that a try as well. Im a 40 woodworker, so means i have level trade skill <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.</p><p>Thank you for taking time to offer your insights and advice!</p>

[Deterre]

<cite>voxranger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Thank you for the responses. The numbers just weren't making sense and in raid situations i have been incredibley attentive to the auto attack cycle so its just weird.</p><p>The poisons are procing right on cue. I also estimted my ca's should deliver 40% of damage and auto attack 40-50%, so i think the problem lies within factors that are affecting my auto attack.  </p><p>In terms of the str issue, i have always loaded up on agi as i believed that is where our power pool lies which i thought was most important stat for a ranger - guess ill try out your advice and see what happens.</p><p> On the food issue, yeah, always take the bump to strength.</p><p>Potions, admittedly, havnt been using em cuase i'v been spending a plat every days on posions (i have been playing quite a bit lately, so been buring it up pretty fast).</p><p>In terms of the arrows, well, i've seen arguments both ways in the forums - but ill give that a try as well. Im a 40 woodworker, so means i have level trade skill <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" />.</p><p>Thank you for taking time to offer your insights and advice!</p></blockquote>What would make you think the summoned arrows are not complete garbage? Just look at the stats and compare it to other arrows.Get the Ghostly Bow of Bylze for groups and raids. It's the reward for the 3rd claymore quest, it takes just a few hours to solo.STR also contributes to the power pool, agi is virtually obsolete.Well I think we've diagnosed the bulk of your problem: low STR, absolutely terrible bow and absolutely terrible arrows.

[voxranger]

<p>Yup - you got it.</p><p>Thanks very much for advice. Will start equiping crafted arrows which means a couple weeks of power leveling on my wood worker trade skill. </p><p>Gonna go snag the claymore bow until guildies have time to help me with the epic on rain calller.</p><p>Already started respecing for strength on equipment, but this will take a little time as i have been stocking up on the scout gear from class trips ([Removed for Content].....)</p><p>Thank you all for getting me headed down right path <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p>

[Giland]

Well, to give you some comparision, with no poisons at all in offensive using a raincaller, I can pull down 500 dps and never having used a CA.My offensive stance was an M1Arrows matter. I use field points I believe (+30 to hit).My only dps buffs are +14 dps, and my Marr cloak.

[Deterre]

<cite>voxranger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Yup - you got it.</p><p>Thanks very much for advice. Will start equiping crafted arrows which means a couple weeks of power leveling on my wood worker trade skill. </p><p>Gonna go snag the claymore bow until guildies have time to help me with the epic on rain calller.</p><p>Already started respecing for strength on equipment, but this will take a little time as i have been stocking up on the scout gear from class trips ([I cannot control my vocabulary].....)</p><p>Thank you all for getting me headed down right path <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />" /></p></blockquote>The claymore bow is actually better than the Rain Caller for DPS. However, Rain Caller is a soloing bow, you should get it anyway.

[Ranja]

<cite>Deterrent wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>voxranger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Thank you for the responses. The numbers just weren't making sense and in raid situations i have been incredibley attentive to the auto attack cycle so its just weird.</p><p>The poisons are procing right on cue. I also estimted my ca's should deliver 40% of damage and auto attack 40-50%, so i think the problem lies within factors that are affecting my auto attack.  </p><p>In terms of the str issue, i have always loaded up on agi as i believed that is where our power pool lies which i thought was most important stat for a ranger - guess ill try out your advice and see what happens.</p><p> On the food issue, yeah, always take the bump to strength.</p><p>Potions, admittedly, havnt been using em cuase i'v been spending a plat every days on posions (i have been playing quite a bit lately, so been buring it up pretty fast).</p><p><b>In terms of the arrows, well, i've seen arguments both ways in the forums - but ill give that a try as well. Im a 40 woodworker, so means i have level trade skill </b><img src="/eq2/images/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY<img mce_tsrc=" />" />.</p><p>Thank you for taking time to offer your insights and advice!</p></blockquote>What would make you think the summoned arrows are not complete garbage? Just look at the stats and compare it to other arrows.Get the Ghostly Bow of Bylze for groups and raids. It's the reward for the 3rd claymore quest, it takes just a few hours to solo.STR also contributes to the power pool, agi is virtually obsolete.Well I think we've diagnosed the bulk of your problem: low STR, absolutely terrible bow and absolutely terrible arrows.</blockquote>Not sure who you are talking to about summoned arrows. Nor can I remember anywhere on this forum where people have argued that summoned arrows are similar to crafted ones. Use crafted arrows in a raid. Period. No discussion. <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[voxranger]

<p>Yeah - i'm not sure how i got this whole summoned arrow thing stuck in my head. Summoned arrows are find for basic exp, but clearly crafted arrows are standard for pvp and raiding. </p><p>If anyone finds my brain, please mail it back to me <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/136dd33cba83140c7ce38db096d05aed.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>

[Bre]

<p>A good way to think of summoned arrows is to equate them to app1 ca's. Sure they work, but do you really want to go around using them? </p><p>Goran - 64 Ranger, Unrest</p>

[voxranger]

<cite>Brega wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>A good way to think of summoned arrows is to equate them to app1 ca's. Sure they work, but do you really want to go around using them? </p><p>Goran - 64 Ranger, Unrest</p></blockquote><p>Well, secured the ghostly bow of blyze last night, got some bodkin head arrows (there were no field points on broker) and ran some instances for class gear. Yup - my total damage easily doubled, amost tripled actually as now my auto attack is actually producing significant damage ( I wasnt running a parser so not sure about dps - just ball parking here based on combat log).</p><p>I'm currently leveling into 70 so I'll look for the best gear i can find for this level and adorn it for strength - that should get me a couple hundred points of str.</p><p>We are also gonna try and run the rain caller hq this weekend (cant pass this bow up for soloing, especially pvp) so who knows, maybe ill ready to go for next raid and awaiting that nice juicy T8 fabled bow drop that may happen some day .....<img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></p><p> Thanks again to all of you - </p>

[jarlaxle8]

<p>Most important things where covered, but these strike me as odd:</p><p><cite>voxranger wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Focus aim and cover fire are a111 (cause the price for m1 was rediculious).</p></blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>Get the Master 2 choice of this. ASAP. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> It gives us loads of dps. And max it out in the Focus line of the Ranger AP tree.</p><p><cite>voxranger wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Once my my hot buttons become active, i begin spamming what ever comes up in between auto attacks. I stay away from sniper shot (due to time involved to steal and fire) and rain of arrows (man this ca sucks).</p></blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>In case you don't have a top notch bow and you can time it right, snipers is ok.And on Rain Arrows: I hope that was a typo and you meant Stream of Arrows. Rain is the best damage CA, even when only used on single mobs. On groups, it owns. The only CAs that do more damage are Snipers and Veiled Fire (and this one only by a small bit), but both have a longer cast time and stealth requirement.</p><p><cite></cite></p>

[voxranger]

<cite>Ryilan@Runnyeye wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>Most important things where covered, but these strike me as odd:</p><p><cite>voxranger wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Focus aim and cover fire are a111 (cause the price for m1 was rediculious).</p></blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>Get the Master 2 choice of this. ASAP. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /> It gives us loads of dps. And max it out in the Focus line of the Ranger AP tree.</p><p><cite>voxranger wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Once my my hot buttons become active, i begin spamming what ever comes up in between auto attacks. I stay away from sniper shot (due to time involved to steal and fire) and rain of arrows (man this ca sucks).</p></blockquote><p><cite></cite></p><p>In case you don't have a top notch bow and you can time it right, snipers is ok.And on Rain Arrows: I hope that was a typo and you meant Stream of Arrows. Rain is the best damage CA, even when only used on single mobs. On groups, it owns. The only CAs that do more damage are Snipers and Veiled Fire (and this one only by a small bit), but both have a longer cast time and stealth requirement.</p><p><cite></cite></p></blockquote><p>No that wasn't a typo on the choice not to M2 Focus aim. I play on a pvp server, so I had to make decision about over-all utility of my M2 selection. Since focus aim gives nothing me nothing in pvp, I chose to take a CA I can use all around. I realize I am giving up a lot in the pve environment - but then, pve doesn't kill me and take my plat lol. Extension and conservation lines are maxed out. Spending the remaining AA on snares and stuns. </p><p>In terms of stream of arrows - frankly, i just havn't been that happy with it. Actually, best way i found to use it was in pvp (especially with healers) after my inital damage spike is over, i use this and make em heal through it to drain as much of their power as i can before they try to run.</p>

[Walford]

<p>Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but getting intox ticking ASAP (meaning as you'd like a spike in DPS) is a good way to add more DPS.</p><p>Canul</p><p><Renegades> AB</p>

[jarlaxle8]

<cite>voxranger wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>No that wasn't a typo on the choice not to M2 Focus aim. I play on a pvp server, so I had to make decision about over-all utility of my M2 selection. Since focus aim gives nothing me nothing in pvp, I chose to take a CA I can use all around. I realize I am giving up a lot in the pve environment - but then, pve doesn't kill me and take my plat lol. Extension and conservation lines are maxed out. Spending the remaining AA on snares and stuns. </p><p>In terms of stream of arrows - frankly, i just havn't been that happy with it. Actually, best way i found to use it was in pvp (especially with healers) after my inital damage spike is over, i use this and make em heal through it to drain as much of their power as i can before they try to run.</p></blockquote><p>Ah ok, well that makes kind of sense. Sucks they made it useless for PvP. PvE it's the clear top choice.</p><p>And on Stream: Yeah, seems it was a typo in your OP. You are right about Stream, it's useless if you have a half decent bow. It's just that you said Rain of Arrows sucked, which would have been all kinds of wrong. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></p>