Best non-raid gear set

[Effidian]

I posted something close to this in another thread, but thought it would be interesting to have a discussion about it.  Here is what I've come up with as the best set of gear a non-raider could have.  If you have suggestions for pieces, throw them out and I'll edit this list if we find better pieces.

Some points about these pieces:

1. Wear 3 pieces of the Kithicor listed here to get the Ranged crit bonus.  The other pieces of Kithicor (not listed here) don't give str and so I don't think they are worth wearing.  An argument could be made for wearing 6 pieces, but you'll loose 40str+ in that setup so ...
2. Even though this is a non-raid gear list, I did include Rain Caller, but thought the level 60x2 was more than doable by most folks. 
3. I put 2 acrylia rings of agility on the list.  The only other rings I found had 25str, and I figured the haste proc on the ring was worth more than 2str.  While the procs won't stack, I believe with 2 on you'll get more coverage as far as time goes.  (If I'm wrong on this, please correct me.)
4. A haste item is really nice (I'd even say necessary).  There are 2 listed.  The Cloak of Flames and the Darkened Guantlets.  Wear one of these (and only 1 since the haste doesn't stack). 
5. I've put in alternative pieces for all Nizara items, since Nizara is a bit more difficult than other zones.

• Helm - Cowl of the Pathfinder 15str, crit proc (Vaults) - tradeable
• Cloak - Cloak of Flames 10str, haste (HQ reward)
• Cloak - Garanel's Mantle 12str, damage proc (Unrest)
• Cloak - Cloak of Valor dps/str proc (Marr diety quest)
• Chest - Kithicor's Nighthunter Chestguard 28str (Unrest)
• Chest - Redhaze Chain Tunic 24str, 15int (Castle) - tradeable
• Shoulders - Kithicor's Nighthunter Shoulderpads 28str (Catacombs)- tradeable
• Shoulders - Dragonscale Mantle 30str (Claymore - Audience with Aaryonar)
• Forearms - Aeri'ssth's Scaleguards 25str, 25int, ft3 (Nizara)
• Forearms - Sly Chains of Advancement 23str (Lycabe's Trial reward)
• Gloves - Serilisian gloves 35str (Kaladim)
• Gloves - Darkened Guantlets 15str, haste (Castle)
• Waist - Dripping Blood Belt 24str (Unrest) - tradeable
• Legs - Kithicor's Nighthunter Leggings 28str (Castle) - tradeable
• Legs - Shadow-Weave Greaves Of Luclin 23str, 23int, 4 ranged (Nizara)
• Boots - Kithicor's Nighthunter Boots 28str, 28int (OoB)
• Neck - Sour Song Choker 28str, 26int, spell crit (Unrest) - tradeable
• Ear1 - Crushbone Wartooth 32str (Acadechism)
• Ear2 - Ivy-Shrouded Earring of Tunare 16str, 8dps (Orb of Tunare signature quest)
• Ring1 - acrylia band of agility 23str, haste proc (player made) - tradeable
• Ring2 - acrylia band of agility 23str, haste proc (player made) - tradeable
• Wrist1 - Dragonscale Bracelet 30str, 30int (Claymore - 6 O'Flock High)
• Wrist2 - Diamond Band of the Nizari'zhi 30str, 6int (Nizara)
• Wrist2 - Spirit-Touched Bangle 24str (collection reward)
• Write2 - Vampire Slayer's Circlet 24str (collection reward)
• Charm1 - Battleworn Canteen 18str (unrest) - tradeable
• Charm2 - Battleworn Canteen 18str (unrest) - tradeable
• Primary - Bloodspiller 28str, 28int (unrest) - tradeable
• Secondary - Bloodspiller 28str, 28int (unrest) - tradeable
• Ranged - Rain Caller 20str (HQ reward)
• Ranged - Ghostly Bow of Bylze 10str (Claymore - Coin Operation)
• Food - Bosprite Squash Muffins 11str (player made) - tradeable
• Drink - Halasian Icebrew 22str, 22int (Unrest recipe) - tradeable
• Ammo - Adamantine Field Point Arrows (player made) - tradeable

STR Adornments = chest 6str, shoulders 14str, legs 14str, wrist 14str x2 INT Adornments = chest 6int, ear 14int x2

Total STR from above: 564-612 Total INT from above: 168-237

Adornment list (some of the above items can't be adorned.  These are just the best adornments by slot):

Note: Scintillating adornments can only be added to gear that is level 60+.  If you want to adorn something that is level 59 (like the Ghostly Bow of Bylze), you'd need to use the Lambent version of the adornments. 

• Head - Scintillating Epiphantic Imprint = 100 power
• Cloak - Scintillating Metaphysical Lining = Flowing Thought III
• Chest -  Scintillating Prismatic Applique = +6 to all stats
• Shoulders - Scintillating Brawny Straps = +14 str
• Forearms - (I went with +14 wis for resists, but the defensive ones might be good if you solo)
• Gloves - Lambent Fast Action Stitching = 1% ranged crit
• Waist - Scintillating Fast Action Buckle = 1% ranged crit
• Legs - Scintillating Brawny Brace = +14 str
• Boots - Scintillating Agile Spurs = +14 agi
• Neck - Scintillating Judicious Clasp = +10 dps
• Ear - Scintillating Intellectual Backing = +14 int (x2)
• Ring - Lambent Epiphanic Polish = +70 power (x2)
• Wrist - Scintillating Brawny Fastening = +14 str (x2)
• Primary -
• Secondary -
• Ranged - Scintillating Judicious Composite Gear = +10 dps

[Webin]

Definitely a nice set of gear.  I think Nizara may be a little out of reach for some players (at least in my experience), but it does fit the guidelines here.  Also, as a side thread, it might be worth listing some of the "easy" raid gear, since Labs has gotten to the point where many pick up groups can clear the zone...  That would add Adamantine Dragongang (28STR) to the list. Slightly lesser gear that may (or may not) be more accessible: Adjutant's Belt - same stats at Blooddripper, but less resists.  Comes from PoA The Wurmslayer - 25 STR - HQ - Just as hard to get as the Dragonscale stuff, IMO.  Probably harder than Unrest Bloodspillers Fright Imbued Hex Doll - 14 STR - Obvious choice, only 1 less STR than Idol of Zan Fi Bloodfang Ring - 25 STR (as you mentioned in the other thread) - Unrest Hemoglobin Pristine Fashioned Acrylia Bangle - 23 STR - If you can't get the Nizara gear Murrar's Beautiful Breeches - 23 STR - Close to end of Claymore, since we are listing other items, Castle groups are hard to come by sometimes So, not the "best" non-raid stuff, but still decent alternatives.

[Effidian]

I just wanted to leave raid gear out completely.  So while Labs is fairly accessible at this point, I didn't want to start figuring out which raid gear is accessible and which isn't.  If Nizara is too inaccessible I could come up with alternatives to those pieces.  Is Unrest or Nek3 or Castle too hard?

The Dripping Blood Belt has more health and mana, which is why I chose it over Adjutant's and is tradeable (I got one off broker for 20g). 

The Wurmslayer requires killing Harla Dar and Vyemm, so I didn't include it.  Plus the Bloodspiller is 28str and 28int, so by far is better.

Hex dolls are a very good alternative.

I added a note about the rings.  I figured the haste procs outweighed the +2str from the Bloodfang (and a couple other) rings.

A full set of acrylia jewelry is a great place to start at level 62. 

Murrar's Breeches are after AoAx2 in the Claymore series.  Certainly not impossible to get, but it does require a raid to get there (well, AoA x2 can be 1 grouped, but...)

One more thing, I didn't include weapons that proc'd off ranged since those will be fixed shortly.  So before anyone suggests the 628...

[Webin]

You've obviously thought this through a LOT more than I have.  I have Wurmslayer, but can't remember the specifics of the quest. As for accessibility, its probably different from server to server, and I'm basing most of my perceptions of Castle, Nek3, and Nizara off how often I notice "pick up group notices" in world chat channels.  I see plenty of Unrest, but not as many Nek3's, and few Nizara's.  I'm not in a raiding guild (I couldn't leave my friends to do that), and my guild groups generally run Kaladim, CoV, OoB, Unrest, and the like.   So while Nek3, Nizara, and the Castle are acessible to non-raiders, should they find the right pick-up groups, they are clearly the toughest zones to get gear from for the non-raiders.  I think most people could run Unrest everyday on my server.

[Effidian]

I marked the tradeable gear.  I think I'll leave Nizara in just to make this the best non-raid gear list.  Alternatives can certainly be found for each piece, but if we have a list of the "best" then you can compare other piece to it and see how close they are.  If you are 2str less on 1 specific piece, would it be worth farming a zone over and over and over again...  That's a question left up to the individual.

[Prandtl]

I'd add Garanel's Mantle to the list.  +12 str +12 sta with a damage proc that proc's off ranged.  Drops from the boss mob in Unrest

[Beldin_]

Effidian wrote:

I just wanted to leave raid gear out completely.  So while Labs is fairly accessible at this point, I didn't want to start figuring out which raid gear is accessible and which isn't.  If Nizara is too inaccessible I could come up with alternatives to those pieces.  Is Unrest or Nek3 or Castle too hard?

I would say Unrest and Nek3 is OK .. but Nizara has still the stigma of a group-zone only for raiders, personally i never was there, and we never had a guildgroup there, only some guildmates who are in raidforces are there from time to time.

The problem however is that you mostly not get what you need in these instances .. i can't count how often i saw somebody loot the Signet of Light from Darkness in OOB .. but never ever does it drops when i'm there with my SK  

Btw.: What do you think about "Darkened Gauntlets" ? Only 15str .. but i like the 25% haste.

[Effidian]

Prandtl wrote:

I'd add Garanel's Mantle to the list.  +12 str +12 sta with a damage proc that proc's off ranged.  Drops from the boss mob in Unrest

Shalla@Valor wrote:

Btw.: What do you think about "Darkened Gauntlets" ? Only 15str .. but i like the 25% haste.

You need a haste item.  So that means either Serilisian gloves and Cloak of Flames or Darkened Guantlets and the Garanel's or Valor cloak.  Which duo would be better?  How much dps zone wide does Garanel's proc do, anyone know?  My mind clouded up a little looking at +35str gloves, so I didn't really consider the other set.  However, the other set very well could be better.   Maybe I'll just list them all since you can probably use either duo.

Shalla@Valor wrote:

I would say Unrest and Nek3 is OK .. but Nizara has still the stigma of a group-zone only for raiders, personally i never was there, and we never had a guildgroup there, only some guildmates who are in raidforces are there from time to time.

The problem however is that you mostly not get what you need in these instances .. i can't count how often i saw somebody loot the Signet of Light from Darkness in OOB .. but never ever does it drops when i'm there with my SK  

Nizara is tough, no doubt about it.  I'll come up with some alternatives for the Nizara forearm and wrist piece, as that seems to be the only zone in question and there is already an alternative for the legs. 

And the RNG is our nemesis, as usual.

[EQ2Magroo]

Here's my current equipment, with only 1 or two hard to get pieces. The following I consider "essential" and don't plan on swapping them unless some amazing piece comes along: Cloak: Cloak Of Valor +50 STR proc and +15 DPS proc - the procs on this are amazing and make a big difference Chest: Kithicor Chest + 28 STR Shoulder: Kithicor Shoulders + 28 STR Feet: Kithicor Boots + 28 STR - 3 pieces all give nice STR buff and together give the+2% crit buff Hand: Darkened Gauntlets + 15 STR - not great STR, but 25% haste and are cheap on broker Ear: Ivy Shrouded Earing + 16 STR - not great STR, but 8% DPS buff and easyish quest reward Ranged: Raincaller + 20 STR - highish max damage rather than uber, but fantastic stun proc. Works well with T7 ammo too. The rest of my kit is as follows: Head: Crown of X'haviz +20 STR - From Nest. Also has +20 INT so good for poison Forearm: Nemesis Bracers + 22 STR - really should get something better for this slot Waist: Dripping Blood Belt + 24 STR - nice resists Leg: Tygrins Leggings + 24 STR - from Nek 3 Neck: Necklace Shadowy Strikes + 20 STR. Make sure you add +10 DPS adornment for max effect Ear: Draketooth Hoop +30 STR or alternative of Crushbone Tooth +32 STR (easy to get if you can't get Draketooth Hoop) Ring: Acrylia Band of Agility + 23 STR Ring: Acrylia Band of Strength + 23 STR (I really should replace this with another Agility band instead as it only procs on melee) Wrist: Spirit Touched Bangle + 24 STR Wrist: Vampire Slayers Circlet + 24 STR Charm: Fright Imbued Hex Doll + 14 STR Charm: Battleworn Canteen + 18 STR - Unrest. If can't get, just use 2 x Fright Imbued Dolls - they stack ! Tab Collector + 28 STR - Has +24 INT too Ebony Roundshield + 23 STR - Player Made And last but not least, don't forget food and drink ! Bosprite Squash Muffin + 11 STR & STA Bosprite Wine +11 INT & STA

[Walford]

Very nice lists...

The Claymore breeches are nice, but are not Adornable.  Same goes for all Heritage items.

Also, don't spend all your plat getting Fabled adornments on most of these items.  (my two cp) The Adornment list is pretty much consensus, though, for the class. 

Canul

Renegades AB

[Effidian]

Walford wrote:

Also, don't spend all your plat getting Fabled adornments on most of these items.  (my two cp) The Adornment list is pretty much consensus, though, for the class. 

If you don't plan on raiding, I don't see why not.   Also, many of these items compare very favorably to fabled.  There are only a couple pieces of fabled available that I'd consider replacing some of the above with. 

[Beldin_]

Effidian wrote:

Waist - Dripping Blood Belt 24str (Unrest) - tradeable

Btw.: what would you rank higher .. 7str or +5 ranged ?

I found that Belt some days ago at the broker :

B'Aelsqui's Sash : 17str 13agi 15sta 9 int 85mana 90life 621divine 584poison +5 ranged

[Effidian]

Shalla@Valor wrote:

Btw.: what would you rank higher .. 7str or +5 ranged ?

I found that Belt some days ago at the broker :

B'Aelsqui's Sash : 17str 13agi 15sta 9 int 85mana 90life 621divine 584poison +5 ranged

Nice find.  I'd probably swap that in when fighting yellow con mobs to help with hit%.

[Beebl]

nevermind. I mis-read something up top =P

[Gasisna]

I have a couple quick questions. Please bare with me, i'm not a gear expert.

For the helm, I have both the Cowl of the Pathfinder and Hoo'Loh's Hunting Cowl. Obvisouly the Pathfinder has more STR but the Hoo'Loh's has +Ranged and +Slash (not too mention better mitigation and resists). When I switch between the two, most stats (mainly avoidance, mitigation and attack) drop with the Pathfinder while it has more STR then the Hoo'Loh's, in comparison to when I equip the Hoo'Loh's my STR drops by 5 but those other stats go up. I guess my main concern is while the Pathfinder offers 5 more STR, the Hoo'Loh's raises my attack value higher. Would it still be wise to use the Pathfinder because of the 5 extra STR or should I go off the higher attack value?

For the bow I have both the Raincaller and the Torn Ligament (which has a scintilating vampiric pith adornment). The Torn Ligament has 28 STR vs the 20 from Raincaller. I know the DPS ratings dont mean much and the Raincaller has a wider damage spread but would the increase in STR (not to mention INT for poisons) from the Torn Ligament offset the damage spread difference?

Thanks for any insight.

[Effidian]

Gasisna wrote:

For the helm, I have both the Cowl of the Pathfinder and Hoo'Loh's Hunting Cowl. Obvisouly the Pathfinder has more STR but the Hoo'Loh's has +Ranged and +Slash (not too mention better mitigation and resists). When I switch between the two, most stats (mainly avoidance, mitigation and attack) drop with the Pathfinder while it has more STR then the Hoo'Loh's, in comparison to when I equip the Hoo'Loh's my STR drops by 5 but those other stats go up. I guess my main concern is while the Pathfinder offers 5 more STR, the Hoo'Loh's raises my attack value higher. Would it still be wise to use the Pathfinder because of the 5 extra STR or should I go off the higher attack value?

For the bow I have both the Raincaller and the Torn Ligament (which has a scintilating vampiric pith adornment). The Torn Ligament has 28 STR vs the 20 from Raincaller. I know the DPS ratings dont mean much and the Raincaller has a wider damage spread but would the increase in STR (not to mention INT for poisons) from the Torn Ligament offset the damage spread difference?

You could use the Hoo'Loh hat when soloing for the extra mit and slash.  In groups the pathfinder would be more beneficial to you because of the increased strength and crit proc. 

If you are using T7 ammo (adamantine), the Rain Caller will beat the Torn Ligament because of the way ammo affects bows (there is a thread on here with more details).  If you have T8 ammo (either from one of the Deathtoll bows or the Emerald Halls recipe), then Torn Ligament would be better.  The additional STR and INT on the Torn Ligament will not offset the affect of ammo on the bows.

[Gasisna]

Effidian wrote:

Gasisna wrote:

For the helm, I have both the Cowl of the Pathfinder and Hoo'Loh's Hunting Cowl. Obvisouly the Pathfinder has more STR but the Hoo'Loh's has +Ranged and +Slash (not too mention better mitigation and resists). When I switch between the two, most stats (mainly avoidance, mitigation and attack) drop with the Pathfinder while it has more STR then the Hoo'Loh's, in comparison to when I equip the Hoo'Loh's my STR drops by 5 but those other stats go up. I guess my main concern is while the Pathfinder offers 5 more STR, the Hoo'Loh's raises my attack value higher. Would it still be wise to use the Pathfinder because of the 5 extra STR or should I go off the higher attack value?

For the bow I have both the Raincaller and the Torn Ligament (which has a scintilating vampiric pith adornment). The Torn Ligament has 28 STR vs the 20 from Raincaller. I know the DPS ratings dont mean much and the Raincaller has a wider damage spread but would the increase in STR (not to mention INT for poisons) from the Torn Ligament offset the damage spread difference?

You could use the Hoo'Loh hat when soloing for the extra mit and slash.  In groups the pathfinder would be more beneficial to you because of the increased strength and crit proc. 

If you are using T7 ammo (adamantine), the Rain Caller will beat the Torn Ligament because of the way ammo affects bows (there is a thread on here with more details).  If you have T8 ammo (either from one of the Deathtoll bows or the Emerald Halls recipe), then Torn Ligament would be better.  The additional STR and INT on the Torn Ligament will not offset the affect of ammo on the bows.

Ok thanks for the info.

Great thread by the way, I dont have the time to put into raiding so this helps bigtime on the non-raid gear to look for.

[Beldin_]

And even if i repeat myself .. always took in respect that raincaller helps the tank/healers because of the stun. I was in Valdoon some days ago in a group of only 4 .. and our tank never had a big problem even if the fights last a bit longer, since i was the only one who really did damage .. but i think my RC and my bracers with stifle proc helped a good part

[Webin]

Hey Effidian... I just discovered a BIG oversight in your list.  The adornment Scintillating Judicious Composite Gear can not be placed on the Ghostly Bow of Bylze.   The adornment is T7, so can only be placed on bows level 60 or higher, and Bylze is 59. I wish I had caught this BEFORE paying 6.5pp for the hardened mana... I re-read the original thread... its pointed out that those are the best adornments per slot, regardless of the equipment chosen.   So everyone should just make sure the adornment will stick before they get it.

[Effidian]

WebinKaltani wrote:

Hey Effidian... I just discovered a BIG oversight in your list.  The adornment Scintillating Judicious Composite Gear can not be placed on the Ghostly Bow of Bylze.   The adornment is T7, so can only be placed on bows level 60 or higher, and Bylze is 59. I wish I had caught this BEFORE paying 6.5pp for the hardened mana... I re-read the original thread... its pointed out that those are the best adornments per slot, regardless of the equipment chosen.   So everyone should just make sure the adornment will stick before they get it.

Very good point Webin.  I'll update it with a note about that.  You could get the Lambent Judicious Composite Gear for the Ghostly Bow.  (I should go do that, since I'll get a drop the day after I adorn it...   )

[Ajek]

Hey guys, I don't post much, but i've been following this thread carefully and gearing myself as best I can. I've recently joined a guild that is working its way through KOS raid zones, but we've got some ways to go. Nonetheless, maximizing my DPS in raids and groups is quite important to me (as it should be for any ranger) and I'm getting to the point where I'm topping parses - tonight I topped parse on Vyemm. But i've only recently hit 70 (about a week ago) so I'm still figuring things out. And this is my first character. Anyway, with that out of the way, here is a link to my char profile on eq2players: http://eq2players.station.sony.com/...terId=712995120 The one thing I'm having a very hard time finding is a decent pair of leggings. Kithicor would be great, but they are simply not available on the broker ever, and I have yet to be in a group that even gets to the Sage in CMM, and most people hate going in there, so that doesn't help. PVP server makes this particularly difficult. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on another pair of legs I could get without too much trouble. All i can think of is Kithicor, Relic and PVP set - and I'm working on getting tokens for PVP set as it seems the most attainable, but thats not a quick process either. I'm fairly happy with the rest of my gear at the moment, but can anyone suggest another pair of leggings? I can't find any, anywhere. Thanks! And I think this thread should get a sticky. Not that my opinion matters much ;-p

[Effidian]

Nemesis Leggings from Labs are very nice.

[Woodsrunner]

Thanks for a great thread Effidian.  We have had Labs at farm status for awhile but this list gave me some good food for thought on my remaining pieces. 

[Ranja]

Effidian wrote:

Nemesis Leggings from Labs are very nice.

Aye nemesis leggings are great. If you are just starting out in KoS zones they will arguably be the best legs you can get until your EoF fabled legs. They have great strength and intelligence. A hard combo to find. The legs from the Crab in TFD are also good but the stats are less but mit is higher i think. Ancient Hardshell Leggings I believe they are called.  They do proc a slow though which is nice and the crab is x2.

[Rekidens]

I was excited when I finally collected all of the Kithicor class armor set... then I realized it wasn't so hot.  Certain pieces are great but the collection together well other than looking cool, was eh... so - so.  The six piece bonus is so minor I don't think I could even perceive a difference. Thanks Effidian for this great post and thread, it was very helpful I had many of the pieces you mentioned in my bank so I switch out pieces, then I had some idea of what to go for, some new gear and using stuff I had increased my strength significantly, made a big boost to my dps. Your explanations of why one piece over another helped me examine my toon and get him to the next level. Rekidens Lvl 70 Ranger Najena Server