Comprehensive Archer Skills and Equipment Guide [Archive]

View Full Version : Comprehensive Archer Skills and Equipment Guide

Physiologic

01-07-2011, 04:51 AM

Comprehensive Archer Skills and Equipment Guide
by Physiologic

Check out my other Pocket Legends guides:
How Drop Rates Work (Simplified) and the Factor of Luck Elixirs (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?30059-How-Drop-Rates-Work-%28Simplified%29-and-the-Factor-of-Luck-Elixirs)
Post-Global Cooldown (GCD) Video Runs at Balefort Sewers (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?23726-Post-Global-Cooldown-%28GCD%29-Video-Runs-at-Balefort-Sewers)
In-Depth Guide to Farming Balefort Sewers (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?22587-In-Depth-Guide-to-Farming-Balefort-Sewers)
Comprehensive Archer Skills and Equipment Guide (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16244-Comprehensive-Archer-Skills-and-Equipment-Guide)
Complete Lv 55 Archer Gear List (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?19819-Complete-Lv-55-Archer-Gear-List)
Pocket Legends Enemy, Boss, and NPC Compendium (http://tinyurl.com/4tmz87x)
How to Craft Lv 55 Gear (http://tinyurl.com/4lcxe23)
How to calculate your attributes using STR, DEX, and INT (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?20606-How-to-calculate-your-attributes-using-STR-DEX-and-INT)
Ring List (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?18941-Ring-List)
Guide to Advanced Mechanics in PL: DPS, Crits, etc. (http://tinyurl.com/4u6bkuj)
Void Set versus Sentinel equips: An Unbiased Analysis (http://tinyurl.com/4g72okf)
In-Depth Guide to Farming Alien Oasis 3: Victory Lap (http://tinyurl.com/4u62hxt)

Check out my other Star Legends guides:
Star Legends General Attributes (STR, DEX, INT) Guide (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?30467-Star-Legends-General-Attributes-%28STR-DEX-INT%29-Guide)
Prefix/Suffix Compendium for Weapons and Armors (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?30417-Prefix-Suffix-Compendium-for-Weapons-and-Armors)
Lv 20-21 Operative Weapons and Equips (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?30545-Lv-20-21-Operative-Weapons-and-Equips)

Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Stats and Attributes, Builds, and Equipment Selection
III. Skills List and Explanation
IV. Skill Build
V. Skill Map Example
VI. Equipment Guide
VII. Ring Guide for Archers
VIII. Level 50 Equipment Guide
IX. Level 55 Equipment Guide
X. PvP Combo
XI. Thx and Revision History

I. Introduction

So you've decided to choose the road to the Avian Archer, congratulations! Out of the three characters, the archer is the best at maximizing damage to one opponent at a time. You will be a valuable asset to boss battles with your armor, hit%, and damage debuffing skills. You will also make powerful combos using your own skills, and combining your skills with bears and mages to do damage to multiple enemies!

Note: This guide will always be as up-to-date as possible. Any questions or comments can be PMed to me at any time.

II. Stats and Attributes, Builds, and Equipment Selection

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/stats.png

First off, let's go over what each of these stats and attributes mean for a bird (as well as for other classes). Every time you level, you gain 5 points to put into either STR, DEX or INT. These stats don't really mean anything by themselves, but they do change all your other attributes (hit%, dodge, etc.) around. Note that STR, DEX, and INT influences all stats, but each of them greatly influence specific attributes. They also increase damage/DPS and skill damage as well.

STR: Most increases on Dodge, Health, Health Regen (H/s); increases skill damage for warriors.
DEX: Most increases on Hit%, Crit, Damage, DPS; increases skill damage for archers.
INT: Most increases on Mana, Mana Regen (M/s); increases skill damage for mages.
Hit%: Percent chance you will hit an enemy. For example, a hit% of 40 means you have a 40% to hit an enemy (excluding their innate Dodge capabilities). Do note that there is a probable cap on hit%, meaning that a hit% over 100 doesn't mean you are guaranteed to hit an enemy 100% of the time (see this thread (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16817-Guide-to-Advanced-Mechanics-in-PL-DPS-Crits-etc.)).
Crit: Percent chance of you critically hitting an enemy. Both your normal attacks and skills can cause critical damage, and like Hit%, the higher the number the more likely you'll crit an enemy. Critically hitting an enemy will cause you to do double your intended damage (see this thread (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16817-Guide-to-Advanced-Mechanics-in-PL-DPS-Crits-etc.)).
Dodge: Percent chance that you will dodge an enemy attack. In my opinion this is just as important as Armor in terms of defending yourself from enemies, since if you successfully dodge an enemy attack you get no damage.
Health: Your standard pool of health.
Regen (Health Regen aka H/s): The amount of health automatically healed per second.
Mana: Your standard pool of mana.
Regen (Mana Regen aka M/s): The amount of mana automatically regenerated per second.
Damage: Damage range of your normal attack, influenced by your main stat (STR, DEX, INT) as well as equips. Note that you will not be doing the exact damage range shown in this window because enemies have armor as well that decreases your damage. Therefore your effective damage, or damage seen when you hit an enemy, is [effective damage = damage - enemy armor] (see this thread for enemy armor values (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?18229-Pocket-Legends-Enemy-Boss-and-NPC-Compendium)).
DPS: Amount of damage dealt per second. This is a function of damage and weapon speed (shown in weapon description) but does not take into account enemy armor (see this thread on how DPS is calculated and why enemy armor affects DPS (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16817-Guide-to-Advanced-Mechanics-in-PL-DPS-Crits-etc.)).
Armor: Your defense against enemy attack. Every one armor point is equivalent to one less damage an enemy will do to you. Note that enemy's have a "minimum amount of damage" they are able to do to you regardless of how much armor you have. This armor value is different for all enemies across all campaigns (see here to figure out the most amount of armor you can wear per enemy before minimum damage occurs (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?18229-Pocket-Legends-Enemy-Boss-and-NPC-Compendium)).

See this guide to find out how specifically each point increases each attribute. (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?20606-How-to-calculate-your-attributes-using-STR-DEX-and-INT)

Full DEX vs. Dual Spec STR/DEX

Essentially as a bird, there's two effective roads you may follow: full DEX, or dual spec'd STR/DEX.

Full DEX allows you to maximize what your bird does best, which is dealing damage to enemies. The con is that your armor suffers compared to STR/DEX birds.

Dual spec'd STR/DEX allows you to wear STR equips for more armor to increase survivability, since birds naturally have poor armor to begin with. However, damage and skill damage is severely impaired if you follow this route.

I highly recommend you follow the full DEX approach, as your tremendous damage will prove to be valuable to your party members. For this reason, this guide has been written for full DEX birds only. For those still interested in how to create a STR/DEX bird, please refer to Ellyidol's Dual Spec Guide (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?13772-Dual-Spec-Guide.).

"What are important stats I should focus on in my equipment?"

Regarding equipment selection, I try to prioritize my equips in this manner:

1. Damage/Crit - More damage and crit means you can kill enemies faster.
2. Dodge/Armor - Increases survivability. Prioritizing dodge and armor over damage/crit helps only you, and not your party.
3. Everything else - Birds naturally have a high Hit%. H/s and M/s aren't too important as long as you're using potions efficiently. Equips that add to DEX is somewhat useful, but only if it's a large increase in DEX (10-15+); small increases cause insignificant increases in your attributes.

Of course, if you find yourself getting beaten up constantly in a dungeon, you may want to prioritize equips that add to dodge and armor. Constantly dying also doesn't contribute much to the party either, so make careful decisions in selecting equips.

III. Skill List and Explanation

Regarding skills:
1. You'll unlock new skills every 2 levels.
2. Maximum skill level is 6 (this was implemented in 1.7; the max level was 5 in versions below this).
3. There's a total of 12 skills and 55 skill points you can use, so you can't max out every single skill.

When I copied down the information I had a Cyber Skull of the Void, Cyber Blaster of the Void, and Cyber Armor of the Void equipped, I was lv 55, and I had all my attributes spent on DEX. The damages you see in your skill window may be different from mine because these factors influence and change your skill damages that you see.

Blast Shot (unlocked at lv 2) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152318.png)
Explanation: Shoots a powerful arrow that hits an enemy, explodes, and also damages enemies nearby. Described as an "AoE" attack aka "area of effect," or a skill that damages multiple enemies within a certain range. Can be comboed with Shattering Scream to create the "Cruel Blast" combo, which deals higher damage than Blast Shot alone.

Lv 1: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
200-213 damage, 2m target area blast
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
200-225 damage, 3m target area blast
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
226-250 damage, 4m target area blast
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
253-277 damage, 5m target area blast
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
280-304 damage, 6m target area blast
Lv 6: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
300-324 damage, 6m target area blast

Avian Scream (unlocked at lv 4) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152321.png)
Explanation: Emits a scream that damages enemies around you in a very limited range (they have to be really close). Knocks the enemies back a bit and stuns them for 3 seconds.

Lv 1: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-237 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 2: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-247 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 3: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-257 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 4: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-267 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 5: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-277 damage, knock-back + 3 sec.stun
Lv 6: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-287 damage, knock-back + 3 sec.stun

Thorn Root (unlocked at lv 6) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152325.png)
Explanation: Damages a single enemy and stops them in their tracks for 3 seconds, as well as decreasing their ability to dodge your attacks up to 25%. Useful for bosses. Important to note that this works completely different from Thorn Wall.

Lv 1: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -5 DODGE % debuff
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -10 DODGE % debuff
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -15 DODGE % debuff
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -20 DODGE % debuff
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -25 DODGE % debuff
Lv 6: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -30 DODGE % debuff

This skill also causes a bleed proc that decreases enemies' health per second (H/s). Credits to HerWolf and Beanmachine for this useful piece of information.

Lv 1: -6 H/s
Lv 2: -10 H/s
Lv 3: -14 H/s
Lv 4: -18 H/s
Lv 5: -22 H/s
Lv 6: -26 H/s

Note that this skill also does damage (not listed in the descriptions) similar to your damage range.

Focus (unlocked at lv 8) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152314.png)
Explanation: Increases your chance to hit an enemy (you miss less) as well as increasing your chance to critically damage them for 20 seconds. "Hit chance" and "crit chance" are in percentages.

Lv 1: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +5 hit chance, +5 crit chance
Lv 2: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +10 hit chance, +10 crit chance
Lv 3: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +15 hit chance, +15 crit chance
Lv 4: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +20 hit chance, +20 crit chance
Lv 5: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +25 hit chance, +25 crit chance
Lv 6: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +30 hit chance, +30 crit chance

Meditation (unlocked at lv 10) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152332.png)
Explanation: Increases your inherent mana regeneration rate for 3 seconds.

Lv 1: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +12 mana regen rate
Lv 2: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +16 mana regen rate
Lv 3: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +20 mana regen rate
Lv 4: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +24 mana regen rate
Lv 5: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +28 mana regen rate
Lv 6: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +32 mana regen rate

Restore (unlocked at lv 12) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152335.png)
Explanation: Heals you and increases your inherent health regeneration rate for 5 seconds.

Lv 1: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 13-17, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 2: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 16-27, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 3: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 19-34, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 4: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 28-51, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 5: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 44-67, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 6: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 60-83, +5 health regen for 5 sec.

Evasion (unlocked at lv 14) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152339.png)
Explanation: For 10 seconds, increases your ability to dodge all enemy attacks (melee, ranged, and magic attacks) and increases your armor.

Lv 1: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +4 dodge
Lv 2: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +8 dodge
Lv 3: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +12 dodge
Lv 4: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +18 dodge
Lv 5: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +24 dodge
Lv 6: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +30 dodge

This skill also increases armor, unspecified by the skill description:
Lv 1: +2 armor
Lv 2: +3 armor
Lv 3: +4 armor
Lv 4: +5 armor
Lv 5: +6 armor
Lv 6: +7 armor

Break Armor (unlocked at lv 16) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152342.png)
Explanation: Shoots a piercing arrow into an enemy to damage them and decrease their armor for 10 seconds, enabling you and your party to damage them more.

Lv 1: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 4 pts.
Lv 2: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 8 pts.
Lv 3: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 12 pts.
Lv 4: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 16 pts.
Lv 5: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 20 pts.
Lv 6: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 26 pts.

Note that this skill also does damage (not listed in the descriptions) similar to your damage range.

Shattering Scream (unlocked at lv 18) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152345.png)
Explanation: Emits a scream around you for a decent range that, along with damaging enemies, reduces the damage enemies do to you and your party, as well as reducing their armor, enabling you and your party to damage them more. Can be comboed with Blast Shot to create "Cruel Blast," which deals more damage than Blast Shot alone.

Lv 1: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -4, ARMOR -4
Lv 2: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -8, ARMOR -8
Lv 3: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -10, ARMOR -10
Lv 4: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -12, ARMOR -12
Lv 5: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -14, ARMOR -14
Lv 6: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -16, ARMOR -16

Note that this skill also does damage (not listed in the descriptions) similar to your damage range.

Repulse Shot (unlocked at lv 20) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152350.png)
Explanation: Shoots an arrow that damages a single enemy as well as knocking them back to a distance. Useful if strong enemies or bosses charge towards you.

Lv 1: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
183-188 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 2: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
194-200 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 3: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
204-216 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 4: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
214-228 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 5: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
224-243 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 6: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
244-263 damage + knock-back (no stun)

Blinding Shot (unlocked at lv 22) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152353.png)
Explanation: Shoots an arrow that damages an enemy, as well as decreasing their chance to hit you.

Lv 1: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
171-214 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 2: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
174-227 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 3: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
177-243 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 4: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
198-257 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 5: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
201-264 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 6: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
221-284 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff

Here are the following hit% reductions unspecified by the skill descriptions:

Lv 1: -5 hit% debuff
Lv 2: -10 hit% debuff
Lv 3: -15 hit% debuff
Lv 4: -20 hit% debuff
Lv 5: -25 hit% debuff
Lv 6: -30 hit% debuff

Thorn Wall (unlocked at lv 24) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152359.png)
Explanation: Damages and stops several enemies in their tracks as an AoE for 3 seconds. Has an unspecified dodge debuff as well.

Lv 1: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 6m area
3 sec. root, 6 target damage per sec.
Lv 2: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 8m area
3 sec. root, 6 target damage per sec.
Lv 3: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 8m area
3 sec. root, 9 target damage per sec.
Lv 4: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 10m area
3 sec. root, 9 target damage per sec.
Lv 5: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 10m area
3 sec. root, 12 target damage per sec.
Lv 6: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 10m area
3 sec. root, 16 target damage per sec.

Here are the following dodge% reductions unspecified by the skill descriptions (thanks Skimmey for this useful piece of information):
Lv 6: -20% dodge

Note that this skill also does damage (not listed in the descriptions) similar to your damage range.

IV. Skill Build

Before you read: Note that this is what I consider an "optimal build" - one that is focused primarily on destroying your enemies and bosses as soon as possible to prove yourself "useful" as a character with a tremendous amount of DPS (damage per second). Please realize that this may NOT be the build you may want yourself and that these are only guidelines as to what you would want to incorporate to your own character.

Note: This build is strictly PvE (players vs. enemy).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152310-1.png
Optimal skill build for DPS, or damage per second. Skill build updated to 1.7.

I will categorize each skill into 4 categories: Self-buffs, debuffers, main attacks, and miscellaneous.

Self-buffs are skills that will serve to "buff" you up - or increase certain stats on only your character.
Debuffers are skills that lowers certain stats (such as lowering their defense so you can damage them more, lowering their chance to hit you, etc.) on enemies and bosses. They may also damage them as well.
Main attacks serve to primarily damage your opponents the most.
Miscellaneous skills are useful only at certain times.

Blast Shot: Max level (6), main attack. This AoE attack will be your main damage-dealer throughout your early levels. Its usefulness will be even more amplified when comboed with Shattering Scream (which you get at level 18), when it damages enemies even more. Cruel Blast can be done by using Shattering Scream (since it has a range, make sure the enemy is close-by) and then using Blast Shot. Note that you have to wait at least one second after Shattering Scream to use Blast Shot, or else the combo will not be activated.

Avian Scream: Level 1, miscellaneous. Though this skill may look fancy when you first get it, it really doesn't help much at later levels, when your other skills begin to outshine it during bosses. Despite its ability to stun enemies, its extremely limited range and low damage dismisses this into a "non-essential" skill.

Focus: Max level (6), self-buff. With a 25% increased chance to hit your enemies and critically damage them, this is an important self-buff that you should max early on.

Thorn Root: Max level (6), debuffer. This will be a primary de-buffer for bosses and is extremely useful in lowering their ability to dodge your attacks, up to 30%. Although major bosses (Overlord, Gurgox, etc.) won't be rooted in place, it may be also used against a single enemy to stop them in their tracks. Its other function is to permit and extremely strong attack when combined with a mage's lightning spell called "Nature Strike." Often times during runs you'll find that mages will ask you to thorn wall a lot because it really improves their lightning damage. (Credits to Fyrce for pointing this out)

Meditation and Restore: No points, self-buff. The reason why I chose not to max these skills is because my build is primarily for attacking and DPS only. All they do is restore health and mana by a small amount, for a limited amount of time, with a huge cool-down time. I'd imagine those who want to save money on potions would find these skills useful, but the caveat is that you'll have to sacrifice points off of your essential bossing skills for them. As you party more and more frequently as you level, you'll be with mages that will heal for you. As for excessive mana consumption, which archers are notorious for, this may only be remedied by spending more money on mana pots. But really - you'll find that money for potions won't be a problem later if you're a savvy archer, and not rush into mobs of enemies like a bear.

Evasion: Max level (6), self-buff. An extremely crucial skill to level up as soon as you get, this will save your life numerous times. As a ranged attacker, you inherently have low defense and health, and mobs of enemies will most likely kill you instantly. This skill helps increase your ability to dodge enemy attacks and along with Focus, should be always be buffed when available during battle.

Break Armor: Max level (6), debuffer. This skill is very important for bossing, as it will severely cripple their armor allowing you and your party to damage them more and take them down faster. This skill really makes a difference between a prolonged boss fight and an extremely short one. Since the debuff lasts only 10 seconds on the enemy/boss, you should be constantly using it when the cool-down time is up and the skill is available to cast.

Shattering Scream: Max level (6), main attack and debuffer. I classified this as both an attack and debuffer because although it reduces enemy damage and their armor, it can be comboed with Blast Shot to create a 'Cruel Blast" combo, which severely damages an enemy more than their respective parts alone. Cruel Blast can be done by using Shattering Scream (since it has a range, make sure the enemy is close-by) and then using Blast Shot. Note that you have to wait at least one second after Shattering Scream to use Blast Shot, or else the combo will not be activated. This skill also works in conjunction with a bear's Hell Scream to create the 'Terror' combo.

Repulse Shot: Max level (6), miscellaneous. Although this damages a single enemy to a certain degree, it shouldn't be used as a main attack because of its annoying tendency to knock away bosses while your party is killing them. It should be reserved more for emergencies, when a strong enemy is focused on you or a party member and they need to run away quickly. However, it may be used when a boss is cornered (i.e. stuck on a corner or a wall) so that you get away with more damage, AND it doesn't knock them around.

Blinding Shot: Max level (6), debuffer. There is a lot of discrepancy in the function or usefulness of this skill due to the nature of its in-game description. It does a certain amount of damage as well as a "5 sec. hit debuff." What I think "hit debuff" means is that it lowers an enemy's ability to hit you (allowing them to miss you more) for 5 seconds, which sounds incredibly useful for bosses, especially strong ones. So this skill both attacks an enemy and improves survivability for your entire party - sounds like something you want, right?

Thorn Wall: Max level (6), miscellaneous. As the final skill to unlock, this acts to stop many enemies in their tracks and damages them for an unspecified large amount, making this the only strong AoE attack a bird can have (like Thorn Root, it can be comboed with a mage's lightning for 'Nature Strike'). This also debuffs the affected enemies' dodge by an unspecified amount, up to 20% and this debuff can be stacked with Thorn Root's dodge debuff (credits to Skimmey).

Special combo Cruel Blast: This is the only combo that birds can perform using their own skills. To use Cruel Blast, use Shattering Scream followed by Blast Shot. You need to wait at least one second between both skills or the combo won't register. The result is an incredibly damaging AoE attack. If you look closely, Cruel Blast is actually registered as two separate attacks at the same time - Blast Shot + normal attack. Now this may not seem like it would do a lot of damage at first, but remember that it's an AoE attack.
If your Blast Shot does 150 damage and normal attack does 50 damage and you use Cruel Blast on a single enemy, you'll do about 200 damage.
If your Blast Shot does 150 damage and normal attack does 50 damage and you use Cruel Blast on a mob of 5 enemies bunched together, you'll do 200 damage x 5 = 1000 damage total! Not too bad, right?

Special combo Nature Strike: This is used with a mage. You will need to use either Thorn Wall or Thorn Root and have the mage use their lightning attack for massive AoE damage.

Special combo Terror: This is used with a bear. You will need to use either Shattering Scream and have the bear use Hell Scream, separated by 1 second. (credits to Fyrce for this info)

Special Features of Level 5 Avian Scream: When an enemy freezes you in place, specifically in the Lost Expedition and Frozen Nightmares campaigns, you can use this skill to break free. It can be a very useful and life-saving maneuver, especially when enemies mob you. Other than these campaigns, you won't need to use Avian Scream to break out of a freeze anywhere else.

This is the old, pre-1.7 skill allotment per level for reference (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/sample.jpg).

Here's the new 1.7 skill allotment per level:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/skillallot.jpg

V. Skill Map Example

Creating the perfect skill map for you makes a large difference when you're fighting a boss, or raiding a dungeon. Though it may seem inconsequential, during hectic and chaotic fights you need to know how quickly you can perform skill combinations to ensure you're fighting to the best of your ability. That being said, I will use an example of the skill map I use.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110211_215839.png
These skills may seem all over the place at first glance, but they're actually grouped together into self-buffs, debuffs, main attacks, and miscellaneous.

Here is an example of my skill map during a boss battle:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/tut.png
The order in which you should use the skills will be the following: Important self-buffs(1) -> Main boss de-buffs (2) -> Cruel Shot combo (main attack)(3)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/tut2.png
Use Focus and Evasion before you attack the boss to
1. Increase your chance of hitting him,
2. Increasing your critical hit chance, and
3. Increasing your ability to dodge attacks.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/tut3.png
Move onto the boss debuffs and tap upward, starting from Break Armor (the most useful of the three). You've now successfully debuffed the boss in terms of
1. Lowering his armor,
2. Lowering his ability to dodge your party's attacks, and
3. Lowering his ability to hit your party members

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/tut4.png
Now that you're completely buffed up and the boss is debuffed, run up closer to the boss and use Shattering Scream, followed by Blast Shot to create your Cruel Blast combo. Note that you need to wait at least one second to use Blast Shot after Shattering Scream, or else the combo will not register.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/tut5.png
As you wait for your skills to become available again, you can use any of the miscellaneous skills to help out. Don't use Repulse Shot to knock away a boss while your party is attacking it - it'll cause them to stop attacking and chase after the boss - but it's fine if the boss is already pinned to a wall. Thorn Wall can be used if there's a mage in your party to create the Nature Strike combo, if your mage uses lightning fast enough. Avian Scream can be used for a bit more damage if you're willing to go close up to the boss.

This may seem like it'll take a lot of time to perform, but you'll go through these skills in probably 3 seconds if you can tap them fast enough. Always remember this order:
1. Keep your self-buffs up all the time
2. Debuff the boss for your party
3. Use Cruel Blast when the boss is debuffed
4. Use your miscellaneous skills when needed

VI. Equipment Guide

Weapons and armors both serve to increase your attributes and stats in a variety of ways. Armor not only increases your armor, but your health/mana regeneration as well, and some may bump up your damage too. They increase your STR/INT/DEX as well to some degree, such that you can dual spec your character to equip weapons of other character types (i.e. the mage or the bear). I will not get into how to dual spec your character, as an extremely useful guide is already available: Ellyidol's Dual Spec guide (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?13772-Dual-Spec-Guide.&highlight=dual+spec).

Each weapon type differs from one another. Weapons for birds are primarily categorized by their attack range/distance: long-range, short-range, and melee.

Long-range weapons
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/bow.png
Bow/Crossbow: Your standard weapon as an archer. Capable of damaging enemies from a far distance, you can safely dodge attacks from melee enemies. Though the bow seems weak in terms of damage, it has a fast attack speed, and thus has a high DPS (damage per second) compared to other weapons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/heavyxbow.png
Heavy Crossbow: An alternative to the crossbow, this weapon is usually more damaging per arrow. However, it has a slow attack speed and suffers in terms of DPS. In that regard, heavy crossbows are better off used to eliminate enemies quickly in one blow, but may suffer when it comes to damaging bosses, where DPS matters more.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/gun2.png
Gun: These weapons aren't as plentiful as bows, and you may have first seen them through the Winter Festival Snowball Launcher and the Blunderbuss. Typically, guns are as damaging or more damaging than bows with a longer range of attack. They are well-balanced in both damage and DPS. End-game weapons such as the Cyber Blaster of the Void, Mega Blaster of the Void, and Sentinel's Shotgun of Death are all considered guns. (thanks eagleswords for grammar correction!)

Short-range weapons
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/talonshield.png
Talon+Shield: The talon can be thrown from a distance like the bow/gun, but the range of attacking is much smaller, thus you need to be closer to the enemy to attack. While damage for the talon is usually low, attack speed is fast so overall DPS is high for this weapon set (though, not as high as a bow/gun). Because the talon is a one-handed weapon and you are more exposed to enemies, you can equip a shield to vastly improve your armor. In short, you are sacrificing raw power and attacking range for more amount of armor, making this ideal to tank hits from stronger bosses.

Melee weapons
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/dag.png
Dagger+Shield: Technically, the dagger can be thrown from a limited distance when you use bird skills (such as Blast Shot, Blinding Shot, and Repulse Shot. However you will be up-close and personal with your enemy when you're using normal attacks, which will cause you to be very vulnerable to attack. Personally, I think the dagger is a very useless weapon for archers, as their damage and DPS are lacking despite their fast attack speed. The talon+shield or the dual wield weapons are much more useful.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/dualwield.png
Dual wield: The newest addition of weaponry in PL, dual wield weapons can be thrown when using bird skills just like the dagger, but you need to be up-close to enemies when using normal attacks. They are moderate (not low) in term of damage and have a fast attack speed, giving them an extremely high DPS. However, dual wield is just as the name implies: you have two daggers in your hand, and no shield - therefore low armor. I find the best time to use dual wield weapons is with a party that can heal well and keep aggro away from you. Thus you aren't getting attacked much, but you are contributing to your party vastly with your damage.

VII. Ring Guide for Archers

Rings were added to PL in version 1.7 and is currently only purchasable by Platinum, but they work just like the rest of your equips by increasing your attributes. I highly recommend you pick one up! See the ring list here (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?18941-Ring-List).

There are two sections for rings, Common and Platinum. The Common rings cost 5 Platinum each and the Platinum rings cost 10 Platinum each; Platinum rings give more stats than the Common rings. For full DEX archers, you'll want to look for the "Golden Band" and "Platinum Band" under the Platinum ring section. Note that there are two versions of the rings that are identical in name, but different in the level req and the stats they give, so be very careful and don't make a mistake in your purchase.

As for me, I bought 2 rings:

Acrobat's Fine Golden Band Req: Lv20, 67 Dex; 2% Dodge, 8 Armor

and

Champion's Fine Platinum Band Lv20, 67 Dex; 2% Crit, 10 Damage

Be very careful, there's the Lv10, 65 Dex versions of these rings that give you lower armor and lower damage at the same price - be sure to choose the Lv20, 67 Dex versions.

I believe these two rings give you the best bang for your buck for your archer. Acrobat's Fine Golden Ring gives optimal defense; I chose this over the rest because it's purely defensive (dodge/armor) and not a mixture between damage/defense. The other ring most similar to this is the Fine Golden Band of Technique but the loss of 1 armor for 1% dodge is fairly significant IMO, since 1 armor = 1 less damage to all attacks but 1% dodge = 1% more likely for the enemy to completely miss you.

The Champion's Fine Platinum Band gives a great crit/damage mix and is purely attack-based. The other ring similar to this is the Fine Platinum Band of Bravery, but the loss of 1 damage for 1% crit is fairly significant; 1 damage less for all attacks for 1% more likely to effectively double your damage.

Now switching between rings depends on how you play and the types of games you play - I'm currently grinding in Bandit Boys Hideout and I rarely die because there is only 1 explosive barrel and 3 explosive grates in this map. Since those are easily avoidable, and I can avoid dying in Gold Fever fairly easily, I use Champion's Fine Platinum Band to ensure that my runs are all <5 minutes long (so my XP pot doesn't run out); no need for a dodge/armor ring since I almost never die in Bandit Boys Hideout.

If my runs are let's say, at Catacombs though, I will occasionally switch to the Acrobat's Fine Golden Band, but only if my party is not very fast at killing. If the Catacomb party is one that breezes through, then I'll use the Champion's Fine Platinum Band. If I am physically tired though and tend to not pay attention in runs, I'll go back to the dodge/armor ring though.

But you may prefer to choose rings that are a mix of defense/attack, it's totally up to you depending on your playing style, how fast you can pot, the type of map you're in (lots of exploding grates vs. none), and how well your party can go through that map.

VIII. Level 50 Equipment Guide

In this section, you will find how to complete each set for lv 50 equips, as well as where to find each piece of equipment. Certain set of equips give bonus stats, and this information will be included as well.

Once considered the end-game equips prior to the release of the 1.7 client, new level 55 equips have been released to replace them. However, these equips will still be extremely useful for your dungeon raids in Balefort Sewers (where the level 55 equips drop).

All information regarding sets were taken from Yanis' guide. (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?8939-Pinks-with-Stats-and-Pictures-Alien-Oasis-Part-III)

http://i52.tinypic.com/29kqbfd.png
Cyber Void Set I: Cyber Skull of the Void + Cyber Blaster of the Void + Cyber Armor of the Void
Set bonus: +2% Hit, +1% Dodge, +1 H/s, +9 Damage, +3 Armor
Cyber Armor of the Void: Obtain from the "?" NPC that spawns in map 'Crush the Keeper!' and kill Alien bosses (Keeper, Gurgox, Overlord) for 100 totems total.
Cyber Skull of the Void: Obtain from the "?" NPC that spawns in map 'Crush the Keeper!' and kill Alien bosses (Keeper, Gurgox, Overlord) for 50 shards total.
Cyber Blaster of the Void: Obtain from the "?" NPC that spawns in map 'Crush the Keeper!' and kill 25 Captive Shadows that spawn in the map 'Captive Audience'.

http://i51.tinypic.com/154f58j.png
Cyber Void Set II: Cyber Skull of the Void + Laser Talon of the Void + Cyber Wing of the Void + Cyber Armor of the Void
Set bonus: +1% Hit, +1% Crit, +1 H/s, +5 Damage, +6 Armor
Cyber Armor of the Void: Obtain from the "?" NPC that spawns in map 'Crush the Keeper!' and kill Alien bosses (Keeper, Gurgox, Overlord) for 100 totems total.
Cyber Skull of the Void: Obtain from the "?" NPC that spawns in map 'Crush the Keeper!' and kill Alien bosses (Keeper, Gurgox, Overlord) for 50 shards total.
Cyber Wing of the Void: Obtain from the "?" NPC that spawns in map 'Crush the Keeper!' and obtain 5 shadow essences from Captive Shadows in the map 'Captive Audience'.
Laser Talon of the Void: King Mynas (map: Victory Lap)

http://i52.tinypic.com/vi2u6s.png
Original Void Set: Jacob's Helmet of the Void + Wraith Armor of the Void + Mega Blaster of the Void
Set bonus: +5% Hit, +5% Crit, +2 H/s, +2 M/s, +10 Damage, +5 Armor
Jacob's Helmet of the Void: Gurgox the Great (map: Intergalactic Combat, Victory Lap)
Wraith Armor of the Void: T'Paxx the Executioner (map: Captive Audience)
Mega Blaster of the Void: Galactic Overlord (map: This Ends Now!, Victory Lap)

http://i54.tinypic.com/21b0jf9.png
Sunblessed Archer Set: Overlord's Helmet of the Void + Wraith Armor of the Void + Sunblessed Bow of the Void
Set bonus: +3 h/s, +10 DMG, +7 Armor
Overlord's Helmet of the Void: Galactic Overlord (map: This Ends Now!, Victory Lap)
Wraith Armor of the Void: T'Paxx the Executioner (map: Captive Audience)
Sunblessed Bow of the Void: King Mynas, Alien Lorekeeper, Alien Sniper, Shadow D'Jinns (map: various Alien Oasis 3 maps, Shadow Caves)

http://i56.tinypic.com/2gwgfgy.png
Sentinel Set I: Sentinel's Helmet of Death + Sentinel's Armor of Death + Sentinel's Shotgun of Death
Set bonus: +2 Crit, +2 M/s, +8 DMG
Sentinel's Helmet of Death: Shadow Lord and others
Sentinel's Armor of Death: Shadow Anubis and others
Sentinel's Shotgun of Death: Shadow Archer and others

http://i53.tinypic.com/2ldwveu.png
Sentinel Set II: Sentinel's Helmet of Death + Sentinel's Armor of Death + Sentinel's Talon of Death + Sentinel's Wing of Death
Set bonus: +2 Dodge, +2 H/s, +8 Armor
Sentinel's Helmet of Death: Shadow Lord and others
Sentinel's Armor of Death: Shadow Anubis and others
Sentinel's Talon of Death: Dark Genie and others
Sentinel's Wing of Death: Shadow Witch and others

http://i52.tinypic.com/mubxx5.png
Sentinel Set III: Sentinel's Helmet of Death + Sentinel's Armor of Death + Shadow Slicers of Death
Set Bonus: +2 Hit%, +2 Crit, +2 M/s, +7 DMG
Sentinel's Helmet of Death: Shadow Lord and others
Sentinel's Armor of Death: Shadow Anubis and others
Shadow Slicers of Death: Shadow Demon and others

*The Shadow bosses are found in the Shadow Caves, an extremely hard elite dungeon. It may not be worth it to farm these weapons and gear.*

http://i54.tinypic.com/apdz60.png
Mystery Ancients set
Set bonus: +1 crit, +8 damage, +3 armor
Mystery Helm of the Ancients: Complete series of crafting quests; Ghost of Malik crafts this.
Mystery Armor of the Ancients: Complete series of crafting quests; Jones crafts this.
Mystery Assault Bow of the Ancients: Buy the Recipe Schematic from Ramla for 5 Plat to start the crafting quests; Ramla crafts this.

Outdated comparison table for reference (http://i53.tinypic.com/ehltgx.jpg).

Cyber Void set (gun and talon):
> Most inexpensive to obtain out of all the sets because they are quest items, not boss drops.
> They cannot be traded or sold. (thanks eagleswords for this fix)

Original Void set:
> Similar to Cyber Void set in terms of stats, but only acquirable by boss drops.

Sunblessed Archer set:
> More pronounced damage/DPS compared to Cyber and Void.
> Range of attack is shorter than Cyber, Void, and Sentinel sets.
> Only archer set that carries with it a proc (see here for definition (http://www.wowwiki.com/Proc)): Blinding Shot can be cast at a low rate.

Sentinel set (shotgun/talon/slicer):
> Prior to the addition of set bonuses, these were very similar to the other lv 50 sets. With the addition of set bonuses, they are superior.
> Most difficult set to obtain, as the enemies and the bosses in the Shadow Caves are numerous and extremely strong.

Mystery Ancients set:
> Most damaging level 50 set due to its weapon speed, but severely lacks in armor and dodge. Crit is also lower than the other sets.
> Has the highest H/s rate, but the low armor and dodge will probably get you killed first.
> The armor and helm are cheap to obtain because they are quest rewards, but the weapon requires you to purchase a recipe that costs you 5 Platinum.

IX. Level 55 Equipment Guide

With the release of the new Balefort Sewers campaign, you can now obtain level 55 equipment through Sewer boss drops.

With the new crafting system implemented, you can also craft 'new' level 55 pinks from 'old' level 55 pinks. Please check my guide on how to craft level 55 pinks. (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?18741-How-to-Craft-Lv-55-Gear)

Level 55 equips are a bit different from the lv 50 sets. There's only one "set" for archers, but these equips have a level 51 and level 53 version as well. It's important to note that the level 51 and 53 pinks CANNOT be used to craft the new level 55 pinks. I will not be including level 51/53 pink stats.

For archers, 6 damage per lv 55 non-crafted pink is REMOVED and REPLACED with 6 H/s for each lv 55 crafted pink. 2 more dex is also added.

Click here to see a list of all new level 55 equips for archers, as well as a comparative table. (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?19819-Complete-Lv-55-Archer-Gear-List)

X. PvP Combo

I'm not a big PvP fan, but I posted this in another thread and decided to just paste it here as well.

Skills:
Max all except (1)Avian Scream, (0)Meditation, (0)Restore

Combo:
Focus->Evasion->Thorn Root->Break Armor->Shattering Scream->Blast Shot->Blinding Shot->Repulse Shot

1. Focus and Evasion are obvious first.
2. Thorn Root to reduce the probability that opponent will DODGE Break Armor, Shattering Scream, Blast Shot, Blinding Shot, Repulse Shot, and Avian Scream.
3. Break Armor sets up -26 armor points on your opponent. Causes Shattering Scream, Blast Shot, Blinding Shot, Repulse Shot, and Avian Scream to be stronger.
4. Shattering Scream to further reduce opponent's armor -16 points. Break Armor debuff should still be active, so -42 armor points total to make Blast Shot, Blinding Shot, and Repulse Shot stronger.
5. Blast Shot to cause Cruel Blast combo (which is technically an extra normal attack combined with your Blast Shot).
6. Blinding Shot to add extra damage while -42 armor point debuff is active.
7. Repulse Shot to add extra damage while -42 armor point debuff is active.

XI. Thx and Revision History

As always, thanks for reading this guide. I am open to all constructive criticism, opinions, comments, and any information to help my guide.

1/7/11: Guide created
1/14: Added entire equipment guide sections
Took off skill pictures and hyperlinked them to reduce clutter
2/1: Added PvP combo section
2/5: Skill point distribution has been rearranged for 1.7
2/9: Fixed skill points with actual figures
2/11: Added revised skill allotment table for lv 55
Added various new level 55 sections
2/12: Added lv 55 table
2/14: Added Stats and Attributes section
Added Rings section
2/15: Added lv 50 Sentinel equips set bonuses (added in today's patch)
Removed outdated lv 50 equipment comparison section
3/5: Edited out 50 v 55 comparison, added link to lv 55 equips instead
4/14: Moved Focus to "unlocked at lv 8" and revised skill allotment table to reflect v1.7.0.1 change

overdoes

01-07-2011, 05:53 AM

looking forward to the completion of this guide :)

ProSophist

01-07-2011, 11:12 AM

Not bad.
Skill images would be nice.

Physiologic

01-07-2011, 06:01 PM

Completed guide, added tons of images :)

Arterra

01-07-2011, 06:03 PM

been waiting for this. everytime someone asks for archer questions, this is the redirection link.

cmon, sticky plz?

Physiologic

01-07-2011, 06:22 PM

I was thinking of remaking this into more of an end-all guide with stats and equips information as well but would need to do more research first. If there's a lot of response asking for that then ill try to hurry into adding those info

Kossi

01-07-2011, 06:25 PM

sticky plokz!

BlasterBird

01-07-2011, 06:53 PM

Excellent guide, new players now have a good guide to work with thanks to you :)

Also, STICKY! please

FluffNStuff

01-07-2011, 08:21 PM

Fantastic Job!

Otukura

01-07-2011, 08:41 PM

Blast Shot (unlocked at lv 4)
Explanation: Shoots a powerful arrow that hits an enemy, explodes, and also damages enemies nearby. Described as an "AoE" attack aka "area of effect," or a skill that damages multiple enemies within a certain range. Can be comboed with Shattering Scream to create the "Cruel Blast" combo, which deals higher damage than Blast Shot alone.

Lv 1: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
200-213 damage, 2m target area blast
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
200-225 damage, 3m target area blast
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
226-250 damage, 4m target area blast
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
253-277 damage, 5m target area blast
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
280-304 damage, 6m target area blast

Are those the combined damages? It does about 100-125 or something along those lines for me, max'd at 5.

Edit: looked at a few other low levels, like avian... it seems to also do more damage, do they increase as you level?

jjjjaaaakkkke

01-07-2011, 08:54 PM

Cool guide.

Physiologic

01-07-2011, 09:13 PM

Are those the combined damages? It does about 100-125 or something along those lines for me, max'd at 5.

Edit: looked at a few other low levels, like avian... it seems to also do more damage, do they increase as you level?

Right before all those skills I wrote
"When I copied down the information I had a Cyber Skull of the Void, Cyber Blaster of the Void, and Cyber Armor of the Void equipped. The damages you see in your skill window will be different from mine because your current equips changes those damage numbers around."

Your level doesn't do anything to the damage, but your equipment do.

Otukura

01-07-2011, 09:53 PM

Thanks for clearing that up.... I guess mine will never get that high...

Otukura

01-08-2011, 03:05 PM

Did they unsticky this?

Physiologic

01-08-2011, 04:06 PM

Thanks for clearing that up.... I guess mine will never get that high...

Actually, if you get to lv 50 and partake in the Cyber quests you can get the same exact equips as me, therefore the same exact damage.

It chains from the rare spawn shadow quest giver in crush the keeper. ORDER:
1.) 100 Totem's = Cyber Armor.
2.) 50 Shard's = Cyber Helm.
3.) Free 25 Shadow Prisoners = Cyber Weapon.
4.) Collect 5 Shadow Essence from Small Magic Shadows or sometimes tall shadows with big arms (fat bulky ones never drop). = Cyber Sheild.
5.) Talk to Ellie in Forest Haven and enjoy a free Cyber Sheild. Hurry up and get it because this is a limitted time exploit, they will be adding a different way to collect the doll in the future if you collected the reward before the doll was out.

Yes you may only do one at a time.

And this was never stickied in the first place o.o

KingFu

01-08-2011, 04:11 PM

Nice guide! One problem I could find is the combo is called "Cruel Blast" not shot:) fantastic guide tho!

Xymorg

01-08-2011, 07:45 PM

Awesome work Physiologic! If you're not already working as a technical writer, you should be.

Otukura

01-09-2011, 12:03 AM

Actually, if you get to lv 50 and partake in the Cyber quests you can get the same exact equips as me, therefore the same exact damage.

Hm. I'll never get there, not enough free offers on the droid.... and I have no CC to get plat. Oh well...I'm thinking of trying a 5 buck amazon gc to see if I can use it for Amazon payments... if I can't, cya. If I can... must get moar @_@

Physiologic

01-09-2011, 12:10 AM

@Mystical - fixed it, thx for noticing that!
@Xymorg - haha I'm too busy with a full-time job to be an actual technical writer. Guides are something I enjoy creating in my free time.
@Otukura - I have a droid-based phone too, and yeah the iPhone has a lot more tapjoy offers...I'm sure they'll come up with more options for the Droid.

Otukura

01-09-2011, 01:18 PM

@Otukura - I have a droid-based phone too, and yeah the iPhone has a lot more tapjoy offers...I'm sure they'll come up with more options for the Droid.

Hm... I think I'll just get my chars I can to the max lvl I can, then check bacck every 2-3 weeks for new payment options.

WhoIsThis

01-12-2011, 11:28 AM

Is it wise to leave the heal and mana regen empty, especially for pvp?

Physiologic

01-12-2011, 01:46 PM

These skills are too slow and not effective to utilize in pvp. You'll see when you go through matches.

pretticlan

01-12-2011, 01:48 PM

These skills are too slow and not effective to utilize in pvp. You'll see when you go through matches.

u still need it unless u only do 1v1s. in 5v5, lasting long matters

Physiologic

01-12-2011, 01:55 PM

u still need it unless u only do 1v1s. in 5v5, lasting long matters

I've never found much utility for meditation and restore even in 3v3 matches, but I haven't done too many 5v5s to say the same thing. Anyway, I should've emphasized that this build is primarily for a new player using an archer, strictly pve only.

pretticlan

01-12-2011, 01:58 PM

I've never found much utility for meditation and restore even in 3v3 matches, but I haven't done too many 5v5s to say the same thing. Anyway, I should've emphasized that this build is primarily for a new player using an archer, strictly pve only.

nice picture guide btw ;]

Physiologic

01-12-2011, 02:04 PM

Thank you good sir!

OldSchoolRPGs

01-14-2011, 04:15 PM

Very nice guide. I was looking for a bit of information on what skills are more useful than others. And I've found that and a lot more. Certainly not my first MMO, but it's nice to have something to help guide me through the basics of how to effectively play my role. I appreciate the hard work, keep it up!

Physiologic

01-14-2011, 06:19 PM

WolfShaman

01-15-2011, 09:00 AM

Finally...a comprehensive guide on how-to-build a character and what the stats actually represent. It's good that you notes earlier the devs are soon to take a look at attribute skills and perhaps rework them into meaningful purpose instead of overstacking into one attribute.
I already commented on that topic to another forum user.

Otukura

01-16-2011, 12:30 AM

OldSchoolRPGs

01-16-2011, 12:36 AM

Physiologic

01-16-2011, 12:56 AM

I have a couple questions if you don't mind.

When it comes to the Cruel Blast combo. Is it best to use this every single time once you have the ability to do so? I ask because sometimes you get in groups where they don't round up the mobs to AoE them down. The tank might blast them away, or their might not even be a tank and it's just mass chaos and everything is picking off mobs individually. I only ask because it would seem like a waste of Mana to use it if you were only attacking 1 mob (besides a boss). But I'm only 25 at the moment, it's possible that mobs might get a lot harder later on and it's in my best benefit then to use it each time. Currently I can burn one down in just a few seconds without the Cruel Blast combo, but I always use it when there are 2+ mobs near each other.

I also have a question about which stats have the highest priority. I am an all Dex bird at level 25. If I were to get, lets say 9 different bows. The difference in each being 1 Crit, 1 Dex, 1 Hit%, 1 DPS, 1 Armor, 1 has a 1 point higher low end damage, 1 has a 1 point higher high end damage, 1 Hp/s, 1 Mp/s. In what order is the stat most important? Cause I'll get armor sets where it's 10 Armor 3 Dex 1 Hit%, and another thats 10 Armor 2 Dex 2 Crit%, and sometimes they are so close that it's hard to make a choice. Obviously if I am going with a pure DD build then Hp/s and Mp/s aren't a big deal, but where do the rest stack in terms of which to go with?

As you level and get richer, spending for mana potions won't be a big deal. It's up to your discretion as to how you want to use Cruel Blast. I forgot to mention how exactly Cruel Blast works - it's essentially a Blast Shot + normal attack (with your enemy debuffed from Shattered Scream) all at the same time. Is it worth it to spend on a single enemy? If you have the money to do so, then do as you wish, but take into consideration the cool-down time for those skills to be used again (you wouldn't want to run into a mob of enemies after you used those skills and still be waiting for your skills to be available). Personally, I only use Cruel Blast against one enemy if the enemy is a big guy (like those big green demons with lots of health).

Here's how I rate the importance of weapon stats. Keep in mind I am aimed to making my character as strong as possible, which means I want to eliminate enemies quickly.

1. Damage/DPS - Interchangeable because they are nearly equivalent. If damage is about the same, look at DPS. DPS is directly derived from weapon speed and damage (see here for calculation example (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16817-Guide-to-Advanced-Mechanics-in-PL-DPS-Crits-etc.)). DPS matters more on bosses because you spend more time attacking bosses, whereas it may take 1-2 seconds to kill a normal enemy.
2. Crit - Second most important weapon stat as a bird. You have a high chance to critically hit an enemy - or effectively double your damage output (see here to examine the importance of crits (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16817-Guide-to-Advanced-Mechanics-in-PL-DPS-Crits-etc.))
3. Armor, H/s, M/s - Improves survival, saves money on pots
5. Hit% - Important in the beginning, but once you reach a hit% of 100, anything beyond that is meaningless since hit% is capped.
6. Dex/Str/Int - Non-important if a weapon increases Dex, because it's already shown in damage/DPS.

OldSchoolRPGs

01-17-2011, 08:50 AM

Physiologic

01-17-2011, 03:07 PM

Thank you very much for the quick reply.

One thing I notice sometimes is the Cruel Blast combo not working on the bigger guys. Maybe I wasn't close enough some of the times, but I swear that every time I try to do the Cruel Blast combo on big enemies that it just doesn't work, as in give me the big "Combo" text. I never have a problem doing it on normal mobs. Are some enemies resistant to this combo? Or am I just missing it an not realizing?

Also, about Heavy Crossbows. I've yet to run into one that has even close to as much DPS as normal bows. Why is that? The only reason I could see using it would be if you were only going to get off 1 shot before the mob dies because they have higher damage per shot. Do they get better than normal bows? Or is there something I am not understanding?

Cruel Blast, from what I've seen, works on every single enemy in game. If there's an enemy that you can't seem to get the combo on, let me know which enemy it is and which map you're in so I can attempt to duplicate your results.

Heavy xbows have huge damage and low DPS for a reason. For example, let's say there's a xbow with 140-165 damage and DPS of 100. Let's say an enemy has 140 health. Using a heavy xbow, you'll automatically kill it in one shot, so need for DPS.

Now let's say you have a normal bow with 100-125 damage and DPS of 140, and an enemy has 140 health. This bow is weaker than the xbow of 140-165 damage, but since it has a DPS of 140, you're pretty much guaranteed to kill it in one second.

Now let's say you are using the bow and the xbow against a boss with a lot of health, and it'll take approximately 30 seconds to kill it. Which has a better damage output?
Xbow Damage 140-165, DPS of 100: 100x30sec= 3,000 damage
Bow Damage 100-125, DPS of 140: 140x30sec= 4,200 damage

So the bow, with a low damage and high DPS, beats the xbow in a long, extended fight.

The rule of thumb I follow is that DPS matters more during boss fights, while damage matters more during normal enemy mobs.

Hope this somehow clears up the difference and helps you choose between damage or DPS, because they're both important :)

OldSchoolRPGs

01-17-2011, 03:27 PM

Haha you're the man Psyiologic! I appreciate all the help!

Physiologic

01-17-2011, 03:36 PM

Glad to be of assistance :)

Xymorg

01-17-2011, 05:12 PM

Xbow Damage 140-165, DPS of 100: 100x30sec= 3,000 damage
Bow Damage 100-125, DPS of 140: 140x30sec= 4,200 damage

So the bow, with a low damage and high DPS, beats the xbow in a long, extended fight.

Unless the mob has armor.

The dps only counts if the hit causes damage. For mobs with armor greater than what dmg you rolled, you get the big goose egg, so its like a miss.

Vs armor of 100 (I guessed at the speeds to approximate your example of 100dps slow v 140 dps fast):

140-165 speed 1.5 is 40 to 65 realized per hit so avg 52.5 x 21.4 hits in 30 secs = 1123.5 dmg in encounter

100-125 speed 0.8 is 0 to 25 realized per hit so avg 12.5 x 37.5 hits in 30 secs= 468.75 dmg in encounter

Ya, its extreme example, but as the armor becomes a larger percent of the per hit damage, dps becomes more & more misleading since it's calculated against armor zero & thus favors the speed.

Damag

Physiologic

01-17-2011, 05:20 PM

Unless the mob has armor.

The dps only counts if the hit causes damage. For mobs with armor greater than what dmg you rolled, you get the big goose egg, so its like a miss.

Vs armor of 100 (I guessed at the speeds to approximate your example of 100dps slow v 140 dps fast):

140-165 speed 1.5 is 40 to 65 realized per hit so avg 52.5 x 21.4 hits in 30 secs = 1123.5 dmg in encounter

100-125 speed 0.8 is 0 to 25 realized per hit so avg 12.5 x 37.5 hits in 30 secs= 468.75 dmg in encounter

Ya, its extreme example, but as the armor becomes a larger percent of the per hit damage, dps becomes more & more misleading since it's calculated against armor zero & thus favors the speed.

Damag

I'm aware of the existence of variable enemy armor, and DPS actually isn't calculated against an armor of zero because it is a function of both damage and weapon speed (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?16817-Guide-to-Advanced-Mechanics-in-PL-DPS-Crits-etc.). Since damage is affected by variable enemy armor, DPS will follow in accordance.

Xymorg

01-17-2011, 10:52 PM

Otukura

01-17-2011, 11:52 PM

Also, the hard hitters add more damage to the skill I think? Conformation needed.

Physiologic

01-18-2011, 01:16 AM

Wow dude, you are hard core!

I missed that posts of yours & thanks, there's a lot of good content there.

I still think dmg > dps for the vast majority of the game both from the math and from experience, but it's fine if you disagree. I mean no disrespect and give you and your guides full props.

Just for discussion sake, did i get something wrong in the math? Does the dps 140 (100-125 speed 0.8) not do less than half as much damage over 30 second than the dps 100 (140-165 speed 1.5) against armor of 100?

The math is perfectly fine, and I do agree with you in the event that large armor (-100 or so) can deter DPS at a critical enemy armor value. Very nice point to come across. But what about the party's ability to debuff enemies - like stacking armor debuffs using skills and combos? Especially during a boss fight, wouldn't continual armor debuffs essentially strip away armor (not 100%, but to a large value), rendering overall DPS better? I think the only way to find out is to find out what the range of armor debuff in a bird-mage-bear party is...

Also, the hard hitters add more damage to the skill I think? Conformation needed.

By hard hitters, you mean higher damage? I'm unsure about this, look at this table I created for another one of my thread:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/untitled.jpg

This is comparing weapons on my bird (weapons only, no other equip) and the changes in Blast Shot's damage range. It's so bizarre how speed and damage is correlated to a skill's damage, I can't figure it out yet.

sechs

01-21-2011, 02:27 AM

Thanks for the info!

MAGICAL POCKET LEGEND

01-21-2011, 04:05 AM

telling your combos and things hehe

Physiologic

01-21-2011, 12:17 PM

This is a pve guide though I may expand it for pvp info. So I dont care much for disclosing combos :)

Thedexarcher

01-24-2011, 11:53 PM

really nice job, you must've spent many hours doing it

Physiologic

01-26-2011, 05:18 PM

Stay tuned for updates on skills and end-game weapons! A new level cap has been announced and with it comes new equipments. In addition, there may be skill changes, as higher levels will provide for more skill points to use.

This guide will continue to be as up-to-date as possible. Thank you for your support :)

Otukura

01-27-2011, 12:01 AM

Don't thank us. Thank you for your work..

Chogu

01-27-2011, 12:18 AM

Ur archer discussions was good and I think u should do others like mages and bears and actually do attribute points build up of different types of species.

shockwaves

01-27-2011, 12:55 AM

thats cool

Otukura

01-27-2011, 10:05 PM

thats cool

So that's how you're going to "farm your posts"?

z0d

02-03-2011, 12:31 PM

simply amazing! thank you so much for this guide (and all your time and work).

Fyrce

02-03-2011, 03:55 PM

You need to add Terror combo and thorn root also works for Nature Strike.

Physiologic

02-03-2011, 04:08 PM

You need to add Terror combo and thorn root also works for Nature Strike.

'Terror' combo + Thorn Root = Nature Strike combo, as in a combo can create another combo?

Fyrce

02-03-2011, 05:01 PM

No, terror is shattering scream + hell scream. You already have nature strike in your thorn wall commentary. You need to add it to your thorn root commentary.

Physiologic

02-03-2011, 05:09 PM

No, terror is shattering scream + hell scream. You already have nature strike in your thorn wall commentary. You need to add it to your thorn root commentary.

Oh I read your sentence completely wrong, I'll add those in, thanks!

rku

02-03-2011, 06:16 PM

Something I think you should mention is that every single skill with the exception of the self buffs does damage. Shattering scream, thorn wall, thorn root, blinding shot, and break armor all deal pretty significant damage (150+ for me, typically. Archer in sunblessed set)

And also that both thorn root and thorn wall in combination with lightning create the nature strike combo. Maybe you have this already but I thought I only saw you mention thorn wall. This can be advantageous if you watch carefully for when your mages are using lightning. If you use them one after another and a mage uses lightning its only one combo. But if you use one, allow time for a mage to use lightning, then use the other, thats 2 nature strike combos and double the damage.

good guide overall man, nice work.

tsword

02-03-2011, 08:35 PM

This guide is the most inspired guide i have ever seen so far hope u can update more

Physiologic

02-04-2011, 03:27 AM

noobmigo

02-04-2011, 01:27 PM

Excuse me, could you help me answer this q: What is the average hit debuff for lvls 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Blinding shot?

Physiologic

02-04-2011, 02:55 PM

Excuse me, could you help me answer this q: What is the average hit debuff for lvls 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Blinding shot?

Even though it doesn't say in the descriptions, Blinding Shot has the following hit% reductions:
lv 1: -5 hit% debuff
lv 2: -10 hit% debuff
lv 3: -15 hit% debuff
lv 4: -20 hit% debuff
lv 5: -25 hit% debuff

Thanks to Phana for testing this with me!

chrononh

02-05-2011, 01:35 AM

Just wanted to say thanks for this guide. My archer was languishing in the mid 30s since September, and this thread really helped me get a better handle on how to play the char. I finally got him to level 50 last night.

Physiologic

02-05-2011, 04:28 AM

Yanis

02-05-2011, 12:45 PM

Hey :)

Any advice on how to recalibrate assuming lvl55 and 6 levels per skill?

Nightarcher

02-05-2011, 01:05 PM

Hey :)

Any advice on how to recalibrate assuming lvl55 and 6 levels per skill?

As it is now, I have 5 points in every skill except thorn wall, restore, and mediation.

With the extra 6 skill points @ lv56, I plan to (eventually) have all but these three skills @ rank 6, leaving one extra point to go into Thorn Wall. :)

Physiologic

02-05-2011, 04:23 PM

Hey :)

Any advice on how to recalibrate assuming lvl55 and 6 levels per skill?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152310-1.png

For archers, 1.7 is really a blessing for skill adjustments, provided that the devs gives us a free respec (considering this is a large change and they promised free respecs for such changes), or if you are able to afford a respec on your own.

We can subtract the 4 points from the rather useless range-limited Avian Scream skill, and with the 5 other points granted from levels 51 to 55, we can max out every other imperative skill that we have (minus Restore and Meditation). If a skill point is granted for level 56, then that can be saved or dumped into any of the 3 pointless skills.

Here are the extrapolated figures for level 6 provided they follow the same damage/range increments from levels 1 to 5.

Focus (unlocked at lv 2)

Lv 1: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +5 hit chance, +5 crit chance
Lv 2: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +10 hit chance, +10 crit chance
Lv 3: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +15 hit chance, +15 crit chance
Lv 4: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +20 hit chance, +20 crit chance
Lv 5: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +25 hit chance, +25 crit chance
Lv 6: 25 mana, 30.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
20 sec. buff, +30 hit chance, +30 crit chance

Blast Shot (unlocked at lv 4)

Lv 1: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
200-213 damage, 2m target area blast
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
200-225 damage, 3m target area blast
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
226-250 damage, 4m target area blast
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
253-277 damage, 5m target area blast
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
280-304 damage, 6m target area blast
Lv 6: 20 mana, 6 sec. cool-down, 12m range
307-331 damage, 7m target area blast

Avian Scream (unlocked at lv 6)

Lv 1: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-237 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 2: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-247 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 3: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-257 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 4: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-267 damage, knock-back + 3 sec. stun
Lv 5: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-277 damage, knock-back + 3 sec.stun
Lv 6: 15 mana, 8 sec. cool-down, 3m area effect
194-287 damage, knock-back + 3 sec.stun

Thorn Root (unlocked at lv 8)

Lv 1: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -5 DODGE % debuff
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -10 DODGE % debuff
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -15 DODGE % debuff
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -20 DODGE % debuff
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -25 DODGE % debuff
Lv 6: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -30 DODGE % debuff

Meditation (unlocked at lv 10)

Lv 1: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +12 mana regen rate
Lv 2: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +16 mana regen rate
Lv 3: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +20 mana regen rate
Lv 4: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +24 mana regen rate
Lv 5: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +28 mana regen rate
Lv 6: 10 mana, 45.5 sec. cool-down, self-target
3 sec. buff, +32 mana regen rate

Restore (unlocked at lv 12)

Lv 1: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 13-17, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 2: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 16-27, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 3: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 19-34, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 4: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 28-51, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 5: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 44-67, +5 health regen for 5 sec.
Lv 6: 15 mana, 16.25 sec. cool-down, self-target
Heal 60-83, +5 health regen for 5 sec.

Evasion (unlocked at lv 14)

Lv 1: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +4 dodge
Lv 2: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +8 dodge
Lv 3: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +12 dodge
Lv 4: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +18 dodge
Lv 5: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +24 dodge
Lv 6: 25 mana, 30 sec. cool-down, self-target
10 sec. buff gives +32 dodge

Break Armor (unlocked at lv 16)

Lv 1: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 4 pts.
Lv 2: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 8 pts.
Lv 3: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 12 pts.
Lv 4: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 16 pts.
Lv 5: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 20 pts.
Lv 6: 15 mana, 5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
10 sec. debuff reduces armor 24 pts.

Shattering Scream (unlocked at lv 18)

Lv 1: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -4, ARMOR -4
Lv 2: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -8, ARMOR -8
Lv 3: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -10, ARMOR -10
Lv 4: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -12, ARMOR -12
Lv 5: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -14, ARMOR -14
Lv 6: 20 mana, 5.5 sec. cool-dow, 8m range
Reduce DMG -16, ARMOR -16

Repulse Shot (unlocked at lv 20)

Lv 1: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
183-188 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 2: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
194-200 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 3: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
204-216 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 4: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
214-228 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 5: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
224-243 damage + knock-back (no stun)
Lv 6: 15 mana, 7.5 sec. cool-down, 12m range
234-258 damage + knock-back (no stun)

Blinding Shot (unlocked at lv 22)

Lv 1: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
171-214 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 2: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
174-227 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 3: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
177-243 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 4: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
198-257 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 5: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
201-264 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff
Lv 6: 25 mana, 7 sec. cool-down, 12m range
204-257 damage plus 5 sec. hit debuff

Here are the following hit% reductions unspecified by the skill descriptions:

Lv 1: -5 hit% debuff
Lv 2: -10 hit% debuff
Lv 3: -15 hit% debuff
Lv 4: -20 hit% debuff
Lv 5: -25 hit% debuff
Lv 6: -30 hit% debuff

Thorn Wall (unlocked at lv 24)

Lv 1: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 6m area
3 sec. root, 6 target damage per sec.
Lv 2: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 8m area
3 sec. root, 6 target damage per sec.
Lv 3: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 8m area
3 sec. root, 9 target damage per sec.
Lv 4: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 10m area
3 sec. root, 9 target damage per sec.
Lv 5: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 10m area
3 sec. root, 12 target damage per sec.
Lv 6: 30 mana, 11 sec. cool-down, 12m area
3 sec. root, 12 target damage per sec.

Yanis

02-05-2011, 04:42 PM

I knew I would get everything I needed :). Thanks much.

Yanis

02-08-2011, 11:27 PM

What would be your advice for optimal pve attribute mix at lvl55?

Zeus

02-08-2011, 11:32 PM

What would be your advice for optimal pve attribute mix at lvl55?

Ok... Do this. Max the following: Focus, Evade, Blast Shot, Break, Blind, Repulse

5 in the following: Thorn Root, Thorn wall, Shattering scream

3 in avian scream or heal

Yanis

02-09-2011, 12:51 AM

My question was about attribute points, not skill points... Sorry for the confusion..

Otukura

02-09-2011, 01:43 AM

Blinding shot loses max dmg at lvl 6?

Physiologic

02-09-2011, 06:19 AM

What would be your advice for optimal pve attribute mix at lvl55?

For now, I would stick to pure Dex only. If you're thinking of going the Warbird route (STR/DEX), you may want to hold off on that until Cinco fixes a whole bunch of things regarding looted Balefort Sewer pinks and crafted pinks (See this thread (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?18726-Armor-on-BS-helms-should-be-raised)). I'm not sure if Cinco will revamp just the armor, or the entire thing altogether. If the armor is indeed supposed to be THAT low, then I'll start to fiddle around with the attributes and gear because birds would have absolutely no survivability with being dex-only with lv 51/53/55 gear :(.

Ok... Do this. Max the following: Focus, Evade, Blast Shot, Break, Blind, Repulse

5 in the following: Thorn Root, Thorn wall, Shattering scream

3 in avian scream or heal

I don't like avian scream purely because (along with its limited range) its knock-back capabilities are shabby and don't seem to push back enemies far enough.

Blinding shot loses max dmg at lvl 6?

That was a bad typo :p Thanks for pointing that out! I'll remake these numbers as soon as I hit lv 55, as those numbers were just estimates before 1.7 was even released.

WindBreakr

02-09-2011, 09:04 AM

Sweetness imma go do this now :)

Physiologic

02-11-2011, 09:49 PM

Guide has been updated to 1.7 information. Detailed information about the new lv 55 pinks and the crafted lv 55 pinks will follow.

Unruly

02-11-2011, 09:51 PM

Awesome Guide, and Gratz on Guardians of Alterra!

Physiologic

02-13-2011, 01:26 AM

Thx :) Lv 55 table has been added. It has been confirmed that there is no set bonuses for lv 55 uncrafted pinks, but we're currently awaiting results for new lv 55 craftable pinks.

MoonYeol

02-13-2011, 03:00 AM

Awesome!

MAKE THIS A STICKY. NOW! end of caps.

Physiologic

02-14-2011, 07:45 PM

New section (stats/attributes) has been added!

edit: Added Ring selection section for archers as well

DawnInfinity

02-15-2011, 12:28 AM

This is really impressive. Made my brain hurt a bit. :o

Physiologic

02-15-2011, 03:42 AM

This is really impressive. Made my brain hurt a bit. :o

You know what that means? Make a bird and named it Dawnlogic.

Physiologic

02-15-2011, 04:00 PM

The newest update has given Sentinel equips the following bonuses:

Sent Gun: +2 Crit, +2 M/s, +8 Damage
Sent Talon: +2 Dodge, +2 H/s, +8 Armor
Sent Slicer: +2 Hit%, +2 Crit, +2 M/s, +7 Damage

The comparative chart has been revised, but here it is again:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/setbonus.jpg

DawnInfinity

02-15-2011, 04:22 PM

You know what that means? Make a bird and named it Dawnlogic.

I actually have a bird already, hate to break it to ya. :rolleyes:

Zerious

02-18-2011, 05:41 PM

Thorn Root (unlocked at lv 8) (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/snap20110107_152325.png)
Explanation: Damages a single enemy and stops them in their tracks for 3 seconds, as well as decreasing their ability to dodge your attacks up to 25%. Useful for bosses. Important to note that this works completely different from Thorn Wall.

Lv 1: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -5 DODGE % debuff
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -10 DODGE % debuff
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -15 DODGE % debuff
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -20 DODGE % debuff
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -25 DODGE % debuff
Lv 6: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -30 DODGE % debuff

Note that this skill also does damage (not listed in the descriptions) similar to your damage range.

I'd like to add that from very recent tests (done yesterday) That Thorn's "Bleed" effect increases per level. We were able to pinpoint the amount per level and it looks like this:

level 1: -6 H/s
level 2: -10 H/s
level 3: -14 H/s
level 4: -18 H/s
level 5: -22 H/s
level 6: -26 H/s

Thorns wall has a similar effect, but we're still not sure on specific levels, as it seems to jump around in terms of unfixed increments, thus cannot post any data we are unsure of.

Physiologic

02-18-2011, 06:13 PM

I'd like to add that from very recent tests (done yesterday) That Thorn's "Bleed" effect increases per level. We were able to pinpoint the amount per level and it looks like this:

level 1: -6 H/s
level 2: -10 H/s
level 3: -14 H/s
level 4: -18 H/s
level 5: -22 H/s
level 6: -26 H/s

Thorns wall has a similar effect, but we're still not sure on specific levels, as it seems to jump around in terms of unfixed increments, thus cannot post any data we are unsure of.

Very interesting, did you test this out in PvP? I'll add this in. It's impossible to test this skill attribute in PvE where I usually ran all my tests.

WhoIsThis

02-18-2011, 06:43 PM

Very interesting, did you test this out in PvP? I'll add this in. It's impossible to test this skill attribute in PvE where I usually ran all my tests.

It's probably of limited use in PvE anyways, as the duration for this to take an effect means that the target is either dead or reset. The one possible exception may be against bosses. More testing here will be needed I think.

In PvP, when you're taking on an isolated bird or bear though ... another story (mages can just heal themselves).

@Physiologic

I think that you tested the new recurve bow last night after we did the Hideout runs ... what were your impressions after using it? Is it a major step up from the sentinel shotgun that you carry around? I can't remember, but some of the newer bows have some sort of hit% proc on them that reduces their hit by up to 50%.

Physiologic

02-18-2011, 06:48 PM

@Herwolf - The Thorn Wall bleed proc is already a part of its skill description.

@Attackelf - I only tested out the range distance of the Customized Recurve Bow, and it's actually shorter than the Shotgun - The Recurve Bow travels 10 meters (same as a Talon distance) whereas the Shotgun/Mega Blaster/Cyber Blaster travels 12 meters. I didn't test for any procs, though.

WhoIsThis

02-18-2011, 07:02 PM

Read this thread about the proc discussion:
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?19261-New-weapons-and-procs

You know, part of me still wonders if I should I remained dex-mage (https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_qxqUJiD0__c/TTpW5fSWQqI/AAAAAAAAAFI/WjpNoNLxXFk/Dexchantress1.png), despite the lower damage output compared to pure int. On the other hand ... maybe not. The new roach gear doesn't have any mana regen (fatal to any mage). Oh well ... I still have to level my bird at some point.

It doesn't surprise me that the range of the new bows is the exact same as their lower level counterparts. Other people around have been expecting an equivalent of the megablaster of the void or shotgun to emerge at some point - a raid roach blaster.

Beanmachine

02-18-2011, 07:51 PM

[SIZE="6"]Lv 1: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -5 DODGE % debuff
Lv 2: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -10 DODGE % debuff
Lv 3: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -15 DODGE % debuff
Lv 4: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -20 DODGE % debuff
Lv 5: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -25 DODGE % debuff
Lv 6: 20 mana, 6.25 sec. cool-down, 10m range
3 sec. root, -30 DODGE % debuff

This skill also causes a bleed proc that decreases enemies' health per second (H/s). Credits to HerWolf for this useful piece of information.

Lv 1: -6 H/s
Lv 2: -10 H/s
Lv 3: -14 H/s
Lv 4: -18 H/s
Lv 5: -22 H/s
Lv 6: -26 H/s

I tested the bleed proc with Herwolf, do I get credit? :)

Physiologic

02-18-2011, 08:03 PM

There ya go, credits added :)

tonebjr

02-19-2011, 02:45 AM

Thumbs up physc!!

Great details, easy to digest!!
Keep it comin!!

WhoIsThis

02-19-2011, 04:53 PM

@Physiologic - I can lend you my raid roach leather if you want to do some real world tests. Meet me in the game if you want to. You'll have to borrow the helm and bow off someone else, but it is probably worth finding out.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_qxqUJiD0__c/TWA_5lEzAaI/AAAAAAAAAJM/o50r7nRT3Dk/Raid%20Roach%27s%20Gemstone%20Leather%2055.png

At this point, I'd have to say that raid roach is probably better overall, but there are some significant tradeoffs to be made. Maybe raid roach with the highest mana regen ring is the optimal solution. Do you think that it's worth crafting this?

Physiologic

02-19-2011, 05:39 PM

Hmm thanks for the offer - but you can go ahead and sell it or keep it :p Moogerfooger has done extensive research on the new sets and I most likely will follow-up once I have a complete set as well. I'd probably hold onto it for weeks (that's how long I usually do trial and error and do results) and wouldn't want you to part with it for so long :)

WhoIsThis

02-19-2011, 05:44 PM

I really don't need it right now. It will be some time before I begin levelling my bird. I'm probably gonna sell it for cash then. Hopefully in a few weeks, things will be cheaper and I can just buy another one.

Yvonnel

02-19-2011, 10:51 PM

I just want to say thanks. This is a great guide. This is going to help me a lot when I start playing my bird more. Right now I am grinding out levels for it.

Fedah

02-24-2011, 12:11 AM

Wonderful guide! Can't wait to see lvl 55 additions!

Physiologic

02-24-2011, 12:54 AM

Thanks :) I unfortunately maxed out the character limit allotted to a post - 50,000 characters to be exact, so I'm afraid I cannot update this guide any longer, or I may need to cut a lot of things out...

Beanmachine

02-24-2011, 08:16 AM

There ya go, credits added :)

Cheers MATEY:D

adwin

02-26-2011, 02:23 AM

Here's a new setup I came up with. I call it the FD (Finger Dance)

http://i52.tinypic.com/aa8ux5.png

Explanation:
I built it so you just need to run your fingers through. Not necessarily mashing, but it's so much easier.

- 1st column: arguably the most important self buff: "Focus". Just underneath add "Evade". I messed up my respec, which is why evade isn't in the screenshot.
- 2nd column: thorns -> root for boss, and thorn wall for mob. Chain this into the next column
- 3rd column: run this from top to bottom (just be careful when u activate Shattering scream - you might need to time that with a bear's bekon)
first comes blinding shot (you can link to evade). This enables you to enter a mob with greater safety in order to unleash
shattering scream: major enemy debuff leading to further debuffing with armor break (this also gives you a pause in order to successfully chain ->)
blast shot combo. Your grand finale. In the mean time, mages can unleash lightning for cleaning up.
You CAN, but not necessarily need to use, Repulse as the last move.

In a good party, regular mob doesn't survive 1 such strike, and a few iterations of this combo quickly and efficiently takes care of demi-bosses.
Just finger dance from top to bottom. 1st column, then second (select either thorn wall or root) then third column et voila.

Don't clutter your skill list with meditate, restore and avian scream since you're not gonna be using those anyway,
AND they're a waste of mana (which, as a bird, you always be short on).

@Physiologic: I tested out AS vs Repulse, and I must admit that repulse seems to work better. The bigger active radius effectively makes up for the lack of stun.

Physiologic

02-26-2011, 04:45 PM

I'll try this set-up too :) Was getting kinda bored with my own. If I can somehow coerce the devs into giving me a 50k+ character limit I'll add this in.

And yeah, I really wish AS would have a larger range of attack. The stun would be so much useful with an 8m range, but the 3m range really bites. Not sure how the knockback compares.

adwin

02-26-2011, 05:34 PM

@Physiologic: just remember to add "Evade" underneath "Focus".
Other than that, it's a smooth motion from top -> right -> down
The only "drawback" I could experience is me automatically hitting SS, when not necessarily needed.

Let me know how that works for you.

Moogerfooger

02-28-2011, 10:39 AM

I have something sorta similar, other than I have SS right next to Blast Shot for our favorite birdie combo :D I just hesitate for a split second before hitting Blast Shot. I'd try this out, but I think finger muscle memory may cause issues at first, haha.

adwin

02-28-2011, 03:58 PM

Moogerfooger

02-28-2011, 04:57 PM

I wasn't implying there was anything wrong with it, lol. I start chains with Break Armor....debuff the armor, thereby magnifying other effects of later skills. I will say that this "works for me" :D Blessed Shot is usually second, in line with your safer approach idea. I do the two so fast we are talking six of one, half dozen of the other for the most part.

Physiologic

02-28-2011, 06:03 PM

@Mooger: I've been using this for the last few days and it works for me. The additional break armor press between SS and BS gives enough time for the combo to chain up.

@Physio & @WhoIsThis: I've been wanting to sell that L.55 recipe for custom gemstone leather of mine, but I don't know if the sensible thing to do would be to keep it for a dual setup.
The difference between a pure RR and the customised one is 2 dex and 6 damage instead of 6H/S.
6 damage is also 6 additional dps -> only 360 damage in a minute. Bosses usually go down faster than that, and taking into consideration that most bosses have "14 900" health, this is a meagre tradeoff for:
Comparatively, 6H/s is a nice addition to health pot usage reduction in an unbalanced party.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

+6 damage on a piece of armor, while using the Recurve, is actually +7.0588 DPS :p But yes, there really isn't much to it unless you count what 6 damage does to your skill damage/combos combined.

Really, it's up to your preference on whether or not you want to craft your equips or not - in-game, you won't be able to detect any sort of difference whatsoever when you're comparing 6 damage to 6 H/s. It's like the pre-1.7 Cyber vs Void vs Sentinel vs Sunblessed argument again - sure they vary on paper but in the battlefield you get very similar results among all of the sets.

I personally enjoy "seeing" a high damage/DPS on my character screen, so I like my Raid Roach sets. You may like a sweet regen rate on your bird so it's less finger movement to use potions during runs. Ultimately - up to you :)

djkrazze

03-02-2011, 10:45 PM

im so using ur build on my bird and i love it!

Physiologic

03-03-2011, 01:32 PM

im so using ur build on my bird and i love it!

Thanks!

And this is just a post celebrating the 10,000th view :) thank you for your support, and thank you for reading!

Super Turtleman

03-04-2011, 03:45 PM

Just want to say thanks for the excellent guide. I'm just starting and built my first character as a bear assuming melee was the best damage dealer class (usually my style in rpgs). This is my first MMO, so I'm glad I found this site and read a little before investing too much time. I'm ready for my bird to take fight!

Zerious

03-04-2011, 03:52 PM

Adwin, love the setup! I'm using it with my alt :D thanks a bunch!

noobmigo

03-04-2011, 04:57 PM

I do my twinks combos like that too.

From Top---->Right----->Down----->Left

:)

adwin

03-05-2011, 03:29 AM

I have updated my setup, here it is:

http://i51.tinypic.com/2ns2ych.png

1: be sure to have focus and evade AT ALL TIMES. Even for regular mob. This WILL save your booty quite a few times, and reduce your potting as well

2: the first "debuffer" as soon as you encounter an enemy, is the thorn (root or wall).
Use wall for mob, and thorn root for bosses. This is a critical step, since it will debuff their dodge, increasing the probability that your subsequent hits will land.

3: there's a reason why I moved break armor up. It's the only debuffer which doesn't deal damage, and apart from that, it's the most critical starter (whopping -26 pts). Every other hit, be it physical or skill, will benefit from this debuff.

4: next comes blinding shot. Another reason for that is because you're moving and at the same time getting closer to the enemy, subconsciously, or just because you're making speed runs or boss runs. I also found that you sometimes need to get quite close for shatter scream to properly chain. Well, thanks to the blinding shot, you can come closer to the enemy, with a reduced risk of being hit.

5: shatter scream, your 2nd proper debuffer - speaks for itself

6: lastly, chain your combo with blast shot.

7: as a bonus damage dealer, repulse shot. Just be sure to be in the right spot. I have seen far too many times repulse shot + bear stomp, and there goes the boss out of reset range. Repulse is also a double-edged sword. Used correctly, it's a very nice tool. I use it all the time to counter an unskilled stomp by a bear or in order to pin the boss in a corner. You will find this especially useful with Trash Heap, where you definitely DON'T want to be in the center for too long. ;]

@Phys: sorry for hijacking your thread, but there was no meaning in starting a separate thread just for that. ;]

Physiologic

03-05-2011, 04:31 AM

Awesome, I'll add your skill build example in as soon as I clear out more room in my guide :)

adwin

03-08-2011, 02:28 AM

Physiologic

03-08-2011, 02:34 AM

You can update the thread with the new "Alien Oasis Mystery Set" (although it's on a lv55 char, so just substract 25 dex and the corresponding damage/dps)

http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?20863-lvl50-ancient-bow&p=223816&viewfull=1#post223816

I'm most likely going to just respec so that my stats are easier to compare with the other sets for beginners :p I'll probably photoshop that I'm 56 and put me back down to 50 as well, haha.

Duped

03-10-2011, 04:30 PM

Physiologic

03-10-2011, 05:25 PM

Thank you so much!! I decided to make an archer for my 3rd char, and I have at least learned from some of my mistakes with the others, most notably about where to put skill points. I got some advice from a lvl 50 that said, first max heal and mana, and then the rest, and it seemed wrong. So glad I came here first! This info is spectacular!!! Very Very Very much appreciated. Too bad a point is automatically put into the scream, oh well :) Thanks again, awesome guide.

Don't worry, I maxed Restore and Meditation too because I followed a really old guide posted here when I first started :p Then I realized, wait a second I have potions, why do I need Restore and Meditation - they barely heal health and mana, plus their cool-down is just too long. Also, less points in my damage skills means less overall damage for my party! And that's what basically inspired me to publish a new guide altogether...

WhoIsThis

03-10-2011, 09:30 PM

Physiologic

03-10-2011, 09:55 PM

@Physiologic:

The part about unlocking the shadow caves for the level 50 gear is not needed now since the 1.7 patch.

That said, for bird, some people just like the restore and med. It does offer some healing and mana regen - not much, but for those who don't like to use potions, it is a small boost. Whether it justifies the loss in other abilities though is another matter.

Thanks for the fix! For me, it's hard to go through the guide over and over again :p

The only problem about using restore/meditation is that pot costs is extremely minimal. I made a post somewhere that calculated how much pots restore would save in 100 5 minute runs and it only turned out to be ~25,000-30,000 gold - very very minimal. If you're interested I can redo the calculations :)

WhoIsThis

03-10-2011, 11:21 PM

Physiologic

03-10-2011, 11:43 PM

There are players who do not play like you Physiologic - they don't like to be out in front. There are reasons why warbird builds exist and people choose it over dex bird. :) Personally, I find it an unacceptable loss in firepower. Others clearly disagree and there are plenty of dual-spec birds around. Same with people who choose hybrid int (70% int, 30% str) over pure int mages.

There are also a few strength birds around. A lot of these players tend to have very high PvE K/D ratios because of their play-style.

I know there's plenty of players that don't play like me :p This guide was written intended for the archer to perform to their best abilities for their party, not the best for themselves (after all - it's a party-oriented game). Even when I used to solo everything and I had lv 5 restore and meditation, I found no real use for them. Enemies, when I am completely mobbed, will kill me if they attack consistently and I don't pot fast enough - +60-80 health heal + 20 h/s won't do me any good if I'm dead in 3 seconds.

Again, this is only what I've experienced myself. Being a dual spec warbird is totally up to a player, but I did issue the warning in my guide that being one will severely impact your ability to perform in a party. That's why the full-DEX recommendation is issued :) Besides, I'd want an army of full DEX birds in random pub games that happened to glance over the thread, instead of an army of dual spec'd warbirds who can't really do much for the party except survive.

WhoIsThis

03-11-2011, 12:04 AM

One of the things I like about mage is that you do use less pots. If you have a mage, you probably know that heal is well worth maxing out. And I hardly ever use mana pots. The only time to pot is when I am mobbed and my spells can't kill fast enough, which isn't that often.

Current build:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_qxqUJiD0__c/TXbKHODa1eI/AAAAAAAAAL8/AzZe_wnJb5I/Wand%20and%20Bracer%20Build%2056.png

Note mana regen on build.

That said, there are players that are awesome pallys and awesome strength birds too. Player skill and playing style will dictate survivability and usefulness to team.

Physiologic

03-11-2011, 12:16 AM

KaotiicxDream

03-11-2011, 01:02 AM

Birds r cool even if they have problems with h/s and m/s :)

davidis57

03-11-2011, 04:37 AM

No matter equip I use I buy lots of hp and mp pots. With focus, evasion, mage buffs, and my root and skills I survive. If I die dying is part of the game.

neko

03-11-2011, 12:24 PM

No matter equip I use I buy lots of hp and mp pots. With focus, evasion, mage buffs, and my root and skills I survive. If I die dying is part of the game.

'nuff said. (Inopportune lag and incoming calls, notwithstanding.)

WhoIsThis

03-11-2011, 04:24 PM

That's the thing about bears and mages - bears have such high dodge and armor that a high h/s value actually helps them out. Mages have a high mana pool as well as mana shield, so that a high m/s value helps them out.

Birds on the other hand cannot utilize h/s and m/s as well as bears and mages can. If we have a high h/s, then we will still die fast from poor dodge and armor. There's no real reason for us to sacrifice damage for a high m/s. Thus birds are the most expensive class to play regardless of whether or not those skills are maxed :p

Still - people opt for birds nonetheless.

I found out another reason why there are now more warbirds. I'm not sure whether this should be called "leeching" or something else. Anyways, how it works is that a lot of birds want to get to 56. So, what some birds have been doing is they will respec from dex and put about half their points into str. Then they have better survivability. This ensures that they will have the highest chance possible of surviving a full run with their leveling pot on. On paper, this works very well. In practice though, birds that do this are reducing the team's damage and hence, get less xp during the duration of the run. However, depending on how often the bird dies, the net effect may be a savings on leveling elixirs, so quite a few players opt to do this. A lot of these players seem to leave in Hideout runs right before Gold Fever.

On the plus side, I have seen some good, what might be called "tank birds" or strength birds - that is birds that have put about 70% (sometimes more) of their skills into strength. The damage isn't very high, but the tanking ability is better than one might suspect, although they are still no replacement for bears (no beckon is a weakness).

Physiologic

03-11-2011, 04:43 PM

Still - people opt for birds nonetheless.

I found out another reason why there are now more warbirds. I'm not sure whether this should be called "leeching" or something else. Anyways, how it works is that a lot of birds want to get to 56. So, what some birds have been doing is they will respec from dex and put about half their points into str. Then they have better survivability. This ensures that they will have the highest chance possible of surviving a full run with their leveling pot on. On paper, this works very well. In practice though, birds that do this are reducing the team's damage and hence, get less xp during the duration of the run. However, depending on how often the bird dies, the net effect may be a savings on leveling elixirs, so quite a few players opt to do this. A lot of these players seem to leave in Hideout runs right before Gold Fever.

On the plus side, I have seen some good, what might be called "tank birds" or strength birds - that is birds that have put about 70% (sometimes more) of their skills into strength. The damage isn't very high, but the tanking ability is better than one might suspect, although they are still no replacement for bears (no beckon is a weakness).

That's another thing that turns people off from birds - if they just focus on surviving more than killing, they simply get quite bored with their bird. I've found that most DEX birds that do enjoy getting in the frontline and eradicating everything fast tend to stick with their birds. It's more fun getting more action than trying to survive, getting a few hits in while the other birds are killing off enemies faster than STR and dual spec'd birds. Birds like me, Mooger, Mitsuisun, et al. enjoy how we play - I'm sure warbirds that try out full DEX and re-style their playing will enjoy it as well :) Once you go full DEX, you can't go back! Here's a testimony from a convert:

Physiologic,

I used to be extremely cautious when playing and while sometimes I would run ahead I would tend to stay back from afar and attack. While this was effective it's not half as effective nor as fun as being the "damage" guy. I have taken all your tips and the video into play and I am now, finally, enjoying PL again without having to rely on mages.

I was always stingy with pots, why spend money on pots when mages should be healing. At least, that's how I used to see it. Sadly, though, a lot of the newer players cannot get to gripes with their roles in a team. Thankfully I now can, thanks to this post and others of yours.

Thanks very much for this contribution and bringing the fun back into PL for me.

Moogerfooger

03-11-2011, 04:50 PM

Birds like me, Mooger, Mitsuisun, et al. enjoy how we play - I'm sure warbirds that try out full DEX and re-style their playing will enjoy it as well :) Once you go full DEX, you can't go back!

Coming from a previous Dex/Str hybrid build myself (not dual, just a bit of Str) I am a firm believer in pure Dex. Takes more concentration to play, but you find yourself paying far more attention to combo timing, placement, and indirectly whoopin' a lot more butt as pure Dex.

I had a couple of Warbirds join my game last night and bail unannounced right before GF. When they rejoined my rmk a couple of minutes later, I told them if they left again before GF, I would perma-boot them from any future game I was hosting. Might be great for PvP, but PvE it defeats the purpose of having a high DPS-capable class to not be doing the most damage possible (as you guys have stated already).

WhoIsThis

03-11-2011, 05:17 PM

I had a couple of Warbirds join my game last night and bail unannounced right before GF. When they rejoined my rmk a couple of minutes later, I told them if they left again before GF, I would perma-boot them from any future game I was hosting. Might be great for PvP, but PvE it defeats the purpose of having a high DPS-capable class to not be doing the most damage possible (as you guys have stated already).

From a mage's standpoint, a full dex bird is far more dangerous in PvP than a warbird. Warbird - I can survive long enough to take them out in many cases. Dex bird on the other hand, can snipe like nothing else, especially due to the superior range.

That's another thing that turns people off from birds - if they just focus on surviving more than killing, they simply get quite bored with their bird. I've found that most DEX birds that do enjoy getting in the frontline and eradicating everything fast tend to stick with their birds. It's more fun getting more action than trying to survive, getting a few hits in while the other birds are killing off enemies faster than STR and dual spec'd birds. Birds like me, Mooger, Mitsuisun, et al. enjoy how we play - I'm sure warbirds that try out full DEX and re-style their playing will enjoy it as well :) Once you go full DEX, you can't go back! Here's a testimony from a convert:

There are reasons why I choose pure int over pally. :)

adwin

03-11-2011, 05:46 PM

Takes more concentration to play, but you find yourself paying far more attention to combo timing, placement, and indirectly whoopin' a lot more butt as pure Dex.

I had a couple of Warbirds join my game last night and bail unannounced right before GF.

1: definitely lol. At myself, of course.
I remember yesterday's game. Before that, I spent 1h-2h doing some runs, but the bear wasn't really into bekoning and combo, which is why it felt more like a solo run, with the occasional help of others. A LOT of running around. That's why I usually do when I join new games, and I change my style if I see chars playing their role properly.
But when you joined with your bear yesterday, I couldn't get used to a proper bekoning and timing that combo lol. It took me a while to switch back.

Back to the topic now:
- mages usually don't have to pay attention to much detail, due to inherent skills (regen, a high m/s etc), as well as aoe killing
GOOD mages will often look out for individual members' health status and heal accordingly, in addition to throwing a nature strike and the rest
- bears, naturally, tank. All they need to do is bekon, wait for a bird to jump in with a combo, wait for the mage to aoe maybe, and stomp.
They rarely die, they don't care. ;]
- birds on the other hand, pay the price of their assassin/sniping skills with crappy dodge/h/m/armor, or a mix of those. You have choose 1 element over the other. Too much mixing makes u bad, overrall. Which kind of forces birds to really pay attention to every detail. What is each member doing? Where is he? Enemy placement and threat level, traps, chaining into other members' combo openers, own health and mana, EVERYTHING. It's just you against the world.

2: In a good team, gf can be taken care of in a matter of seconds. 15/20? It's a very little inconvenience compared to the potential drops. I like speed runs, but I find it pointless skipping bosses. Unless the team isn't really fit for it.

On a side note, in order to continue with my previous rant, I just went off from a game. There was a lv55 bear, and sure enough, he was bekoning. What was driving me nuts, is that he was really playing "personal". Didn't wait for others to combo into the bekon, he just bekoned and flew the mob flying right away. Which made everyone waste time in chasing after the mob. Don't really know how to comment on that, since the facts speak for themselves.

Which reminds me, yesterday or the day before, I was doing a run with a full bird party. That was the most fun I've had for quite a while. Birds ftw.

MITSUISUN

03-11-2011, 08:05 PM

Birds like me, Mooger, Mitsuisun, et al. enjoy how we play - I'm sure warbirds that try out full DEX and re-style their playing will enjoy it as well :) Once you go full DEX, you can't go back! Here's a testimony from a convert:

I am also a bird that got turned by Physiologic (wait, that sounds weird :p)

Playing MMORPG for me is about team work, period. From EQ>FFXI>WoW, strategy>skill chained>raid, that's what's "fun" for me. Where a single action links and pieces a whole group of movements and smoothness. That's pure satisfaction and requires everyone to do their job precisely, be the best of the bests, from head to toe gear to playing style.

Since playing from Feb, I've always been a full dex bird that keeps distance like a typical archer/ranger, run like a chicken rely on mage heals (I travel with 2). It wasnt until BS that I start to experience what the team work is like in PL. Regardless of the team configuration of 5 birds, 4 birds 1bear/mage, 3 birds 2x, 2xb 2xb 1xm. You just feel so good when mobs melts away as you run by, or 1 set team combo of "complete annihilation" or 5 birds that wants exp so bad they just goooooo :p

Of course, regardless of full dex/str/int or multi-million pink gear, if you dont have skills=you dont have skills and will die just like me since lv56 :p

So thank you Phy/Moog/Elar/Kujen, you birds showed me first hand what a bird can be and should be, I hope there are lots of more lucky birds that get to play with you like I have~

Physiologic

03-11-2011, 08:58 PM

You're welcome Mit :) I've only played pub games until a month and a half ago, when I realized how a core group of dedicated players can really duke it out quickly in XP and loot runs.

The problem with PL is that although it fosters group play, you need to find the "perfect" groups for you, or else you'll probably just have an agonizing time playing (especially in higher levels). It really frustrated me in Victory Lap runs, which was the main reason why I created my Victory Lap guide in the first place :p

MITSUISUN

03-11-2011, 09:07 PM

To better the community as a whole and upgrade massive audience at the same time. that's why I love readings forums and guides by you guys..... at work p

Hats off for all the posters that spends time to educate us players

WhoIsThis

03-11-2011, 09:41 PM

- mages usually don't have to pay attention to much detail, due to inherent skills (regen, a high m/s etc), as well as aoe killing
GOOD mages will often look out for individual members' health status and heal accordingly, in addition to throwing a nature strike and the rest

On the contrary, timing is everything for mages. You just disproved your point above. If a mage does not sync their lightning with a bird's thorn wall, that combo isn't that common. That said, lightning recharges every 3 seconds ...

Another example: When do I buff? Or heal? Immediately after a person is dead, always heal them and save your buffs if you see somebody dead. Mage buffs benefit the entire group.

Position too is everything - do you aim your blast shot and thorn walls off to the side or the middle of a group? A good mage needs to get into the middle of the enemy group or at least close enough so that as many targets in the mob can be hit as possible when spellcasting.

tonebjr

03-13-2011, 09:01 AM

hi P, u mentioned cyber wing of void can be obtained from elie in forest haven?
tried and did not see any options, please advice. thanks.

WhoIsThis

03-13-2011, 10:06 AM

hi P, u mentioned cyber wing of void can be obtained from elie in forest haven?
tried and did not see any options, please advice. thanks.

You need to complete the entire set of cyber quests before you can obtain one.

Physiologic

03-13-2011, 11:55 AM

hi P, u mentioned cyber wing of void can be obtained from elie in forest haven?
tried and did not see any options, please advice. thanks.

You must have completed all the other Cyber quests. If you did and Ellie still didn't give you a shield, then it's highly likely that this quest is no longer available.

adwin

03-13-2011, 06:26 PM

On the contrary, timing is everything for mages. You just disproved your point above. If a mage does not sync their lightning with a bird's thorn wall, that combo isn't that common. That said, lightning recharges every 3 seconds ...

Another example: When do I buff? Or heal? Immediately after a person is dead, always heal them and save your buffs if you see somebody dead. Mage buffs benefit the entire group.

Position too is everything - do you aim your blast shot and thorn walls off to the side or the middle of a group? A good mage needs to get into the middle of the enemy group or at least close enough so that as many targets in the mob can be hit as possible when spellcasting.

1,3: we're talking about aoe vs single point attacks.
2: this shows that you DO care and pay attention to other members, obviously. I DID mention, and I quote: "a good mage" in my post ;]
I was generalising in contrast to you, specifying.

tonebjr

03-14-2011, 12:02 AM

thatboyderek

03-14-2011, 02:27 AM

Thanks Whoisthis & Physio, am still on 100 totems for the cyber armor right now, then there are: 50 totems for the cyber skull, then another 5 shadows for the cyber shield right?
Am actually on 51 bagmas: helm, armor and recurve, which is more appealing (Dang Crits!!) However, even with fine golden ring, seems very difficult to survive on sewers.

Hence am actually thinking helm and armor stay's Bagmans lvl 51, then for weapon use cyber talon & shield of Void, wouldnt it be jacking up my armor and dodge a bit?
Since bagman's have no SET BONUSES right? or any other gemstone which is not pink, no bonus from set right?

The cyber quests go in order from: 100 totems for armor, 50 shards for the helmet, 25 shadow essence for the gun and 5 shadow essence for the shield.
Using cyber talon and Wing would be boosting up dex, armor, dodge, hit, and slighting boosting h/s and m/s at the cost of lower damage and crit
Yes Bagman does not have a set bonus. Raid roach(pink) is the only one of the 51-55 gear with a set bonus.

Physiologic

03-14-2011, 02:51 AM

You'll have to get used to the Bagman's set, but with a good party you will easily do massive damage with more ease. And to add to thatboyderek's statement, only the lv 55 Raid Roach and the lv 55 Customized Gemstone sets have set bonuses.

tonebjr

03-14-2011, 03:49 AM

Nice Input Derek,
In that sence off course the Death Sentinel Talon and Armor would be better?
Lmao, altho its harder to obtain?

Am currently lvl 52, still lvl-ing in CTK (paper mobs & keeper) or Captive Audience (hoping Tpaxx would get me lucky on wraith armor)
Should I jump to Sewer, hoping to get lvl 51 gemstone, or stay in Galactic CTK & CA, hoping for Void set, tried Caves for death set, but hardly survived.

Whats your thought?

Physiologic

03-14-2011, 04:29 AM

I'd just try to get 51 sewer gear, since they outdo lv 50 gear. Sentinel gear can work as well but it's too expensive, difficult to obtain without cash, and they are inferior compared to 55 gear.

thatboyderek

03-14-2011, 04:38 AM

If your rich you can always buy Sentinel at the Consignment shop lol. I'm also level 52 wearing full mystery set and I've been going to Balefort Sewers for exp. I basically see it as Balefort Sewers for exp and a rare chance to find a item worth some money/something you can use or Crush the keeper for consistent money flow by selling the greens every run but less exp. But for me right now i'm tired of seeing aliens after completing all the cyber quests.

tonebjr

03-14-2011, 05:26 AM

@Physio, Those sewer gear, they drop from all mobs? especially the gutter and bagman? Roach have any 51?

@Derek, lmao, thats the problems, even if am rich, which am not, still my biz sense wont let me hehehe, unless its a free drop lol.
And yes, those blue and yellow gets to u after awhile lol

Thanks gents for all the advices, think am gonna start with few sewers run from now on!!
Cheers and see you there, add me up k!

Physiologic

03-14-2011, 05:28 AM

They drop from bosses/minibosses at Sewers. Also note that each level has equipment-specific drops as well, i.e. Bandit Hideout only drops helms and armor (not weapons).

adwin

03-14-2011, 04:53 PM

They drop from bosses/minibosses at Sewers. Also note that each level has equipment-specific drops as well, i.e. Bandit Hideout only drops helms and armor (not weapons).

Not true.
GF drops Sewer King Gemstone Scarab as well as recipes.

Physiologic

03-14-2011, 05:03 PM

Not true.
GF drops Sewer King Gemstone Scarab as well as recipes.

He was specifically looking for gutter and bagman's :p but yeah, that bow drops there too at an extremely low drop rate.

adwin

03-14-2011, 05:11 PM

Hmm, prolly. ;]
Low? I've seen in drop 2x in the space of a few runs. O_o
AND I've gotten 2 pinks in a row from him yesterday. Again: O_o

It seems like the drop rates have been changed (or is it just my imagination), but I've been seeing gf dropping more often for a few days now.

Physiologic

03-14-2011, 05:24 PM

I've seen 2 pink drops like that before as well, but Gold Fever and Goblin King seem to have the highest drop rates from what I've seen on runs. Bandit King and Queen barely drop things for me.

tonebjr

03-14-2011, 11:04 PM

I'll take any drop for now lol.

BTW how you avoid 1 hit from GF?

Physiologic

03-14-2011, 11:26 PM

I'll take any drop for now lol.

BTW how you avoid 1 hit from GF?

When you're fevered, run away from everyone as far as you can. It seems that the closer you are to other people, the more damage it does, so proximity is an issue. The Gold Fever bomb is 5 seconds until you explode so make sure you're at full health too.

adwin

03-15-2011, 12:28 AM

tonebjr

03-16-2011, 03:05 AM

Got it & Thanks Adwin & Physio.

Well am still getting some CTK run..
Just for the sake to complete the quest sigh...

Cheers and thumbs up for the guides!!

adwin

03-16-2011, 08:43 AM

Got it & Thanks Adwin & Physio.

Well am still getting some CTK run..
Just for the sake to complete the quest sigh...

Cheers and thumbs up for the guides!!

Totems? Good luck with that, you will need it. ;]
On a side note, k'saar drops 2 totems/shards in 1 go quite often, so you might find yourself doing "half the quest" instead. ;]

neko

03-16-2011, 10:18 AM

What I do is usually the following:
- spam health pots - make sure my health is 100% during the fever, and pot up (health) as soon as it explodes
- stay away from others at all costs
- STOP all attacks. I've noticed that if you keep pushing attacks/skills, you get 1-hit most of the time, during fever time. ;]

Your third point is so important! It can't be stressed more!

To the OP, once the fever kicks in, everyone in the group should stop and assess where they are, who's infected, who's around them and where the green orb is. The healthy mob should migrate towards GF and continue their onslaught while the infected player should run in the opposite direction. It's a lot easier to avoid a tight healthy group than one that's spread out and chaotically running around.

As a bird, it's a fact of life that you should rely on your health pots to stay alive, especially going into a boss. Heal-spamming mages are great but they're not always around. So, especially when you become infected with the fever, spam your health pots and move away from the healthy group. With full health you should easily avoid a 1-hit death.

Usually a good group will destroy the orb by now, but if it's still glowing, try to destroy the chest before you go back to attacking GF. Wash, rinse, repeat.

And as a courtesy, if you absolutely can't avoid infecting someone, I try to text a "Sorry" afterwards.

Blazinarch

03-19-2011, 08:22 PM

This is THE ultimate avian archer guide. Brought out tons of information regarding the questions I found difficult to find on the forums. Thank you very much for this guide!

-Blazinarch

Nytesdawn

03-19-2011, 08:43 PM

Wow nice work! This really helped me build my avian. I'm sure that this will be extrememly helpful for new players For future generations. Nice work XD
I salute you. You are my master. EVERYBODY BOW DOWN TO OUR SUPREME MASTA!
I r fiarin mai lazor!

Nytesdawn

03-26-2011, 05:30 PM

Btw do the set bonuses show up on the stats or are they "hidden" from the stat screen?

Physiologic

03-26-2011, 05:35 PM

Btw do the set bonuses show up on the stats or are they "hidden" from the stat screen?

Thanks for the support - Set bonuses are already incorporated in your stat screen, so for example if you see

Mystery Ancients set
Set bonus: +1 crit, +8 damage, +3 armor
the +1 crit, +8 damage, +3 armor are already part of the numbers there.

Pandamoni

03-27-2011, 03:02 PM

Thanks for this Physio...I'm leveling a bird and this is very helpful!

Physiologic

03-27-2011, 04:12 PM

No problema! Feel free to ask away anything here, in PM, or in-game :)

kiitz

03-28-2011, 04:48 PM

Your third point is so important! It can't be stressed more!

To the OP, once the fever kicks in, everyone in the group should stop and assess where they are, who's infected, who's around them and where the green orb is. The healthy mob should migrate towards GF and continue their onslaught while the infected player should run in the opposite direction. It's a lot easier to avoid a tight healthy group than one that's spread out and chaotically running around.

As a bird, it's a fact of life that you should rely on your health pots to stay alive, especially going into a boss. Heal-spamming mages are great but they're not always around. So, especially when you become infected with the fever, spam your health pots and move away from the healthy group. With full health you should easily avoid a 1-hit death.

Usually a good group will destroy the orb by now, but if it's still glowing, try to destroy the chest before you go back to attacking GF. Wash, rinse, repeat.

And as a courtesy, if you absolutely can't avoid infecting someone, I try to text a "Sorry" afterwards.

I totally agree with this. I always go off the rule that if you have the fever, stay away from the green orb chest and others can move toward it, but I also like moving toward the boss vs away from the boss. The issue though is if you are tanking and you get the fever, if you move away from goldfever and you still have aggro, he will move toward you. Also, if you are tanking him all the way in the back, you are sort of boxed in with ranged behind you.

Physiologic

04-14-2011, 09:58 PM

Guide has been updated to reflect the change in v1.7.0.1.

Prior to the patch, Focus was unlocked at lv 2. Now it is unlocked at level 8, and Blast Shot is the first skill an archer unlocks.

Revised skill allotment per level table as well.

spookytooth

04-15-2011, 07:56 AM

Tireless guide physio good work, apon reading the guide i am now revaluating my skill build. I kinda figured thorn wall more or less took over for root not realizing the bigger debuff of root or the ability to stack with wall. I assumed since at higher lvls the actuall root part may not take effect as much on the bosses etc.. the debuff is much worth it. I think maybe ill do away with the mana regen and put those points into root instead.

Physiologic

04-15-2011, 11:13 AM

Yeah, it's really worth it to max out Root. The stacked -50% dodge debuff really does help.

Xuligan

04-18-2011, 04:58 AM

Very nice guide !! thank you very much

immortales

04-18-2011, 08:44 PM

Hey, first poster here :D, anyway i just bought a pink sunblessed bow of the void for 7k and im wondering if i got ripped off or if it was a good deal

Jinlac

04-19-2011, 06:38 AM

Hey, first poster here :D, anyway i just bought a pink sunblessed bow of the void for 7k and im wondering if i got ripped off or if it was a good deal

First of, welcome to the Forum! 7k isn't that much gold, cheapest one in the cs is 5k atm... you didn't get ripped! ;)

Azesche

04-22-2011, 02:02 PM

Soooo helpful for a relatively new archer. Thank you for writing this!

ratava

04-23-2011, 07:14 AM

Awesome Physio: Read the lot, a really good guide. Legend m8.

DPANDA

04-25-2011, 02:01 AM

Thanks for the guide Physio, really helped me out when I started my new charachter.

D

ilbetyoubeg

06-05-2011, 10:22 AM

Great guide! Gonna make a warbird.

ilbetyoubeg

06-24-2011, 12:40 PM

Does there also exist a similar guide for bears because this one helped me a lot.

totumdependeate

06-24-2011, 04:10 PM

ilbetyoubeg

06-25-2011, 10:56 AM

Does there also exist a similar guide for bears because this one helped me a lot.

Yes, here it is

http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?19729-Short-General-Guide-on-Ursan-Stat-Skills

you can find it under the warrior class sub forum

Kk, thank you but I was looking for a skill build for each level like in this where u can see what u need to level first and second

Physiologic

07-03-2011, 12:41 AM

I will be making heavy edits in the near future that will coincide with the new summer expansion campaigns, as well as additional builds! Thanks for reading :)

Bournelegacy

07-04-2011, 07:40 PM

Bournelegacy

07-04-2011, 07:45 PM

Btw, this was a HUGE help! Thank you, honestly, for this being my first thread and my first post, I'm loving this game a whole lot more! Btw, add me on PL, my name is Bournelegacy, and I have a clan with my 3 brothers and I'm recruiting. Add me if you want in!

Physiologic

07-05-2011, 02:18 PM

Do you have any recommendation for which levels I should put a point on a specific skill? Because I know which ones to upgrade now, i just don't know when to upgrade them and which ones would be most crucial at each level.

Here's a suggested route to take per level:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v84/d1nonlik/skillallot.jpg

And sure, I'll add ya :banana:

WhoIsThis

07-05-2011, 06:54 PM

The real question now is - will the skills be raised to 7? +35 crit, +35 dodge when buffed.

Not to mention for mage - blessings of might:
+ 70 crit, + 35 damage

Physiologic

07-05-2011, 07:13 PM

The real question now is - will the skills be raised to 7? +35 crit, +35 dodge when buffed.

Not to mention for mage - blessings of might:
+ 70 crit, + 35 damage

I've already devised a setup for +7 level skills, but will hold off on updating until the update is released. Some skills have been raised proportionately in terms of stats from the last major update, and some skills have not, so I won't be extrapolating anything for now.

FianDeBoris

07-05-2011, 09:17 PM

waw thanks ..
it is very usefull thread .. :D
for newbie like me ..:o

Ravand

07-06-2011, 05:32 PM

I just started playing last week, and started a bird. This guide was very helpful in making the right stat/skill choices. Thank you for the time and energy spent helping other players.

Askterbro

07-10-2011, 07:18 AM

What an excellent piece. Thanks, Physiologic. As a primary-character lvl 56 Mage (Askalor), my Archer (and Ursan) skills are well below par. This will be a great help :)

Physiologic

07-11-2011, 05:02 PM

Thanks for all your kind words - as always, please ask any questions on this thread or PM me.

MaxGen

07-12-2011, 09:29 AM

Tamino

07-12-2011, 09:39 AM

Is this a set? - Jacobs Helmet of the Void + Wraith Armor of the Void + Sunblessed Bow of the Void?
The original post indicates I need Overloards Helmet of the void... Do I get a set bonus with the gear I'm using above (Jacobs, Wraith, Sunblessed).

Unfortunately, not. There are two level 50 premium sets, one Bow based (Overlord Helmet of the Void + Wraith Armor of the Void + Sunblessed Bow of the Void) and one Gun-based (Jacobs Helmet of the Void + Wraith Armor of the Void + Mega Blaster of the Void). The first is more balanced, the second has range but less damage, and I personally do not recommend it.

Physiologic

07-12-2011, 03:46 PM

^ Generally but what Tamino had said, they are two separate sets altogether. You may need to get a lot closer to enemies when using the Sunblessed set though it does more damage than the other set, and AO3 enemies damage pretty hard, so its up to you.

MaxGen

07-13-2011, 12:42 PM

Thanks Guys,

I picked up an Overloards helm in the CS for 5K. I can see the set special effect on my character now. :)

This is my first lvl50 char. I was lucky enough to get the armor from a drop, the bow and helm were affordable in CS.

On to the Sewers!

Bournelegacy

07-16-2011, 10:29 AM

Physiologic

07-16-2011, 11:01 AM

Hey, I saw the pve build for the archer and it was a great help. I'm at level 38 with 11,300 kills and 19 deaths, but I'm starting to do pvp, and I died quite a bit with the pve build, do you have a pvp build?

PvP is very, very, different than PvE and is a whole different story altogether. My advice to you is to actually go to the PvP forums (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/forumdisplay.php?20-Player-vs.-Player-Discussion) and look for advice there - PvE builds will never work for PvP :(

noobmigo

07-17-2011, 07:37 PM

Otukura

07-17-2011, 07:41 PM

Is it OK, to put 3 in Meditation right now at 27, as I'm guzzling mana like Leslie Chow in the Hangover.

Be prepared for a respec later on!!

Physiologic

07-18-2011, 02:12 PM

Dear Physiologic, this is the first time I've actually had a bird.

I read your guide, and am currently kind of following your skill placement, except with a bit of a variation.
Is it OK, to put 3 in Meditation right now at 27, as I'm guzzling mana like Leslie Chow in the Hangover.

I suppose you can detract points away from Repulse Shot or Thorn Root for the Meditation. Keep in mind that level 3 Meditation heals a total of 60 mana every 45 seconds or so. A mana potion heals about 160 mana so you'll need to cast lv 3 Meditation at least 3 times in one game to save some gold. If you cast lv 3 Meditation about 6 times per game you'll be saving about 2 mana potions, which is 30 gold (1500 gold:100 potions ratio) per game.

noobmigo

07-19-2011, 03:20 PM

I suppose you can detract points away from Repulse Shot or Thorn Root for the Meditation. Keep in mind that level 3 Meditation heals a total of 60 mana every 45 seconds or so. A mana potion heals about 160 mana so you'll need to cast lv 3 Meditation at least 3 times in one game to save some gold. If you cast lv 3 Meditation about 6 times per game you'll be saving about 2 mana potions, which is 30 gold (1500 gold:100 potions ratio) per game.

Ah, I c..

kaijustorm

07-19-2011, 04:30 PM

Thnx sooo much for this guide to builds for archers, I have been playing a "pure" for a while but wanted more Oomph and got careless with my stats and started wielding a sword. Not a good combo for obvious reasons. After reading this guide, I realize the importance of respecing my archer for the greater good of any PvE party. Also I really like the skills mapping. It makes alot of sense in your setup. Now off to respec and make my archer truly pure!

Generalriggs

07-19-2011, 07:57 PM

Nice list covers alot

blacks

09-14-2011, 04:43 AM

beautiful guide

apocketlegend

10-01-2011, 01:04 PM

Awesome guide. Helped me alot!

WhoIsThis

10-01-2011, 03:27 PM

You may want to update this one Physiologic.

TANKKAAR

10-31-2011, 02:29 PM

Your crazy...lol... This is by far the most extensive avian guide out there! Only 1 word to describe it.. AMAZING!

Rephraser

12-11-2011, 12:50 PM

Nice guide, very helpfull!

WoundedEagle

12-14-2011, 02:13 PM

One of the images is not displaying anymore :(

WhoIsThis

12-15-2011, 10:34 AM

One of the images is not displaying anymore :(

Physiologic has not logged on for close to 2 months, so it's unlikely that this thread will be updated.

Swimmingstar

12-16-2011, 07:54 PM

Nice guide... again!

jdambrose

01-04-2012, 01:05 AM

awesome guide thank you very much!

taipangr

01-07-2012, 05:39 PM

This helped me alot THANK YOU!!

,J3lind

01-22-2012, 12:16 AM

Thx for the help I got a lv59 but my stats wher messed up:)

anto

02-16-2012, 07:08 PM

wow, im not an bird but thats a sick guide !!

Pdubbs90

03-30-2012, 12:46 AM

awesome guide! thanks a lot!

ohokyea

05-13-2012, 05:06 AM

PVE = Player vs Environment, not Enemy

Environment rather than other Players [PvP Player vs Player]

ALSO, best guide for any class ever. Wish enchant/ursan had a guild as amazing

ledendary crow

06-02-2012, 11:17 PM

where do you get the cyber quest????

NetBlaise

11-22-2012, 04:27 AM

is this still use able? Don't see any recent updates or any other guides that are recent

Moogerfooger

12-25-2012, 10:18 AM

is this still use able? Don't see any recent updates or any other guides that are recent

Physi is long gone and rarely logs in anymore...last time was abt 3 months ago. Doubtful if any updates to this thread, but it is still extremly helpful up to a certain point.

vle_hoang

12-25-2012, 11:28 AM

Physio have made this guide since the lvl cap were 56? need a huge update since skill are now lvl 9 and alot things have changes since.

Moogerfooger

12-25-2012, 09:33 PM

Physio have made this guide since the lvl cap were 56? need a huge update since skill are now lvl 9 and alot things have changes since.

No. Phys does not play anymore and has not made updates since cap was 56. Archer skills and tactics have not changed very much, only the gear is different and can be posted somewhere else if someone wants to.

Greencrow

05-20-2013, 06:17 AM

Thank You!!!!

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk HD

Eddison Sukansingh

08-17-2013, 06:21 PM

Thank you very much for this guide as I have now hit level 76 and using an elite bow with the level 75 crafted set.
I have never spec my bird properly but your guide helped me to have a better killing machine in my bird.
Thank you :)

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

Erebu

10-23-2013, 03:10 AM

I think i have seen you in ze Plasma Pyramid yesterday...

Well thanks for ze help guide :), i going full dex.

Bye.

Pupitojunior

06-18-2014, 01:50 AM

Great guide, it really helped me out on creating a good archer and learning the fundamentals. Question though: is it better to stick to bows or are shield/talon combo better?

dreamtheatersx

04-10-2015, 10:54 AM

this helped me

Skillzkill

04-17-2015, 12:37 AM

this helped me

Touché my friend, touché.

Frike

07-15-2015, 11:28 PM

I hate to necro but I cant make a thread until I reach 10 posts so... Not even sure if Im gonna get an answer but here I go anyways..

Im kinda new to the game. My bird is level 55 right now. Ive been following this guide for stats and such but since this guide is very old, I would like to ask for advice regarding the equipment. Currently Im using the Void Set (Overlods Helment of the Void,etc...) but monsters are getting harder and harder to kill so I feel like I need to get something else. What should I aim for? Every single guide Ive read is from 2011-2012 so Im afraid to waste my gold buying something that is not useful or the best around. Can somebody tell me what sets should I get right now and until level 77? I would really appreciate any help.

Avensky

07-23-2015, 06:01 AM

Hey Frike,

At level 55 you become able to equip the Custom (crafted) or Raid Roach (uncrafted) which is the 'best' dexterity gear for your level. As for the older guides, they may be old but the game has been constant for the last two or three years now, so they still hold some valuable information in them that remains valuable and applicable to this day. I would recommend following those guides for now.

Befs

07-23-2015, 04:34 PM

Groaning

07-23-2015, 08:19 PM

wait until 56 to buy some glyph stuff and then some sang at 61, I used angel at 66 and I have never pvp'd there except once on mage, so I have no Idea for 66. 71 use flying, then 75 swift and 76 swift phoenix

Ain't nodody dat rich
55: get a l55 drainers set
60: random glyph stuffs
65: get sang set (Recurve)
71: ignore
75: save up for swift Until them use the "wannabe Bsm stuffz"
76: phoenix bow
77: lust

iRandom

07-24-2015, 01:17 PM

Ain't nodody dat rich
55: get a l55 drainers set
60: random glyph stuffs
65: get sang set (Recurve)
71: ignore
75: save up for swift Until them use the "wannabe Bsm stuffz"
76: phoenix bow
77: lust

Boiled_35, Bosstinytitan, Tree, Apa, Lulznub, Inpants,Godzzzz....
The list goes on and on and on and on. If they really wanted to get 55 +56 Obed Glyph and Custom Recurve, 60 +61 Demo XBow and Sang, 66 Beach Bum, 71 ESB + the other 71 set thing, 77 Lust + Swift + Black Drag then they could. (Im very serious. These guys but yellow forges like a snickers bar)

KingFu

07-25-2015, 12:51 AM

Boiled_35, Bosstinytitan, Tree, Apa, Lulznub, Inpants,Godzzzz....
The list goes on and on and on and on. If they really wanted to get 55 +56 Obed Glyph and Custom Recurve, 60 +61 Demo XBow and Sang, 66 Beach Bum, 71 ESB + the other 71 set thing, 77 Lust + Swift + Black Drag then they could. (Im very serious. These guys but yellow forges like a snickers bar)

Half the people you named couldn't come close to affording a majority of those things.

Groaning

07-25-2015, 10:58 AM

Boiled_35, Bosstinytitan, Tree, Apa, Lulznub, Inpants,Godzzzz....
The list goes on and on and on and on. If they really wanted to get 55 +56 Obed Glyph and Custom Recurve, 60 +61 Demo XBow and Sang, 66 Beach Bum, 71 ESB + the other 71 set thing, 77 Lust + Swift + Black Drag then they could. (Im very serious. These guys but yellow forges like a snickers bar)

Dood that was for the nubs who just started while leveling not for nubs who's have 10m+

iRandom

07-25-2015, 06:59 PM

Half the people you named couldn't come close to affording a majority of those things.

maybe i went too far with the esb and black drag...

Insulated

03-09-2020, 11:07 PM

Can I get a guid on low level pvp for bird? Like level 13 or 15

Insulated

03-09-2020, 11:10 PM

And is low level pvp still alive?

tintindu

04-08-2020, 01:24 AM

And is low level pvp still alive?It's

Envoyé de mon DLT-H0 en utilisant Tapatalk