Archery/Sorcery DPS

wtbcreativity · June 2021

Hey, everyone! I'm back again and I've got a post-rework Archery build for the pile. I decided to go for a martial arts theme and leaning towards a more support-ish role (without actually taking a support passive) with some Sorcery powers, and I know I'll be eating a personal DPS loss for doing it but that's fine with me.

Archery/Sorcery DPS - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.44:37

I could probably swap Guardian for Sentinel and take an aura passive with Sentinel Mastery, but I hate running support builds with no actual direct healing powers and adding them in would mean making a different build altogether anyway.

Not sure whether to run Sonic Arrow or Storm of Arrows (with Achilles' Heel and Break Formation) since both apply Disorient and trigger Trapped, and I could probably use a better self-rez than CoRG but, eh. Theme.

Thanks in advance for any help!

jaazaniah1 · June 2021

Here's my sorcery/archer support build, as a point of comparison. Quite capable of soloing the QWZ.

Sahir the Mad 6 - Freeform (Any / Multiple)
v3.44:37

Super Stats
Level 6: Intelligence (Primary)
Level 10: Presence (Secondary)
Level 15: Dexterity (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Hexslinger (Dex: 10, Int: 10, Ego: 10, Pre: 8)
Level 6: Coordinated (Dex: 5, Int: 5)
Level 9: Finesse (Dex: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 12: Diplomatic (Int: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 15: Shrug It Off (Con: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 18: Showmanship (Ego: 5, Pre: 5)
Level 21: Lasting Impression (Pre: 5, Rec: 5)

Powers
Level 1: Strafe
Level 1: Sonic Arrow (Rank 2, Dizzying Impact)
Level 6: Concentration
Level 8: Conviction (Rank 2, Reverence)
Level 11: Aura of Primal Majesty (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 14: Conjuring
Level 17: Will-o'-the-Wisp (Ghost Fire)
Level 20: Miniaturization Drive (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Storm of Arrows (Rank 2, Achilles' Heel)
Level 26: Eldritch Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Resurgence (Rank 2)
Level 32: Death's Embrace (Pact)
Level 35: Fiery Embrace
Level 38: Pillar of Poz (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Adv. Points: 36/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Scorching Athletics (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 35: Arcane Flight

Specializations
Intelligence: Enlightened (3/3)
Intelligence: Tactician (2/2)
Intelligence: Detect Vulnerability (3/3)
Intelligence: Expertise (2/2)
Sentinel: Torment (2/2)
Sentinel: Sentinel Aura (3/3)
Sentinel: Moment of Need (3/3)
Sentinel: Wither (2/2)
Overseer: Ruthless (2/2)
Overseer: Overseer Aura (1/3)
Overseer: Impact (2/2)
Overseer: Honor (2/2)
Overseer: Trapped (3/3)
Mastery: Sentinel Mastery (1/1)

Devices
Slot 1: Archer's Memory
Slot 2: Psionic Accelerator
Slot 3: Anagogic Aspect

flowcyto · June 2021

I'd prob still include Rapid Shots, so you have a decent single-target dps option to fall back on (it'd be weird to be a dps unit that forgoes the more support-oriented Sentinel setup, yet still doesn't bring good personal dps for bosses to help make up for it). Sonic Arrow for Trapped (assuming a full charge) is okay. I may still get Storm of Arrows w/ root adv (instead of maybe Explosive Arrow) so you have a non-cd way to apply Trapped in AoE, but it's up to you. I may also take Battle of Wits (instead of Tactician) in Int PSS. You could prob also talent for some Dex to help your crit rate a bit.

To make room for Rapid Shots, you could also consider dropping both Sonic Arrow and Explosive Arrow, and using Storm of Arrows w/ R2 + root adv for both normal AoE and for Trapped. This is if you don't want to drop any of the other powers. I may also include Resurgence for self-healing (instead of MD), esp since the sigils are immobile and can be destroyed, and you may not be in range to benefit from your own healing rune.

wtbcreativity · June 2021

flowcyto wrote: »

I'd prob still include Rapid Shots, so you have a decent single-target dps option to fall back on

Whaaat, how'd I miss that Archery has a good single target option now? I'll swap Sonic Arrow > Storm of Arrows and Explosive Arrow > Rapid Shots then. I don't know how I'll recover from not causing chain explosions though.

Archery/Sorcery DPS - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.44:37

[EDIT: Oops, forgot to swap MD for Resurgence. Assume I do that.]

jaazaniah1 wrote: »

Here's my sorcery/archer support build, as a point of comparison. Quite capable of soloing the QWZ.

Very cool, but (and I suppose this directed at both of you) I'd guess you don't have any problems with CC if you're soloing QWZ? Flow suggested Battle of Wits for my original draft, but you look like you're doing fine without and I don't have a Paralyze/Stun anymore. Would it still be worth swapping out Tactician?

jaazaniah1 · June 2021

Just get yourself a Psionic Accelerator device and all your CC problems (well mostly) will be solved

Maybe swap in Sonic Arrow for the Threat Wipe?

I'd take Redemption (Salvation) over Resurrection Serum (R2), or similar, since the former is a group rez and you have no option for that with the latter.

wtbcreativity · June 2021

That may be true, but I try to make my builds work while leveling and gearing and not just after the level 40 retcon so I don't assume that I'll have any devices.

Also, I have reeeaaallly bad timing with unranked group rezzes and it'd be worse since this character isn't a healer.

If I have to pick up more than 2 people at once, things have probably gone so badly that it won't make much difference (or they'll just die again while they're at 10~15% hp because I accidentally rezzed them into an AOE or something).

As for Sonic Arrow, maybe? I can't do much with the paralyze and I don't know what I'd pull points out of to rank it up.

flowcyto · June 2021

Flow suggested Battle of Wits for my original draft, but you look like you're doing fine without and I don't have a Paralyze/Stun anymore. Would it still be worth swapping out Tactician?

Yea, you can keep Tactician if dropping Sonic Arrow. It's prob not going to provide that much Offense, but unless you put back in a stun or paralyze then Battle of Wits isn't really worth it. In light of other power options, you can also leave the power(s) (and their advs) that you're most unsure about to be trained last, in case you change your mind about them later (like keeping the threat wipe, or getting something else).

spookyspectre · June 2021

Here's a take on an Archery DPS build that provides a bit of team support from specializations.

Archery/Sorcery DPS - Freeform (Ranged Damage)
v3.44:37

Super Stats
Level 6: Ego (Primary)
Level 10: Constitution (Secondary)
Level 15: Intelligence (Secondary)

Talents
Level 1: The Automaton (Con: 10, Int: 10, Ego: 10, End: 8)
Level 6: Healthy Mind (Con: 5, Int: 5)
Level 9: Ascetic (Con: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 12: Academics (Int: 5, Ego: 5)
Level 15: Investigator (Int: 5, End: 5)
Level 18: Boundless Reserves (Con: 5, End: 5)
Level 21: Field Ops Training (Con: 3, Int: 3, Ego: 3, Rec: 2, End: 2)

Powers
Level 1: Strafe
Level 1: Straight Shot (Rank 2, Split the Arrow)
Level 6: Medical Arrow (Rank 2, Illuminate)
Level 8: Quarry (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 11: Concentration
Level 14: Storm of Arrows (Rank 2, Achilles' Heel)
Level 17: Hunter's Instinct
Level 20: Rapid Shots (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 23: Resurgence
Level 26: Eldritch Shield (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 29: Blinding Light
Level 32: Redemption (Salvation)
Level 35: Conviction (Rank 2, Rank 3)
Level 38: Arrow Assault (Just Blow It Up)
Adv. Points: 33/36

Travel Powers
Level 6: Earth Flight
Level 35: Acrobatics

Specializations
Ego: Force of Will (2/2)
Ego: Insight (3/3)
Ego: Follow Through (3/3)
Ego: Sixth Sense (2/3)
Overseer: Administer (1/3)
Overseer: Ruthless (2/2)
Overseer: Impact (2/2)
Overseer: Trapped (3/3)
Overseer: Conservation (2/2)
Sentry: Fortified Gear (3/3)
Sentry: Precise (2/3)
Sentry: Sentry Aura (3/3)
Sentry: Reinforce (2/2)
Mastery: Ego Mastery (1/1)

Devices
Slot 1: Cupid's Arrow
Slot 2: Nimbus of Force

Even though EGO is the PSS, I'd stat for Intelligence to get the extra crit chance and defense from the Ego specializations. You could swap EGO for DEX as well. I put in Quarry for the Offensive Passive though Targeting Computer, Kinetic Manipulation or Night Warrior should also work.

Since one of Archery's advantages is mobility while attacking, I'd take a different self rez as CoRG will pretty much lock you in place. If you do take it, I'd take Concentrated Shots on Rapid Shots.

I'd suggest a 100' threat wipe, like Blinding Light, since Archery is 100' range.

The Overseer specializations provide good debuffs for the team, though I only put 1 point in Administer. It's currently a bit broken and only rank 1 provides a DPS boost to your Blast power until it gets fixed. You could go up to rank 2 or 3 and will get some extra healing. I swapped Guardian for the Sentry specializations mostly for providing your team with Sentry Aura.

Archery/Sorcery DPS

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