Non-Stealth Archer question

[Rudolph]

To players who have experience with archers or other ranged combatants that are NOT using Stealth: what do you think is the minimum AB they should have with Manyshot switched on? And what the minimum AC?

[aaron22]

i play a non stealth archer and i am not sure what min should be on AB but i have mine up at around 55 unbuffed. the AC is more important and i would shoot for more than 40 with shield pot going. my AB is a guess and i could confirm a firm number but i think the 55 number is close to right on.

[Rudolph]

Thanks, Aaron. Is that 55 AB before Manyshot? I.e. 47 with Manyshot on?

[aaron22]

i play a non stealth archer and i am not sure what min should be on AB but i have mine up at around 55 unbuffed. the AC is more important and i would shoot for more than 40 with shield pot going. my AB is a guess and i could confirm a firm number but i think the 55 number is close to right on.

i can give you a good breakdown when i get home, but i would assume yes

edit: i am also not level 30 atm so take that into consideration

edit 2: 55 would be with manyshot on

[aaron22]

ok.. so AB is 53 unbuffed at level 29. self buffing brings it up to 58. even at AC in the 40's you will want mirror image

[Theodore01]

To players who have experience with archers or other ranged combatants that are NOT using Stealth: what do you think is the minimum AB they should have with Manyshot switched on?

So back to the OPs question ? Any others tried a non hipsing archer ?

[kellendril]

AB above 55 and ac above 40, you will probably beat most spawns on the sheer damage you can inflict, but be able to retreat if things are not going your way..invis potions are your friend. Don't take on big gangs.

[Rudolph]

ok.. so AB is 53 unbuffed at level 29. self buffing brings it up to 58. even at AC in the 40's you will want mirror image

Wow. So 58 with Manyshot on? 66 without? And AB above 55 more generally? That is very high.

What would all of you think is the viable minimum? I'm optimizing a build that prioritizes damage and am wondering how low I can go with the first flurry AB and still hit bosses.

[Theodore01]

And another question:
If an archer build reaches max. a ranged AB of 43 +4 from bow = 47 and has no way to buff himself.
Is such a build unplayable in epics ?
Should he skip manyshot ?

[Rudolph]

If an archer build reaches max. a ranged AB of 43 +4 from bow = 47 and has no way to buff himself.

Funny, I'm wondering about the exact same number: 47 AB...

[Theodore01]

Probably we both like strange, uncommon builds.

[aaron22]

if you get rid of manyshot you should take that build and put it in the trash. I can handle epics but am built for group play. and to handle these epics i RELY on manyshot and so will you

[Theodore01]

Thxs, thats useful info.
Not each build of mine has to be good in his epic levels, as i enjoy playing from 1 to ~20 much more than the mindnumbing & painful last 10 levels.

[aaron22]

Thxs, thats useful info.
Not each build of mine has to be good in his epic levels, as i enjoy playing from 1 to ~20 much more than the mindnumbing & painful last 10 levels.

as do i, but if you want viable at all levels 10-30 you will want manyshot.

AB above 55 and ac above 40, you will probably beat most spawns on the sheer damage you can inflict, but be able to retreat if things are not going your way..invis potions are your friend. Don't take on big gangs.

all builds need a "break glass in case of emergency" trick. you will want that even more when your AC is less than 50.

[Rudolph]

Ok, Manyshot stays. But this still leaves the question of whether 47 AB are enough... I mean, they are for melee fighters, no?