Best spec for sniper hunter?

Dominus wrote: ↑

Mon 5 Nov 2018 9:14 PM

So I did some testing on level 50 dummy with all resists.

2 hunters. Kobold. Same Starting Stats. Same RAs (Aug Dex 5, MOA 3, FA2, IP, Purge, LW1, Tire1)
Buffs were: combined regen, combined forces, gem of dex qui.
Bow: Tuscar Bow 5.0 speed
Spear: Phoenix Midgard Spear 5.5 speed

Hunter 1 (45 bow, 39 spear, 34 beast, 35 stealth)

Crit shot: 612 modifier 1950 x 10 shots. Got 2 shots of 605 modifier 1926
Standard shot: 302 modifier 1950 x 10 shots
Lancer (spear style) 239 x 10 strikes
Lunging Thrust (spear style) 274 x 10 strikes

Hunter 2 (50 bow, 47 spear, 0 beast, 35 stealth)
Crit Shot: 627 modifier 1965 x 10 shots
Standard shot: 313 modifier 1965 x 10 shots
Lancer (spear style): 249 x 10 strikes
Lunging Thrust (spear style) 289 x 10 strikes

Summary
45 vs 50 bow showed only an increase in Crit Shot damage of 15 pts
45 vs 50 bow showed only an increaase in Standard shot damage of 11 pts.

39 vs 47 spear showed only an increase of 10 pts using Lancer
39 vs 47 spear showed only an increase of 15 pts using Lunging Thrust.

So, Cad, I agree with your assessment and will adjust my spec to add Beastcraft.

Good work. I came up with similar numbers for Archery on a Ranger, and I'm sure Scouts are in the same boat.

The only reasons for going above 39 weapon on the Archer classes are:
1) particular weapon styles you absolutely need. 44 Spear comes to mind on a melee-heavy Hunter (for that growth rate follow-up to a stun. It's the equivalent to the chain in Celtic Dual but should hit harder because it's a two-handed line.)
2) you really need the weapon skill boost (again, going into melee-heavy mode)

The dog is such a crucial part of the strategy of a Hunter it can't be ignored. The other day a Hunter started sniping me so I ran out of range. When he ran after me I pulled out my bow and started Rapid-Firing him to prevent him from shooting me. He insta-summoned his dog and I knew that I had no chance to out-shoot him once the dog was on me. That's why it's important. The second the dog was out I knew my chance at a ranged fight was over, as a Ranger. Ironic. So I kept shooting until the dog was halfway between us then I ran up and meleed him down (I'm full melee spec, but already did significant damage with my bow because luckily I reacted quickly enough with Rapid Fire) before another Hunter killed me at range. Hunters can also dictate a ranged fight against a Caster in no way that a Scout or a Ranged ever could due to that dog, unless it gets CC'ed. However every moment a Caster spends dealing with the dog is a moment that the Hunter can either use for ranged damage, ranged interrupt, or getting into melee range. If the Caster blows the insta on the dog then the insta isn't available to use on the Hunter.