Help gearing upFollow

Well I'll give you the 2011 theory for gearing RNG that I follow, and from there the choices will hopefully make themselves. Other people feel free to compare and contrast, but this should point you in the right direction.

Firstly, with all the Regain atmas, exact sTP figures aren't really important. Because you can't really fire non-stop between WSs without needing to run to the next worm, you will inevitably regain some random TP, borking a large portion of the point of an exact sTP set.

I mean technically if you get out a stopwatch and clock out the time it takes to fire your shots, then factor in regain, you could shave a few fractions of a second off your TP phase and WS that much faster. Let's just say I am a fan of getting the most out of my RNG whenever I'm on it, and I still haven't really bothered. Put on enough sTP to drop (or almost drop) a hit or two, and let Regain fill in the rough edges.

Anyways, with sTP not really being a hanging point, you're free to put on Snapshot/Rapid Shot/Velocity Shot bonuses when you draw, and max STR and RAtt when you shoot. Spellcast makes that a breeze, it's up on the windower site.

Then for WS, STR will be your best bet unless there are exceedingly high amounts of AGI or RAtt. RAcc is not an issue, even on Slugwinder.

As far as your specific questions, Vulcan Staff/Uther Grip is the top damage option, though there have been some very nice additions to the ranged attack boosting one hand weapon armory. Carabiner's Axe, Nguul, and Carabineer Dagger. Though I can't really envision a reason to use them... Outside of procing. Osode is legit, but I side with AF3+1 because of the Velocity Shot boost, whatever that does. Since Osode is kind of 2005, I go with the -3STR/AGI and hope that enhanced Velocity Shot is worth it. 15 RAcc never hurt nobody's Sidewinder, neither.

I'm afraid that bows have won the bow versus gun debate to me. A Vision Bow is a great way to shoot pointy sticks without tons of Trial work, and the STR bonuses from the atmas you'll want to use compliment SW better than SS as far as I can tell. Also, arrows are just easier to come by on the AH. A Trueflight build can be an extremely cheap way to do your fair share of damage, if you have an MKris or KC to build the TP.

The most important thing to do on RNG (or any DD) is to match your atmas to your playstyle. Strong Arm/Sea Daughter/Voracious Violet for SS/SW, Ultimate/Beyond/Sea Daughter (or a third MAB) for TF, or Razed Ruins/Gnarled Horn/Sea Daughter for Arching Arrow/Heavy Shot (which is apparently legit now, I haven't tried it because I don't have GH).

As for my exact gear, I go with







I'm sure there are some cost effective upgrades I've missed, but alas I'm not 110% gung-ho on my RNG in practice these days.



Low acc from Sandspin, low damages from Gastric Bomb. As you can see, 96% SW land rate without even attempting to pump RAcc.

Edited, Jul 3rd 2011 4:48am by tertoonetwothreefour

I'd prioritize atma farming over gear farming. I honestly believe that 3 good atmas would take a char geared with less than 500k off the AH further than a moderately pimped out char could get with 0-1 atmas. Or at least give him a run for his money.

One last thing to max out your RNG's production is to watch your PT members' TP for SC chances. Nothing makes a SW look more impressive than adding on an extra 50% damage in Reverberation!

Edited, Jul 3rd 2011 4:54am by tertoonetwothreefour