Explosive Arrow Marauder (Updated for Release)

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DJSRP wrote:

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DeltruS wrote:

No point in trying to 5L your quill if you already have a 5L carcass jack. Ideally you wouldn't spend a lot of chaos on maps. I just alch and run every single map except for "minus max resists + ele reflect" and "no regen". I've been mapping a few days like that and have gotten 10 level 70 maps, a good base of 66/67 maps, and a fluctuating supply of 68-69 maps. I run 70 maps whenever I get 4 chisels from drops.

If you feel like spending money, a high quality chance to ignite, 20% explosive arrow, and a high quality fire pen are all great investments.

That level 20 ranged attack totem will tank like a champ for you. Mine is only level 18, and already it lasts a very long time.

Problem is that I don’t even have any Chaos or Alchs left. And I don’t want to run lvl 69 maps blue. I think about selling my ex for 11 GCP and then buying some Chaos/Alchs, just as I need then.

But those Q-Gems are really expensive I guess.. I could maybe buy one of them with my exalt, if Im lucky.

Yeah the Totem tanks quite well against melee attacks, but it dies really fast against all kinds of elemental based attacks, fire Skelettons for example.

Quality gems aren't terrible if you shop around and level them yourself, it takes time but it's much more affordable.

Thanks for the idea with using Enduring Charge for more tanking.
The build path is well suited for it :) My new final build has 8% more hp and more %armor, but skips the projectile dmg nodes. I dont want more explosion dmg after almost dying to reflect mobs the other day. :p

I kinda disagree with the ranged attack totem combo tho. I feel like Decoy Totem + Blind Split attacks is safer with the LoH. Maybe it was just due to the mid lvl of my Ranged Attack Totem gem, but without faster casting and espcially against casters it felt inferior to the decoy totem.

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LuckYEiner wrote:

Thanks for the idea with using Enduring Charge for more tanking.
The build path is well suited for it :) My new final build has 8% more hp and more %armor, but skips the projectile dmg nodes. I dont want more explosion dmg after almost dying to reflect mobs the other day. :p

I kinda disagree with the ranged attack totem combo tho. I feel like Decoy Totem + Blind Split attacks is safer with the LoH. Maybe it was just due to the mid lvl of my Ranged Attack Totem gem, but without faster casting and espcially against casters it felt inferior to the decoy totem.

I felt that way initially. The key to the ranged attack totem is dropping it early and having blind leveled up. Once all the enemies are blinded you and it become nigh invincible. I primarily use split arrow + iiq + iir + culling strike but also have split arrow + chain + loh as a backup. Since I don't need to really run anything else in that 3L it works well. Once I replace my Carcass Jack with a Kaom's Heart I will ditch the LOH since the life regen should keep me alive... well forever.

Anyway post digression I would try the blind totem for a bit and get some levels on it I have found it far more useful (double so in party situations) than the decoy totem.

I experienced the same, it dies very quickly against elemental based attacks, but if you run in front and attract the attention of the mobs (preferably with an Enduring Cry) and then place the totem behind you, it blinds a pack with 1 shot and diminishes the amount of damage they do to you dramatically.

You could buy a lvl 20 RAT like I did – and even a lvl 18-20 blind gem. Those should be fairly cheap (between 1 Chaos to 1 GCP).

The question is, if you guys keep both totems equipped, or if you replace Decoy totem with another spell gem?

My Blind and Ranged Attack gem are currently lvl 16. I guess ill give it another shot once they are higher lvl. I dont really know how you are running 3 split arrow combinations tho, even if its only a 3Link. Are you skipping the auras?

EDIT: Another question on Elemental Equilibrium:
If you hit with lightning (Wrath) and cold dmg, will it give double the effect for -fire res? Or what exactly is the wrath aura for?

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LuckYEiner wrote:

My Blind and Ranged Attack gem are currently lvl 16. I guess ill give it another shot once they are higher lvl. I dont really know how you are running 3 split arrow combinations tho, even if its only a 3Link. Are you skipping the auras?

Im only running Grace, as Im Blood Magic based and dont really need other auras.

here's my complete setup:

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Helmet:

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Armor + Belt

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Bow + Quiver

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Gloves:

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Boots:

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Yewellery:

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Flasks:

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too less dexterity

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Xovac wrote:

too less dexterity

using a Light Quiver is almost a MUST in this setup.

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Xovac wrote:

too less dexterity

actually not, I got 184 dex at lvl 72 without taking a single +30 dex node in the tree, because u get quiete a lot of them with Iron Reflexes anyway. but yes, a light quiver is necessary (but easy to get)

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DJSRP wrote:

I experienced the same, it dies very quickly against elemental based attacks, but if you run in front and attract the attention of the mobs (preferably with an Enduring Cry) and then place the totem behind you, it blinds a pack with 1 shot and diminishes the amount of damage they do to you dramatically.

You could buy a lvl 20 RAT like I did – and even a lvl 18-20 blind gem. Those should be fairly cheap (between 1 Chaos to 1 GCP).

The question is, if you guys keep both totems equipped, or if you replace Decoy totem with another spell gem?

I don't have Decoy Totem equipped at all. Another benefit of RAT is what Deltrus mentioned earlier, it also triggers EE for you. For mobs that use a lot of magic and kill it quickly I cast the totem, 5 stack and flammability them and then I just spam the totem until they are dead. Works brilliantly. As they start to drop I will lay on my split arrow + iiq/iir to try to improve my drops. Here is my current setup:

Helm


Chest


Quill Rain


Gloves


Belt


Boots


Quiver


Rings/Ammy


I also don't need a light quiver. I still have enough dex (with no +30 nodes) and have no issues. Also much of my gear is less than ideal but 68 and lower maps I have no issues with at all, and I have yet to have the opportunity to try something higher level. Going forward I really want to add more IIR/IIQ and get a bit of Chaos Res, but my first priority is saving up for a Kaom's Heart.