[0.10.4] ashgod's physical bow guide

Introduction
I like killing creeps before they even see me. I believe ranged characters have an edge in arpgs. Nothing can compete with a bloodthirsty long rage killing machine in terms of efficiency. This appeals to me, this is why I created this build.

Endgame build


Build in action - Map footage


Builds strengths
- Utilizes most stats in the game, making the gear scaling increase exponentially
- Dynamic passive build – adjust it to your current gear situation
- Unlimited potions with ‘Surgeon’s’ prefix
- Extremely high single target dps with 7 frenzy charges
- Group utility with 3 auras
- Can be run as Shadow, Ranger, Duelist, Marauder and to some extent Templar
- Completely lag free with minimum flashy effect like LA, Ice Shot etc.

Build weaknesses
- Since it takes advantage of most stats, the gear dependency is above average
- Weak for leveling until key nodes are picked up
- Because of the high damage output you need to pay attention to reflect mobs and make sure to use your potions when you face them

Idea behind
Elemental builds are so popular. I wanted to create something different. I wanted to be able to take advantage of every damage element of the game (physical, elemental, crit especially) and not limit myself. This build will offer you high dps with 7 frenzy charges, projectile increase damage and lots of critical chance + multiplier. Also you have a lot of options to either boost your life or damage, depending on your current gear situation.

Gems, skills and supports

Level up all gems as much as possible, just make sure you have enough intelligence should you choose to replace an item with intelligence.

For builds with RT, use Weapon Elemental Damage/Added Fire/Cold/Lightning Damage gems instead of the Critical gems.

FRENZY: Faster Attacks, Added Fire Damage, Increased Critical Damage/Increased Critical Strikes, Weapon Elemental Damage

SPLIT ARROW: Faster Attacks, Chain, Life Leech/LGOH, Added Fire Damage, Increased Critical Damage

Take the gems in this order depending on how many links you have in your bow/armors. The damage support gems might vary depending on your gear situation. In that case you should compare different ones. If you don't want to use flasks while using Frenzy, put in a Life Leech Gem as soon as you find it needed.

LL vs LGOH: LGOH can make you regen faster, but LL will continue to heal you after you've killed a pack. It's a matter of preference and both are very viable.

ANGER (dmg), WRATH (dmg), GRACE (def) – use a Reduced Mana support gem if you have a 4 link.

Utility skills
Projectile Weakness, Summon Skeletons w/ Spell Totem, Lightning Warp, Blood Rage

Notes on quality priority: Split Arrow/Frenzy -> Life Leech -> damage support gems

These gems you can get from quest rewards:



Gear notes
- The mods are mentioned in prioritized order. Links are top priority if you need them
- Since Armour Master was moved in 0.10.2, it is no longer picked up in this build. Therefore try go for Evasion only armor.
- Resist 60+, 70+ if you have high elemental damage on gear

Bow: Since you’re going for physical damage, you want as high physical damage roll as possible with a good attacks per second (aps) roll, like a Thicket Bow. Basically highest DPS wins (resistances/accuracy are nice adds).

Quiver: Maximum life, light/fire/cold damage, increased weapon elemental damage, resistances, increased global critical strike chance/multiplier

Rings+amu: light/fire/cold damage, maximum life, resistances, life leech, attack speed

Helm + chest: Maximum life, resistances, armor/evasion, life regeneration

Gloves: Maligaro’s Virtuosity or rares with: light/fire/cold damage, maximum life, resistances, attack speed

Boots: Movement speed, maximum life, resistances

Flasks

Get these exact flasks – priority on Surgeon's Life Flask of Gluttony + Surgeon's Granite Flask of Gluttony -> Movement Speed (2 Quicksilvers of Adrenaline). If you went for Resolute Technique, get Perpetual (charge recovery) or Ample (more charges) mods instead.

The build path
Make sure to pick 30 dex/strength notes according to your needs – there are several options close to the original path. Armour Master is only taken if you got armors which require strength.

With Lioneye’s Glare


Without Lioneye’s Glare


Bandit rewards
Normal: Help oak: +40 maximum life
Cruel: Kill all: +1 passive point
Merciless: Help Kraityn: +1 Frenzy charge

Leveling tips and bandits
I suggest running with a Quill Rain bow from 5-20, a new bow from 20-32 and Death’s Harp from 32-4x

Make sure to pick up rings+amu with light/fire/cold damage and maximum life as early as possible – they will skyrocket your damage.

With Quill Rain you can farm The Ledge from 5->12, Fellshrine Ruins 12->22. I suggest farming

The Docks until 30-32, at which point you should move forward to The Ledge on Cruel.
Can also be done with Silverbranch + Poison Arrow of course.

General notes
This build should work really well on hardcore if you prioritize health nodes.
Against reflect mobs, make sure to pop your Life Flask + Granite Flask (both with life leech). Don’t be afraid to spam them when the effect ends.
Blood Rage should be used with care and should be completely avoided on Hardcore.

Feel free to leave feedback and comments on the build. I will try answering your questions the best I can.

+1

Looks interresting :) Will try it out at some point.

Hey, my build has way more dps nodes but my dps is low compared to yours.
how much dps does Iron Grip add? and whats your current STR w/wo gear?

6k Armor. this is not very much or? Whats your mitigation @ merciless?

and regarding blood magic ... you leech with split arrow but not with frenzy. why?

why did you choose armor as defensive stat? because you dont need to boost it by passives?

many questions :)

and i think you can save a point. same keynodes but 106 instead of 107 points used:

http://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAgYB_5MeGtIZ1tEqW7VIbWxte1M1D6tVS5u1NnvndIw2JpXLQTY9YeJyu6XLh9sWv_PqKk0_J3BSwFEVIG6qcNUs6YPbMn7dDfxLOrOQCvzFW6_OcVb6Z6AY22wW7g6HdnTxQ5wa2yP2TshKfSFgLIWeuQ6t-WPv8DWSQKBaGimlveYV8OdUWkgFLe9OPs86WCT9YEtdACi1UUcEftUAeu9giG_yqriNfXTtYVI51Kp_n8syCVYEoJ-HGYZgOlIZ_hsBoaTEotwVq9Kn1P7IGYotg5cG378=

@HeroOfExile

Very good point with the build, I missed that mate! Thanks a lot for pointing it out, I have now editted my final build + corrected my own in game :)

I just tried respec out of Iron Grip.

Frenzy in town with IG: 9143
Frenzy in town witout IG: 8159,2

STR with gear: 220
STR without: 174

Regarding Life Leech in Split Arrow and not Frenzy: Split Arrow costs 95 life while Frenzy only costs 67 life. When I need to use Frenzy I just pop my Gluttony life flask + Granite flask and fire away, the Life Leech combined from these 2 flasks can keep me topped easily due to the lower ilfe cost on Frenzy. I think Split Arrow drains me a little too much for my flasks to keep up, hence the Life Leech support. I might be able to cope with a little higher damage though.

Lastly, I chose armor because I prefer a flat reduction compared to a more unpredictable reduction like evasion :)

I got 36 % Mitigation on Merciless. I feel it's more than enough with 3.5k life at my disposal + lots of Life Leech with my flasks activated + it's not very often you need to tank the hard hitting physical mobs yourself - usually skeletons handle that.


Thank you very much for the questions, I hope my answers are somewhat fullfilling, otherwise please do shoot again!

thx for your answers and your testing regarding my questions :)

your dps is OP but it must be your gear then ;D

did you test life on hit instead of a lifeleech gem?
i am asking because i try to figure out if my build would be better with BM or without.
using flasks everytime i wanna use my primary skills is not an option for me.

nevertheless your build is very inspiring to me.
with my build i have to boost ES/EV and mana ... lots of points "wasted" compared to your build and i have less HP/IAS.

Comparing raw numbers on LGOH and LL gives me:

Life gained per hit from LL with 3.2k dps on Split Arrow: 192
Life gained per hit from LGOH (dps irrelevant): 42

So I didn't test it, I just compared raw numbers :)

And you're very welcome, my goal with this guide is to inspire people. If you want my opinion on what piece of gear to replace next, feel free to contact me ingame.

Have a good night :)

"

ashgod wrote:

Comparing raw numbers on LGOH and LL gives me:

Life gained per hit from LL with 3.2k dps on Split Arrow: 192
Life gained per hit from LGOH (dps irrelevant): 42

So I didn't test it, I just compared raw numbers :)

And you're very welcome, my goal with this guide is to inspire people. If you want my opinion on what piece of gear to replace next, feel free to contact me ingame.

Have a good night :)

so you have split arrow which is what 4 arrows? or 5 at max? that chains how many times.....+42 lgoh each arrow/chain?? seems to me that lgoh would actually be better off.


just sayin you know, raw numbers.....are raw numbers lol!

"

deficateerywhere wrote:

"

ashgod wrote:

Comparing raw numbers on LGOH and LL gives me:

Life gained per hit from LL with 3.2k dps on Split Arrow: 192
Life gained per hit from LGOH (dps irrelevant): 42

So I didn't test it, I just compared raw numbers :)

And you're very welcome, my goal with this guide is to inspire people. If you want my opinion on what piece of gear to replace next, feel free to contact me ingame.

Have a good night :)

so you have split arrow which is what 4 arrows? or 5 at max? that chains how many times.....+42 lgoh each arrow/chain?? seems to me that lgoh would actually be better off.


just sayin you know, raw numbers.....are raw numbers lol!

Thanks for your question mate, it made me do some research!

Split Arrow is +5 arrows (6 total) at max+my level. Anyways, the Life Leech should leech just as many times as LOGH would gain life:

Life Leech: 6 initial arrows, all chaining 2 times: 18 hits, all for 192: 18 x 192 = 3456 total life leeched.

LGOH: 6 arrows, chaining 2 times: 18 hits, all for 42: 18 x 42 = 756

Please correct my theories / math if they're wrong - I appreciate all feedback, constructive criticism and questions about my build, it helps me shape it and improve it!

Much appreciated!

From the WIKI:

"The rate of life gained from life leech is capped at 20% of maximum life per second. "