Samurai Archers

[Delvish]

Few SAMs are going to have the kind of +AGI and R.acc/R.atk gear around, plus merits in Archery to seriously give this a go. BUT there are some who have those things and could really flesh out a Apex Arrow spam set.

I used to have a fair set, but it is sadly dated to the 75-era when Sidewinder and RACC were prevalent. Now I need to figure out for Apex Arrow which of The two stats to aim for, RATT or all out AGI. Hit for about 1.5k consistently on low level Abyssea mobs and Lamian Kaman (poor damage). Higher bows should do considerably more.

Speaking of, outside of camping the Abyssean Amphitere
MMs, it is impossible to get a new Beursault Bow now since the Amphitere Whiskers are key components and are to weak to aggro at 99 in Xarcabard [S]. Need to find me some low level bait!

[saevel]

I used to have a fair set, but it is sadly dated to the 75-era when Sidewinder and RACC were prevalent. Now I need to figure out for Apex Arrow which of The two stats to aim for, RATT or all out AGI. Hit for about 1.5k consistently on low level Abyssea mobs and Lamian Kaman (poor damage). Higher bows should do considerably more.

Speaking of, outside of camping the Abyssean Amphitere
MMs, it is impossible to get a new Beursault Bow now since the Amphitere Whiskers are key components and are to weak to aggro at 99 in Xarcabard [S]. Need to find me some low level bait!

For Apex, I'd go full AGI.

Isn't there that bow that SAM/RNG can use that gives Namas Arrow every 13 WS? How does it's DMG/Delay stack against Beursault?

Back at 75 I had a solid SAM/RNG set. It was built arround /RA though not melee, it only got pulled out when I needed to hit and WS on things from a distance (ACP crystal comes to mind). I used Martials Bow so I could spam SW @100TP. Apex also ignores some amount of defense and accuracy isn't as much an issue as it was with SW. Together means you should be able to eat Pot Au Fua or Curry and go /WAR.

[hiko]

Well Apex Arrow is looking really really nice right now. If your a SAM who happens to have RNG leveled and all the toys that go with it, might want to try the built out. I used to use SAM/RNG for fights were it was lethal to get within aoe range.

why having RNG leveled help when most of best RNG gear are not equipable by SAM and best "range" gear sam can get are not equipable or top tier RNG gear?

[saevel]

why having RNG leveled help when most of best RNG gear are not equipable by SAM and best "range" gear sam can get are not equipable or top tier RNG gear?

Reference my above comment.

Your not going to find a player who plays SAM but not RNG and also has Archery merits and the +R.acc / R.atk / AGI gear their going to need. And while the best pieces are indeed RNG only, no character is created with a *perfect* gear selection. Everyone is in a constant state of progression, meaning not the best pieces and most likely to have quite a few shared pieces.

[Einalem]

So... I'm a newer SAM looking around at my ranged options and I notice SAM have a C+ Archery and Throwing!
I see many so-so bows, but enough for options and... wait, where are the throwing weapons? I'm supposed to skill this up how? Hmmmm... So we have people wanting more Archery skill, why not take the ranks in Throwing and put them in Archery, Square? (Heck, put it in Sword, Polearm, and Dagger as well to help Procs land)

[Delvish]

Just finished the trial set for Kawatsutsuminotachi, dmg 51; Delay 464; Occasionally attacks 2-4 times. It's like a Soboro+1 and I know a good majority of you SAMs still carry around that sword. Even on the last two-three trials, I noticed a super increase in TP gain rate (as to be expected) but this Magian GK is a must for any SAM who deals in archery.

[vixin]

wish nin got some option like sam has for range attacks sadly we dont.

[Darwena]

And playing RNG/SAM instead can't be an option? I mean, why in any way SAM/RNG should beat RNG in anything that involve a bow??? RNG are already in the bothom choice of DD in most event, dunno why we should gimp more RNG by letting another job do more DMG with bow (and not mention SAM do way enough DMG with GK)...

[Delvish]

And playing RNG/SAM instead can't be an option? I mean, why in any way SAM/RNG should beat RNG in anything that involve a bow??? RNG are already in the bothom choice of DD in most event, dunno why we should gimp more RNG by letting another job do more DMG with bow (and not mention SAM do way enough DMG with GK)...

RNG/SAM is a very valid option, though not one for the Samurai forums I'm afraid. There is no gimping being done by allowing SAMs to pursue our native capabilities in the bow. The difference between SAM and RNG with archery is similar to SCH and BLM with nukes. The former can never match the capabilities of the latter assuming the same quality of skill and equipment, but if the RNG sucks and the SAM is good then the SAM is going to seem superior. I don't think you need to worry about Samurai Archery becoming a mainstay to replace the Ranger. It takes a lot of work on the side (specific gear, skilling up, etc.) to become a proficient SAM/RNG. A lot more than the old hagun-groupie SAMs are going to want to do.

[Darwena]

Maybe I wasn't clear, english isn't my main language after all, what I mean was: SAM isn't happy with all the great stuff they have with Great Katana? GK > Archery right? if you want to shoot arrows, switch to RNG, otherwise go slash that Great Katana for a maximum of DMG... You will even save gils. Sure they can go archery but it's seem to be less efficient than melee'ing. It's like NIN throwing Shuriken... yes they can, but this so less efficient than just melee mob instead...

Edit: Just my opinion, I don't have any number to prove my point.