Carraway's Guide to the New Archer: 1.18 and Beyond

[Ruri]

I'm just getting used to Arc again now, the combo system is pretty sweet.

[carraway]

I have used this guide since I joined XIV in patch 1.18. The update yesterday has left me a little stuck! I had a pretty decent gear set with materia melds but I am now wondering what would be the ultimate set up (including possible materia options). If you could include gear options on your updated guide that would be most appreciated.

I'll go into it in more detail when I rewrite my guide, but for now:

Paragon's Crown
Raptorskin Harness (PIE)
Raptorskin Gloves of Slaying (DEX/ATK)
Flame Sergeant's Sash
Raptorskin Subligar (STR+DEX or VIT+DEX)
Cobalt-plated Caligae / Cobalt-plated Jackboots (HP)
Amethyst Ring x3

[Lucie]

I'll go into it in more detail when I rewrite my guide, but for now:

Paragon's Crown
Raptorskin Harness (PIE)
Raptorskin Gloves of Slaying (DEX/ATK)
Flame Sergeant's Sash
Raptorskin Subligar (STR+DEX or VIT+DEX)
Cobalt-plated Caligae / Cobalt-plated Jackboots (HP)
Amethyst Ring x3

That's what I was thinking ^^ Thank you, though I am a member of the adder's so the belt is unobtainable, should I stick to penance or use something else? I thank you for the quick response!

[DyskoFox]

I'll go into it in more detail when I rewrite my guide, but for now:

Paragon's Crown
Raptorskin Harness (PIE)
Raptorskin Gloves of Slaying (DEX/ATK)
Flame Sergeant's Sash
Raptorskin Subligar (STR+DEX or VIT+DEX)
Cobalt-plated Caligae / Cobalt-plated Jackboots (HP)
Amethyst Ring x3

Wouldn't a Rainmaker's Tunic with crit dmg materia or Serpent Sergeant's Tunic be best for body? Also Flame Sergeant's Sarouel (assuming they're all dow) or Mercenary's Slops be the best in slot for legs?

[TheFatHousecat]

That's what I was thinking ^^ Thank you, though I am a member of the adder's so the belt is unobtainable, should I stick to penance or use something else? I thank you for the quick response!

If you don't have that GC the second-BiS is Velveteen Longsash (red) (Dex : +1, Accuracy : +2). The Flame Sergeant's Sash is DEX +5 and ACC +10, so it's a far stretch but the closest you can get.

[carraway]

Wouldn't a Rainmaker's Tunic with crit dmg materia or Serpent Sergeant's Tunic be best for body? Also Flame Sergeant's Sarouel (assuming they're all dow) or Mercenary's Slops be the best in slot for legs?

Pure stats are more effective point-for-point for damage; crit % with Blindside usage on a 20-minute moogle fight is anywhere from 7-10%, i.e. not worth taking crit atk over a pure stat; the Sarouel and Slops are unmeldable and 10 DEX with 1 materia melded is much better than 10 ATK.

[Hoplite]

Is the Woolen Sarouel of Invoking a possible substitute in the legs slot? DEX +4 and PTY +4 sounds better in a pure damage scenario than just DEX +5.

[carraway]

Totally missed that; yeah, that's a far better choice. Thanks for the heads-up.

edit: I think Rich told me to get those a few weeks ago and I ignored him

[NoctisUmbra]

The thing about the Woolen Sarouel is it is a level 40 piece - meaning you cannot meld it with tier III or IV materia.

[carraway]

The thing about the Woolen Sarouel is it is a level 50 piece - meaning you cannot meld it with tier III or IV materia.

40? You're right. So DEX+4/PIE+4 (+2 DEX from 1 II) vs. DEX+5 (+7 DEX from 1 IV) = Raptorskin Subligar wins still.