[Ryx]

Ryx, master Dragon Knight of Asura, and little do people realize...an excellent Ranger. I cannot take full credit for the original foundation of this idea, but I can take credit for taking it beyond what Jumpy had.

Store TP is a factor normally considered only by Samurai main & subjob, playing on the natural traits of the job. However, with ranged delay being so high, it can actually be factored into store TP without the samurai sub (and even more-so with it).

Take for instance the Eurytos' Bow (Delay: 490) with Demon Arrows (Delay: 90), combined to make a Delay: 580. Put this into the equation used for Delay > 530: 14.5 + [(Delay - 530) * 3.5 / 470].

580 - 530 = 50
50 * 3.5 = 170
170 / 470 = .37 (however, the game only takes TP one place past the decimal point, so it's dropped to .3)
.3 + 14.5 = 14.8 TP hit (15.0 with 120 delay PPA)

To reach a 6-hit means getting 16.7 TP/hit, so do the math here: 16.7 / 14.8 = 1.128~
Gets cut off after the second digit on this one, so it boils down to requiring a multiple of 1.13, or Store TP+13, to reach 16.7 TP/hit. To reach a 5-hit requires 20.0 TP/Hit, putting this into it at the same time: 20.0 / 14.8 = 1.351~ = sTP+36. I'll get to this later, before that though, I'll also run through the calculations for o-bow.

O-bow (Dl: 432) + Holy Bolt (Dl: 192) / Darksteel Bolt (Dl: 192) = Dl: 624
624 - 530 = 94
94 * 3.5 = 329
329 / 470 = 0.7
0.7 + 14.5 = 15.2

6-hit: 16.7 / 15.2 = 1.098 = sTP+10
5-hit: 20.0 / 15.2 = 1.315~ = sTP+32

Okay, now that #s are established, let's talk turkey: How to achieve this & apply it.

Gear:
Rajas (STR+5 DEX+5 STORE TP+5 Subtle Blow+5)
Skadi Chausses (Acc+4 Att+5 R.Acc+4 R.Att+5 STORE TP+7 Haste+2%)
Brutal (Double Attack+5% STORE TP+1)
Enkidu's Subligar (STR+4 DEX+4 STORE TP+5)
Mirke Wardecors Augment (SNAPSHOT+5% / STORE TP+4 Subtle Blow+4 / R.Att+10 / R.Acc+10 / Enm-5)
Mekki Shakki (STR+5 Acc-4 Att+12 STORE TP+5)
Samurai Subjob (Store TP+15)

Balance:
Store TP is a flexible stat, by dividing the distribution, one can TP in more, and WS in less. Take for example the 6-hit E-bow: Requires Store TP+13. The original way this was attained, was to wear Rajas (5), Skadi (7), & Brutal (1) creating a perfect 13. This had to be worn at all times, including WS. However, if we change the equipment: Rajas (5) Skadi (7) & Mirke/sTP Aug (4) = Store TP+17 total.
I would now like to referrence a personal dub I call tSTP, or Total Store TP. By totalling up the amount of Store TP being worn during an entire round, one can determine the exact balance they need to work on TP vs. WS sTP gear.

Take for example again, the 6-hit E-bow: Requires sTP+13 gear on *average*, so +13 x 6 hits = tSTP+78. By wearing sTP+17 x 5 hits to TP = tSTP+85, already surpasses that number, thus meaning that one can go so far as to remove ALL Store TP equipment during WS, and keep the 6-hit setup.

Alternatively:
6-hit E-bow:
Rajas (5) Enkidu's (5) Mirke (4) = sTP+14 x 5 TP hits = tSTP+70, Allowing one to drop Mirke to Osode during WS, and keep slightly (tSTP+2) better than a perfect 6-hit. Should be able to drop Enkidu's if WS'ing with PPA.

Another example: 6-hit O-bow, which requires sTP+10: sTP+10 x 6 hits = tSTP+60. But if one were to TP in Skadi (7) & Rajas (5) = +12 over 5 TP hits = +60, one could remove both pieces of equipment during WS & keep the 6-hit.

5-hit E-bow:
The 5-hit setup is something I've been trying for since I first discovered the effect of Store TP on Ranger, but has been something I've been unable to achieve personally on the e-bow. However, with the addition of the new Mirke Wardecors, I can put it into this equation:
sTP+36 required.
+15 from /SAM
Rajas (5) Skadi (7) Mirke (4) Mekki (5) Brutal (1)
Total: sTP+37.
Technically, the Brutal isn't required, but let me explain this with tSTP:
sTP+36 x 5 hits = tSTP+180
sTP+37 x 4 TP hits = tSTP+148
tSTP+180 - tSTP+148 = sTP+32 on Weapon Skilll.
Translation: Can remove up to 5 Store TP from the TP setup, or in english: Swap Brutal to Triumph & Mirke to Osode for Weapon Skills.

5-hit O-bow:
sTP+32 required (tSTP+160)
/SAM (15) Rajas (5) Skadi (7) Mirke (4) Mekki (5) = sTP+36 x 4 = 144 tSTP
160 tSTP - 144 tSTP = 16 Store TP during WS (basically: /SAM & Rajas cover it)

Once you understand the values & the equations, one can customize a Store TP build to their own needs, and focus on what they need to make it practical for their own applications. The objective of Store TP is to get WSs off faster, the same as Snapshot & Haste effects (on melee). Especially because Ranger has such absurdly powerful weapon skills, getting more WSs faster = better DPS.

In-regards to weapon skill accuracy at 100~% TP: Full Merits, solid build, all I have to say. I'm sure there's pleanty enough arguements over how to pull off WS'ing as soon as you get TP. Personally, I've never had much difficultly in pulling off my 6-hit vs. anything.

A few other #s:
Yoichinoyumi (Dl:524) + Standard Arrows (Dl:90):
6-hit: Store TP+11
5-hit: Store TP+33

Annihilator (Dl:582) + Standard Bullets (Dl:240):
6-hit: Store TP+1 (suprised as all get out to learn this thing doesn't come with a 6-hit)
5-hit: Store TP+21

Hellfire NQ (Dl:660) + Standard Bullets (Dl:240):
5-hit: Store TP+17
4-hit: Store TP+46 (not happening without Samurai roll, sorry boys)

Hellfire +1 (Dl:640) + Standard Bullets (Dl:240):
5-hit: Store TP+17
4-hit: Store TP+47 (again, gl with that!)

Culverin (Dl:760) + Cannon Shells (Dl:300)
5-hit: Store TP+9
4-hit: Store TP+36

Culverin+1 (Dl:737) + Cannon Shells (Dl:300)
5-hit: Store TP+10
4-hit: Store TP+38

Selene's Bow (Dl:540) + Standard Arrows (Dl:90)
6-hit: Store TP+10
5-hit: Store TP+32

My personal opinions for what an ideal setup would look like with the E-bow:
/nin or /war:
Vulcan's
Axe Grip
Eurytos' Bow
Demon Arrows (TP) / Kabura (WS) / PPA (WS with US)
Zha'Go's Barbut (TP) / Wyvern Helm+1 (WS, or other high STR Helm, provided solid R.Acc) / Maat's (yeah...right...use it if you have it, leveling maniac)
Hope Torque (TP) / Elemental Gorget (WS)
Triumph Earring / Bushinomimi / Fenrir's Earring (latent)
Mirke Waredecors (Store TP & Snapshot Augments = TP) / Kirin's Osode (WS)
Blood Fng.Gnt. (TP) / Seiryu's Kote (WS)
Rajas Ring / Behemoth Ring+1 (TP) / Flame Ring (WS, provided R.Acc)
Amemet Mantle+1
Scout's Belt (TP) / Buccaneer's Belt (WS / Endgame situations TP)
Skadi Chausses (TP) / Hachiryu Haidate (WS)
Scout's Socks +1

/sam:
Mekki Shakki
Axe Grip
Eurytos' Bow
Demon Arrows (TP) / Kabura (WS) / PPA (WS with US)
Zha'Go's Barbut (TP) / Wyvern Helm+1 (WS, or other high STR Helm, provided solid R.Acc) / Maat's (yeah...right...use it if you have it, leveling maniac)
Hope Torque (TP) / Elemental Gorget (WS)
Brutal Earring (TP) / Triumph Earring / Bushinomimi / Fenrir's Earring (latent)
Mirke Waredecors (Store TP & Snapshot Augments = TP) / Kirin's Osode (WS)
Blood Fng.Gnt. (TP) / Seiryu's Kote (WS)
Rajas Ring / Behemoth Ring+1 (TP) / Flame Ring (WS, provided R.Acc)
Amemet Mantle+1
Scout's Belt (TP) / Buccaneer's Belt (WS / Endgame situations TP)
Skadi Chausses
Scout's Socks +1

[Kaparu]

I'm not entirely sure what you're asking credit for. I'm fairly sure everyone was already aware that practical reduction in the number of necessary hits to 100 TP was beneficial, with or without /SAM.

Beyond that.. I mean, you basically Wiki'd everything with StoreTP on it, and did some multiplication. Truth be told, it'd take less time for someone to enter the two equations necessary to come to the same conclusion into a calculator than it would to read your post.

[pathwriter]

True though that may be, Kaparu, I'm lazy when I can be and had actually been thinking about this myself in preparation for leveling Ranger (i.e., should I worry myself over getting Skadi's Chausses or not).

[Kaparu]

Depending on whether or not you'd let aesthetic preference get in the way of superior performance(I'm fairly sure you'd rather look pretty most of the time, if I remember correctly), Skadi isn't really necessary if you have Rajas Ring and use Hellfire.

That's not meant to be insulting, by the way.

[Fla$h619]

Unless you get really lucky path, its not worth the time trying to go for Skadi legs. Besides the fact that relic legs have 3 more ranged accuracy, Skadi is very nice, but not neccesary.

[pathwriter]

I trade aesthetics for effectiveness. As it stands, unless Dynamis gets extra-generous, I'll be wearing atrocities like Dusk Trousers with War Boots. Planning on using my Vali's Bow, personally.

[Fla$h619]

I would rather do dynamis until the legs drop than do Salvage for the Skadi legs XD. Then again i've had the worst luck with anything i really want to get.

[Tekni]

I would rather do dynamis until the legs drop than do Salvage for the Skadi legs XD. Then again i've had the worst luck with anything i really want to get.

Scouts pants have a rather generous drop rate compared to something like scouts scouts and skadi

[Matsuo]

Sandy can be a pain at times with Braccae, they seem to come in bursts with months in between for us... but Bubu seems to put out rather consistently for both legs and belt.

[SirrusAndShadshot]

Oh shit it's Ryx. Shit just got real.

[Villian]

I use Brutal/mirke/rajas/cobra leggings for 6 hits set up with ebow ;; still waiting for a afv2/skadi feet with skadi legs.

[Fla$h619]

Matsuo do they come in bursts every few months because you don't neccesarily do that zone that much? Scout's Socks is another matter, 26 Beaucedine runs before i even saw a pair drop. D:

This post has been edited by Fla$h619: 21 April 2009 - 02:31 AM

[Daeka]

Its rather strange, but seriously I can say matsuo's observations (at least for our shell) are rather accurate. In the past 3-4 runs each of sandy and bubu if compared;The majority of our ranger leg pieces have come from bubu. Though the glacier is still ever so popular in being stingy with socks.

I know this is completely unrelated, but does any other shell have a "token" drop from the glacier you know will always drop but you never really want to see? For us, its WAR .

[Matsuo]

I know this is completely unrelated, but does any other shell have a "token" drop from the glacier you know will always drop but you never really want to see? For us, its WAR .

lol It does seem like every other glacier we get a "w00t, Warrior's Armor Claim Slip, here I come!" joke, doesn't it?

[Fla$h619]

In my old Dynamis LS, ours was WAR body from Xarcabard, pretty much counted on it dropping from the NM. Got 8 WAR bodies in one run, and this was before they "increased" drop rates.

[Drace]

No mention of the fact that Hachiryu pieces offer Store TP as well (+5 per piece iirc), and you do not need the full set for this (yes I have tested it). Legs and Feet are very viable gear choices for TP & WS if you are looking for a specific hit build, and allow you to skip some of the less effective pieces (Mekki etc.).

[HNM]

So with hachiryu sune-ate and haidate you would have +10 stp, Drace?

[Drace]

So with hachiryu sune-ate and haidate you would have +10 stp, Drace?

Yes

[Kamara]

Yes

This is nice to hear as I already have the sune-ate X)

As for the OP/general topic..
Ive been experimenting with /sam for sometime and have started an effort to get more store TP peices for rng. I'd go as far as too say /sam is rangers best sub job, and at the least, the most versatile. If you dont atleast look into a certain "# Hit build" for your ranger, you are gimping yourself..

You'd be surprised but /sam+Store TP is not a well known set up for many of the rangers I speak to on midgard. I currently use a lolselene's with skadi legs, raja's, cobra feet and mirke with /sam too achieve, what could be called a "5 Hit Build", though this rarely ever requires 5 hits and generally turns out to be a pseudo "4 Hit Build" as I'll explain.

btw Ive been trying to get rid of brutal earring from my rng/sam for sometime... Thanks Mirke

I tp in (full set below) Hachiryu Sune-ate, APART from my last shot (TP 79% > 100%). Which I macro in Cobra leggings to achieve a 5 Shot build. Which turns out, is way faster than many E.bow users I meet.
With Snapshot merits, (Zha'go's soon, 0/2...) and Snapshot+5 on Mirke the delay difference between *most* e.bow users and my S.bow is basically nothing... Except I'm getting 20tp return from my shots.
Meaning I follow a nice little pattern in merit pts/most events;

TP120% (meditate) > PT Starts > WS>4shots>WS>4shots>WS>4shots.

The longer this goes on.. the bigger the damage gap gets between a typical Ebow-with-any-sub Vs. my current Sbow + /sam S.TP build. And thats before JAs like Meditate and Barrage are added in. (Which now returns 20tp per arrow landed, remember. 120%TP barrage's are <3)


A zerg with /sam Store TP build looks like this;

TP120% (meditate) > Put barrage+SS up > "the zerg starts" > Sidewinder > imediatly fire barrage (with the no-delay after WS) > Sidewinder > Meditate > EES (for 40tp+60tp) > Sidewinder

From your first sidewinder the rest can be achieved in *around* 30seconds when done right. Yep, 3 WS.

3 sidewinders. 30 seconds.
Say you score 1k per sidewinder? 1 sidewinder every 10 seconds = 100 damage/second.
Barrage+EES does a total of 2k damage? its now 166 damage/second. Thats almost 5k damage in 30 seconds, and really.. easy enough to acheive :3
It mixes WS with JAs and a clean 20tp per shot, truely one of my favourite things to do on ranger. And after all of thats over. If the mob is still standing... You can return to!!!.... WS>4shots>WS>4shots>WS>4shots.

Conclusion; /Sam is superior


For anyone interested in my gear:

TP
Vulcans/Axe grip
S.bow/demon
Wyvern
Hope Torque
Mirke (Snap+Store TP)
S.kote
Skadi legs
Hachiryu Sune-ate/Cobra
Buccaneer's Belt
Amemet+1
Triumphx2
Behe+1
Raja's

WS Changes for 100TP Sidewinders

Kabura Arrow
Enkidu's Cap
Light Gorget
Kirin's Osode
Jaeger Mantle

Yes, I use meat 90% of the time.
I am kind of dredding getting an Ebow again as its gonna take alot of gear to 5hit on that.

[Lambtor]

i've seen 0 boost from hach feet in my TP gain/shot with obow.