Pros
Cons
The consummate backline DPS, this build specializes in dealing ranged damage from a distance while supporting the frontline with utility skills. To that end, Purifying Touch and Nature's Blessing are used, and the rest of the build focuses on dealing damage.
Perception is extremely important in this build, as it would be the difference between skills hitting targets or not. To that end, the goal would be to hit the stat targets of 60 Perception and 50 Dexterity for damage. Remaining Stat Points should be fed into Strength.
Stacking Defensive and Evasive traits are critical to increasing survivability, and this build does just that. Ignoring those traits are a critical mistake.
Reaching 60 Perception is crucial, as it determines how much the skills would hit. Reaching 50 Dexterity is ideal for damage, and the rest of the points can go into Strength for Health or Wisdom for more Mana.
Skill Set #1 is more suited for large scale PVP and more party oriented. Try to avoid being in the frontline, pop in it when needed but being a supportive DPS which can get aggressive if your team can cooperate. Use Flash Arrow so your party/Guild can charge in with force.
Thanks to Nimble Leap, this allows for engagement to be initiated in a poking style while key targets are being surveyed. Quick Fire remains a reliable source of damage, with AoE capabilities thanks to Gale.
Flash Arrow is the biggest AoE attack in this arsenal, thanks to Flash Wave and the Range ▲ specialization. In large battles, it can hit multiple targets at once, with the option to refresh its cooldown with Blitz.
Prioritize Strengthening Quick Fire, Strafing and Zephyr's Nock, as it will be used at all stages of the game, followed by the other abilities.
Getting the right mix of offensive and defensive passives is important, as being a backline support that deals incredible damage will make the player a prime target for other players.
Detection and Devoted Shield provide protection from heavy burst damage and are essential for survivability, while the remaining passives are used to increase damage dealt.
Skill Set #2 is perfect for Arena or a smaller scale PVP. Huge mobility and big aggression. Personally a favorite of mine. This one can be viable in Large Scale but you can easily get over ran since it lacks AoE.
Gale Zephyr's Nock is the best way to utilize the Gale Mechanic for quick burst. The way to get the most damage out of Gale stacks is, in theory, to proc it at 9 Stacks with the Zephyr's Nock's skill spec for this.
Here's how to proc it at 8 stacks TWICE in 1 short burst combo. Quick Fire: 1st and 2nd talents Zephyr's Knock: 1st and 3rd talents Strafing: 1st and 3rd talents. The combo: Strafing > Strafing > Zephyr's Nock > Strafing > Quick Fire > ~half second delay > Zephyr's Nock Every Zephyr's Nock that you do should be at the longest range possible you can get at the given moment.
For Nimble Leap & Zephyr's Nock, Nimble Leap will create a Whirlpool, when you use Zephyr's Nock from it, it will Knockback the target, which is SUPER useful against melees, which are the main problem of this setup.
Skill Set #3 is perfect for an AoE playstyle. Huge mobility and big aggression. Personally a favorite of mine when it comes to killing lot's of mobs which will be useful in world events. This one can be viable in Large Scale PVP. Just like Skill Set #1 you don't want to over extend yourself or find yourself alone. It's easy to get over run. With this AoE style this can be beneficial in Guild vs Guild fights over boon stones for example.
This build will focus more of an AoE style, while Quick Fire will become a hard hitter for your single target. Stay back while your front line pushes, while that happens charge your Tornado, while your targets are in the air charge up for Flash wave for a big AoE burst. Depending in the situation you may want to use Blitz right after to get another Flash Wave off. An alternative is to use Annihilation Barrage Shot in that same method.
Pro tip: Using Nimble Leap will reset the cool down on Quick Fire, keep this in mind if you need a good quick single target kill.
Similar to the other skill builds we want to focus on survival but hitting hard. Getting the right mix of offensive and defensive passives is important, as being a backline support that deals incredible damage will make the player a prime target for other players.
In all builds Mana Exchange will be used frequently to replenish Mana reserves, so Rex Chimaerus's Crossbows are perfect for restoring lost HP. It provides high DPS with decent self-sustainability. This allows the healing skills in this build to be used later when allies need them.