Starchitin's rogue sniper guide - Revision history

GS4-XERAPHINA: updated page to include new player-guide template

2024-11-03T21:02:09Z

updated page to include new player-guide template

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 =Why a Sniper?=
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 *[[A beginner's guide to playing a rogue]]
 [[Category:Rogue]]
 [[Category:Professional Guides]]

OM1E5GA: /* General tactics */

2023-06-10T14:43:16Z

General tactics

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:43, 10 June 2023
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	*Isolate them. Ideally you'll want to get critters one on one since the more critters that are in the room, the harder it is to time your shots. If a stubborn critter isn't dying and other critters are wandering in, you may need to [[divert]] them, target the new critter while the first is stunned, or move to a room less likely to be subject to swarmy conditions.		*Isolate them. Ideally you'll want to get critters one on one since the more critters that are in the room, the harder it is to time your shots. If a stubborn critter isn't dying and other critters are wandering in, you may need to [[divert]] them, target the new critter while the first is stunned, or move to a room less likely to be subject to swarmy conditions.

	*Create or obtain some short scripts or macros. Especially when you're using a bow, there are multiple steps to be taken to fire it (pulling out an arrow, going into stance offensive, then actually firing the bow) and short scripts or macros aren't difficult to create to do it faster, with a lot less typing, and make it easier to time your shots. Most front ends support both scripts and macros and have pretty easy to follow instructions for creating them (if you're truly stuck on how to make one, ask around in OOC whispers or on ~~the forums~~ for assistance). In addition to having one to fire your weapon, it's also handy to have one to search your kills ~~and gather your arrows~~ for you. This can easily make sniping go from being a chore to being fun.		*Create or obtain some short scripts or macros. Especially when you're using a bow, there are multiple steps to be taken to fire it (pulling out an arrow, going into stance offensive, then actually firing the bow) and short scripts or macros aren't difficult to create to do it faster, with a lot less typing, and make it easier to time your shots. Most front ends support both scripts and macros and have pretty easy to follow instructions for creating them (if you're truly stuck on how to make one, ask around in OOC whispers or on Discord for assistance). In addition to having one to fire your weapon, it's also handy to have one to search your kills for you. This can easily make sniping go from being a chore to being fun.

	*Create highlights. Most front ends will automatically highlight specific messages if you tell them to. In this case, you'll mostly want to highlight the message you get when you fall out of the shadows so you're more likely to see it when it happens. Make sure to set it to a color that stands out so the color ~~it's self~~ will tell you what's happened. Some front ends will even allow you to set them to play a sound when they produce certain messages, which you may want to consider as well.		*Create highlights. Most front ends will automatically highlight specific messages if you tell them to. In this case, you'll mostly want to highlight the message you get when you fall out of the shadows so you're more likely to see it when it happens. Make sure to set it to a color that stands out so the color itself will tell you what's happened. Some front ends will even allow you to set them to play a sound when they produce certain messages, which you may want to consider as well.

	*Retreat is always an option. Sometimes the room you're in gets too crowded, other times there's something sharing the hunting ground with your prey that isn't well suited to sniping (like golems). Either way, knowing when to move on to another room or even another part of the hunting ground entirely can save you from having to be dragged back to town.		*Retreat is always an option. Sometimes the room you're in gets too crowded, other times there's something sharing the hunting ground with your prey that isn't well suited to sniping (like golems). Either way, knowing when to move on to another room or even another part of the hunting ground entirely can save you from having to be dragged back to town.
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	*Stick to the shadows. Seriously! Why can I see you? Get back into those shadows!		*Stick to the shadows. Seriously! Why can I see you? Get back into those shadows!


	=Conclusion=		=Conclusion=

OM1E5GA: /* Locksmith */

2023-06-10T14:22:00Z

Locksmith

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:22, 10 June 2023
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	*2-3x [[Picking Locks]]- Same as Disarming, 2x for just your own, 3x for everything ASAP		*2-3x [[Picking Locks]]- Same as Disarming, 2x for just your own, 3x for everything ASAP
	*3x Perception- You don't need to maintain this for life, but it's a good idea until you can spot every trap on the first try. Once you're comfortable with your success at detecting traps you can stop training in it until you're at 2x, but never let it fall below 2x.		*3x Perception- You don't need to maintain this for life, but it's a good idea until you can spot every trap on the first try. Once you're comfortable with your success at detecting traps you can stop training in it until you're at 2x, but never let it fall below 2x.
	*4 ranks [[Minor Elemental]] Circle- those that 2x in picking skills will be able to get this much sooner then those that 3x, but even those that 3x in Disarm/Picking will want to have this by level 70ish		*4 ranks [[Minor Elemental]] Circle- those that 2x in picking skills will be able to get this much sooner then those that 3x, but even those that 3x in Disarm/Picking will want to have this by level 70ish unless they get Lock Mastery through the guild
	*10 ranks [[Arcane Symbols]]- helps with disarming scarabs and allows 403/404 to be invoked off scrolls		*10 ranks [[Arcane Symbols]]- helps with disarming scarabs and allows 403/404 to be invoked off scrolls

OM1E5GA: /* Arrows/Bolts */

2020-09-24T16:04:17Z

Arrows/Bolts

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:04, 24 September 2020
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	===Arrows/Bolts===		===Arrows/Bolts===

	Which arrows/bolts you choose will largely depend on ~~the~~ ~~enchant~~ of ~~your~~ ~~bow/crossbow,~~ ~~especially~~ as ~~you~~ ~~gain~~ the ~~resources~~ to ~~invest~~ ~~in bows~~ with ~~a higher~~ ~~enchant~~. ~~The~~ ~~combined~~ ~~enchant~~ of ~~your~~ ~~weapon~~ ~~and~~ ~~the~~ ~~ammo~~ ~~you~~ ~~use~~ ~~cannot~~ ~~exceed~~ ~~+50,~~ so if ~~you're~~ ~~using~~ a 7x ~~bow~~ ~~(+35)~~ and 4x ~~arrows~~ ~~(+20)~~ ~~you'll~~ ~~only~~ ~~see~~ ~~+50~~ ~~applied~~ to ~~your~~ ~~attack~~ ~~despite~~ the ~~combined~~ ~~enchant~~ ~~adding~~ up to ~~+55.~~		Which arrows/bolts (for the rest of this section, I will simply use the term "arrows" to refer to both) you choose will largely depend what you're fighting, especially once you learn fletching or get the silver to purchase arrows with various tips. One important change for any reading this that might be returning after a long absence is that all bundles of arrows are now infinite and will never run out of arrows. This makes arrow management much easier and eliminates the need to [[gather]] arrows from the ground.

			The default tips on arrows are broadhead tips, which predominantly do puncture damage but also have a chance to do slashing damage (similar to daggers). These will be fine for starting out, but once you're high enough level to start aiming for the head (and later, eyes) you'll want to start looking at moving on to more specialized arrows.
	Player fletched arrows made from magic woods (available from the backroom of the fletcher shops) made by someone who has mastered the [[Fletching]] skill is the easiest way to max out how much of an enchant you get, since you only need a 5x. With this being the case, most snipers will want to eventually master fletching since there's little reason not to use a master fletched arrow/bolt unless you have a bow that is enchanted to 6x or higher.

			Customized arrows can be made with the [[fletching]] [[artisan skill]]. Most importantly this allows for different tips to be used to create your arrows, which can increase their [[AvD]], change what type of [[critical]] they have, or increase their [[DF]]. While I would encourage anyone serious about sniping to learn fletching, these arrows can also be bought from others or from [[player run shop]]s.
	It's also worth mentioning that there are merchants at many events that sell various arrows/bolts with flares (both common and uncommon). Unfortunately, these pre-made arrows are usually 4x so you'll have to decide whether the flare is worth taking a 5 point hit to your AS. Luckily, most of these merchants also sell caps/arrowheads that will also provide various flares to arrows/bolts you fletch yourself, though not all flare types can be obtained this way (mechanical flares, for example).

			Crush tipped arrows will be best for when aiming at the head or neck or when up against creatures that are immune to crits (most golems, noncorp undead, etc). Bodkin tipped arrows deal puncture damage and will be the best for when aiming for the eyes. Crescent tipped arrows will to slash damage and most likely be of much use unless you find something that isn't susceptible to either of the other two damage types but will take slash crits (I haven't found one yet, but you never know).
	5x Flaring arrows can also be obtained by fletching arrows from non-enchanted wood and getting a wizard or sorcerer to [[Elemental Blade (411)\|e-blade]] them for you, assuming you've mastered fletching.

			Master fletchers can also add 100 charges of +5 AvD to their arrows once per hour, which comes in handy when going up against critters wearing heavier armor.

	==Armor==		==Armor==

OM1E5GA: /* Maneuvers */ Added Shadow Dance

2020-02-17T06:48:53Z

Maneuvers: Added Shadow Dance

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:48, 17 February 2020
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	*[[Armored Stealth]]- Even if you're sticking to robes or double leather, it's good to get enough ranks in Armor Use to pick up at least one rank in this to help with hiding. You should do just fine with that one rank unless you're moving into heavier armor anyway, though you may wish to get more ranks (necessitating more ranks in Armor Use) if you're only 2x in S&H.		*[[Armored Stealth]]- Even if you're sticking to robes or double leather, it's good to get enough ranks in Armor Use to pick up at least one rank in this to help with hiding. You should do just fine with that one rank unless you're moving into heavier armor anyway, though you may wish to get more ranks (necessitating more ranks in Armor Use) if you're only 2x in S&H.

	*[[Shadow Mastery]]- In addition to the bonuses to hiding and the reduction to sneaking RT ~~(at 5 ranks there's a small passive bonus that reduces it to 1 sec when the skill is active)~~, 4 ranks of this skill is a prerequisite to getting your most important CMAN, Vanish. Note that it has a 5 minute cool-down that will prevent you from having it active constantly unless you ~~have~~ a ~~large~~ ~~amount~~ ~~of stamina at your~~ ~~disposal~~.		*[[Shadow Mastery]]- In addition to the bonuses to hiding and the reduction to sneaking RT, 4 ranks of this skill is a prerequisite to getting your most important CMAN, Vanish. Note that it has a 5 minute cool-down that will prevent you from having it active constantly unless you pick up Shadow Dance as well.

	*[[Vanish]]- This is THE most important CMAN to pick up. Two ranks in this skill allows one to hide while in 5 sec of RT or less without adding any additional RT. The first two ranks of this skill should be picked up as soon as possible once the prerequisite 4 ranks in Shadow Mastery are obtained. The third rank will allow you to hide in any amount of RT, but is not quite as important as the first 2 ranks.		*[[Vanish]]- This is THE most important CMAN to pick up. Two ranks in this skill allows one to hide while in 5 sec of RT or less without adding any additional RT. The first two ranks of this skill should be picked up as soon as possible once the prerequisite 4 ranks in Shadow Mastery are obtained. The third rank will allow you to hide in any amount of RT, but is not quite as important as the first 2 ranks.

			*[[Shadow Dance]]- The first rank makes Shadow Mastery a passive skill rather then one that needs to be activated. This means that besides not having to worry about Shadow Mastery dropping, there are no longer stamina costs required to use it. Because of this, you will be able to use your other CMANs much more often. This should be gotten as soon as possible once the second rank in VANISH is obtained. There is no need to get the second rank as a sniper. Note that you will need all five ranks in Shadow Mastery in order to train in Shadow Dance.

	*[[Divert]]- One of the few ways rogues have to control crowds. Either use it to get a critter that wandered in to leave you alone so that you can focus on your prey or use it to separate a critter from the pack and follow them to take them out without risking falling from hiding in front of multiple critters.		*[[Divert]]- One of the few ways rogues have to control crowds. Either use it to get a critter that wandered in to leave you alone so that you can focus on your prey or use it to separate a critter from the pack and follow them to take them out without risking falling from hiding in front of multiple critters.

OM1E5GA: /* Maneuvers */

2020-02-17T03:42:42Z

Maneuvers

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:42, 16 February 2020
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	*[[Armored Stealth]]- Even if you're sticking to robes or double leather, it's good to get enough ranks in Armor Use to pick up at least one rank in this to help with hiding. You should do just fine with that one rank unless you're moving into heavier armor anyway, though you may wish to get more ranks (necessitating more ranks in Armor Use) if you're only 2x in S&H.		*[[Armored Stealth]]- Even if you're sticking to robes or double leather, it's good to get enough ranks in Armor Use to pick up at least one rank in this to help with hiding. You should do just fine with that one rank unless you're moving into heavier armor anyway, though you may wish to get more ranks (necessitating more ranks in Armor Use) if you're only 2x in S&H.

	*[[Shadow Mastery]]- In addition to the bonuses to hiding and the reduction to sneaking RT (at 5 ranks there's a small passive bonus that reduces it to 1 sec when the skill is active), 4 ranks of this skill is a prerequisite to getting your most important CMAN, Vanish. Note that it has a 5 ~~sec~~ cool-down that will prevent you from having it active constantly unless you have a large amount of stamina at your disposal.		*[[Shadow Mastery]]- In addition to the bonuses to hiding and the reduction to sneaking RT (at 5 ranks there's a small passive bonus that reduces it to 1 sec when the skill is active), 4 ranks of this skill is a prerequisite to getting your most important CMAN, Vanish. Note that it has a 5 minute cool-down that will prevent you from having it active constantly unless you have a large amount of stamina at your disposal.

	*[[Vanish]]- This is THE most important CMAN to pick up. Two ranks in this skill allows one to hide while in 5 sec of RT or less without adding any additional RT. The first two ranks of this skill should be picked up as soon as possible once the prerequisite 4 ranks in Shadow Mastery are obtained. The third rank will allow you to hide in any amount of RT, but is not quite as important as the first 2 ranks.		*[[Vanish]]- This is THE most important CMAN to pick up. Two ranks in this skill allows one to hide while in 5 sec of RT or less without adding any additional RT. The first two ranks of this skill should be picked up as soon as possible once the prerequisite 4 ranks in Shadow Mastery are obtained. The third rank will allow you to hide in any amount of RT, but is not quite as important as the first 2 ranks.
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	*[[Surge of Strength]]- How important this is to you will depend largely on your race and STR bonus. Good for a temporary boost to lower your firing RT when you run out of white crystals, though the cool-down period will prevent most from having it up constantly.		*[[Surge of Strength]]- How important this is to you will depend largely on your race and STR bonus. Good for a temporary boost to lower your firing RT when you run out of white crystals, though the cool-down period will prevent most from having it up constantly.


	=Societies=		=Societies=

OM1E5GA: /* Societies */

2019-10-09T10:22:56Z

Societies

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:22, 9 October 2019
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	*[[Council of Light]]- By far the easiest to master for a sniper, esp at lower levels, it also provides some powerful boosts to AS and DS as well as a quick way to transport back to town from remote areas.		*[[Council of Light]]- By far the easiest to master for a sniper, esp at lower levels, it also provides some powerful boosts to AS and DS as well as a quick way to transport back to town from remote areas.

	*[[Order of Voln]]- If you choose to join this society you're going to have to hunt undead, which means that you'll most likely want to be 3x in Stalking and Hiding to stay hidden around them. You'll also have to deal with the hassle of dealing with bundles of blessed arrows and it will take longer to master then the previous society. In exchange you'll be able to bless your own arrows (making them less of a hassle), get slightly less effective AS/DS boosters, be able to ~~bless~~ yourself and call for help when dead, and be able to transport not just yourself but your entire group back to town.		*[[Order of Voln]]- If you choose to join this society you're going to have to hunt undead, which means that you'll most likely want to be 3x in Stalking and Hiding to stay hidden around them. You'll also have to deal with the hassle of dealing with bundles of blessed arrows and it will take longer to master then the previous society. In exchange you'll be able to bless your own arrows (making them less of a hassle), get slightly less effective AS/DS boosters, be able to preserve yourself and call for help when dead, and be able to transport not just yourself but your entire group back to town.

	*[[Guardians of Sunfist]]- This one will most likely be the most difficult for snipers to actually master since snipers perform poorly in the swarmy conditions of warcamps. The AS/DS boosters it provides require both stamina and mana to use, so you'll want to make sure to get enough [[Harness Power]] to actually use them and be aware that this will leave you less stamina for performing your CMANs when you need them. If you like a challenge you can go this route, but it's not the best option for a rogue sniper.		*[[Guardians of Sunfist]]- This one will most likely be the most difficult for snipers to actually master since snipers perform poorly in the swarmy conditions of warcamps. The AS/DS boosters it provides require both stamina and mana to use, so you'll want to make sure to get enough [[Harness Power]] to actually use them and be aware that this will leave you less stamina for performing your CMANs when you need them. If you like a challenge you can go this route, but it's not the best option for a rogue sniper.


	=Gear=		=Gear=

OM1E5GA: /* Selecting your targets */

2019-04-12T14:00:39Z

Selecting your targets

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:00, 12 April 2019
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	Just as there are critters you'll want to avoid, there are some things that will make critters more desirable targets:		Just as there are critters you'll want to avoid, there are some things that will make critters more desirable targets:

	*Trolls- Their regenerative abilities actually make them pretty good targets for snipers. If you remove both their eyes without actually killing them (as will occasionally happen), you can simply wait for the eyes to regenerate before shooting them again for your death-crit. This is generally more of a benefit at higher levels when trolls can regenerate their injuries while stunned ([[~~Flesh~~ ~~golems~~]], for example))		*Trolls- Their regenerative abilities actually make them pretty good targets for snipers. If you remove both their eyes without actually killing them (as will occasionally happen), you can simply wait for the eyes to regenerate before shooting them again for your death-crit. This is generally more of a benefit at higher levels when trolls can regenerate their injuries while stunned ([[Tomb troll]]s, for example))

	*Lightly armored- Light or no armor means you need a lower endroll to kill them, not much more to be said.		*Lightly armored- Light or no armor means you need a lower endroll to kill them, not much more to be said.

OM1E5GA: /* Other possibilities */

2019-04-12T13:39:57Z

Other possibilities

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 12 April 2019
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	*30 ranks or more Armor Use- 30 ranks will allow you to get into Brig without penalty, more will allow you into heavier armor (more on armor later on). It also allows one to get ranks in Armored Stealth, so it may be worth getting even if you don't intend on wearing heavier armor.		*30 ranks or more Armor Use- 30 ranks will allow you to get into Brig without penalty, more will allow you into heavier armor (more on armor later on). It also allows one to get ranks in Armored Stealth, so it may be worth getting even if you don't intend on wearing heavier armor.

	*3x Stalking and Hiding- will take you from being good at hiding to being one with the shadows, above level 30 few like-level critters can find you and even most critters well above your level will have difficulty finding you if you also have [[~~ARMOR~~ ~~STEALTH~~]] and [[Shadow Mastery]] running		*3x Stalking and Hiding- will take you from being good at hiding to being one with the shadows, above level 30 few like-level critters can find you and even most critters well above your level will have difficulty finding you if you also have [[Armored Stealth]] and [[Shadow Mastery]] running

	*2x Physical Fitness- most important skill for [[redux]], helps defend against maneuvers if you get caught in the open, gives you more stamina for maneuvers		*2x Physical Fitness- most important skill for [[redux]], helps defend against maneuvers if you get caught in the open, gives you more stamina for maneuvers

OM1E5GA: /* Locksmith */

2019-04-12T13:35:36Z

Locksmith

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:35, 12 April 2019
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	If you're going to go the lockpick route, get these skills before considering the suggestions in the next section:		If you're going to go the lockpick route, get these skills before considering the suggestions in the next section:

	*2-3x [[Disarming Traps]]- ~~2 ranks~~ will be sufficient to pick most of your own boxes through most of your carrier, if your goal is to pick every box possible as soon as possible get 3x.		*2-3x [[Disarming Traps]]- 2x will be sufficient to pick most of your own boxes through most of your carrier, if your goal is to pick every box possible as soon as possible get 3x.
	*2-3x [[Picking Locks]]- Same as Disarming, 2x for just your own, 3x for everything ASAP		*2-3x [[Picking Locks]]- Same as Disarming, 2x for just your own, 3x for everything ASAP
	*3x Perception- You don't need to maintain this for life, but it's a good idea until you can spot every trap on the first try. Once you're comfortable with your success at detecting traps you can stop training in it until you're at 2x, but never let it fall below 2x.		*3x Perception- You don't need to maintain this for life, but it's a good idea until you can spot every trap on the first try. Once you're comfortable with your success at detecting traps you can stop training in it until you're at 2x, but never let it fall below 2x.
	*4 ranks [[Minor Elemental]] Circle- those that 2x in picking skills will be able to get this much sooner then those that 3x, but even those that 3x in Disarm/Picking will want to have this by level 70ish		*4 ranks [[Minor Elemental]] Circle- those that 2x in picking skills will be able to get this much sooner then those that 3x, but even those that 3x in Disarm/Picking will want to have this by level 70ish
	*10 ranks [[Arcane Symbols]]- helps with disarming scarabs and allows 403/404 to be invoked off scrolls		*10 ranks [[Arcane Symbols]]- helps with disarming scarabs and allows 403/404 to be invoked off scrolls


	==Other possibilities==		==Other possibilities==