Safana

First, haste does matter because it affects the delay and how much stream shots you can put in between them. Second testing it with the shitty lvl55 stream does say nearly nothing, since the new version will be much more powerful.
Simple calculation (not considering that there may be a pause in casting and executing the shots):
Lets take a delay of 4,4second (thats around 120 haste), you can shot 4 shots with only delaying autoattack very little. Every shot will hit for 1,5k at least (debuffed mob). Thats about 6k. Adding crit and procs you will probably do more... But even without that, stream shot will add 200 DPS (6k every 30 seconds, a little more, b/c recast starts after canceling it iirc). With reference to some of my parses i looked over it will be one of our hightest parsing CAs if not the leading one after pure autoattack, quick shot and poison.

Dantel

The shot delays at first, as I've said, so you dont instantly hit. Your math is flawed. At best you will get 2 shots.

Regardless, even if you guys crunch the numbers and find out the best way to use this, remember this one fact that people ignore. It's a long spell. It's supposed to last 30 seconds before AA's and we're talking about using at most 3 seconds of the spell.

That's horse shit we shouldn't have to be forced to use it only that much, or sniper shot not at all. It's retarded and needs fixed. I should be able to use all of my ca's to their maximum potential. Otherwise what the fuck is the point in having them?

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Safana

A well timed sniper shot always does add dps... but thats rather OT here.

Safana

Just a few numbers from duoing some mobs with a guardian today (have to test that in a better environment):
3 shots possible between autoattacks with 84 haste, average non crit hit 1200 on undebuffed mob.

Kin Meds tbh

Stream is awesome for 2 boxing with my Fury, basically only have to one box then

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Fondest Regards,

Meds "Mangina4L" tbh

Servalion

When are so many going to realize that this ability is not meant to be thrown out and forgotten? I see a lot of CAs through the classes being simply as "click & forget" and move on to the next one. This actually requires some attention to optimize and therefore, isn't for everyone.

First off, I must admit that this is coming from a different mindset. My main isn't a Ranger, and mine is only lv56, but I do have one. Seeing as how this character will never likely raid current content, I won't have access to most of the SoA-breaking bows, save for RSB at 70 (I'm aware that even th e Ghostly Bow of Bylze puts this to shame). Thus, my ranger is simply an experiment in soloing heroic content.

With most rangers on Najena not even putting this on their hotbars anymore, it wasn't long before I was able to talk an SoA M1 seller down to 3pp to test it out. I figured that I'd have to see how it functioned to understand it, and it certainly works very differently from most CAs. It performed favorably for me, but using only a Pristine Imbued Ironwood Longbow, of course it's going to (Raincaller next level will probably change that).

More on this shortly.

Servalion

(Bleh, was switching classes at college only to find that there's a 15 minute time limit to edit my posts? Strange. So much for keeping this to one post)

I maxed the AA for it to make the most of it. (Poise/Intoxication in KoS, Conservation/Multishot in EoF, plan on Perfectionist/Extension at lv71) I found myself critting constantly for 800-1200 per shot with it. My STR isn't the best yet, or it'd be higher. I can definitely see its fatal flaws though. Although I find it rather easy to regulate with its reoccurring casting timer bar, others might not be able to start and stop it just right when the heat is on. Also, this skill was strongly nerfed and forgotten without regard of T7 bows. This skill is one that absolutely needs to be replaced every 10 levels to keep up. In regards to not sacrificing Auto-Attack damage as well, this CA's usefulness also depends on your bow as well. A typical 7 second delay bow can probably see up to 3 shots just barely before Auto starts getting pushed back. If you're using a Short bow (and why WOULD you?), this CA's a waste of time. The 8-9 second bow users will obviously see the most out of this, especially when Focus Aim (soon to be Steady Bow) & Honed Reflexes is down.

As for SoA's current situation, I have faith in it. There are some aspects that aren't spoken about that directly affect the usefulness of this skill -

One, if I remember correctly, crits weren't really around much in DoF (please correct me if I'm wrong) when this skill was introduced. Since then, crits really help this skill out, but it helps our Auto-attack even more, driving more of a gap between these. The plethora of +Crit mods in RoK will help boost both sides.

Second, the 9 second delay bows, while allowing SoA more effectiveness between shots, seems to have driven interest even further away instead. The precious massive damage these fabled bows can deliver discourage the parse-prizers from holding back the Auto attack for even half a second, making SoA/RA seem questionable for raiding. Ironic, since Auto-attack is delayed shortly and often anyways, by the use of other CAs in the meantime. Like its been said, even Sniper Shot can add DPS if timed correctly, and SoA is no different. SoA/RA is designed to set apart the Easy Mode Rangers (and there are many) from the good ones. Attention & moderation is key.

Third, DPS mods, Haste, Ranged Crit, Double Attack. ALL of these dig the huge gap between SoA/RA & Auto Attack, with Auto benefitting heavily from all 4 of these, while only Crits helps SoA any. With the late introduction of +CA damage mods, Repeating Arrows may have some hope. I'm not sure how much of these mods Rangers can look forward to obtaining through gear and whatnot (Fabled Adornments with +30 CA damage exist for Wrists & Belts, can't remember any others) but the benefit would be very noticable. After all, Repeating Arrows doesn't fire off more than one shot at once like the double/triple arrow CA lines. Its not an AoE. Its technically not a DoT. Thus, +CA damage would be unpenalized in affecting it, and its quick to repeat, and 30 second recast. What CA of ours could possibly benefit more from it?

Fourth, and most importantly, Stream of/Repeating Arrows is a situational skill, do not mistake it for anything else. Its not to be fired & forgotten like anything else. In fact, if you're using it while most of the ranged CAs (that dont require stealth) are up, you're probably losing DPS. This skill is best used:
When Most other skills are down
When Stifled
(can this be toggled when stunned or dazed?)
In 2-4 shot bursts (depending on Haste & your Bow, its your call)

Clearly raiders will be group buffed with extra Haste even when we have plenty of it ourselves, plus Focus Aim. (Focus Aim should be rather spent by the time the other CAs are down, tho) In this case, a 2 RA shot will suffice. If you're soloing like me, or are simply grouped without other haste-buffers, see if a 3 shot RA suits you more.

In all, I have faith in this skill line. It does its due in the right hands, and has the feel of strong potential later on with a high amount of Crit% rate & stacked +CA damage mods. I've decided to take a leap into the investment and have just purchased Repeating Arrows M1 (hell, it was only 20pp). Should be interesting to see how this performs alongside RSB at 75.

Azleya

Stream blows.

Servalion

.........*sigh*

Brega

You are going to "sigh" when one of the top rangers in actual play and understanding of the class tells you a CA is crap when you are an admitted mid lvl, no intention of raiding, part timer? Wow.

Goran - 60 Ranger, Unrest