Gear Help For Harbinger Build

[AAAWiz4rd]

I'm running a ranged glass cannon harbinger and was wondering about gear. I just hit level 7, and I'm thinking I don't want to go down any rabbit holes that might bar me from some gear that would optimize my build. I'm running leather with a hunting bow and a rod. It works for my roleplay, and it's been effective so far. For example, I just took out Talfor and his crew at level 6 (mind you, I'm using Berath's blessing for fine gear).

I'd like to keep to light armor and the weapon combo I've chosen. No helms, as I'm a nature godlike. Hit me with some cool load outs! And please include the questline that I need to follow. This is my first playthrough, so I know NOTHING. Only that this is the first build to get me off the island (did it the first time without Berath's Blessing, but went back to optimize). Thanks in advance.

[Boeroer]

Generally speaking a Harbinger (Chanter/Rogue) has greater effect if you are using reloading weapons (except Pistols). That is if you run Sure Handed Ila (if not forget what I'm saying). Reason is that Sure Handed Ila grants -20% ranged recovery bonus and -20% reloading bonus. One would think the recovery bonus applies to bows and rods/wands/scepters and the reloading bonus applies to crossbows/arbalests/firearms - but for whatever reason reloading weapons get both(!) bonuses. 

So with any reloading weapon you'll get -20% twice. Pistols + Rushed Reload (modal from weapon proficiency) won't stack with it. Also Hunting Bow's modal doesn't stack. Both will suppress Sure Handed Ila. So best to use something else (be it another chant or another weapon). 

If you had a Streetfighter (?) then I would highly recommend dual blunderbusses/hand mortars + modal. They would keep you distracted (which entails flanked) which would trigger the Streetfighter passive "Heating Up" at all times, granting you a stacking -50% recover bonus which also applies to reloading. That would stack with dual wielding, two weapon style and Sure Handed Ila, giving you insane reload speeds. Also two weapons are better for all the Rogue's "strikes" which are nearly all Full Attacks, meaning both weapons will be used.

With any other Rogue subclass you could use arbalest or arquebus to great effect (rod as backup). The Red Hand arquebus is one of the best ranged weapons in the game when it comes to single target dmg output (because ii is double barreled an only has to reload after every second shot).

If you skill Arcana then Spearcaster (arbalest) is also a great pick.

Both can be obtained rel. early. A good rod is Watershaper's Focus for pierce immune enemies.

What else you might want:

If you pick arbalest or arquebus look at Maia's Padded Armor (Sharpshooter's Garb). It has an enchantment named Gunnery which gives another stacking -20% reloading bonus. Just take Maia into your party and unequip the armor. You could also kill her to get it...

Ring of the Marksman you also want to have. 

A good pet would be Harley (dog). You can buy it in Serpent's Crown in the upper left corner from a vendor. Cutthroat Cosmo also isn't bad (should be in your stash from the start).

For amulet etc. I would prefer +INT stuff (Charm of Bones for example). As Chanter you can never have enough INT imo. 

Boots of Speed would be my pick. Always good to be able to outrun melee enemies. 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 5, 2021 by Boeroer

[AAAWiz4rd]

I didn't go with a rogue subclass because none of them made sense for what I'm trying to do. I'd like to go with the arquebus, for sure. And I just recruited Maia, so maybe I'll respect her and steal her armor. Thanks for all the info, man. SHEESH! Might try the street fighter blunderbuss deal. Why isn't that build posted? Have you don't a playthrough? Or do you just know... everything?

[AAAWiz4rd]

Another question: would sharpshooter synergize better with arquebus and illa? Because another body sounds good to me, and I'm definitely looking more for ranged damage. But, I'll admit, escape has gotten me out of several jams. Giving it up has to be worth it.

[Boeroer]

Rangers also have an Escape-like ability named Evasive Roll. It comes a bit later though. It not only lets you move over the battlefield but also makes you quick (+5 DEX) which directly translates to attack and reloading speed. 

So a Ranger/Chanter can shoot even faster (not only because of Evasive Roll's DEX bonus but also due to the "Gunner" passive Rangers can access) and the accuracy will be higher, but the dmg per shot will be lower than Rogue's.

With Driving Flight you can hit two enemies instead of just one with one shot. 

Actually I'm playing a Ranger/Chanter right now (Arcane Archer/Troubadour).

[dgray62]

Evasive Roll is a great ability. Escaping without triggering disengagement attacks is essential for a ranged build, and the quick inspiration lasts as long as the monk's swift flurry, 10 seconds base, and potentially much longer with INT and PL boosts.

[Boeroer]

Such abilites are especially useful when you use a reloading weapon - you don't need to wait for reloading to finish in order to move away. You just cancel the reload and go. With other weapons you'd have to wait for recovery to end and than can already be too late. With those weapons I prefer immunity to engagement (or immunity to disengagement attacks) and Boots of Speed because you can always walk away at any time.