The difference between bow's class - Guild Wars Forums

orthosympa · Jan 12, 2009, 11:56 PM // 23:56

Hello, i'd like to know what kind of bow would be better for a barrager/interupt ranger (shortbow, longbow, flat, recurve, etc) and for a pvp ranger cauz i don't rly know wich one to choose.

What kind of bow sould i give to my hero for pve (barrage/interrupt)

what mods would you put in it?

thx =)

AnClar · Jan 13, 2009, 01:05 AM // 01:05

This is one of those questions that doesn't have a short answer, so much depends on your skillbar, style of play, and whether you're doing PvE or PvP.

First big step is check out wiki regarding bow characteristics and modifiers. Then select whatever works best for the particular situation.

Just as a quick example, I am currently using a sundering hornbow of fortitude in PvP. Why a hornbow?....because I want the additional armor penetration that a hornbow gives and it works well in the particualr build I'm running. I'm willing to put up with some of the other characteristics that I don't like as much...refire rate, etc. But that said, I usually carry several bows with me so I can change to one more suited to the moment. (ie. a silencing bow for when I'm trying to inflict daze, and on and on. So research, experiment, and find what suits your personal play style.

subarucar · Jan 13, 2009, 01:10 AM // 01:10

Recurves are generally the best bows. In PvE either an elemental mod combined with a conjure spell or a vampiric mod are usually best. In PvP you would want a mod the would extend the length of a condition that you use, e.g if you ware playing Melandru's Shot, you would want an extend cripple mod. Some PvP ranger bars feature a conjure, therefore you would want an elemental mod. You would also want a 15% additionall damage while health id above 50% mod and a Fortitude mod.

Toutatis · Jan 13, 2009, 01:18 AM // 01:18

For interrupts and for most PvP, the recurve is probably your best friend. They have an average range and average attack speed, but they also have a very low flight arc which minimises flight time to your target; this makes them more accurate than other bows.

Though as AnClar pointed out, it's good to have more than one bow. You can switch between up to four active weapon sets in combat; having a different bow to switch to will give you more versatility in the field.

Rak Orgon of Beowulf · Jan 13, 2009, 01:29 AM // 01:29

Longbow- i like to use this for general PvE [splinter weapon][barrage] or [broad head arrow] builds cause i like the arc/range/refire rate that it gives
Flatbow-PvE pulling. this is the best pulling bow, same range as longbow(about 1.6 aggro distance on flat ground) but with a slower flight time, it give you a chance to get back behind your tank/melee
Hornbow: i like these if im feeling like running a [penetrating attack][sundering attack] build because a sundering mod, plus the inherent 10% from the bow which stacks and the 10% from the skill is kinda nice

Recurve Bow: Best PvP friend imo. the refire rate/tiny arc size make your bow noticibly more accurate in delicate interrup/condition inflicting situation. which is generally the ranger's niche in PvP (i know there can be many others)

Shortbow: slightly faster refire rate than the recurve, so for spreading poison everywhere you may want to choose this. recurve vs shortbow imo is merely opinion.

hope that answers ur question

http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bow has more answers/ and a table that compares the different bow types

illidan009 · Jan 13, 2009, 01:47 AM // 01:47

Long or flatbow used for pve pulling groups, then Recurve bow pretty much anywhere else...like the post above me Splinter Weapon and Barrage is good.

Rhamia Darigaz · Jan 13, 2009, 03:04 AM // 03:04

recurves used to be the best when people ran the r/mo template.
now flatbows are the best because the BA Flail Turret is just too good not to run (and it has read the wind; flatbows are the only right bow choice when you have read the wind up).

HawkofStorms · Jan 13, 2009, 03:17 AM // 03:17

Shortbow is also the best for a few pure DPS builds.
Honestly, just have a lot. I have like 20 bows that I use at different times. Rangers are very different from other physical damage dealers in this game because of that.

Antares Ascending · Jan 13, 2009, 04:44 AM // 04:44

.

I use a recurve for interupts. <-period! The others are a matter of choice and circumstance as mentioned above. For pulling a flatbow is much preferred as they allow for more time to prepare to run if the group is particularly dangerous. They can also, because of the high arc, work well in hilly areas to shoot over small hills and into an elevated target where a recurve or even longbow would be shooting arrows into a hillside.

The following chart is a good ref.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Bow

A11Eur0 · Jan 13, 2009, 05:50 AM // 05:50

Longbow is a good balance between fire rate, arrow speed and range. Longest range but without the long flight time and frequent missing of the flatbow, faster firing and longer range than a hornbow, average arrow speed cuts down how often you miss. Hornbows fire sooooo slowly but with rapid fire(can't work with barrage, mind you) or lightning reflexes helps that, and hornbows have higher damage built-in with armor penetration. Recurves have the best accuracy, with a little faster firing speed than the hornbow but slower than a longbow, with hornbow range. Shortbows have crap range but the fastest firing rate(with the flatbow) so are good in close-quarter combat, such as PvP DPS builds and condition stacking.

Jan 12, 2009, 11:56 PM // 23:56	#1
orthosympa Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2007 Location: in front of my comp T.T Guild: Sharks with friking lasers Profession: W/Mo	The difference between bow's class Hello, i'd like to know what kind of bow would be better for a barrager/interupt ranger (shortbow, longbow, flat, recurve, etc) and for a pvp ranger cauz i don't rly know wich one to choose. What kind of bow sould i give to my hero for pve (barrage/interrupt) what mods would you put in it? thx =) Last edited by orthosympa; Jan 13, 2009 at 01:40 AM // 01:40..

Jan 13, 2009, 01:29 AM // 01:29	#5
Rak Orgon of Beowulf Krytan Explorer Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: just chillin Guild: Omg Gwen Is Legal [EotN]	Longbow- i like to use this for general PvE [splinter weapon][barrage] or [broad head arrow] builds cause i like the arc/range/refire rate that it gives Flatbow-PvE pulling. this is the best pulling bow, same range as longbow(about 1.6 aggro distance on flat ground) but with a slower flight time, it give you a chance to get back behind your tank/melee Hornbow: i like these if im feeling like running a [penetrating attack][sundering attack] build because a sundering mod, plus the inherent 10% from the bow which stacks and the 10% from the skill is kinda nice Recurve Bow: Best PvP friend imo. the refire rate/tiny arc size make your bow noticibly more accurate in delicate interrup/condition inflicting situation. which is generally the ranger's niche in PvP (i know there can be many others) Shortbow: slightly faster refire rate than the recurve, so for spreading poison everywhere you may want to choose this. recurve vs shortbow imo is merely opinion. hope that answers ur question http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bow has more answers/ and a table that compares the different bow types Last edited by Rak Orgon of Beowulf; Jan 13, 2009 at 01:36 AM // 01:36.. Reason: not complete/accidental post

Jan 13, 2009, 01:05 AM // 01:05	#2
AnClar Elite Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Texas USA Guild: Sanitas In Absentia [SiA] Profession: R/	This is one of those questions that doesn't have a short answer, so much depends on your skillbar, style of play, and whether you're doing PvE or PvP. First big step is check out wiki regarding bow characteristics and modifiers. Then select whatever works best for the particular situation. Just as a quick example, I am currently using a sundering hornbow of fortitude in PvP. Why a hornbow?....because I want the additional armor penetration that a hornbow gives and it works well in the particualr build I'm running. I'm willing to put up with some of the other characteristics that I don't like as much...refire rate, etc. But that said, I usually carry several bows with me so I can change to one more suited to the moment. (ie. a silencing bow for when I'm trying to inflict daze, and on and on. So research, experiment, and find what suits your personal play style.

Jan 13, 2009, 01:10 AM // 01:10	#3
subarucar Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Zealand Guild: None	Recurves are generally the best bows. In PvE either an elemental mod combined with a conjure spell or a vampiric mod are usually best. In PvP you would want a mod the would extend the length of a condition that you use, e.g if you ware playing Melandru's Shot, you would want an extend cripple mod. Some PvP ranger bars feature a conjure, therefore you would want an elemental mod. You would also want a 15% additionall damage while health id above 50% mod and a Fortitude mod.

Jan 13, 2009, 01:18 AM // 01:18	#4
Toutatis Walking Wiki Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Isle of Medication Guild: Visitors from Aranna [VFA] Profession: Me/E	For interrupts and for most PvP, the recurve is probably your best friend. They have an average range and average attack speed, but they also have a very low flight arc which minimises flight time to your target; this makes them more accurate than other bows. Though as AnClar pointed out, it's good to have more than one bow. You can switch between up to four active weapon sets in combat; having a different bow to switch to will give you more versatility in the field.

Jan 13, 2009, 01:47 AM // 01:47	#6
illidan009 Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Volterra, Italy Profession: A/	Long or flatbow used for pve pulling groups, then Recurve bow pretty much anywhere else...like the post above me Splinter Weapon and Barrage is good.

Jan 13, 2009, 03:04 AM // 03:04	#7
Rhamia Darigaz Desert Nomad Join Date: Apr 2008	recurves used to be the best when people ran the r/mo template. now flatbows are the best because the BA Flail Turret is just too good not to run (and it has read the wind; flatbows are the only right bow choice when you have read the wind up).

Jan 13, 2009, 03:17 AM // 03:17	#8
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	Shortbow is also the best for a few pure DPS builds. Honestly, just have a lot. I have like 20 bows that I use at different times. Rangers are very different from other physical damage dealers in this game because of that.

Jan 13, 2009, 04:44 AM // 04:44	#9
Antares Ascending Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Aug 2008 Profession: E/	. I use a recurve for interupts. <-period! The others are a matter of choice and circumstance as mentioned above. For pulling a flatbow is much preferred as they allow for more time to prepare to run if the group is particularly dangerous. They can also, because of the high arc, work well in hilly areas to shoot over small hills and into an elevated target where a recurve or even longbow would be shooting arrows into a hillside. The following chart is a good ref. http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Bow

Jan 13, 2009, 05:50 AM // 05:50	#10
A11Eur0 Furnace Stoker Join Date: Apr 2005 Profession: W/	Longbow is a good balance between fire rate, arrow speed and range. Longest range but without the long flight time and frequent missing of the flatbow, faster firing and longer range than a hornbow, average arrow speed cuts down how often you miss. Hornbows fire sooooo slowly but with rapid fire(can't work with barrage, mind you) or lightning reflexes helps that, and hornbows have higher damage built-in with armor penetration. Recurves have the best accuracy, with a little faster firing speed than the hornbow but slower than a longbow, with hornbow range. Shortbows have crap range but the fastest firing rate(with the flatbow) so are good in close-quarter combat, such as PvP DPS builds and condition stacking.