Just started a ranger... - Guild Wars Forums

Pure Trex · Dec 06, 2007, 07:39 PM // 19:39

Bit nooby but ive just started a ranger and i see you can choose between Short and Long bow, what diff is there between them?

Is it where long bow fires slower but further and short fire shorter but faster?

TY

Croco Clouds · Dec 06, 2007, 07:40 PM // 19:40

Longbow is much safer and most used presently

Nestaron · Dec 06, 2007, 07:45 PM // 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Croco Clouds

Longbow is much safer and most used presently

It's a toss up between Long and Recurve, though for newer Rangers it's defo longbows.

As for the OP: You've pretty much hit nail head yourself, but it does get a bit more complicated so i suggest you read up on bows at eirthger of the wiki.

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Bows

Elri · Dec 06, 2007, 08:33 PM // 20:33

recurve bow all the way in my opinion,use long for pulling maybe,shortbow for closer interrupts.

Divinity Sword · Dec 06, 2007, 08:35 PM // 20:35

My personal choice is always a longbow. Due to it's range. Shortbows tend to get you killed imo. Recurve bows have a faster fire rate but still slightly less range.

Quaker · Dec 06, 2007, 08:58 PM // 20:58

I always use either a Flatbow (with favorable winds) or a shortbow. Longbows are for sissies!

(jk)

One reason for using a shortbow is that it gets you into the same range (or closer) as the "squishes" - especially if you are using henchie monks - which helps the team by taking some of the damage. They have the fastest firing rate and can interrupt. (Although, I'd only recommend that in Normal Mode - in Hard Mode you want to stay back a bit

)

Edit: If you just want a bow for pulling, a flatbow is better than a longbow. The flatbow has the same range as a longbow, but it's longer flight time makes it easier to start backing up before the arrow hits. This both gives you a head start and keeps your pet from going in.
Also, for barrage, a longbow has too slow a firing rate. Any good barrage group should use flatbows and Favorable Winds.
Longbows are best for wussies who want to stay way back and shoot occasionally while the others up front "take it for the team".

Shadow Spirit · Dec 06, 2007, 09:08 PM // 21:08

I'ts a good idea to start with a longbow until you get the hang of it. Once you're comfortable, experiment a little and see what you enjoy doing best.

If you like pulling/barraging, longbows are great!
If you're more into interrupts/DPS, shortbows FTW!

Also, [skill=text]Needling Shot[/skill] + shortbows = /pwnface

Crom The Pale · Dec 06, 2007, 11:28 PM // 23:28

In part I would sugest getting one of each, short and Flat(my fav) and using them based on your particular build.

If you are runing an interupter you should use the shortbow, though it will draw you into danger range you can bring plenty of defences, whirlwind stance for example, to keep your self alive and active.

For builds like Barrage the longbow/recurve may be best suited.

If you are useing Read the Wind then the Flat bow becomes very deadly as its fast and long range.

gremlin · Dec 06, 2007, 11:29 PM // 23:29

Its all down to personal choice really.

There are several articles online about bows giving Range, arc time for arrow to reach target and time to next shot.

Range increases firing from a high point and decreases firing up from a low point.

Shortbow range is just about the "Radar" circle on your circular minimap.

Longest ranges are the flatbow and longbow
Flattest arc and therefore best chance to hit a moving target is the recurve.

I use 4 bows for my ranger
Stinger its my lucky bow "hey im supersticious" and its a hornbow

Shortbow "Vampiric" for close combat situations
Recurve bow "Icy" for interupting enemies
Flatbow "Zealous" for long range.

Guildwiki website will explain all the bow types ranges and types of bowstrings etc to alter damage type.

otherise ask more questions here loads of know it all types hang around these forums

Tyla · Dec 07, 2007, 01:36 AM // 01:36

recurve is nice....interrupts fast not many bad points...me liiiiiiiike

anonymous · Dec 07, 2007, 02:06 AM // 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elri

recurve bow all the way in my opinion,use long for pulling maybe,shortbow for closer interrupts.

Recurve is better than shortbow for interrupts, it has less flight time.

Dante the Warlord · Dec 07, 2007, 02:07 AM // 02:07

You should know there isn't just short bow and longbow, but also recuve bow, hornbow, and flatbow

I don't have much info on rangers cause I don't play mine much but I do know that you should get everything but hornbow. Shortbows are good when your enemies get way to close, flatbows are good overall and a very good pick since that combines well with certain skills, recurves and longbows are basically your longer range bows, with difff reload/length stats.

P.S. next time post in the ranger build forums

RPGmaniac · Dec 07, 2007, 02:12 AM // 02:12

Eventually, as you continue with your ranger (assuming you do), you'll want to get each of the different types of bows. That being said, I use longbows for PvE because I think that's where range matters the most. Especially if you're gonna pull. You wouldn't want to use a shortbow because it makes no sense. You'll already have aggroed them by the time you try to "pull" them. Recurve is the best bow for interrupting because the arrows get to the target very fast. That's why I use them for PvP, because range isn't as important as interrupting ability and recurves fire a little faster than longbows, too.

Moonlit Azure · Dec 07, 2007, 02:12 AM // 02:12

I usually choose revurce or my nevermore flatbow.

Winston · Dec 07, 2007, 03:33 AM // 03:33

There is a good explanation of Bows on the Wiki:

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Bow

Personally, My primary bow is a longbow.

arcady · Dec 07, 2007, 05:19 AM // 05:19

I swear by the flatbow personally.

Long range and quick to fire. Less accuracy, but that's not as much of a problem as it might seem.

RPGmaniac · Dec 07, 2007, 05:21 AM // 05:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcady

I swear by the flatbow personally.

Long range and quick to fire. Less accuracy, but that's not as much of a problem as it might seem - especially with skills like [skill=text]splinter shot[/skill].

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Splinter Shot only do the conditional damage if it's blocked, not dodged/strayed?

HawkofStorms · Dec 07, 2007, 06:30 AM // 06:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPGmaniac

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Splinter Shot only do the conditional damage if it's blocked, not dodged/strayed?

Correct. So yeah... that advice isn't helpful.

Fury Incarnate · Dec 07, 2007, 07:00 AM // 07:00

I've always been a fan of flatbows. The arc is terrible, but the range is fantastic and the fire rate is too. As everyone else has said, it's ultimately up to what build you're playing.

sagilltwins · Dec 07, 2007, 07:14 AM // 07:14

I prefer Longbows... better safe then sorry. since its just pve... theres no real need for hornbows' +10% armor pentration or anything like that.

I would just stick with Longbows.

Dec 06, 2007, 07:39 PM // 19:39	#1
Pure Trex Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: United Kingdom Guild: MNM Profession: W/E	Just started a ranger... Bit nooby but ive just started a ranger and i see you can choose between Short and Long bow, what diff is there between them? Is it where long bow fires slower but further and short fire shorter but faster? TY

Dec 06, 2007, 08:58 PM // 20:58	#6
Quaker Hell's Protector Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canada Guild: Brothers Disgruntled	I always use either a Flatbow (with favorable winds) or a shortbow. Longbows are for sissies! (jk) One reason for using a shortbow is that it gets you into the same range (or closer) as the "squishes" - especially if you are using henchie monks - which helps the team by taking some of the damage. They have the fastest firing rate and can interrupt. (Although, I'd only recommend that in Normal Mode - in Hard Mode you want to stay back a bit ) Edit: If you just want a bow for pulling, a flatbow is better than a longbow. The flatbow has the same range as a longbow, but it's longer flight time makes it easier to start backing up before the arrow hits. This both gives you a head start and keeps your pet from going in. Also, for barrage, a longbow has too slow a firing rate. Any good barrage group should use flatbows and Favorable Winds. Longbows are best for wussies who want to stay way back and shoot occasionally while the others up front "take it for the team". Last edited by Quaker; Dec 07, 2007 at 04:20 PM // 16:20..

Dec 07, 2007, 05:19 AM // 05:19	#16
arcady Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Francisco native Profession: Mo/P	I swear by the flatbow personally. Long range and quick to fire. Less accuracy, but that's not as much of a problem as it might seem. Last edited by arcady; Dec 07, 2007 at 05:23 AM // 05:23..

Dec 06, 2007, 07:40 PM // 19:40	#2
Croco Clouds Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montreal, QC, Canada Guild: Divine Illumination [LaZy] Profession: E/A	Longbow is much safer and most used presently

Dec 06, 2007, 08:33 PM // 20:33	#4
Elri Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Liverpool Guild: Vm Profession: Mo/Me	recurve bow all the way in my opinion,use long for pulling maybe,shortbow for closer interrupts.

Dec 06, 2007, 08:35 PM // 20:35	#5
Divinity Sword Academy Page Join Date: May 2007 Location: Washington Guild: Dragons of the Rose Profession: R/	My personal choice is always a longbow. Due to it's range. Shortbows tend to get you killed imo. Recurve bows have a faster fire rate but still slightly less range.

Dec 06, 2007, 09:08 PM // 21:08	#7
Shadow Spirit Krytan Explorer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Guild: your cat eats dog food [pup] Profession: N/E	I'ts a good idea to start with a longbow until you get the hang of it. Once you're comfortable, experiment a little and see what you enjoy doing best. If you like pulling/barraging, longbows are great! If you're more into interrupts/DPS, shortbows FTW! Also, [skill=text]Needling Shot[/skill] + shortbows = /pwnface

Dec 06, 2007, 11:28 PM // 23:28	#8
Crom The Pale Furnace Stoker Join Date: Nov 2006 Guild: Ageis Ascending Profession: W/	In part I would sugest getting one of each, short and Flat(my fav) and using them based on your particular build. If you are runing an interupter you should use the shortbow, though it will draw you into danger range you can bring plenty of defences, whirlwind stance for example, to keep your self alive and active. For builds like Barrage the longbow/recurve may be best suited. If you are useing Read the Wind then the Flat bow becomes very deadly as its fast and long range.

Dec 06, 2007, 11:29 PM // 23:29	#9
gremlin Furnace Stoker Join Date: Oct 2006 Guild: GWAR Profession: Me/Mo	Its all down to personal choice really. There are several articles online about bows giving Range, arc time for arrow to reach target and time to next shot. Range increases firing from a high point and decreases firing up from a low point. Shortbow range is just about the "Radar" circle on your circular minimap. Longest ranges are the flatbow and longbow Flattest arc and therefore best chance to hit a moving target is the recurve. I use 4 bows for my ranger Stinger its my lucky bow "hey im supersticious" and its a hornbow Shortbow "Vampiric" for close combat situations Recurve bow "Icy" for interupting enemies Flatbow "Zealous" for long range. Guildwiki website will explain all the bow types ranges and types of bowstrings etc to alter damage type. otherise ask more questions here loads of know it all types hang around these forums

Dec 07, 2007, 01:36 AM // 01:36	#10
Tyla Emo Goth Italics Join Date: Sep 2006	recurve is nice....interrupts fast not many bad points...me liiiiiiiike

Dec 07, 2007, 02:07 AM // 02:07	#12
Dante the Warlord Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2006 Profession: W/R	You should know there isn't just short bow and longbow, but also recuve bow, hornbow, and flatbow I don't have much info on rangers cause I don't play mine much but I do know that you should get everything but hornbow. Shortbows are good when your enemies get way to close, flatbows are good overall and a very good pick since that combines well with certain skills, recurves and longbows are basically your longer range bows, with difff reload/length stats. P.S. next time post in the ranger build forums

Dec 07, 2007, 02:12 AM // 02:12	#13
RPGmaniac Desert Nomad Join Date: Aug 2005	Eventually, as you continue with your ranger (assuming you do), you'll want to get each of the different types of bows. That being said, I use longbows for PvE because I think that's where range matters the most. Especially if you're gonna pull. You wouldn't want to use a shortbow because it makes no sense. You'll already have aggroed them by the time you try to "pull" them. Recurve is the best bow for interrupting because the arrows get to the target very fast. That's why I use them for PvP, because range isn't as important as interrupting ability and recurves fire a little faster than longbows, too.

Dec 07, 2007, 02:12 AM // 02:12	#14
Moonlit Azure Krytan Explorer Join Date: Nov 2007 Profession: R/	I usually choose revurce or my nevermore flatbow.

Dec 07, 2007, 03:33 AM // 03:33	#15
Winston Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia	There is a good explanation of Bows on the Wiki: http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Bow Personally, My primary bow is a longbow.

Dec 07, 2007, 07:00 AM // 07:00	#19
Fury Incarnate Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Connecticut, USA Profession: R/	I've always been a fan of flatbows. The arc is terrible, but the range is fantastic and the fire rate is too. As everyone else has said, it's ultimately up to what build you're playing.

Dec 07, 2007, 07:14 AM // 07:14	#20
sagilltwins Banned Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Your Mom's House Guild: 香港,poke, mad, BECK, nH Profession: A/W	I prefer Longbows... better safe then sorry. since its just pve... theres no real need for hornbows' +10% armor pentration or anything like that. I would just stick with Longbows.