Best Bow? - Guild Wars Forums

Legolas Ravenwood · Oct 22, 2005, 10:21 AM // 10:21

Whats the best bow in the whole game and how much will it cost?

chocubu · Oct 22, 2005, 10:35 AM // 10:35

There's no such thing as a best bow... It's all based on personal preference... But to most, a 15% above 50% health dmg mod in a 15-28 (max) GOLD bow will be the best... Yep... Cool looking bows are Storm & Eternal Bows... Halfmoon's the fastest... Go check up on ranger guides for more detailed explaination of bows

Savio · Oct 22, 2005, 10:42 AM // 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocubu

But to most, a 15% above 50% health dmg mod in a 15-28 (max) GOLD bow will be the best...

If you're looking for just best in terms of stats, a collector's BLUE bow will suit you just fine. Yes, it will look like two sticks put together, but it will outperform that other leet Ranger's plain Stormbow.

prime stinger · Oct 22, 2005, 10:44 AM // 10:44

the best ranger has two bows. eaither a halfmoon/shortbow AND a longbow/stormbow, for these reasons

1) halfmoon/shortbows are quick.. when fighting in relitivly close combat.
2) longbows for long distance attacks, if you need to regen hp etc.

Jenosavel · Oct 22, 2005, 03:14 PM // 15:14

I tried to use search to pull up the previous thread on bows... but it wasn't coming up. So I'm copying/pasting this, which I wrote on a different forum. If you read this post and understand the general idea, then in the future just use this to refresh your memory about which bow behaves like which.

Longbows and Stormbows
Refire rate: 2.4 s
Range: 100' (1 and 1/4 aggro bubble)
Flight Time: .75 s

Longbows and stormbows both have the same stats, with the furthest range and an average refire. I'd take a longbow with me whereever I go for the ability to pull (when not using henchmen) or just hit someone as many times as I can before they get close to me. I personally like a Poisoner's Longbow with either Poison Arrow or Apply Poison, since I'll hit an enemy with poison while they're way out there and give my degen some time to work before the enemy even gets into range to strike back.

Shortbows and Halfmoon bows
Refire rate: 2 s
Range: 60' (3/4 aggro bubble)
Flight Time: .65 s

Shortbows and halfmoons have the same stats and are the major "in-battle" bow. They have a very short range, but a very fast refire rate. You'll get the highest DPS (damage per second) with one of these bows. I always have a shortbow or two on hand for when the enemies get close, and I combine this with Tiger's Fury to really whip out a good number of arrows. The reason to keep two of them on hand is so that you can have an elemental bowstring, and a non-elemental bow string. That way if someone defends against the damage type you're doing you merely switch which bow you're using.

Flatbow
Refire rate: 2 s
Range: 100' (1 and 1/4 aggro bubble)
Flight Time: 1 s

The flatbow is an odd combination of the above two types. It has the range of a longbow and the refire rate of a shortbow. Sounds like an awesome deal right? Well, it has a god-aweful flight-time. That means that when you fire that arrow, it shoots straight up in the air, sails high above everyone's head, and eventually finds its target. It takes forever and gives your enemy plenty of time to run out of the way. However, with either Read the Wind or Favorable Winds, that problem becomes insignificant and you suddenly have a very, very nice bow. Until I got better preps I was a Read the Wind/Flatbow fiend.

Hornbow, Ivory bow, and Shadow bow
Refire rate: 2.7 s
Range: 80' (1 aggro bubble)
Flight Time: .75 s

Here we have a bow with an average range, a horrible refire rate, and an average flight time. At first glance there would be no reason to use such a bow. However, the horn-bow has an innate armor penetration which is usually easily overlooked. I haven't checked it out myself, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that the Ivory and Shadow bows also share the Hornbow's armor penetration. If they didn't also have the armor-penetration, I'd be curious as to why ANet made such a sucky bow.

Composite Bow, Deadbow, Eternal Bow, and Recurve bow
Refire: 2.4 s
Range: 80' (1 aggro bubble)
Flight Time: .5 s

Bows such as the Composite, Dead, Eternal, and Recurve bows all have the shortest flight-time, but an average range and an average refire. Therefore, if you're having trouble hitting someone on the run, but can't afford to move in close enough to use the shortbow, then one of these is your best bet. I don't use them often, but I'd be willing to bet that Hunter's Shot, Pin Down, or Crippling Shot would work better with them.

The main use for these bows, though, is for interrupting. The incredibly short flight-time means your interrupt will be more accurate.

Saba The Hobo · Oct 23, 2005, 12:45 AM // 00:45

Basically, the ideal battle-bow would be a flatbow under Read the Wind or Favorable Winds, right?

Former Ruling · Oct 23, 2005, 01:18 AM // 01:18

Most Pure Rangers (None really that I know of) carry Read the Wind though...atleast not after they can pick up ANY other Prep... The elemental/condition preps just cause more damage in the longrun.

A Short/Halfmoon Bow is your best bet for most situations. Long/Storm bows can be used to "Pull" enemies towards you (and away from the mass of enemies) but only when you are NOT using henchman. If you are using Henchies just leave the longbow at home becuase the henchies auto-run towards any enemy you attack..basically..you cant pull effectively.

Interrupters love Composite bows for the flight time so go there with that build, but other than interupting they just feel like longbows that have shorter range (thus less useful).

Your basic setup is Longbow, Short/Half, Short/Half, Then the last slot is either a composite for interupters, or a Magical Wand/Rod for Trappers.

Longbow doesn't really matter all THAT much, but Poisoners is a good choice (to lay poison arrow early), the other mods can be any of the normal mods. 1 Short/half will probably be a Poisoners bow for most people (poison arrow and apply poison being popular), the other is usually a good Vampiric or Zealous one. Ele secondarys usually repalce poisoners with an Elemental bowstring if they use Conjure. The last slot is usually Composite for Interupting, or a Trapper will use a Wand/Rod. Why not a bow? A trapper will pull out a bow only when he is in trouble...Normally he just sits traps and throws dirt/etc, no bow attacks needed, So the Energy off Wand/Rod/Staves help in the spamming of traps (traps cost alot factoring in Rangers arent exactly spellcastors).

Oct 22, 2005, 10:21 AM // 10:21	#1
Legolas Ravenwood Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: England Profession: N/R	Best Bow? Whats the best bow in the whole game and how much will it cost?

Oct 22, 2005, 10:35 AM // 10:35	#2
chocubu Krytan Explorer Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunny Island Guild: The Republic Edge Profession: R/A	There's no such thing as a best bow... It's all based on personal preference... But to most, a 15% above 50% health dmg mod in a 15-28 (max) GOLD bow will be the best... Yep... Cool looking bows are Storm & Eternal Bows... Halfmoon's the fastest... Go check up on ranger guides for more detailed explaination of bows

Oct 22, 2005, 10:44 AM // 10:44	#4
prime stinger Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: England Guild: RoA Profession: R/	the best ranger has two bows. eaither a halfmoon/shortbow AND a longbow/stormbow, for these reasons 1) halfmoon/shortbows are quick.. when fighting in relitivly close combat. 2) longbows for long distance attacks, if you need to regen hp etc.

Oct 22, 2005, 03:14 PM // 15:14	#5
Jenosavel Master of Beasts Join Date: Jul 2005 Guild: Servants of Fortuna [SoF] Profession: R/	I tried to use search to pull up the previous thread on bows... but it wasn't coming up. So I'm copying/pasting this, which I wrote on a different forum. If you read this post and understand the general idea, then in the future just use this to refresh your memory about which bow behaves like which. Longbows and Stormbows Refire rate: 2.4 s Range: 100' (1 and 1/4 aggro bubble) Flight Time: .75 s Longbows and stormbows both have the same stats, with the furthest range and an average refire. I'd take a longbow with me whereever I go for the ability to pull (when not using henchmen) or just hit someone as many times as I can before they get close to me. I personally like a Poisoner's Longbow with either Poison Arrow or Apply Poison, since I'll hit an enemy with poison while they're way out there and give my degen some time to work before the enemy even gets into range to strike back. Shortbows and Halfmoon bows Refire rate: 2 s Range: 60' (3/4 aggro bubble) Flight Time: .65 s Shortbows and halfmoons have the same stats and are the major "in-battle" bow. They have a very short range, but a very fast refire rate. You'll get the highest DPS (damage per second) with one of these bows. I always have a shortbow or two on hand for when the enemies get close, and I combine this with Tiger's Fury to really whip out a good number of arrows. The reason to keep two of them on hand is so that you can have an elemental bowstring, and a non-elemental bow string. That way if someone defends against the damage type you're doing you merely switch which bow you're using. Flatbow Refire rate: 2 s Range: 100' (1 and 1/4 aggro bubble) Flight Time: 1 s The flatbow is an odd combination of the above two types. It has the range of a longbow and the refire rate of a shortbow. Sounds like an awesome deal right? Well, it has a god-aweful flight-time. That means that when you fire that arrow, it shoots straight up in the air, sails high above everyone's head, and eventually finds its target. It takes forever and gives your enemy plenty of time to run out of the way. However, with either Read the Wind or Favorable Winds, that problem becomes insignificant and you suddenly have a very, very nice bow. Until I got better preps I was a Read the Wind/Flatbow fiend. Hornbow, Ivory bow, and Shadow bow Refire rate: 2.7 s Range: 80' (1 aggro bubble) Flight Time: .75 s Here we have a bow with an average range, a horrible refire rate, and an average flight time. At first glance there would be no reason to use such a bow. However, the horn-bow has an innate armor penetration which is usually easily overlooked. I haven't checked it out myself, but I've got a sneaking suspicion that the Ivory and Shadow bows also share the Hornbow's armor penetration. If they didn't also have the armor-penetration, I'd be curious as to why ANet made such a sucky bow. Composite Bow, Deadbow, Eternal Bow, and Recurve bow Refire: 2.4 s Range: 80' (1 aggro bubble) Flight Time: .5 s Bows such as the Composite, Dead, Eternal, and Recurve bows all have the shortest flight-time, but an average range and an average refire. Therefore, if you're having trouble hitting someone on the run, but can't afford to move in close enough to use the shortbow, then one of these is your best bet. I don't use them often, but I'd be willing to bet that Hunter's Shot, Pin Down, or Crippling Shot would work better with them. The main use for these bows, though, is for interrupting. The incredibly short flight-time means your interrupt will be more accurate.

Oct 23, 2005, 12:45 AM // 00:45	#6
Saba The Hobo Academy Page Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: Homeless. Profession: Mo/N	Basically, the ideal battle-bow would be a flatbow under Read the Wind or Favorable Winds, right?

Oct 23, 2005, 01:18 AM // 01:18	#7
Former Ruling Grotto Attendant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cedartown, Georgia Profession: R/	Most Pure Rangers (None really that I know of) carry Read the Wind though...atleast not after they can pick up ANY other Prep... The elemental/condition preps just cause more damage in the longrun. A Short/Halfmoon Bow is your best bet for most situations. Long/Storm bows can be used to "Pull" enemies towards you (and away from the mass of enemies) but only when you are NOT using henchman. If you are using Henchies just leave the longbow at home becuase the henchies auto-run towards any enemy you attack..basically..you cant pull effectively. Interrupters love Composite bows for the flight time so go there with that build, but other than interupting they just feel like longbows that have shorter range (thus less useful). Your basic setup is Longbow, Short/Half, Short/Half, Then the last slot is either a composite for interupters, or a Magical Wand/Rod for Trappers. Longbow doesn't really matter all THAT much, but Poisoners is a good choice (to lay poison arrow early), the other mods can be any of the normal mods. 1 Short/half will probably be a Poisoners bow for most people (poison arrow and apply poison being popular), the other is usually a good Vampiric or Zealous one. Ele secondarys usually repalce poisoners with an Elemental bowstring if they use Conjure. The last slot is usually Composite for Interupting, or a Trapper will use a Wand/Rod. Why not a bow? A trapper will pull out a bow only when he is in trouble...Normally he just sits traps and throws dirt/etc, no bow attacks needed, So the Energy off Wand/Rod/Staves help in the spamming of traps (traps cost alot factoring in Rangers arent exactly spellcastors).