Bows: Flight Time modifier? - Guild Wars Forums

galkraft · Sep 16, 2005, 01:33 PM // 13:33

The question is: do flight times decrease as the target is closer?

Flight times are accurately measured here. What I DO know, is that flight times affect the difficulty of being dodged, as well as how quickly an arrow will hit, primarily for interrupts. So, no need to go over that with me. Also, what I've noticed, is that Flat Bows, having the longest flight time, are still not easy to dodge at close range, making it no worse than a Short Bow in that respect. So, what I want to know is, if I'm standing point blank, does my Flat Bow still interrupt slower than a Short Bow? I haven't been able to test this myself.

galkraft · Sep 17, 2005, 01:51 AM // 01:51

[bump] hmm, is this a stumper?

Bingley Joe · Sep 17, 2005, 03:13 AM // 03:13

AFAIK, Flight time is measured at the bow's maximum range, so it would follow that by closing the distance to your target, you'll decrease the flight time.

Plus, it would just be kinda weird if it took your arrows the same amount of time to travel 1 foot as it did for them to travel 100 feet ;P

galkraft · Sep 17, 2005, 04:26 AM // 04:26

I agree. It just makes me wonder, at close range, perhaps Long Bows have as good of flight time as Short Bows... and Flat Bows not being much worse. Puts that chart a little more into perspective. Flight becomes much less significant in most cases. The most difference is probably right at 55 ft.

Vermilion Okeanos · Sep 17, 2005, 04:59 AM // 04:59

flatbow work like a shortbow from same range...
longbow work like recurve/composite bow from same range...

at least that had been my experience...

Now days, I don't even carry shortbow... if I do carry 2 bow... it is either flat or long... as for horn bow, i only use it for specific build.

galkraft · Sep 17, 2005, 05:59 AM // 05:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilion Okeanos

flatbow work like a shortbow from same range...
longbow work like recurve/composite bow from same range...

Hmm, no, that CAN'T be right. Otherwise, there is absolutely not need for a Short or Recurve Bow, and the designers wouldn't include them. But i still believe you about improving at closer range.

Bingley Joe · Sep 17, 2005, 06:00 AM // 06:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by galkraft

I agree. It just makes me wonder, at close range, perhaps Long Bows have as good of flight time as Short Bows... and Flat Bows not being much worse. Puts that chart a little more into perspective. Flight becomes much less significant in most cases. The most difference is probably right at 55 ft.

Yeah, I think you'd likely find that at <55' a Long Bow would hit its target at the same time as a Short Bow (or at least VERY close to it).

There's only 1/2 second difference between the slowest and fastest flight times anyway, and only 1/10 second difference between a Short and a Long (and remember, the longbow can cover an extra 30' in that extra 1/10 second).

I find it easiest to think about that flight time stat as describing the degree of arc that the arrow takes on its path to the target.

You can tell you're firing a Flatbow just by looking at the arrow fly out, since it has such a pronounced arc -- by far the highest, which would also account for it having the longest travel time.

By comparison, if you then switch to a Composite bow, you'll notice right away that the arrow flies straight at the target with seemingly no arc whatsoever. This would also seem to account for that class of bow having the shortest travel time listed.

As you note, inside Short Bow range, there are far fewer differences between the different classes of bows aside from their refire rates, and all seem to do a good job on interrupts and the like.

However at long ranges, a Recurve or Composite-type Bow are invaluable, as they really will give you a much better chance at landing hits against moving targets due to the straight path their arrows take.

gosl · Sep 17, 2005, 07:04 AM // 07:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by galkraft

Hmm, no, that CAN'T be right. Otherwise, there is absolutely not need for a Short or Recurve Bow, and the designers wouldn't include them. But i still believe you about improving at closer range.

Well the difference between flight times between different types of bows might get smaller the closer you are to your target, but AFAIK, the refire rate remains constant. So at least in that respect, short bows/half-moon bows are still best for close range.

galkraft · Sep 17, 2005, 09:05 AM // 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by gosl

Well the difference between flight times between different types of bows might get smaller the closer you are to your target, but AFAIK, the refire rate remains constant.

you know correctly

Quote:

So at least in that respect [refire rate], short bows/half-moon bows are still best for close range.

Actually, in that respect, Flat Bow equals Short Bow. Short Bow is only better at flight speed. It's in that respect that i had trouble understanding any advantage it has over the other.

galkraft · Sep 17, 2005, 09:11 AM // 09:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bingley Joe

Yeah, I think you'd likely find that at <55' a Long Bow would hit its target at the same time as a Short Bow (or at least VERY close to it).

There's only 1/2 second difference between the slowest and fastest flight times anyway, and only 1/10 second difference between a Short and a Long (and remember, the longbow can cover an extra 30' in that extra 1/10 second).

I find it easiest to think about that flight time stat as describing the degree of arc that the arrow takes on its path to the target.

You can tell you're firing a Flatbow just by looking at the arrow fly out, since it has such a pronounced arc -- by far the highest, which would also account for it having the longest travel time.

By comparison, if you then switch to a Composite bow, you'll notice right away that the arrow flies straight at the target with seemingly no arc whatsoever. This would also seem to account for that class of bow having the shortest travel time listed.

As you note, inside Short Bow range, there are far fewer differences between the different classes of bows aside from their refire rates, and all seem to do a good job on interrupts and the like.

From what you say, Short Bow seems pointless, so long as one has a Flat Bow handy. But I believe you, and that's really what I was trying to prove.

Quote:

However at long ranges, a Recurve or Composite-type Bow are invaluable, as they really will give you a much better chance at landing hits against moving targets due to the straight path their arrows take.

And that answers the other end of it. thank you.

Sep 16, 2005, 01:33 PM // 13:33	#1
galkraft Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Sep 2005 Guild: Followers Of Master Jack Profession: R/Me	Bows: Flight Time modifier? The question is: do flight times decrease as the target is closer? Flight times are accurately measured here. What I DO know, is that flight times affect the difficulty of being dodged, as well as how quickly an arrow will hit, primarily for interrupts. So, no need to go over that with me. Also, what I've noticed, is that Flat Bows, having the longest flight time, are still not easy to dodge at close range, making it no worse than a Short Bow in that respect. So, what I want to know is, if I'm standing point blank, does my Flat Bow still interrupt slower than a Short Bow? I haven't been able to test this myself.

Sep 17, 2005, 01:51 AM // 01:51	#2
galkraft Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Sep 2005 Guild: Followers Of Master Jack Profession: R/Me	[bump] hmm, is this a stumper?

Sep 17, 2005, 03:13 AM // 03:13	#3
Bingley Joe Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Guild: Philosophers of Denravi	AFAIK, Flight time is measured at the bow's maximum range, so it would follow that by closing the distance to your target, you'll decrease the flight time. Plus, it would just be kinda weird if it took your arrows the same amount of time to travel 1 foot as it did for them to travel 100 feet ;P

Sep 17, 2005, 04:26 AM // 04:26	#4
galkraft Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Sep 2005 Guild: Followers Of Master Jack Profession: R/Me	I agree. It just makes me wonder, at close range, perhaps Long Bows have as good of flight time as Short Bows... and Flat Bows not being much worse. Puts that chart a little more into perspective. Flight becomes much less significant in most cases. The most difference is probably right at 55 ft.

Sep 17, 2005, 04:59 AM // 04:59	#5
Vermilion Okeanos Forge Runner Join Date: Feb 2005	flatbow work like a shortbow from same range... longbow work like recurve/composite bow from same range... at least that had been my experience... Now days, I don't even carry shortbow... if I do carry 2 bow... it is either flat or long... as for horn bow, i only use it for specific build.