Best upgrades for bows - Page 2 - Guild Wars Forums

Lynnrose · Jul 20, 2005, 12:21 AM // 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corbin

what does vampiric actually do

It causes you -1 health regen and "steals" x amount of life from a struck opponent. That amount of life is what makes up the x:1 portion of the name of the vamp string. For instance, a string with a life steal property of 5 is called a "5:1" string. The amount of life drained is taken from the enemy regardless of armor modifications and transferred to you. The mod is a bonus damage dealer (think of it as an extra preparation) that can heal you in the right circumstances. Just don't forget to unequip it between battles!

Mariena Feladon · Jul 20, 2005, 01:06 AM // 01:06

I got a collector bow (max dmg, +15% damage while health is above 50%) and I decided to make it a dwarvenslayer bow for the upcoming new areas (which, as much as I'm aware of, will include a lot of stone summit) so I could battle those annoying little armored men.

I've slapped a Sundering Bow string on top of it (9%) and a Bow Grip of Dwarfslaying (10% .. still looking for a better one!).

Bring on the dwarves

So, basically, the 'best mods' are the ones you'll need for a specific task. A Fiery Bow String will be more effective than an Icy Bow String in the Shiverpeaks. A Bow Grip of Fortitude might compensate for your HP loss caused by Major/Superior runes while a Bow Grip of Enchanting could be more useful for your E/R.

Rey Lentless · Jul 20, 2005, 07:22 PM // 19:22

Sundering has the potential to add the most damage, but vampiric is more reliable damage added. If you're using a conjure element.. I'd just use conjure flame and use kindle. Physical damage hits almost everything harder than elemental (except warriors). Personally I like zealous and poisoners most of the time.

I'd say the +5 defense grip or +enchanting if you go that route. I consider +def far superior to fortitude upgrades and much cheaper.

Rajamic · Jul 20, 2005, 07:44 PM // 19:44

I still can't see how anything can compete with a Zealous String. The extra mana it gives is priceless. Vampiric 5/1 might be just a hair better for damage, I guess.

Tinweasele · Jul 20, 2005, 08:09 PM // 20:09

For me my ideal bow would be a short/moon max damage with +15>50 (short/moon bows have the fastest refire times as well as a flatter flight path that makes them deadly with other ranger skills)

for string since im a R/E i would use something that i can enchant to give myself extra 7+ damage on each shot

and then for a grip since im enchanting CONSTANTLY a nice little +20% enchant length grip

powdahound · Jul 20, 2005, 09:20 PM // 21:20

Is the zealous string really that great with normal ranger skills? I don't use Tigery's Fury or anything so I'm not sure if the energy gain would be good enough to counter the regular 3 pips we get as rangers (1 energy per second).

Shwitz · Jul 20, 2005, 09:24 PM // 21:24

It's my experience that a zealous string works well in situations where -
a) You're firing lots of arrows really fast (quick shot builds)
or
b) You're firing lots of arrows simultaneously (barrage or dual shot)
Otherwise, I'm not that much of a fan of the zealous string.

Ensign · Jul 20, 2005, 09:30 PM // 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rey Lentless

Sundering has the potential to add the most damage, but vampiric is more reliable damage added.

The most damage with a single shot? Sure, but *only* on a critical hit against low armor targets.

Take the ideal case - 16 Marksmanship with a perfect bow shooting at a 60 AL target. This is the situation where Sundering performs most favorably against Vampiric.

Average attack when Sundering doesn't trigger: 34 damage
Average attack when Sundering does triggers: 38 damage
Average attack with Vampiric: 39 damage
Critical hit when Sundering doesn't trigger: 63 damage
Critical hit when Sundering does trigger: 70 damage
Critical hit with Vampiric: 68 damage

Assuming a 25% critical hit chance at 16 Marksmanship, this means that a Sundering bow string has a 2.5% chance of outperforming a Vampiric Bow string by two damage.

On average, a perfect 10/10 Sundering Bow String will add .475 damage to each attack - less than 10% of the benefit that a 5:1 string gives you. Even under *perfect* circumstances for a Sundering String, a hypothetical 100% chance of 10% armor penetration string would be inferior to a Vampiric 5:1. That's how bad Sundering is.

(Addendum: similar calculations under ideal conditions give +0.4909 damage per shot from a 20% Marksmanship Grip - ideal, in this case, meaning you're using a +damage skill with every single attack. In reality those are even worse than Sundering Strings).

Peace,
-CxE

Algren Cole · Jul 20, 2005, 09:36 PM // 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by powdahound

Is the zealous string really that great with normal ranger skills? I don't use Tigery's Fury or anything so I'm not sure if the energy gain would be good enough to counter the regular 3 pips we get as rangers (1 energy per second).

in my opinion...unless you're using barrage or tigers fury zealous bows aren't worth it. You won't regen quicker than normal.

Tinweasele · Jul 20, 2005, 09:37 PM // 21:37

whoa whoa whoa, what exactly does vamp string do then? i thought it was purely life bonus on hit. does it actually add damage?

Algren Cole · Jul 20, 2005, 09:39 PM // 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinweasele

whoa whoa whoa, what exactly does vamp string do then? i thought it was purely life bonus on hit. does it actually add damage?

no.

Vampiric takes away life from them and gives it to you in proportion to the lifestealing modifier. So if your vampiric string was 3:1 it would take 3 HP from the target every hit and give you 3 HP every hit...it would also take away 1 HP every second from you.

Acan Vishnu · Jul 20, 2005, 09:39 PM // 21:39

Your stealing hitpoints -- they have to come from somewhere, right?

So yes, it does (in effect) add damage.

edit: 1 pip of health degen is 2hp per second, by the way

Blkout · Jul 20, 2005, 10:30 PM // 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by aB-

You underestimate the added defense of 5 more armor. In almost all circumstances, +5 defence is better than +30 health, while at a cheaper cost. I don't really know the math behind it, just know the end result.

Can you back this up with facts because I've never seen this to be true and a +30 Fort sells for MUCH more than a +5 Defense.

powdahound · Jul 20, 2005, 11:07 PM // 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blkout

Can you back this up with facts because I've never seen this to be true and a +30 Fort sells for MUCH more than a +5 Defense.

This is because the results of slapping a +HP upgrade on your bow is instant. You can see the bar change right on your screen. With armor you can't tell at all by just equipping it.

Also, many people still seem to think that the armor levels on your armor are all summed up to get your total armor. +5 doesn't add much to the sum of all your armor levels so people think it's crappy. 70AL + 5 all the time is nice, however.

powdahound · Jul 20, 2005, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acan Vishnu

Your stealing hitpoints -- they have to come from somewhere, right?

So yes, it does (in effect) add damage.

edit: 1 pip of health degen is 2hp per second, by the way

Should also note that it's 'damage' that ignores armor, which is nice.

SleepeR · Jul 20, 2005, 11:18 PM // 23:18

I read somewhere on the forums the +5 grip defense absorbs around 5-8% more damage then without it. This person had the math all right but i can't seem to find it or remember the exact numbers...So overall and overtime a +5 defense prevents a considerable amount of damage than a +30 hp can give you.

carnivore · Jul 20, 2005, 11:50 PM // 23:50

whats ebon do?

and does zealous get better than 1:1?

shady_knife · Jul 21, 2005, 02:49 AM // 02:49

Vampuric Half Moon of Fortitude -works well with barrage + fav winds.
15-28
HP +20
5/1 Life steal

Icy Flatbow of Fortitude - works well with conjure frost + fav winds + barrage.
15-28 Ice dmg
HP + 22
Dmg +13% while HP below 50%

ima R/E and i punish people

Dyeeo · Jul 21, 2005, 03:13 AM // 03:13

[shameless advertisment] Im selling a +5 armor bow grip hint hint [/shameless advertisment]

Blkout · Jul 21, 2005, 09:01 AM // 09:01

Like I said before, no facts to back up this +5 defense, I've never once noticed it being any better than a fortitude upgrade. If anyone can provide facts, I'm certainly willing to discuss.

Jul 20, 2005, 01:06 AM // 01:06	#22
Mariena Feladon Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Location: Netherlands Guild: Silhouette Stars [sil] Profession: Mo/N	I got a collector bow (max dmg, +15% damage while health is above 50%) and I decided to make it a dwarvenslayer bow for the upcoming new areas (which, as much as I'm aware of, will include a lot of stone summit) so I could battle those annoying little armored men. I've slapped a Sundering Bow string on top of it (9%) and a Bow Grip of Dwarfslaying (10% .. still looking for a better one!). Bring on the dwarves So, basically, the 'best mods' are the ones you'll need for a specific task. A Fiery Bow String will be more effective than an Icy Bow String in the Shiverpeaks. A Bow Grip of Fortitude might compensate for your HP loss caused by Major/Superior runes while a Bow Grip of Enchanting could be more useful for your E/R. Last edited by Mariena Feladon; Jul 20, 2005 at 01:09 AM // 01:09..

Jul 20, 2005, 07:22 PM // 19:22	#23
Rey Lentless Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005	Sundering has the potential to add the most damage, but vampiric is more reliable damage added. If you're using a conjure element.. I'd just use conjure flame and use kindle. Physical damage hits almost everything harder than elemental (except warriors). Personally I like zealous and poisoners most of the time. I'd say the +5 defense grip or +enchanting if you go that route. I consider +def far superior to fortitude upgrades and much cheaper.

Jul 20, 2005, 07:44 PM // 19:44	#24
Rajamic Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: May 2005 Location: IA Guild: Chronicles of Heroes [CoH] Profession: R/Me	I still can't see how anything can compete with a Zealous String. The extra mana it gives is priceless. Vampiric 5/1 might be just a hair better for damage, I guess.

Jul 20, 2005, 08:09 PM // 20:09	#25
Tinweasele Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jul 2005	For me my ideal bow would be a short/moon max damage with +15>50 (short/moon bows have the fastest refire times as well as a flatter flight path that makes them deadly with other ranger skills) for string since im a R/E i would use something that i can enchant to give myself extra 7+ damage on each shot and then for a grip since im enchanting CONSTANTLY a nice little +20% enchant length grip

Jul 20, 2005, 09:20 PM // 21:20	#26
powdahound Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Troy, NY, USA Profession: Mo/Me	Is the zealous string really that great with normal ranger skills? I don't use Tigery's Fury or anything so I'm not sure if the energy gain would be good enough to counter the regular 3 pips we get as rangers (1 energy per second).

Jul 20, 2005, 09:24 PM // 21:24	#27
Shwitz Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: East Coast, USA Guild: Not a Guild [NaG] Profession: R/	It's my experience that a zealous string works well in situations where - a) You're firing lots of arrows really fast (quick shot builds) or b) You're firing lots of arrows simultaneously (barrage or dual shot) Otherwise, I'm not that much of a fan of the zealous string.

Jul 20, 2005, 09:37 PM // 21:37	#30
Tinweasele Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Jul 2005	whoa whoa whoa, what exactly does vamp string do then? i thought it was purely life bonus on hit. does it actually add damage?

Jul 20, 2005, 09:39 PM // 21:39	#32
Acan Vishnu Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Apr 2005 Profession: Mo/N	Your stealing hitpoints -- they have to come from somewhere, right? So yes, it does (in effect) add damage. edit: 1 pip of health degen is 2hp per second, by the way

Jul 20, 2005, 11:18 PM // 23:18	#36
SleepeR Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2005	I read somewhere on the forums the +5 grip defense absorbs around 5-8% more damage then without it. This person had the math all right but i can't seem to find it or remember the exact numbers...So overall and overtime a +5 defense prevents a considerable amount of damage than a +30 hp can give you.

Jul 20, 2005, 11:50 PM // 23:50	#37
carnivore Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2005 Profession: W/	whats ebon do? and does zealous get better than 1:1?

Jul 21, 2005, 02:49 AM // 02:49	#38
shady_knife Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia, Victoria Profession: R/E	Vampuric Half Moon of Fortitude -works well with barrage + fav winds. 15-28 HP +20 5/1 Life steal Icy Flatbow of Fortitude - works well with conjure frost + fav winds + barrage. 15-28 Ice dmg HP + 22 Dmg +13% while HP below 50% ima R/E and i punish people

Jul 21, 2005, 03:13 AM // 03:13	#39
Dyeeo Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Diego Guild: Lost Children Profession: E/Mo	[shameless advertisment] Im selling a +5 armor bow grip hint hint [/shameless advertisment]

Jul 21, 2005, 09:01 AM // 09:01	#40
Blkout Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2005	Like I said before, no facts to back up this +5 defense, I've never once noticed it being any better than a fortitude upgrade. If anyone can provide facts, I'm certainly willing to discuss.