Curse

Liselle Morrow · Feb 22, 2008, 06:06 AM // 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymous

I thought left handed people held the bows in their right hand so they could pull the string with their left? I'm right handed and I pull the string with my right hand.

I'm a lefty, so yes I hold the bow with my right hand and pull with my left

Would be a nice thing if you could choose which hand to hold your bow with, though I can't say I care all that much. After all my ranger is already firing horizontally, which looks pretty and is something I'd normally not be able to do at archery without spearing the people next to me with the ends of my bow :P
If they started making it realistic they would also have to start adding bow strings, quivers, a finite arrow supply...etc etc. Now be honest who here would grumble at having to stock up on arrows at the merchant? *raises hand*

Kashrlyyk · Feb 22, 2008, 06:36 AM // 06:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by genofreek

My derv holds hers vertically, and strikes a very heroic pose before firing.

I wouldn't change a thing.

They certainly have the best "ready to fight"-pose in the game, no matter what they use as weapon.

A11Eur0 · Feb 22, 2008, 06:43 AM // 06:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inger

Really now... I've never seen that before, every female ranger (including my own) that i've seen has held their bow horizontally.

In terms of what the style means, in GW its just a matter of looks... now in real life I'm sure most ppl will say that firing a bow horizontally won't generate the same amount of power as vertically.

You don't generate less power firing horizontally..you're still putting the same force into the string thus into the arrow. The difference is the added friction of the arrow against the bow itself when fired horizontally, more of the arrow has potential of touching the bow as it is launched.

Oh, and firing vertically gives you more vertical aim control, horizontal firing gives you more horizontal aim control.

Kashrlyyk · Feb 22, 2008, 06:53 AM // 06:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybanshee

I prefer vertically, I just feel like the horizontal firing is kinda.. ghetto. I noticed that my female ele will sometimes fire one way, then start firing the other way. Figured those lousy bikini armors she's wearing were getting in her way

After a spell or when using a bow attack skill, she fires vertically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by A11Eur0

You don't generate less power firing horizontally..you're still putting the same force into the string thus into the arrow. The difference is the added friction of the arrow against the bow itself when fired horizontally, more of the arrow has potential of touching the bow as it is launched.

Oh, and firing vertically gives you more vertical aim control, horizontal firing gives you more horizontal aim control.

I very much doubt, that you can draw the string back with the horizontal firing as far as with the vertically firing. Your body is in the way.

cataphract · Feb 22, 2008, 07:14 AM // 07:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by A11Eur0

You don't generate less power firing horizontally..you're still putting the same force into the string thus into the arrow.

Wrong.

While firing horizontally you are unable to pull the string behind yourself thus greatly reducing the force available. Your own body becomes an obstacle. That is not the case while holding a bow vertically and you are able to pull the string just a little bit behind your ear. This pull, however, can still be increased by the use of a thumb-ring which enables you to pull the string even further.

Less pull = less force delivered. It's physics 101. A shortbow with its small pull does not have neither the range, nor the penetration of a longbow.

Shadowmere · Feb 22, 2008, 07:23 AM // 07:23

well the style the bow is fired really dosen't affect me too much, some animations are more fun to watch than others but all in all i don't have to pay too close attention to them.

however i really really like the idea of choosing your characters off-hand. I want my character to be a lefty just like me!

Southpaws Unite!!!

gremlin · Feb 22, 2008, 12:21 PM // 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by A11Eur0

You don't generate less power firing horizontally..you're still putting the same force into the string thus into the arrow. The difference is the added friction of the arrow against the bow itself when fired horizontally, more of the arrow has potential of touching the bow as it is launched.

Oh, and firing vertically gives you more vertical aim control, horizontal firing gives you more horizontal aim control.

I am sorry to say it but that is incorrect.

The longbow in common with all the other simple bows have a rated pull weight and draw distance.
Mine was 60 lb at 28 inches

Every inch difference in pull distance increases or decreases the pull weight by 2 lb "although there is a rapid drop-off when the draw distance gets very small.
Holding a bow horizontally I can pull mine to 23 inches that's a reduction of 10 lb at least.
Vertically I can draw to 29 inches or if pushed 32 inches or 62 lb to 68 lb

That's a pretty important difference if your trying to penetrate armour at over 100 metres.

When you draw a bow you are not using arm strength but your back and shoulder muscles, vertically this works well and allowed archers of the past to draw very powerful bows of 130 lb and more this would be totally impossible using just the arms
Its also pretty hard to aim when you fire horizontally.