Curse

ruffenredie · Apr 14, 2008, 10:54 PM // 22:54

So I've had my Ranger for over a year and he's used the same bow that some kind person donated to me back when I started (Zelnehlun's Longbow). I only really play in PvE and have decided this bow might not be the best for me.

I assumed I'd go for a longbow again, but then before I bid on something in auctions I started looking and now I'm confused. Generally speaking what bow type is best in PvE? I guess I should keep the longbow for pulling, but should I be using something else in battle?

I like the look of the feathered bows.

shru · Apr 14, 2008, 10:57 PM // 22:57

If you looking for a good multi purpose bow, recurve is your only choice. It has a medium range, medium attack speed, but the lowest arc in the game. That low arc gives you much more accurate shots against moving foes, and better speed to interupt your targets. Just keep a flatbow/longbow for pulling purposes and possibly barrage if you ever get sucked into one of those groups.

Vexed · Apr 14, 2008, 11:14 PM // 23:14

I think the above is what the general concensus is.

Recurve is your best all-arounder, and the low arc means you can interrupt pretty reliably. Most of my bows are recurves.

If I know I'm going to be using RtW or FW, then I will pack a flatbow for the faster refire rate.

I don't even touch the other bows. 10% AP on a hornbow is garbage when you consider the attack delay. There's no reason to get in shortbow range when a flatbow is just as fast or a recurve bow provides you a nice short flight time. A longbow would be ok for pulling, but since I'm already carrying a flatbow or two, why bring a longbow as well?

Action Jacson · Apr 14, 2008, 11:20 PM // 23:20

In Pve I use a recurved and long bow, unless I am using a Vow of Strength build then I use a Short Bow

angmar_nite · Apr 14, 2008, 11:26 PM // 23:26

+20 percent marksmanship is pretty much useless compared to the alternatives. Both fortitude AND defense would be better.

Adja1005 · Apr 14, 2008, 11:29 PM // 23:29

Recurve Bow - Medium range and refire rate coupled with a very low arc and fast flight time makes this bow almost impossible to dodge. Generally the best choice for PvE as it fits most situations and has really no negative points other than its range perhaps.

Longbow - Roughly the same refire rate as a Recurve but with a longer range and a larger arc aswell as a slower flight time makes this bow a popular "puller" bow to use.

Flatbow - Fast refire rate and a range roughly the same as the Longbow but with a very high arc and a slow flight time makes this bow have low accuracy at long range. However the fact it fires pretty fast and with a long range means it can be very good for a Barrage build against mobs while you stay in the backline.

Hornbow - Slowest refire rate with a similar range to the Recurve aswell as a similar flight time and arc size to the Longbow. However it has a +10% armour penetration on it meaning it deals the most damage per shot but at the slowest rate to targets out of all the bows.

Shortbow - Same refire rate as a Flatbow but with the shortest range aswell as having the same arc and flight time as a Longbow. Generally only used when targets break into melee range and you need to deal damage up close and quickly.

Personally i always carry a Recurve bow and a Longbow with totally different mods. I use my longbow for barrage builds and pulling and use my recurve bow for laying down interupts and high damage skill on single targets. The big thing to worry about though is which mods to put on which type of bow you have depending on the build you are running for what ever situation you find yourself in.

Ju-On · Apr 14, 2008, 11:31 PM // 23:31

If you have to kill every last mofo in the room then use a customised Hornbow with a sundering string, 15^50, and penetration/sundering arrow skills with lightning reflexes! Yes thay all stack and you will own. Just remeber that if your going to use a hornbow you will need a IAS skill.

Longbow for pulling, Flatebow arc is too dodgy even for foes out of aggro range. Recurve bow to interupt monks/casters, and a shortbow for melee foes that run through your frontline h/h and start targeting you or your range h/h.

There's no real set rules on what combo you use. It depends on the area and what skills are on your bar, but I generally have four bows going, each with specific mods (strings) to help me deal with whatever is in the area. For example there's liitle point using a poisonous stringed bow or condition skills in an area that has no flesh foes etc.

Vexed · Apr 14, 2008, 11:37 PM // 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ju-On

Longbow for pulling, Flatebow arc is too dodgy even for foes out of aggro range.

It should be noted that even if your arrow misses, you will still aggro the mob.

Dunno why, I just never liked longbows. The only advantage it has over a flatbow is its arc, easily balanced with RtW or FW if that bothers you.

Grammar · Apr 14, 2008, 11:57 PM // 23:57

3 quick facts to consider:

1. A flatbow with Read the Wind is indisputably the best bow in the game.

2. A flatbow without Read the Wind or Favorable Winds is indisputably the worst bow in the game.

3. If you aren't using Read the Wind, then which bow is best is completely subjective, but I would recommend a recurve bow.

So I guess the simple answer would be this: If you use Read the Wind, use a flatbow. If you don't use Read the Wind, use a recurve bow.

lennymon · Apr 15, 2008, 12:19 AM // 00:19

Silencing Shortbow is good to have when you pack bha, Vamp shortbow for when they descend upon you en masse. Sure everyone prefers to fight at range, and no a flatbow isn't as good as a shortbow at shortbow range, because on a shortbow you can pack any prep for better utility options. I will pull on a long or flatbow, and fight on a recurve unless they get into shortbow range. That's when I get to pull out one of the 'twins'

Bront · Apr 15, 2008, 01:12 AM // 01:12

If you have the GOTY edition, the /bonus bow is fairly effective till you can get something a little more specialized.

I believe it's +15^50, Poison +33%, comes customized, is a flatbow, and is free.

Beyond that, I'd think a Recurve and a Flatbow are the 2 bows to carry. Flatbow can help you pull, and fire behind the lines, Recurve for more general usage. If you find yourself in the frontlines a lot, a Shortbow may be useful too.

Aztec Mijo · Apr 15, 2008, 06:54 AM // 06:54

omg, i love my flatbows :<

it really depends on build, if im using rtw or fw ill use flatbow, if im using ex's focus ill use recurve.

longbow for pulling

Washi · Apr 15, 2008, 08:00 AM // 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grammar

So I guess the simple answer would be this: If you use Read the Wind, use a flatbow. If you don't use Read the Wind, use a recurve bow.

Yeah but why would you use RtW when you can use preparation that actually does something?

On topic: Recurve bow ftw.

Cebe · Apr 15, 2008, 08:26 AM // 08:26

For a beginner Ranger I'd suggest keeping 2 bows.

1. Recurve, for the reason that they're just amazing.
2. Longbow, for distance-pulling of mobs.

Don't use a Sundering Mod on a bow. It's almost always not worth it. Silencing, Vampiric, Poisonous (sometimes) and Elemental Bowstrings are all good though.

Tyla · Apr 15, 2008, 10:11 PM // 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver

For a beginner Ranger I'd suggest keeping 2 bows.

1. Recurve, for the reason that they're just amazing.
2. Longbow, for distance-pulling of mobs.

Don't use a Sundering Mod on a bow. It's almost always not worth it. Silencing, Vampiric, Poisonous (sometimes) and Elemental Bowstrings are all good though.

Longbow or Flatbow, imo.

And Poisonous should really be left to PvP for spreading Poison via Apply Poison.

MasterSasori · Apr 15, 2008, 10:19 PM // 22:19

The best bow in PvE is all of them. They all serve their purposes

Recurve: Interrupts
Longbow: Pulling and range (safety)
Hornbow: Spike with Glass Arrows/Conjures
Flatbow: Splinter Barrage/Volley
Shortbow: Damage/Fast fire for BHA

My suggestion is to switch weapons and carry different bows for different builds

Bront · Apr 16, 2008, 12:14 AM // 00:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Washi

Yeah but why would you use RtW when you can use preparation that actually does something?

On topic: Recurve bow ftw.

RTW isn't bad on an interuptor build. Adds extra damage, and reduces flight time, which is good.

Washi · Apr 16, 2008, 06:57 AM // 06:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bront

RTW isn't bad on an interuptor build. Adds extra damage, and reduces flight time, which is good.

Excuse me but recurve has already crazy fast arrows, and poison will do more damage than rtw and you can spread it.

If you use flatbow on an interrupter build to justify using RTW, then I don't know what to say.

ruffenredie · Apr 16, 2008, 07:04 AM // 07:04

hey thanks all, one more question, is sundering upgrade a good idea? (20/20 armor penetration).

Cebe · Apr 16, 2008, 07:57 AM // 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruffenredie

hey thanks all, one more question, is sundering upgrade a good idea? (20/20 armor penetration).

/sigh .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver, from Page 1 of this thread

Don't use a Sundering Mod on a bow. It's almost always not worth it. Silencing, Vampiric, Poisonous (sometimes) and Elemental Bowstrings are all good though.