Curse

Asrai · Dec 16, 2010, 12:57 PM // 12:57

I was running a quest last night in Archipelagos and Razortongue's Recurve Bow dropped. This bow has Life Draining: 5 / Health regeneration -1 . Whats the general opinion of vampiric bows ? This is my first experience with one, and as far as I can tell, unless I speed up my attack and start hitting multiple mobs, there doesn't seem to be a benefit... am I wrong ?

I'd trash this bow if it wasn't for the skin. I love the looks of it. I'd really love to get my hands on a gold version of this skin I could customize, but I'm not sure how likely that is.

Edit: I just read that unique items can be customized and identified. However, they cannot be upgraded or salvaged. Wonder if this means I can change the string and grip ? I'll have to give it a try...

Xenomortis · Dec 16, 2010, 01:12 PM // 13:12

You cannot modify green (unique) weapons. You can customise them.

Vampiric is essentially +5 damage to every attack. That's pretty good.
The degen is usually mitigated whilst attacking (sometimes you net a health profit) and when out of combat a monk can trivially heal you periodically, or you can switch weapons.

Lyra Padfoot · Dec 16, 2010, 01:14 PM // 13:14

Personally I like vamp bows, but they are only useful in some situations.

I carry an Ironwing Bow (end of Factions Reward) which is vampiric, as well as a Rotwing Recurve Bow, which is not.

I generally run a Splinter/Barrager build and when running between mobs I carry the Rotwing Bow, but when I am fighting a large group I switch to the vamp bow for the 5 lifesteal per foe that the splinter barrage hits. This means I dont put pressure on the monks and generally dont need to resort to much self heal!!

I guess it depends on your build and playstyle at the end of the day, but yes there is a place for the vampiric bow.

Asrai · Dec 16, 2010, 01:27 PM // 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenomortis

You cannot modify green (unique) weapons. You can customise them.

What's the difference pls, example ?

Lord of Phantoms · Dec 16, 2010, 01:40 PM // 13:40

Customising is done at a weapon merchant and gives the bow +20% damage done but after this it can only be used by the character it is customised for.

Modding is changing the string or grip to change the stats the bow has which as said before cannot be done to Unique weps.

Asrai · Dec 16, 2010, 01:44 PM // 13:44

Ah, right. I forgot about the +20% from the weapon npc

Got it, thanks.

Ratman · Dec 16, 2010, 01:46 PM // 13:46

Vampiric bows can be handy, an extra 5 damage per hit isn't that mutch but it adds up.

Also if you want to get a gold version of this bow you should be looking for this: http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Recurve_Bow_(weapon)

Unlike the green version you'll be able to fully customize this weapon.

Scott Ware · Dec 16, 2010, 03:55 PM // 15:55

Per wiki:

Quote:

It is possible to create an exact replica for this item with:
Sturdy Recurve Bow from crafters Asa, Bolereh, Derrick, Hadusi, Rahmdah, Sende, Shausha, Soros, or Tehshan
Perfect Vampiric Bow String
Perfect Bow Grip of Marksmanship
Perfect "Brawn Over Brains" inscription

So you can get the skin and update the mods to whatever it is you're looking for.

Also, I don't play a Ranger, but I do know that Vampiric mod combines very well with Barrage.

Captain Bulldozer · Dec 16, 2010, 04:20 PM // 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyra Padfoot

Personally I like vamp bows, but they are only useful in some situations.

Some situations? Like, when you're actually able to hit your target(s)? The only draw back of a vampiric bow is that you lose 2 health per second. This is easily countered in a variety of ways (if it even needs to be). When in combat, if you're playing a bow bar that isn't terrible, a vampiric string will always increase your damage. To counter the 1 pip of health degen, you need to hit one target every 2.5 seconds. When using any bow attacks which hit multiple foes (or multiple times) the life-stealing occurs with each hit. Assuming all things are equal, vampiric is the best choice to be used with a barrage, volley or incendiary arrows build. Its also life steal, which means it gets through prots. Definitely use it if you like seeing lots of yellow numbers on the screen.

**Marty Silverblade** · Dec 16, 2010, 09:49 PM // 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Bulldozer

Assuming all things are equal, vampiric is the best choice to be used with a barrage, volley or incendiary arrows build.

Vampiric adds more damage than any other bow string, so that should be your first choice for any build unless circumstances force you to run something else, eg, a zealous if you spam skills a lot.

LifeInfusion · Dec 17, 2010, 03:15 AM // 03:15

Vamp: The only bow string worth using in PVE other than Zealous (and silencing with Broadhead arrow /Technobabble).

Just make sure you have a weapon swap (Cripple bow works best as a swap since it is useful for cripshot in PVP) so you don't lose HP in between battles.

Rites · Dec 17, 2010, 06:02 AM // 06:02

My main ranger is a pet barrager, I carry a vampiric bow and a zealous bow, mainly using the vampiric during battles (since i use my pet attacks for energy management). My barrages seem to make it easy for my monks.

Vallen · Dec 27, 2010, 01:48 PM // 13:48

Vamp bow owns. Would only use vamp with recurve or short bows though. Love using it with splinter barrage and a decent IAS, blows stuff up fast.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Asa
This is a link to a crafter who will make you a bow of that skin for like 6k, if your one of these people who thinks gold weps are better than blue then dont even click on link

If you really do like that skin, you should try to get a hold of a drago's flatbow. Its a 15^50 20/20 +30 green with the same skin, except its a larger version of the bow. (dont use flatbow's without RTW or favorable winds

)