Curse

Tomkatt · Jun 08, 2010, 09:55 PM // 21:55

Just wondering if there's a "best" type of bow or combination to carry. Considering each has different qualities, what would be a good set to pair up? Should you have one of each?

I'm currently using a flatbow with a high arc (amusingly named a longbow even though it's not) and I have a longbow with the same stats. Is there any reason to pick up a hornbow, shortbow, or recurve bow?

Edit - I'm asking specifically as a ranger for attacking and general combat, not for pulling (though I keep the flatbow around for that purpose)

I've no interest in BM/Hammer or some other melee variant. It kind of defeats the purpose of being a "range"-er. Feel free to advise.

DBMan · Jun 08, 2010, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Recurve - Rupts
Hornbow - Damage
Longbow - Distance

take your pick.

FoxBat · Jun 08, 2010, 09:59 PM // 21:59

Recurve bows have shorter arrow flight times and are better for interrupts as long as you aren't running read the wind. Shortbows are a compromise between interrupt and max attack speed, generally I'd prefer it over a flatbow because it's easy to get enough safety measures that closing a little closer is not an issue.

Fay Vert · Jun 08, 2010, 10:10 PM // 22:10

The Mindclouder

Eragon Zarroc · Jun 08, 2010, 10:12 PM // 22:12

hornbow = 10% armor penetration

Nubarus · Jun 08, 2010, 10:28 PM // 22:28

On my Ranger I use a recurved bow as a general dmg/interupt and a longbow when i play as a beastmaster.

If I am required to pull mobs as a general dmg/interupt Ranger I make a quick swap to a Longbow though.

ashes · Jun 08, 2010, 10:34 PM // 22:34

Quick question, will Read the Wind make a hornbow shoot faster? (arrow pr min) or just make the arrows move faster?

Jk Arrow · Jun 08, 2010, 10:35 PM // 22:35

Pretty sure there are similar threads out there, might want to search...

There are different bows for different purposes.

Use a longbow or flatbow to pull. I don't usually use them for anything else do to the high arc but flatbow does have fast refire rate.

Hornbow adds some armor pen so its good for damage builds, but it has a really long refire rate and a high arc.

Shortbow has shorter range but faster refire rate.

Recurve has middle of the pack refire but the fastest flight time of arrows. Good for inturupts.

I typically use recurves for most everything but have longbows and flatbows for pulling. You can experiment and see what works best for your play style.

IronSheik · Jun 08, 2010, 10:36 PM // 22:36

Recurve for general.

Poisonous Recurve/Vampiric Hornbow for PvP

Flatbow for pulling

Longbow for warriors adren building

Divine Ashes · Jun 08, 2010, 11:02 PM // 23:02

recurve for interrupting and general use, hornbows for ranger spiking or general spiking in pvp, short bow for spreading poison, bleeding, etc, flatbow/longbow for pulling

Ugh · Jun 08, 2010, 11:16 PM // 23:16

Recurve Bow-

Arc = Low
Rate of Fire (RoF) = Medium
Range = Medium

Good for interrupting and shooting moving foes.

Longbow-

Arc = Medium
RoF = Medium
Range = Long

Same uses as Recurves; use instead of a Recurve Bow (only) when out of Recurve range. Also good for pulling in PvE.

Flatbow-

Arc = High
RoF = Fast
Range = Long

Use when you know a foe won't be moving and doesn't have any skills that are hard/worthwhile to interrupt (i.e. Archers in GvG). Also, Flatbow performance improves singnificantly when you have Read the Wind or Favorable Winds as either of those skills negate its only flaw. Also good for pulling in PvE.

Hornbow-

Arc = Medium
RoF = Slow
Range = Medium
Other Properties = 10% Armor Penetration

Use in spike builds (i.e. Dual Shot + Savage) or DPS builds that use bow attacks with cast times to negate the slow rate of fire (i.e. Penetrating Attack and Sundering Attack).

Shortbow-

Arc = Medium
RoF = Fast
Range = Short

Use for DPS when using skills without cast times or when feeling especially brave. Also switch to a Shortbow when trying to avoid getting a skill like Crippling Shot (or any important attack without a cast time) interrupted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashes

Quick question, will Read the Wind make a hornbow shoot faster? (arrow pr min) or just make the arrows move faster?

It only makes arrows move faster.

WhiteAsIce · Jun 08, 2010, 11:49 PM // 23:49

I use a flatbow whenever I have access to RtW or Favorable Winds. Otherwise, I use a shortbow.

wilebill · Jun 09, 2010, 01:42 AM // 01:42

In PvE, flatbow mostly. Flatbows are great against stationary targets and have the same range as a Longbow. Flatbows have the same rate of fire as a shortbow.

If targets are moving at range, a Longbow hits more reliably.

Change to vampiric shortbow when targets insist on getting up close and personal. Though a zealous shortbow may be more to the point if energy is a consideration.

Recurve bow I use mostly for interrupt. Shorter range and lower rate of fire, but the arrows move very fast.

Hornbow as said above is great for spikes and also useful if running a pet build with lots of pet skills and few bow skills. The Koren's Hornbow is arguably one of the cooler looking bows in the game and packs a noticeable punch when it all comes together.

However, named elites or greens are not necessary. Collector bows or bows from drops or chests are often better in fact because you can modify them the way you want.

distilledwill · Jun 09, 2010, 09:27 AM // 09:27

Ok, everyone seems to fairly different opinions so I guess this is all about preference. This is what I run around with:

Vampiric Recurve Bow of Fortitude - general pve/pvp.
Vampiric Flatbow of Fortitude - hitting NPCs in PvP and pulling in PvE.
Cripply Recurve Bow of Fortitude - when running cripshot or melshot in PvP.

I like the flatbow as opposed to the longbow for pulling in PvE as targets aren't likely to move much and the faster refire rate means I can pop the pull shot off and then run back to my party/get in position.

Amy Awien · Jun 09, 2010, 12:13 PM // 12:13

There's no best bow, what is best depends on what you're using it for.

Flatbow and shortbow have fast refire, they are best for builds were you want to fire many arrows. If you have the room for Read the Wind in your build, or Favorable Winds anywhere in your team, the flatbow is likely the best general purpose bow to use.

Longbows have the same range as flatbows, with a slower refire but a faster arrrow which makes them more suitable for applications where you need to interrupt at long range.

Recurve bows have a slower refire and shorter range then flatbows but much faster arrows which makes them the bow of choice for interrupts. Because of this they could be considered the best general purpose choice.

Shortbows have a fairly short range (just below spell range) but a fast refire and a fast arrow (though not as fast as the recurve bow), making them another good choice as general purpose bow. With the exception of pulling and a few location, range is not that important, btw.

Hornbows have slow refire, slow arrows and the range of the recurve. The only thing going for them is the armor penetration, which has some more use in Hard Mode then it used to have in Normal Mode - due to the higher armor. They work well with (damage/spike) bowattacks with a fixed activation time, as this overrides their slow firing rate. The armor penetration stacks with that of Penetrating and Sundering Shot as well as Judges Insight.

Most bow upgrades are fairly easily obtained, and collectors and crafters have adequate base bows, except for the looks there is little reason to look for green bows that can never be modified.

Bowstrings, like bows, depend on application. Vampiric is a good general purpose bowstring, cripling and silencing strings have obvious application, as does the poisonous. For conjure builds you pick the matching elemental string thoug Kindle Arrow or Conflagration can be used to convert damage to fire suitable for Conjure Flame.

Xsiriss · Jun 09, 2010, 06:08 PM // 18:08

Shorbows. Nothing beats facerape.

Drege_Icebow · Jun 21, 2010, 04:53 AM // 04:53

If I am running an expertise spike that uses Zojun's and PBS, then I will use a longbow.

Generally, I use a hornbow with Prepared shot, penetrating attack, sundering attack. The quick activation time of those skills negates the hornbow's slow fire rate.

Those are really the only two I use. I know that's blasphemy, but it's true.

Beluga · Jun 23, 2010, 07:41 AM // 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashes

Quick question, will Read the Wind make a hornbow shoot faster? (arrow pr min) or just make the arrows move faster?

Im pretty sure it does, but only for flight time not attack speed
"Concise: (24 seconds.) +3...9 damage. Your arrows move twice as fast."