Curse

Wefta · Oct 11, 2009, 02:11 PM // 14:11

Hey, I'm about to buy a new bow, and was wondering which one I should buy.
So therefore I ask what the bows are generally used for.
Like I know that longbow are for pulling, but what about the others?

I usually use the glass arrow, prepared, sundering, penetrating spike build.
Otherwise I go R/P BM.

Thanks for the help

Desert Rose · Oct 11, 2009, 02:16 PM // 14:16

Recurve - Interrupt, general purpose.
Flat - Pulling, DPS.
Short - DPS.
Longbow - Interrupt at long range, Pulling.
Hornbow - Spikes.

Karate Jesus · Oct 11, 2009, 02:16 PM // 14:16

I generally use a Recurve bow, because they tend to be a good balance of everything.

However, if you're running a spike build and have an IAS, you may consider using a hornbow.

Or if you're using Read the Wind or Favorable Winds, use a Flatbow. With RtW, Flatbows have the same flight time as Recurve bows with the range of longbows.

Those are really the only three I'd use (except for maybe a longbow for pulling).

Wefta · Oct 11, 2009, 02:24 PM // 14:24

Ok, that helped a lot.
Thank you

gremlin · Oct 11, 2009, 04:03 PM // 16:03

Don't spend a lot of cash unless you really like the skin ie look of the bow.

Collectors bows are perfectly good until you really get specific bows to work with a build.

MasterSasori · Oct 11, 2009, 08:27 PM // 20:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desert Rose

Recurve - Interrupt, general purpose.
Flat - Pulling, DPS.
Short - DPS.
Longbow - Interrupt at long range, Pulling.
Hornbow - Spikes.

I would also like to expand by adding a few more details.

Short bows are pretty amazing with Broad Head Arrow because of its speed. You're also going to have to be near the target anyway or BHA might miss. Therefore the shortcoming of shortbows (its range) isn't so significant.

I would use a Hornbow if you plan to spam attack skills that have a casting time though as a ranger, you probably would want to spread conditions/interrupt.

Though longbows can interrupt at long range, interrupting is better when you are relatively close to the monster unless your a speed demon.

Flatbows is awesome with Read the Wind and Favorable Winds.

Sir Mad · Oct 12, 2009, 06:15 PM // 18:15

Actually shortbows are great for interrupting as well. 2 things matter when you try to interrupt something: the arc of your bow (recurve bows have the shortest), and the distance from your target. And since you tend to stay at the max range, using shortbows is a mean to force you to get closer. That's also why a flatbow, even with FW, is generally a bad choice for interrupting (or you have to get closer anyway).

But in pvE, if you relly on heavy tanking, you generally want to stay far away from your target not to break the aggro - in this case: flatbows are probably the best (if the foes are well tanked they won't move so the arc doesn't matter, and its 2 secs firing rate increase your DPS).

You should consider buying several bows then: at least a flatbow (general purpose) and a shortbow or a recurve bow (for interrupting and being able to hit the foes when they break the agro and run after this damn Mehnlo all over the place).

Wefta · Oct 12, 2009, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Yeah, was planning to buy at least a shortbow and maybe a hornbow, but I might get a flatbow instead then since its apparently more useful ;P.
Thanks again.

Introverted Dimensions · Oct 12, 2009, 11:56 PM // 23:56

I prefer recurve, flats and longbow.

Recurve for just general use and flat/long for pulling.

Fay Vert · Oct 14, 2009, 05:52 PM // 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterSasori

Short bows are pretty amazing with Broad Head Arrow because of its speed.

No, the bow is irrelevent with BHA. SHortbow gives you no benefit, the skill fixes the arrow arc, you may as well use a flatbow with BHA as it makes no difference.

Taurean · Oct 14, 2009, 09:48 PM // 21:48

I use Flatbow unless i'm interruption, then i use the Recurve.

acerbity · Oct 14, 2009, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fay Vert

No, the bow is irrelevent with BHA. SHortbow gives you no benefit, the skill fixes the arrow arc, you may as well use a flatbow with BHA as it makes no difference.

BHA status: Told.

maxxfury · Oct 15, 2009, 12:33 AM // 00:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fay Vert

No, the bow is irrelevent with BHA. SHortbow gives you no benefit, the skill fixes the arrow arc, you may as well use a flatbow with BHA as it makes no difference.

i Think they meant for the attack speed of the short bow to proc the daze.
As the shortbow has the best attack speed (with the flatbow) meaning more arrows with a chance to interupt, but doesnt suffer from the flight time..

i MAY be wrong.

Tenebrae · Oct 15, 2009, 09:12 AM // 09:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxxfury

i Think they meant for the attack speed of the short bow to proc the daze.
As the shortbow has the best attack speed (with the flatbow) meaning more arrows with a chance to interupt, but doesnt suffer from the flight time..

i MAY be wrong.

You are not but the thing is once you hit with BHA bow attack speed means nothing because your party should be hitting the target to make advantage of the daze condition so its just easier to get near target ( or KD it ) , use BHA and run a little back to keep shooting.