Curse

knives · Dec 18, 2006, 06:29 PM // 18:29

I've decided to start a ranger (had one but she was only a trapper and I eventually deleted her) and now am focusing on actually using a bow. What are some of the more popular bows to use for some common builds out there? I want to have an assortment of different types and be able to switch in between them depending on my needs. I'm pretty much set in getting the factions green bow that looks like a pair of wings (forgot the name) with the 5/1 vamp just based on its looks. Other than that, I'm completely lost. So just wondering, what are some of the bows that you like to use (preferrably green) or mods on bows you like to have on?

Dutch Masterr · Dec 18, 2006, 06:46 PM // 18:46

first let me explain the different types of bows...

long bow--best all-purpose bow with longest range and decent re-fire rate. can be used in any situation.

flatbow--same range as a longbow except it has a very high arch, making it innacurate and also has the fastes refire rate...used by PvE barrage rangers mostly.

recurve bow--refires at the speed of a longbow, but has less range. this bow has a very low arch, making it good for interupting and PvP.

hornbow--all hornbows have 10% armor penetration. they have the longest refire rate and have the range of a recurve bow. good in PvP or 1 on 1 used with an IAS skill and a preperation like read the wind.

shortbow--have extremley short range, have a very low arch and refire at the speed of a recurve bow. best used in PvP for up-close fighting.

the most common greens--drago's flatbow (sundering)
urgoz longbow
rotwing recurve bow
ironwing flatbow
chkkrs flatbow
forgotten longbow/recurve bow

most expensive golds--
mursaat hornbow
zodiac longbow
eternal bow (recurve bow)
storm bow (longbow)
grinning dragon recurve bow
shadow bow (hornbow--probably the least expensive of the rarer bows and can often be bought perfect for as low as 80k)

knives · Dec 18, 2006, 07:19 PM // 19:19

Thanks for your help, it was just the information I needed.

SnipiousMax · Dec 18, 2006, 07:41 PM // 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr

long bow--best all-purpose bow with longest range and decent re-fire rate. can be used in any situation.

Any bow can be used in any situation... that doesn't make it a good choice. Personally, I feel that a Longbow is the worst bow choice, as it doesn't have any advantages over the other bows in any situation. (apart from a few situational uses in GvG)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr

flatbow--same range as a longbow except it has a very high arch, making it innacurate and also has the fastes refire rate...used by PvE barrage rangers mostly.

Flatbows are used for alot more than Barrage Rangers, as they make a better all around bow than a longbow. The only requirement to make a flatbow usable in just about every situation and vastly superior to a longbow is Read the wind (or Favorable Winds if you are barraging).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr

hornbow--all hornbows have 10% armor penetration. they have the longest refire rate and have the range of a recurve bow. good in PvP or 1 on 1 used with an IAS skill and a preperation like read the wind.

Even with an IAS (and especially with a Prep) the 10% inante Armor Penetration does not make up for the refire rate. A Shortbow/Flatbow still out damage a hornbow. When you add a preperation into the mix, the margin widens.

The exceptions to the rule, are skills that have a set 'cast' time (like quickshot/needling shot) and Barrage + IAS.

KazeMitsui · Dec 18, 2006, 07:53 PM // 19:53

well to answer your question of green bows..
i pretty much use only my green bows for pvp...
i have a rotwing recurve bow for when i did use cripshot because of the +5 energy it gave me and i wasnt going for dmg but more of a condition spreader in gvg or something..
and i have a nundaks recurve bow which thaat i use for interrupting pretty much...
but for my all purpose i use my zealous shortbow of fortitutde cause i like it and it gives me energy back which is always nice...

Lyphen · Dec 18, 2006, 09:37 PM // 21:37

I like my Custo's Hornbow for Barrage (I love how it looks!

), but I always carry an Ironwing Flatbow (Factions endgame) and Saushali's Recurve.

Razortongue's Recurve is good aswell, I'm just not sure which is better for Barrage, 5 Vampiric or 10% Penetration 20/20.

MisterB · Dec 18, 2006, 09:50 PM // 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr

first let me explain the different types of bows...

-snip-

shortbow--have extremley short range, have a very low arch and refire at the speed of a recurve bow. best used in PvP for up-close fighting.

Shortbows have the fastest refire rate, tied with flatbows, at 2.0 seconds.
Recurves refire at 2.4 seconds.

Also, to OP, Guildwiki is your friend:

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Ranger_...uick_reference

Marverick · Dec 18, 2006, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Flatbows can often miss a moving target even with FW on. If you've ever been in a BP team in Tombs with a Flatbow you'll often miss the Grasps when they start charging at you.

Vamp Hornbows of Fortitude / Marksmanship are used mostly for Ranger Spike Teams with Dual Shot + Punishing Shot + Kindle Arrows and/or Conjure Flame. Also they work well with Quickshot and Needling Shot since those attacks already have a set activation time that doesn't matter with the type of bow.

A 15^50 Shadow Bow is nowhere NEAR 80k... Req 9 15^50 is about 30k. Price has dropped alot since Nightfall came out and inscribable ones can be found.

SnipiousMax · Dec 18, 2006, 10:09 PM // 22:09

^ the only times I've noticed that a flatbow misses while under FW or RTW are those shots that you would miss with on a longbow as well, when I'm out of range of the spirit, or someone let it die. Granted I don't use a flatbow when Barraging (Hornbow + Flail = better), but I regularly use a flatbow.

Without going off site....
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10085440

Thom Bangalter · Dec 18, 2006, 11:19 PM // 23:19

Flatbows are great for hitting non-moving npcs, like archers in GvG, or for soloing alliance shrines.

I use a recurve bow when playing most pvp rangers builds, but also have a longbow, recurve, and shortbow floating around in my inventory (not to mention shield sets for hasty retreats).

@ Lyphen, vamp is always better.

Franco Power · Dec 18, 2006, 11:23 PM // 23:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr

first let me explain the different types of bows...

long bow--best all-purpose bow with longest range and decent re-fire rate. can be used in any situation.

longbow is the worst bow ever

lennymon · Dec 19, 2006, 01:02 AM // 01:02

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Bow
most people will argue that the recurve is the most versatile, long only for pulling, flat for barrage with FW spirit, short if you plan to be a primary general damage dealer/degen spreader/choking gasser, horned for spiking.
That being said, I'm vain and stick with my zodiac ;P

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutch Masterr

first let me explain the different types of bows...

long bow--best all-purpose bow with longest range and decent re-fire rate. can be used in any situation.

flatbow--same range as a longbow except it has a very high arch, making it innacurate and also has the fastes refire rate...used by PvE barrage rangers mostly.

recurve bow--refires at the speed of a longbow, but has less range. this bow has a very low arch, making it good for interupting and PvP.

hornbow--all hornbows have 10% armor penetration. they have the longest refire rate and have the range of a recurve bow. good in PvP or 1 on 1 used with an IAS skill and a preperation like read the wind.

shortbow--have extremley short range, have a very low arch and refire at the speed of a recurve bow. best used in PvP for up-close fighting.

the most common greens--drago's flatbow (sundering)
urgoz longbow
rotwing recurve bow
ironwing flatbow
chkkrs flatbow
forgotten longbow/recurve bow

most expensive golds--
mursaat hornbow
zodiac longbow
eternal bow (recurve bow)
storm bow (longbow)
grinning dragon recurve bow
shadow bow (hornbow--probably the least expensive of the rarer bows and can often be bought perfect for as low as 80k)

.defekt · Dec 19, 2006, 01:03 AM // 01:03

What? Are you serious? Longbow is the best type of bow in the game. Please know SOMETHING about Rangers before posting here.

KazeMitsui · Dec 19, 2006, 01:05 AM // 01:05

i dunno about you .defekt if thats sarcasm or not
but i being a ranger only primary have never used a longbow ever.. i kinda have to agree with legendary on that... no clue what youre talking about but thats my OPINION...

Thom Bangalter · Dec 19, 2006, 01:08 AM // 01:08

I actually don't use a longbow that much...I mostly put it on because it's one of the few bows I have that's 15^50 and not vamp, so I like to not die of degen.

.defekt · Dec 19, 2006, 01:08 AM // 01:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by KazeMitsui

i dunno about you .defekt if thats sarcasm or not
but i being a ranger only primary have never used a longbow ever.. i kinda have to agree with legendary on that... no clue what youre talking about but thats my OPINION...

Then you're not a very good Ranger.

Also my opinion.

SparhawkJC · Dec 19, 2006, 01:11 AM // 01:11

I'm kind of indifferent to the whole longbow+flatbow class, since I stick mainly to recurves and hornbows. However I do have to admit that longbows have some of the nicest non-hornbow bow skins in the game.

lennymon · Dec 19, 2006, 01:11 AM // 01:11

@ .defekt a longbow is ONLY the best bow for a lazy/vain/ignorant ranger (I'm vain, which are you, lazy or ignorant?)

.defekt · Dec 19, 2006, 01:12 AM // 01:12

Lenny, you forgot to add /good.

Longbow's are so multi-purpose it's not funny.

Jeff Highwind · Dec 19, 2006, 01:14 AM // 01:14

I only use Longbows to Barrage, I don't like carrying a spirit for a Flatbow Barrage so I am lazy.

I much prefer Recurves over anything. Great range, great arrow speed, good refire and very accurate, It's great for nearly any build. I carry 2 recurves around (1 for barrage and one for cripshot/Interrupt) and the Forgotten Longbow as well.