Curse

eggs0wn · Jul 12, 2006, 08:49 PM // 20:49

Even though I have been playing with my Ranger for, like, ever I still dont get bows. I know LongBows shoot farther and have the best ranger and vice versa for ShortBows. But everyone tells me that Composite Bows are good and Flatbows are bad but aren't they both in the middle? And I dont get Bow Grips and Strings. Some people tell me Vamprics and Zealous suck and others tell me its the best. And same for most others (grips n strings.) Now I currently want to get some type of longbow, well actualy a Storm Bow and I have a Sundering String (20/19) and a Shelter Grip. I'm planning to get a Fortitude Grip but some people tell me it stinks and same with Sundering. People just tell me too many things without reasoning. So can someone tell me the pros and maybe cons of each bow type n mods and which they think is the best.

Nivryx · Jul 12, 2006, 09:09 PM // 21:09

you just have to know how to take advantage of everything. some people say vampiric and zealous strings suck because they dont know how to do this. use a vampiric string to help increase your DPS (damage per second) while spiking and such. zealous can be used for energy management. some people say that you get more energy from just using another string that doesnt give energy degen. however, if your running a barrage or quickshot build, you can easily make up for the degen. as for the bows, ill just advise using a recurve bow while interrupting and a hornbow while spiking.

SnipiousMax · Jul 12, 2006, 09:09 PM // 21:09

In a nutshell:

Longbows:

Longest range. Mediocre refire. Mediocre arch (how long it takes for arrow to reach target.)

Flatbow:

Longest Range (tied with Longbow). Fastest Refire. Largest (worst) arc.

Horn Bow:

Mediocre range. Slowest Refire. Mediocre arc. 10% Innate Armor Penetration.

Recurve:

Mediocre Range. Mediocre refire. Smallest (best) arc.

Short:

Shortest Range. Fastest Refire (tied with flatbow). Mediocre arc (actually doesn't make a difference because of range).

Pretty much I'd suggest using a Flatbow if you are prone to using Read the Wind, as you'll get more damage than with a Longbow.

If you don't like Read the Wind, then I'd use a longbow to pull with and a shortbow once you've engaged the baddies. Again, you'll get more damage out of a shortbow.

If your primary function is interrupting, then I'd use a recurve bow.

If you are running a Quickshot build, or a spike build (or maybe a TF Barrage build...but I'm suddenly not sure about that one) then you'll want to use a hornbow.

But to be honest, if you were only going to get one bow, then I'd use a flatbow and learn to love Read the Wind.

Thom Bangalter · Jul 12, 2006, 10:49 PM // 22:49

you forgot hornbows!

SnipiousMax · Jul 12, 2006, 11:21 PM // 23:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Bangalter

you forgot hornbows!

Dang I did!

Fixed.

Ack, I didn't say anything about mods!

If you are looking for damage then you'll want to go with a 5:1 Vampiric mod over a sundering mod. The reason that people say that sundering sucks is because... well... it does. The damage gain from Sundering mods is easily outdone by a Vampiric mod.

I'd only worry about Elemental mods if you are planning on starting a very large collection of bows, as they are very good against enemies that are weak against a particular element. It should also be noted that the elemental mods are a good way of getting around a warriors addtional armor vs. phyisical.

Crippling/Poisoning/Silencing are really limited to PvP use, and they'll not be too useful in PvE.

If you are planning on staying out and away from the baddies, I'd definately have a Fortitude mod on your bow. But on the other hand, if you are finding that your play style is putting you into a position where you take a lot of physical damage, I'd use a + Armor mod.

Stay away from Mods of +marksmanship.

Thom Bangalter · Jul 13, 2006, 12:17 AM // 00:17

+marksmanship is sometimes used in r spike, sometimes. it's also the only time I'll vouch for 20/20 sundering.

i would also tell you to use search because there is a million threads on here with the same question...

But I do know that searching is almost always disabled when I try to use it. what's up with that?

eggs0wn · Jul 13, 2006, 12:42 PM // 12:42

I also always wondered what/how to Ranger Spike.

SnipiousMax · Jul 13, 2006, 01:12 PM // 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggs0wn

I also always wondered what/how to Ranger Spike.

Well pretty much, a Ranger spike has a group of Rangers that all use this combo:

Dual Shot + Punishing Shot (or quick or savage)

They use Read the wind, and they have an Order's Necro so they get a beastly amount of damage out of those two shots. They all count to three and attack at the same time so the target doesn't have time to react.

Craze Horse · Jul 13, 2006, 01:40 PM // 13:40

I'm a huge recurve fan. For one, they have the best skins in my opinion. Secondly, they have a huge versatility. They aren't slow by any means and they go a decent length so you feel like a ranger. They are perfect interupt bows because the arc is low.

The arc is low = more DPS. Why you ask?

Guildwars has alot of moving targets in both pve and especially pvp. If you stand still in PvP your as good as dead in most cases. Anyways, with a decently high arc like a longbow, arrows are sure to miss. This is a big problem because it cuts your DPS down by a great amount.

Dodgeing arrows is a big part of pvp. I learned this when crip shot rangers were still in major pvp buisness. You naturally come into some encounters. I personally can dodge any bow type except Recurve. Unless the enemy ranger had impecable timing and could time their shots perfectally, I would always will the battle against a non-recurve bow.

In my opinion:

Recurve Bow > Long Bow > Flat Bow

This list is situational of course, however, it is overall a good bet.

jimmy_logic · Jul 13, 2006, 01:54 PM // 13:54

RtW or/and FW makes Flatbows the best... Makes their arc like Recurves but the Refire is like Shortbows. Anything else other than those two conditions its up to what is happening and what your strategy would be. I personally like Recurves as they built for interrupting but not if I am using RtW or/and FW.

SnipiousMax · Jul 13, 2006, 02:34 PM // 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craze Horse

The arc is low = more DPS.

RtW flattens a Flatbow's Arc to near horizontal. So you'll get more damage from the higher refire and the lowered arc.

Even if you didn't want to use RtW, a Short bow's range really eliminates the need to worry about arc. And again Higher Refire = more DPS.

But you are right that a Recurve is essential in PvP.

Epinephrine · Jul 13, 2006, 03:23 PM // 15:23

It's all variable by situation. As a longtime ranger, I have in my weapon bar usually
2 flatbows, a shortbow and a recurve, if running a build in which FW or RtW will be in play.

If using a build without RtW or FW in play

Longbow, 2 shortbows and a recurve.

I don't even own a Hornbow, as I typically don't use one. The exception is ranger-spike groups, but that's PvP, and I typically just roll a PvP character for that.

Any good ranger has a pack full of bows and isn't afraid to swap them around for his role. Any good player knows how to play multiple builds, and adapts to the situation.

Unfortunately, my ranger has next to no room in her pack at this point - with 4 suits of armour (2 Druids and 2 Frost, one with all sup and one with all minor for each, allowing any combintaion of headgear/runes) about 10 bows, a hammer, sword, axe, shield for warrior secondary (as thumper/axe/sword ranger), staff (trapping if not oath shot/ViM), blood focus (yup, just in case I play touch) and so on, the pack is a little bit crowded...

Maria The Princess · Jul 13, 2006, 06:30 PM // 18:30

chec this out:

http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Bow

Craze Horse · Jul 18, 2006, 08:05 AM // 08:05

For no particular reason I just am not a fan of shortbows, though I do realize their usefulness.

I'd still pick a Recurve over a Flat Bow anyday, I can see where your coming from. I don't like the idea of having to always use a skill to keep my bow useful. I like having the effects that are important to me constantly active no matter what happens.

Maria The Princess · Jul 19, 2006, 06:51 AM // 06:51

my weapon bar has

Flat bow (sundering)
long bow (poisoners or fire damage)
long bow (zealots)
recurve bow (vampiric)

never have to change my wep bar