Curse

MalVeauX · Mar 07, 2006, 02:13 AM // 02:13

Heya gents,

I was wondering, is there a certain damage type that holds well through most of the game? I ask because I'd like to make a set of bows, but would like to plan ahead, before crafting/creating/etc (more unique than a real unique is sadly!).

So, of the damage types, which ones tend to really shine?

1 - Fire?
2 - Lighting?
3 - Earth?
4 - Normal Piercing?

I've noticed a few times, that my damage was very low against various opponents and I would change bows up and the damage would be better depending on the switch. However, globally I don't know what the main damage really is.

So what say you? I find my Ebon strings to do very well. But sometimes, I just don't see the big damage scores half the time. Does anyone keep it just normal piercing?

Cheers!

Wrath Of Dragons · Mar 07, 2006, 02:18 AM // 02:18

i think fire is the most widely damaging

Kurow · Mar 07, 2006, 03:00 AM // 03:00

While an elemental string will do more damage against warriors, it will do less against rangers. Also, a normal string will do normal damage to everything but warriors. Its really up to you, unless you plan on using conjure [element] or something.

Valerius · Mar 07, 2006, 03:00 AM // 03:00

i usually go with Vampiric (Piercing)

SnipiousMax · Mar 07, 2006, 04:28 AM // 04:28

Generally speaking, if you're looking for a bow that preforms well in any given situation, you're NOT going to want to use elemental damage. Phyiscal damage is more useful, in more situations than say...fire damage, cause you don't have to worry about baddies natural immunities. To squeeze the absolute most out of your bow, Vampiric is the way to go (although costly) it easily outshines the other's in the field. But there are other things you can do to maximize damage. RtW should just about be glued in your skill bar unless you're using barrage...then you might consider using FW. If you're a monk secondary, Judges Insight adds a decent amout of damage (especially with barrage). And if your set on using elemental strings, I'd use a conjure line (I'd find out what baddies we're weak against what, and have a bow to fit every mood). But in most cases, using Physical normal damage is the way to go.

MalVeauX · Mar 07, 2006, 05:04 AM // 05:04

Excellent, thanks!

I had seen a few times, where I could pull out 70+ damage with phsyical damage bows, on average. Obviously not the highest. I was just tired of some areas, during quests, only getting 30~40 with my skills involved. That get's tiresome.

I take it armor percing % and raw physical damage can outweight the elements combined with good critical hits and fast arrows eh? Sounds good to me!

Thanks again

Valerius · Mar 07, 2006, 06:45 AM // 06:45

Quote:

I take it armor percing % and raw physical damage can outweight the elements combined with good critical hits and fast arrows eh?

if ur not gonna take an ele mod... take either Vamp or Zealous... Sundering is complete crap

SnipiousMax · Mar 07, 2006, 06:59 AM // 06:59

Even a perfect sundering mod comes out to adding something like .2 or .3 damage per second. It's just not worth the cost.

The Real Roy Keane · Mar 07, 2006, 04:39 PM // 16:39

Im sure Vampiric would be the best; on a bow with a fast firing rate anyway(Shortbow or Flatbow). I don't have the figures to back this up, however.

MalVeauX · Mar 07, 2006, 04:55 PM // 16:55

Ahh ok.

For now, I think I'll keep her just normal piercing damage.
I've been trying to search up the different bow types to know which ones I need to shoot for, but the search is down due to forum load

Maybe someone can give me a quick run down?

Currently I use a long bow for pulling, then when things get close, I switch to an ascalon bow (no clue what type it is though) because it fires so fast (works great with close range barrage).

Also, I tend to use Collectors for getting my bows. It's cheap and easy and I can get what I want pretty quickly. However, I suppose I'll have to go do some hunting to find the other bow types? I've seen glowing bows and other weird things and have no clue what they are of course, or what makes them so special.

Cheers!

Quaker · Mar 07, 2006, 04:56 PM // 16:56

As has been said, there are particular creatures that have susceptability to particular types of damage, so it's good to carry a particular elemental damage (Fiery/Icy/Ebon/Lightning) in some areas. However, as an all around general purpose, I use Sundering. It should be 10/10 or at least 10/9 though.

I Know you'll find many people who swear by Vampiric, or who (mistakenly) say that Sundering "is crap", but in the long run Sundering does just as much damage as Vampiric (if you actually go out in the field and study the damage numbers coming off targets.)

Murder In China · Mar 07, 2006, 04:58 PM // 16:58

Vampiric>Sundering

Quaker · Mar 07, 2006, 05:02 PM // 17:02

The collector outside of Port Sledge (Intricate Grawl Necklaces) has a Flatbow style Ascalon Bow. The collector that takes the Mountain Troll Tusks, near a bridge, in Mineral Springs has a Short Bow style Ascalon bow(+15%h^50%). I'm not sure about the others style, but the Alpine Seed collector, by the respawn in Mineral Springs, also has a +15%(h^50%) Ascalon Bow. (I've gotten several, but never stopped to find out what 'type' they are.) Actually, there is a listing somewhere.....

Also, you may find this interesting:

http://www.guildwiki.org/wiki/Bow

Quaker · Mar 07, 2006, 05:03 PM // 17:03

Vampiric = Sundering

MalVeauX · Mar 07, 2006, 05:05 PM // 17:05

Alright, I finally got to get a good search through and found:

Quote:

The maximum damage for bows is 15-28.
Weapon Refire Rate Range Flight Time Arc Size Special Feature
Longbow 2.4 seconds 100' 0.75 seconds Normal None
Storm Bow 2.4 seconds 100' 0.75 seconds Normal None
Flatbow 2.0 seconds 100' 1.00 seconds Large None
Horn Bow 2.7 seconds 80' 0.75 seconds Normal 10% Armor penetration
Ivory Bow 2.7 seconds 80' 0.75 seconds Normal 10% Armor penetration
Shadow Bow 2.7 seconds 80' 0.75 seconds Normal 10% Armor penetration
Composite Bow 2.4 seconds 80' 0.50 seconds Small None
Dead Bow 2.4 seconds 80' 0.50 seconds Small None
Eternal Bow 2.4 seconds 80' 0.50 seconds Small None
Recurve Bow 2.4 seconds 80' 0.50 seconds Small None
Half Moon 2.0 seconds 60' 0.65 seconds Normal None
Short Bow 2.0 seconds 60' 0.65 seconds Normal None

Flight Time is for a target 60' away.

And further found information for my Ascalon Bows:

Quote:

* Sir Pohl Sanbert collecting 5 Dune Burrower Jaws for a Longbow
* Nord Stonegrimm collecting 5 Frozen Shells for a Longbow
* Luven Underwood collecting 5 Minotaur Horns for a Flatbow
* Mag Ironwall collecting 5 Intricate Grawl Necklaces for a Flatbow
* Karl Jakobs collecting 5 Massive Jawbones for a Horn Bow
* Hoknil the Lesser collecting 5 Azure Remains for a Horn Bow
* John Verado collecting 5 Topaz Crests for a Recurve Bow
* Bariel Darkroot collecting 5 Alpine Seeds for a Recurve Bow
* Trego Stonebreaker collecting 5 Mountain Troll Tusks for a Short Bow
* Mourn Drakespur collecting 5 Dessicated Hydra Claws for a Short Bow

I suppose that answers all my questions for the moment then

--- Flat bows seem pretty awesome? Am I missing something?
--- Short bows hands down in close range.

--- On the special bows with built in penetration, does it stack with skills like Piercing for the marksmen? That could be pretty interesting!

Cheers!

Quaker · Mar 07, 2006, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Note though, that some Ascalon bows give +15% for various conditions. I think the ones in the desert are mostly "while hexed" or "vs hexed", but you probably want "while health is above 50%" or "while in a stance" (Shiverpeaks).

Probably, the easiest & best overall one to get is the one from Mag Ironwall outside of Port Sledge. There are lots of Grawl and it doesn't take too long to get enough necklaces.

Savio · Mar 07, 2006, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

Vampiric = Sundering

Vampiric > Sundering. It's been discussed before.

tuperwho · Mar 07, 2006, 05:10 PM // 17:10

Flat bows are indeed pretty sweet if you use fav. winds or read the wind to flatten out the trajectory (and minimize misses).

And I'll take my +5 damage on every arrow over a 10% chance to do 10% more damage any day.

SnipiousMax · Mar 07, 2006, 06:58 PM // 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

I Know you'll find many people who swear by Vampiric, or who (mistakenly) say that Sundering "is crap", but in the long run Sundering does just as much damage as Vampiric (if you actually go out in the field and study the damage numbers coming off targets.)

Not wanting to beat this thread into the ground but....

That was BEFORE Vampiric numbers started showing. Now you see little -5's floating around with the Bow damage. The fact that sundering came out the same as vampiric without including those -5's PROVES that its worthless.

And Flatbow's bows weakness is accuracy and flight time.

MalVeauX · Mar 07, 2006, 08:35 PM // 20:35

Welp,

I've been using a Flat bow with Favorable Winds and Barrage and loved it for initial pulls and strikes from afar. When things get close, I immediately switch to my short bow, and fire away with barage and other skills.

Works great

I suppose I'll have to go trump through the UW and FOW to see about other bows. I'm liking Ascalon bows though. So simply with a collector and just throwing on a cheap grip and string here and there and then customizing it without worry.

Cheers!