Curse

Ender Ward · Sep 16, 2005, 06:51 AM // 06:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by id0l

or an "increased firing rate spirit."

These do not exist. Try again.

id0l · Sep 16, 2005, 06:56 AM // 06:56

^ Ah damn, you busted me!

I guess I meant to say stance...a la TF, etc.

M3lk0r · Sep 16, 2005, 11:05 AM // 11:05

Speaking about *boosts*, I always wondered how does Fav. Winds effect Bows? Does it help certain bows more than others?

ElderAtronach · Sep 16, 2005, 11:40 AM // 11:40

Favorable winds makes arrows travel twice as fast, so it helps the flatbow out the most. It doesn't help the longbow much at all. The additional damage is gravy after that.

galkraft · Sep 16, 2005, 11:46 AM // 11:46

wow. I disagree with most posters in this thread. (constructive disagree, not flame) I have had practice with all bow types except Horn Bow, and I have not found a situation where short bow outdoes others. I'll list the different characteristics, then explain why. fyi, any other special PvE bows out there fall into one of these categories, regardless of name.

Flat Bow = long range, fast refire, low accuracy
Long Bow = long range, medium refire, medium accuracy
Recurve Bow = medium range, medium refire, excellent accuracy
Horn Bow = medium range, slow refire, medium accuracy, armor penetration
Short Bow = close range, fast refire, medium accuracy

And here's how each bow excels in a given situation

Flat Bow =for= long range targets not moving and close range combat
Long Bow =for= long range
Recurve Bow =for= dodgers and interruptions
Horn Bow =for= (i'm guessing...) spamming non-preparation power attacks
Short Bow =for= close range combat

When using preparations, by the way, Flat or Short will get the most shots in before time runs out.

Now, my argument is, once my foes are close range, accuracy doesn't matter. I never miss my target, even with a Flat Bow. Kiters who try to dodge me always try to gain some distance. This is when I pull out my Recurve Bow, so my arrow is guaranteed not to miss. A Short Bow will fire no faster than the Recurve, because the pattern at this point is shoot-run-shoot-run. When the kiter decides to stop, Flat Bow does the job again. Switching bows may slow me down a little, but I still get more hits, because of longer range, meaning less chasing. Oh, and also, with the aid of Read The Wind or Favorable Winds, Flat Bow rules all hands down.

So my answer to the original question:
1. go for your favorite stats first, they make more a difference
2. don't use zealous string unless it's on a fast bow aided by Tiger's Fury, Frenzy, etc.
3. don't use vampiric string unless it's on a fast bow aided by Predatory Season
4. combination of Flat Bow and Recurve Bow will cover all situations.
5. If you use just one bow, it depends on your attack skills and positioning technique, as to which type is best.
Interrupter? Recurve. Preparations? Flat/Short. Power attacks? Horn Bow. Using RTW/FW? Flat. Keeping distance? Long.

EDIT: I said Composite several times where I shoulda said Recurve

galkraft · Sep 16, 2005, 12:19 PM // 12:19

Oh, in PvE, which is kinda Off Topic, I tend to agree with Long Bow / Short Bow. Long Bow for pulling, Short Bow once they close in, as they always do. Again, though, stats matter more.

carnivore · Sep 16, 2005, 07:07 PM // 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by galkraft

wow. I disagree with most posters in this thread. (constructive disagree, not flame) I have had practice with all bow types except Horn Bow, and I have not found a situation where short bow outdoes others. I'll list the different characteristics, then explain why. fyi, any other special PvE bows out there fall into one of these categories, regardless of name.

Flat Bow = long range, fast refire, low accuracy
Long Bow = long range, medium refire, medium accuracy
Recurve Bow = medium range, medium refire, excellent accuracy
Horn Bow = medium range, slow refire, medium accuracy, armor penetration
Short Bow = close range, fast refire, medium accuracy

And here's how each bow excels in a given situation

Flat Bow =for= long range targets not moving and close range combat
Long Bow =for= long range
Recurve Bow =for= dodgers and interruptions
Horn Bow =for= (i'm guessing...) spamming non-preparation power attacks
Short Bow =for= close range combat

When using preparations, by the way, Flat or Short will get the most shots in before time runs out.

Now, my argument is, once my foes are close range, accuracy doesn't matter. I never miss my target, even with a Flat Bow. Kiters who try to dodge me always try to gain some distance. This is when I pull out my Recurve Bow, so my arrow is guaranteed not to miss. A Short Bow will fire no faster than the Recurve, because the pattern at this point is shoot-run-shoot-run. When the kiter decides to stop, Flat Bow does the job again. Switching bows may slow me down a little, but I still get more hits, because of longer range, meaning less chasing. Oh, and also, with the aid of Read The Wind or Favorable Winds, Flat Bow rules all hands down.

So my answer to the original question:
1. go for your favorite stats first, they make more a difference
2. don't use zealous string unless it's on a fast bow aided by Tiger's Fury, Frenzy, etc.
3. don't use vampiric string unless it's on a fast bow aided by Predatory Season
4. combination of Flat Bow and Recurve Bow will cover all situations.
5. If you use just one bow, it depends on your attack skills and positioning technique, as to which type is best.
Interrupter? Recurve. Preparations? Flat/Short. Power attacks? Horn Bow. Using RTW/FW? Flat. Keeping distance? Long.

EDIT: I said Composite several times where I shoulda said Recurve

well....flatbows are ugly...so there.

no really i wont give up a shortbow just because they put u in closer range than a flatbow does so that means if they run a composite will be able to hit them with a pindown instantly

edit: oh and composites/recurves/eternals are not GARUNTEED. i've had warriors who were running and still manage to juke my composite...

galkraft · Sep 16, 2005, 08:58 PM // 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnivore

no really i wont give up a shortbow just because they put u in closer range than a flatbow does

it's not crucial enough that you have to... But would anyone disagree with me that flat bows do well at close range?

Quote:

so that means if they run a composite will be able to hit them with a pindown instantly

I misunderstand this part. Are you still talking about my examples of Recurve/Composite Bows, or did you mean to say Short Bow?

Quote:

edit: oh and composites/recurves/eternals are not GARUNTEED. i've had warriors who were running and still manage to juke my composite...

Perhaps you're right, I'll rephrase. "most guaranteed". Anyway, guarantee is much less a concern at close ranges. At longer ranges, arrow flight factor IS more a concern. But Short Bows don't work at longer ranges, which is why Short-Bow-only users don't see a need for Recurve Bow, and i would agree. Not because Short Bows are the ultimate only option, which is what I'm arguing against, but because Short-Bow-users were willing to give up range for a more convenient alternative to bow switching.

oh by the way, here's a link for complete stats of all missile weapons, provided by GWGuru.

Ensign · Sep 16, 2005, 10:42 PM // 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by id0l

Thanks for the insight Ensign. Let me ask you this - if you were to only take 3 bows into battle...which would you pick? I'm guessing 2 combat short bows and a longbow?

Yeah, that'd be a standard 3 bow setup - Zealous Short, Vampiric Short, Sundering/Ebon Long. If I'm not using a Pin Down the Long Bow is basically useless and can be safely turned into a Flatbow.

Depending on the build I'd consider swapping out one or both Shortbows for Flatbows. My issue with Flatbows is that good players always run to mitigate damage, and that works a whole lot better against a Flat than a Short. Your interrupts are noticibly worse with a Flatbow as well and that doesn't help. If there's a Favorable Winds up this point is moot and Flatbows are just plain better than Shortbows, but usually that's unreliable at best, and the range just isn't as important as the accuracy.

Refire is still king, though. If you actually plan on attacking with a bow regularly it needs to be either a short or a flat, and you choose based on whether you value range or accuracy more. Composites and Longs are your specialized bows that you use for Pins or single longer range, more accurate shots. They both have their own little niches, but you never need more than one of the two - and I generally prefer Longbows because I'm using it for long range Pins and sniping. Horn bows are just trash that you should only use in extreme situations. It was an interesting choice when you could use Quickening Zephyr to have a 0 recharge Quick Shot, but now that that is gone and you need to make a normal shot in between Quicks, Horns have lost a ton of their utility (Quick + Normal attack with a Horn Bow does less damage than Quick + Normal attack with a Short or Flat Blow). I guess there's still a niche for it since it technically does more damage in Quick/Savage/Quick spikes, but that's not enough to make me use it.

Peace,
-CxE

carnivore · Sep 17, 2005, 12:36 AM // 00:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by galkraft

I misunderstand this part. Are you still talking about my examples of Recurve/Composite Bows, or did you mean to say Short Bow?

i mean that when u use a shortbow it puts u 70ft from the person so when they start running just switch to a composite it tacks on an extra 15ft so u can pin him on the spot.

anyway i've long since memorized that guide =P

Edit: actually it turns out i had more like a faint memory XD

edit2: hey...did that thing change...icoulda sworn...

galkraft · Sep 17, 2005, 02:37 AM // 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ensign

Horn bows are just trash that you should only use in extreme situations. It was an interesting choice when you could use Quickening Zephyr to have a 0 recharge Quick Shot, but now that that is gone and you need to make a normal shot in between Quicks, Horns have lost a ton of their utility (Quick + Normal attack with a Horn Bow does less damage than Quick + Normal attack with a Short or Flat Blow). I guess there's still a niche for it since it technically does more damage in Quick/Savage/Quick spikes, but that's not enough to make me use it.

Nice tips on the Horn Bow. Maybe we should start a new thread: Horn Bow users need some love!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carnivore

hey...did that thing change...icoulda sworn...

what part?

carnivore · Sep 17, 2005, 02:55 AM // 02:55

longbows use to be listed at a 100
composites 80
shorts 60

id0l · Sep 17, 2005, 06:55 AM // 06:55

^ You're right...I thought I was going nuts.

Ishamael Sedai · Sep 17, 2005, 07:08 AM // 07:08

my grps tried out recurve bows tonight & i liked them. it allowed me a little more leeway on spreading out from smite i thought.

boontheloon · Sep 17, 2005, 10:29 AM // 10:29

i never realised that a question about bows would bring a entire 2 pages but thx a lot i alreadt got my 5/1 string just looking to buy a 15%>50 shortbow now

smurfhunter · Sep 19, 2005, 03:12 PM // 15:12

actually i use composite bows for ranger spiking, it has a nice range with good accuracy. you can ignore the re-fire times because you will be using thing like punisihng shot right after so who cares. ofcourse i also bring a short bow... but the composite is pretty good since they tend to run/dodge arrows.

i wouldnt use a longbow on this because the range is deceptive, like if you run up to someone in the longbow range, even with fav winds up if he runs you will miss kinda alot. the composite bow range is nice because it really minimizes the amount of missing without having a really pathetic range like a shortbow. just imo ^^