Tips on getting a new bow

I was thinking of getting a new bow. I already have a recurve and long bow. Two questions:
1) Should I get a shortbow or flatbow? I can't afford both at the moment. I don't run Favorable Winds, but if I get a flatbow, I'll have to add that to my bar.
2) What skin should I get? I wanted to get a Destroyer Bow, but it's so expensive to make, and there's the risk of accidentally customizing it in the Hall of Monuments.

what do you want to do with it?
i personally have 1 of each with different stats so each has it's use

and how do you mean accidently customizing it to hall? xD
it's hardly an accident if you do it

Get a Flatbow if it's that or Short, but really, Recurve is the best.

Destroyer Bows are butt ugly. Tbh I'm not really a fan of any of the Flatbow skins, but if you don't mind a greenie, go with Drago's Vampiric, I like the looks on that one. (Yes Vamp is the way to go really). You don't really need favorable winds, in PvE monsters don't move around all that much and if you're barraging you SHOULD have FW anyway. In PvP, use a recurve, not a flat.

And please don't tell me you use sundering on your bows... lol

This is what I'm running:
[build prof=R/Mo expertise=12+2 marksmanship=12+1+3 protection=3][Barrage][Distracting Shot][Savage Shot][Sloth Hunter's Shot][Lightning Reflexes][Ebon Battle Standard of Honor][Mending Touch][Rebirth][/build]
I have a recurve and long bow, both max damage but with no upgrades. I've been told to upgrade my current weapons before acquiring new ones, but I at least want to know what I'll be expecting to get once I can. I do have some 15^50 inscriptions, +30 grips, and 20/20 strings sitting in my storage though, but no vamps...

Ok, so you're barraging, use a Flatbow and add [favorable winds] in there, it is surprisingly beneficial, especially when you're with other barragers in a team. I would switch is for [sloth hunter's shot] which - although is a very good skill - you don't really need if you're spamming barrage.

Also, a tip for your build - Get rid of the sup and major runes, use minors, or just one major, Sups really cut into your health.

For that build I'd suggest sticking with the recurve. Recurve bows are renowned for their low-arc which allows you to interrupt easily, and since you have two on your bar this is a plus.

Recurve bows are typically not as well loved as flatbows because they have a slower firing rate, but on [barrage] builds the slower firing speed works perfectly with the 1 second recharge. You should be using [[barrage] most of the time.

I suggest getting both Vampiric/Zealous Recurve Bows, using the vamp until you get low on energy, then switching to the zealous.

no i dont^^
just incase this question was for me

Personally, I would go for a Shortbow or a Flatbow+[[Favorable Winds] for that build.

Many people will tell you to avoid shortbows, but that seems to come from a sort of fear of getting "too close" to the action . Here's a few reasons I can think of for using a shortbow:
1. unless you are in a group with a tank, most of the enemies will end up within shortbow range anyway.
2. a shortbow puts you at the same sort of range as most spellcasters, but you have better armor. If you are using H&H, this helps to take some of the damage away from the henchies (particularly henchie monks.)
3. Shortbows have the fastest re-fire rate, and their flight time is fast enough to interrupt effectively (without needing FW)

I like Urgoz's Flatbow and Ashlyn's Shortbow (which is basically just a Shortbow dyed black). I also carry a Vampiric Azure Shortbow, but I don't use it very often, and a +5energy Maplewood Longbow for various situations.

Edit - oh yes, speaking of Runes..... I use only Minor runes because I don't feel the small amount of extra damage is worth the health loss. However, a Superior or Major Marksmanship is ok for NM.

I have a vamp string you can have if you want White, just pm me on here.

I've always prefered recurves myself but I recently strating using a hornbow while doing some SF farming and I was amazed by the amount of additional damage it was producing.

You should have at least one of each bow type for different situations.

It all depends what you're doing and what you're facing as to what bow suits.

For general all round use, I go for recurves. Reasonable speed, reasonable range
Where you're using Crip Shot, a longbow can be useful. When I'm condition spreading in crowds, I usually run a poisonous shortbow. The shorter range is offset by the quicker fire rate, which I like when I'm trying to bleed and poison as many foes as possible