I love my new green Elswyth's Recurve Bow, but the damn thing keeps trying to kill me. It has a powerful Vampiric string, lifestealing 5, which draws on my health every second I'm not killing something. I have to keep switching between the Elswyth and my old longbow.
How do you use a vampiric bow without being drained by it?
Surviving Elswyth's Bow
Willy Rockwell
Skuld
Mending if you're lazy, but the -1 energy regen just isn't worth it.
Willy Rockwell
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skuld
Mending if you're lazy, but the -1 energy regen just isn't worth it.
Well I changed second prof just to get mending, but the spell keeps ending when I'm fighting. Keeping track of mending is more trouble than changing bows.
remmeh
troll? lol
Human1
Use the F1 and F2 keys to switch weapon sets. Only takes a sec, not a big deal.
XvArchonvX
I personally have come to dislike vamp and to a lesser extent zealous bows. However, if you really want to make one useful, use it with Barrage, dual shot, and/or lightning reflexes. You will still have to switch bows in your downtime, but barrage on a large group can really help you regen health fast. If you are just going against a single target, use lightning reflexes and dual shot to get as many hits in as you can.
I personally prefer Elswyth's Long Bow. I actually gave mine away, but that's because I have a gold bow almost exactly like it, but with a +5 armor mod instead of +30 health. For me, the longer range and ability to lengthen poison works perfectly with my PvP build.
I personally prefer Elswyth's Long Bow. I actually gave mine away, but that's because I have a gold bow almost exactly like it, but with a +5 armor mod instead of +30 health. For me, the longer range and ability to lengthen poison works perfectly with my PvP build.
Former Ruling
You'll have to swith off all vamp bows when your not directly attacking someone. Its not something you can change.
And since its a recurve bow you wont be using it all the time anyway. recurve bows are Composite bows by nature and are for med range interupting so its not for all builds.
I picked it up because its got one of the best bow skins.
For the Zealous hating guy above - Zealous is the best bow prefix. a pip of energy regen gives 1 energy every 3 secs. You are giving that up for 1 energy every ~2 secs (more if you dual shot, or barrage).
And since its a recurve bow you wont be using it all the time anyway. recurve bows are Composite bows by nature and are for med range interupting so its not for all builds.
I picked it up because its got one of the best bow skins.
For the Zealous hating guy above - Zealous is the best bow prefix. a pip of energy regen gives 1 energy every 3 secs. You are giving that up for 1 energy every ~2 secs (more if you dual shot, or barrage).
XvArchonvX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Former Ruling
You'll have to swith off all vamp bows when your not directly attacking someone. Its not something you can change.
And since its a recurve bow you wont be using it all the time anyway. recurve bows are Composite bows by nature and are for med range interupting so its not for all builds.
I picked it up because its got one of the best bow skins.
For the Zealous hating guy above - Zealous is the best bow prefix. a pip of energy regen gives 1 energy every 3 secs. You are giving that up for 1 energy every ~2 secs (more if you dual shot, or barrage). hehe, I don't hate zealous really, but it's much better in theory than in practice for me. Sure you get energy every ~2 sec instead of 3, but that's assuming you are constantly attacking. Admittedly it works well with dual shot and/or barrage type skills, but I don't tend to use those much, except maybe in PvE. My builds are generally suited towards a balance of interupt/poison/cripple/evade. I keep a zealous and vamp bow on hand at all times, but rarely find them as useful as a good 'ol poisoner's longbow...
Oh yea, and if you just like it for the skin, get Elswyth's longbow. It's better imho (or at least for builds like mine) and has the same skin...
And since its a recurve bow you wont be using it all the time anyway. recurve bows are Composite bows by nature and are for med range interupting so its not for all builds.
I picked it up because its got one of the best bow skins.
For the Zealous hating guy above - Zealous is the best bow prefix. a pip of energy regen gives 1 energy every 3 secs. You are giving that up for 1 energy every ~2 secs (more if you dual shot, or barrage). hehe, I don't hate zealous really, but it's much better in theory than in practice for me. Sure you get energy every ~2 sec instead of 3, but that's assuming you are constantly attacking. Admittedly it works well with dual shot and/or barrage type skills, but I don't tend to use those much, except maybe in PvE. My builds are generally suited towards a balance of interupt/poison/cripple/evade. I keep a zealous and vamp bow on hand at all times, but rarely find them as useful as a good 'ol poisoner's longbow...
Oh yea, and if you just like it for the skin, get Elswyth's longbow. It's better imho (or at least for builds like mine) and has the same skin...
Willy Rockwell
Well I would never actually buy a bow, I have so many good ones and one char who does nothing but store upgrades.
I do use Barrage with the Elswyth. It doesn't have quite the range of the longbow but makes a noticeable difference in killing potential. They drop like flies.
I do use Barrage with the Elswyth. It doesn't have quite the range of the longbow but makes a noticeable difference in killing potential. They drop like flies.
Valerius
yeah man... just get a crap bow that looks kool... ( stormbow, eternalbow, mursaat horn etc. ) and switch to it while outside of battle... Recurves have the fastest arrow flight time so u should really only be using it when interupting or when ur gonna be shooting at moving targets
Xiaxhou of Trinity
I never knew recurves have the fastest arrow flight time! Damn I'm a noob.....sometimes. Well I don't think it should make a difference to me since I don't know how to interrupt right. I can never interrupt monk or spells that are 2 or 1 second cast times. Well thanks for that Valerius, recurves huh?
XvArchonvX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xiaxhou of Trinity
I never knew recurves have the fastest arrow flight time! Damn I'm a noob.....sometimes. Well I don't think it should make a difference to me since I don't know how to interrupt right. I can never interrupt monk or spells that are 2 or 1 second cast times. Well thanks for that Valerius, recurves huh?
There is a spot under the Guides section on Guru that compares the aspects of all the different types of bows. Find it here:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ies-id1092.php
As for interupting, sometimes you just gotta spam interupts (for example choking gas) against some enemies with fast casting times (i.e. mesmers and monks) and hope for the best. Ranger interupts work great on Elementalists, tanks using heal sig, and anyone resurecting. In either case, I have grown to love the longbow and keep it as my go to weapon in most cases.
Oh yea, and be sure to check out the rest of the guides. There are lots of useful ones for rangers there as well. Find that section here:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/guides-id119.php
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ies-id1092.php
As for interupting, sometimes you just gotta spam interupts (for example choking gas) against some enemies with fast casting times (i.e. mesmers and monks) and hope for the best. Ranger interupts work great on Elementalists, tanks using heal sig, and anyone resurecting. In either case, I have grown to love the longbow and keep it as my go to weapon in most cases.
Oh yea, and be sure to check out the rest of the guides. There are lots of useful ones for rangers there as well. Find that section here:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/guides-id119.php
Falconer
Quote:
Originally Posted by Valerius
yeah man... just get a crap bow that looks kool... ( stormbow, eternalbow, mursaat horn etc. ) and switch to it while outside of battle... Recurves have the fastest arrow flight time so u should really only be using it when interupting or when ur gonna be shooting at moving targets
And why does this disqualify it for use with barrage?! Why ONLY when interupting? If you're worried about hitting the target and don't have RtW and/or favourable... composite should be near the top of your list with shortbows.
Recurves, and Longbows have one VERY strong point selling them for anyone running barrage. You can hit barrage EVERY attack without breaking animation. EG: one barrage every 2.4s. Shortbows can't do this... they attack to fast.. you end up breaking animation and barraging SLOWER than you would with the recurve/longbow. Hornbows, also benefit from this, in that you can barrage once every 2.7s. If I have a shortbow or IAS with barrage I interleave barrage between attacks... (EG: barrage, penetrating, barrage, hunters, barrage, penetrating...).
Recurves, and Longbows have one VERY strong point selling them for anyone running barrage. You can hit barrage EVERY attack without breaking animation. EG: one barrage every 2.4s. Shortbows can't do this... they attack to fast.. you end up breaking animation and barraging SLOWER than you would with the recurve/longbow. Hornbows, also benefit from this, in that you can barrage once every 2.7s. If I have a shortbow or IAS with barrage I interleave barrage between attacks... (EG: barrage, penetrating, barrage, hunters, barrage, penetrating...).
XvArchonvX
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falconer
And why does this disqualify it for use with barrage?! Why ONLY when interupting? If you're worried about hitting the target and don't have RtW and/or favourable... composite should be near the top of your list with shortbows.
Recurves, and Longbows have one VERY strong point selling them for anyone running barrage. You can hit barrage EVERY attack without breaking animation. EG: one barrage every 2.4s. Shortbows can't do this... they attack to fast.. you end up breaking animation and barraging SLOWER than you would with the recurve/longbow. Hornbows, also benefit from this, in that you can barrage once every 2.7s. If I have a shortbow or IAS with barrage I interleave barrage between attacks... (EG: barrage, penetrating, barrage, hunters, barrage, penetrating...). Never though of it that way, good point!
Recurves, and Longbows have one VERY strong point selling them for anyone running barrage. You can hit barrage EVERY attack without breaking animation. EG: one barrage every 2.4s. Shortbows can't do this... they attack to fast.. you end up breaking animation and barraging SLOWER than you would with the recurve/longbow. Hornbows, also benefit from this, in that you can barrage once every 2.7s. If I have a shortbow or IAS with barrage I interleave barrage between attacks... (EG: barrage, penetrating, barrage, hunters, barrage, penetrating...). Never though of it that way, good point!
Valerius
well... usually when u do Barrage Spike u'll have Fav. Winds up... so u don't really have to worry about flight time... and u'll have a Tank taking all the aggro so chances are most of the enemies won't be moving... i just would rather use a Longbow or Flatbow is all
Amsterdam
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willy Rockwell
Well I changed second prof just to get mending, but the spell keeps ending when I'm fighting. Keeping track of mending is more trouble than changing bows.
It either is being rended from you or yuor energy is being drained to zero, which would make your enchantment drop, and one way to avoid running out of energy is to get rid of mending, and it shouldn't matter if it ran out uring combat because you are doing damage then and should be stealing live, F1 and F2 are easier to hit then worrying about mending, just do it.
Eldin
I use Elswyth's Recurve. I just use F2, an empty slot, if I'm in a situation where I won't be attacking for some time (like in farming, I unequip it when I'm running around/laying traps).
In missions I tend to keep it equipped most of the time, since there's more fighting and less running around.
Also, Troll Unguent is your friend. ^_^
In missions I tend to keep it equipped most of the time, since there's more fighting and less running around.
Also, Troll Unguent is your friend. ^_^
Rayndeon
As others have said, switch constantly using the function keys. Vampiric 5/1 bows and zealous bows make excellent combos with Barrage and Dual Shot, though mostly with the former.
Falconer makes several good points. First, one should rely on composite bows for interrupts. You are generally guaranteed to hit unless you are obstructed or are blind. They also have pretty good synergy with Barrage. Longbows and recurves do well with Barrage as well, although I'm tending to prefer my Composite lately.
Falconer makes several good points. First, one should rely on composite bows for interrupts. You are generally guaranteed to hit unless you are obstructed or are blind. They also have pretty good synergy with Barrage. Longbows and recurves do well with Barrage as well, although I'm tending to prefer my Composite lately.
Beat_Go_Stick
Quote:
Originally Posted by XvArchonvX
There is a spot under the Guides section on Guru that compares the aspects of all the different types of bows. Find it here:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ies-id1092.php Is that page correct? I thought the aggro bubble was 80', a composite bow could shoot 80', and a long bow could shoot 100' (for example). I went through the little Battle Isle newbie trainer they added and I think that's what it said (as well as what I remember to be true)...
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ies-id1092.php Is that page correct? I thought the aggro bubble was 80', a composite bow could shoot 80', and a long bow could shoot 100' (for example). I went through the little Battle Isle newbie trainer they added and I think that's what it said (as well as what I remember to be true)...
Garreth MacLeod
I think it's out of date
Aryal
use a skill that raises ur atk speed, like tf or frenzy or something, u will find u will be getting more health per sec then wat ur loosing...
Yolanda Kai
IIRC the agro bubble is estimated at 88' which makes sense because a longbow or wand/staff can shoot slightly further than the bubble extends, even on level ground.
Anyway why switch to an empty slot when you can have a -2 +45 stance shield and defensive weapon
Even if you don't have the requirements you get the mods and I'm guessing that shields work the same way as wepons regarding partial damage for partial requirements.
For example my Warrior when real young was using a Chakram offhand and still getting 6E with no points in the required attribute.
Anyway why switch to an empty slot when you can have a -2 +45 stance shield and defensive weapon
Even if you don't have the requirements you get the mods and I'm guessing that shields work the same way as wepons regarding partial damage for partial requirements.For example my Warrior when real young was using a Chakram offhand and still getting 6E with no points in the required attribute.
jimmy_logic
Weapon Switch is your friend... especially if you weapon switch to a Zealous Bow at least your getting something useful even if you forget to switch.
Jack Valmont
I use these bows on F1, F2, and F3 (in that order.
Zealous Ascalon Bow of FortitudeDamage +15% (while enchanted)
Health +30
Energy Steal +1
Energy Regen -1Elswyth's Recurve BowDamage +15% (while enchanted)
Health +30
Life Steal +5
Health Regen -1Ascalon Bow of FortitudeDamage +15% (while enchanted)
Health +30Unless I bring my pet with me (read: lack of Live Vicariously/Vigorous Spirit/Barrage), I use all of these bows at one time or another. My two Ascalon bows are Flatbows--I'm waiting until I get to the desert to get Recurve instead. I prefer Recurve above all else. Also. I've been bring Serpant's Quickness to speed up my Barrage time so that it doesn't break animation. It seems to work well...I guess.
Zealous Ascalon Bow of FortitudeDamage +15% (while enchanted)
Health +30
Energy Steal +1
Energy Regen -1Elswyth's Recurve BowDamage +15% (while enchanted)
Health +30
Life Steal +5
Health Regen -1Ascalon Bow of FortitudeDamage +15% (while enchanted)
Health +30Unless I bring my pet with me (read: lack of Live Vicariously/Vigorous Spirit/Barrage), I use all of these bows at one time or another. My two Ascalon bows are Flatbows--I'm waiting until I get to the desert to get Recurve instead. I prefer Recurve above all else. Also. I've been bring Serpant's Quickness to speed up my Barrage time so that it doesn't break animation. It seems to work well...I guess.
spellfall
I think this post had died
Jack Valmont
I wasn't paying attention, whoops.
SnoopJeDi
I'd like to point out that using mending is completely useless for a vamp bow imho. I've been playing a monk lately (just ascended him), and I've caught a lot of rangers with vamp bows who use mending. The degeneration hurts the already weak ranger energy pool, as well as diverting attribute points away from useful damage areas and towards healing, limiting you to breaking even, if you're very efficient. You're also "wasting" a skill slot, which could be an interrupt, preparation, or hell, even charm animal with more effectiveness.
That said, I'm fairly decent at playing a monk in PvE, so I can't blame anybody for not wanting to rely on getting a good monk. Still, there's no excuse for not using another bow and unguent.
That said, I'm fairly decent at playing a monk in PvE, so I can't blame anybody for not wanting to rely on getting a good monk. Still, there's no excuse for not using another bow and unguent.
Lord Omnipata
I keep 4 wep slots up.
1 = Vamp Short Bow (5/1, 14^50, +5 AL)
2 = Elswyth's Recurve
3 = Long Bow (Fire, 14^50, +5 AL)
4 = Peppermint Shield & Nolani +5 EN wand
Anyway, I love Vamp's for the extra dmg and healing. Guaranteed unlike sundering. F4 when I'm not in battle, plus the peppermint shield reminds me to switch back to my battle wep which is easy to forget if you're just using a non vamp bow.
It can be a pain at first, but you get used to it. Plus the pep shield and wand are perfect for running in my opinion. An extra 10 AL with no requirements and +5 energy.
Not a fan of mending unless I'm running. If used correctly, vamp's should never cause you to have to heal yourself. If they do you're not paying attention or need to find another string imo.
Also, I'm pretty sure Elswyth's Recurve is 15^50 -- not 15^enchanted as stated earlier.
1 = Vamp Short Bow (5/1, 14^50, +5 AL)
2 = Elswyth's Recurve
3 = Long Bow (Fire, 14^50, +5 AL)
4 = Peppermint Shield & Nolani +5 EN wand
Anyway, I love Vamp's for the extra dmg and healing. Guaranteed unlike sundering. F4 when I'm not in battle, plus the peppermint shield reminds me to switch back to my battle wep which is easy to forget if you're just using a non vamp bow.
It can be a pain at first, but you get used to it. Plus the pep shield and wand are perfect for running in my opinion. An extra 10 AL with no requirements and +5 energy.
Not a fan of mending unless I'm running. If used correctly, vamp's should never cause you to have to heal yourself. If they do you're not paying attention or need to find another string imo.
Also, I'm pretty sure Elswyth's Recurve is 15^50 -- not 15^enchanted as stated earlier.
floplag
the vampric mod is, in my opinion, one of the best mods going, especially in conjustion with barrage or other fast firing attacks. but the shortest answer here is also the simplest ... only equip it when its need, not when your walking around. have another bow for not fighting times and swap between them rather than wasting energy on mending or trying to counter it that way leaving you weaker in the long run as your sapping your own energy regen on mending.
Nachtigal
"Recurves, and Longbows have one VERY strong point selling them for anyone running barrage. You can hit barrage EVERY attack without breaking animation. EG: one barrage every 2.4s. Shortbows can't do this... they attack to fast.. you end up breaking animation and barraging SLOWER than you would with the recurve/longbow. Hornbows, also benefit from this, in that you can barrage once every 2.7s. If I have a shortbow or IAS with barrage I interleave barrage between attacks... (EG: barrage, penetrating, barrage, hunters, barrage, penetrating...)."
Wrong. Couple threads on or near the main page where this is disproven.
Wrong. Couple threads on or near the main page where this is disproven.
onyo
i just switch to my elswyth's when im 1v1'ing a guy or i have some monks on my team, or spiking. other than that i just use a long bow...
Quaker
Well, as I've often said, and will say again - I don't see enough of an advantage (if any) to using a Vampiric Bow to make them worth the hassle.
Valerius
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quaker
Well, as I've often said, and will say again - I don't see enough of an advantage (if any) to using a Vampiric Bow to make them worth the hassle.
dude... what hassle?
is it really sooo hard for you to just switch to another bow?
is it really sooo hard for you to just switch to another bow?
Iskrah
Apparently he's carrying a Drago's Flat Bow, so he's a fan of the sundering mod AKA an average of +0.2 dmg...
I guess he doesn't see the point in carrying a Vampiric mod that will give +5 dmg, and a constant flow of health (especially with Barrage), with every arrow.
In ideal, you put +30 dmg to your Barrage, and get +30 Health every 2 sec (that's for PvE). At worst you switch when you don't fight (and you have like 485 seconds to do so...)...
I guess he doesn't see the point in carrying a Vampiric mod that will give +5 dmg, and a constant flow of health (especially with Barrage), with every arrow.
In ideal, you put +30 dmg to your Barrage, and get +30 Health every 2 sec (that's for PvE). At worst you switch when you don't fight (and you have like 485 seconds to do so...)...
moriz
the +5 vamp damage is huge when you only do around 20 damage per hit vs your average warrior.
f0s
r/mo with mending 
Savio
Quote:
Originally Posted by f0s