Recurve/Composite Bow or LongBow???

what type of bow is better if they both have same stats and mods, would u rather have a longbow or Recurve/Composite

two totally different uses.

A Recurve you'll pull out when you are interupting something. A longbow is to Pull in pve, and for someone a long ways away in pvp.

I prefer flatbow over both.

Recurve: for interrupting, or hitting moving targets at range.
Longbow: for hitting targets far away.
Shortbow: for attacking fast.
Hornbow: for spiking.
Flatbow: for attacking fast at long range, but only if your target isn't moving or you have Read the Wind.

A bit of useful info:

Bow Range/ Refire Rate/ Arc Size /speed /accuracy/ Armor Penetration
Flatbow
Ithas Bow/ Long/ 2.0 sec. /High /Slow/ Low /0%
Longbow
Storm Bow/ Long/ 2.5 sec. /Normal /Slow /Medium /0%
Horn Bow
Ivory Bow, Shadow Bow /Medium/ 2.7 sec. /Normal /Medium /Medium /10%
Composite Bow
Dead Bow, Recurve Bow, Eternal Bow /Medium/ 2.5 sec./ Low/ Fast /High /0%
Short Bow
Half Moon Bow/ Short /2.0 sec./ Normal /Fast/ High/ 0%
- Ascalon Bows can be any of the above types
- Max Damage is 15-28
-some green bows may not be the "type" of bow listed in the name

Arc Size: Speed /Accuracy
High : Slow / Low
Normal: Medium /Medium
Low: Fast / High

Note the chart above: Low arcs mean faster arrows and better accuracy.

It is generally considered that composite/recurve bow types are the best "all around " bow.

Flatbows have lowest accuracy. Slowest Arrowspeed. And even though the refire rate is fast the actual time to targets is greater than a bow of another type of similar range. (ie: if they are close use a shortbow...if medium use a composite..if far use a longbow....and you'll come out ahead in time of refire to time arrow hits.)

Also note that the refire rate of a bow does not effect how long a skill takes....so savage shot with any bow will have the same skill warmup time regardless....

As, Former_Ruling, points out: That only applies to bow attacks that have set attack times lsited in the skil desp., like Quickshot or the Interrupts.

However ...skills are effected by arrow speed and range of the bow...so a savage shot will reach it's target faster with a recurve bow than a longbow, but it will not fire as far.

Um... huh? I think you'll find that Elswyth's Longbow is *gasp*a longbow, and its Elswyths Recurve thats... you guessed it.... a recurve.

Every single character should carry a longbow for pulling - it is the only one that hits outside of aggro range. But for general combat shortbows are best.
Recurves have their uses in PvP...

Other than the green thing already pointed out (Elswyth's Longbow IS a longbow in terms of stats...I use it myself) theres another problem

That only applies to bow attacks that have set attack times lsited in the skil desp., like Quickshot or the Interrupts.

Is that sarcasm or sass? Are you sassing me?

I tested this a while back on the isle of the nameless and the "longbow" could only reach the composite target....I just restested it...it seems they fixed this. However I'd keep an eye out for other greens that still might be glitched.

As for the comment about "shortbows are the only type of bow for general combat"
....that's just untrue. You should carry a longbow in PvP/PvE as well...there are several places where high ground and a longbow can be VERY useful for reaching the back line of enemy spell castors *cough broad head arrow* without exposing yourself to the front line of the enemy....

Shortbows work great in tight spaces like some of the HoH maps...but can leave much to be disired in some GvG matches lacking range to be effective. A recurve bow is a good mix of both if you don't want to switch back and forth....

Really it just comes down to personal preferance....As Rangers our biggest advantage is being able to attack from farther away than castors...that is IF your not using a shortbow. You should use that advantage when you can.

When you get in a tight spot whip out your Shortbow and let her rip.

On further elaboration abotu the "flatbow". Don't take my coments about it to say it is a bad bow...it has some great uses....the high arch can actualy fire over walls and up platforms where other bows would be "obstructed"....I use this bow a lot in the Arena with the sand/low wooden bridges/and low rock walls...find a spot of high ground in the middle and your all set.

I didn't say shortbows were the only bow for general combat, just the best. It's rare that you will want/need to exploit long range (eg longbow) after the battle is really underway, so rate of fire is more important. Recurves are good when arrow speed is important, i.e. interrupts (plus the shortbow ROF doesn't help on interrupts).

Also, remember that shortening the range shortens arrow flight time, which improves interrupt chance.