Your advice is truly appreciated!
Best upgrades for bows
Aniewiel
Would you, oh intrepid reader, please give me some advice? What upgrades would YOU put on a bow that you were 'building' for yourself? Why would you put that particular upgrade on it?
Your advice is truly appreciated!
Your advice is truly appreciated!
Kuku Monk
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Originally Posted by Aniewiel
Would you, oh intrepid reader, please give me some advice? What upgrades would YOU put on a bow that you were 'building' for yourself? Why would you put that particular upgrade on it?
Your advice is truly appreciated! |
Aniewiel
How many upgrades can you put on? Bow grip, string and....?
*is a complete ranger n00b*
*is a complete ranger n00b*
Ermac
ok first of all you can only put 2 mods on a bow ..a string and a grip , there max for a sundering(armor penetrating) is 10 % with a 10% chance.....
there is a poison upgrade too ,but you cant have both poison lenghtening AND earth dmg on a bow, youll have to choose
there is a poison upgrade too ,but you cant have both poison lenghtening AND earth dmg on a bow, youll have to choose
Shwitz
GWOnline has a good listing of the different weapon modifications you can get. Aniewiel, you should choose your grip and string based upon what skills you will be using. If you'll be using a lot of enchantments, I'd recommend a grip of enchanting so that you don't have to cast as often. If you want to use poison arrow or apply poison, the poisoner's string isn't a bad choice. If you're going with a R/E conjure X build, the appropriate elemental string is a must have. I personally have 4 different bows for all sorts of situations. A shortbow with shocking string and fortitude grip, a composite bow with poisoner's string and fortitude grip, a flatbow with fiery string and enchanting grip, and another bow with icey string and marksmanship grip. It's all a matter of what skills you use most. What do you plan on doing with that ranger of yours?
midnyte13
i would add the +25 fortitude upgrade ( haft I think) and I ve had at least 2 upgrades to my bow...(enchanting longbow of fortitude)
Shwitz
Heck, if you're gonna get a +25 why not go for broke and get a maximum +30 fortitude grip? It's not gold cost-effective though, as people are charging more for that grip than for most actual bows.
RTSFirebat
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Originally Posted by midnyte13
enchanting longbow of fortitude
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Since it goes like this "Bow String Type" "Bow Type" of "Bow Grip Name"
So mine for example is Fiery Half Moon of Fortitude
Shwitz
Good catch Firebat... yea, enchanting is a grip, which means that enchanting longbow of fortitude you have must be a figment of your imagination Midnyte...
Algren Cole
Vampiric 3:1(im not paying 100K for 5:1)
Grip fo Marksmanship
Halfmoon Bow
Tigers Fury + Barrage = pwned
Grip fo Marksmanship
Halfmoon Bow
Tigers Fury + Barrage = pwned
Lynnrose
Grip: It depends in part on what your non-ranger profession is. If you are in a profession that uses a lot of enchanting, the 20% enchating grip could be useful. For pretty much everyone else -- defense, defense, defense. You can get a +4 defense grip for 200 gp and a +5 (perfect) for 5K or less.
Strings: I use three bows most of the time. I have a max+15>50 longbow (from the dune burrower jaw collector in the desert) that I use for pulling. I stuck a shocking string on it so I'd remember which it was (the collector bows all say "Ascalon" as the only descriptor), but the string type doesn't matter that much for a pulling bow. I have two max+15>50 shortbows (troll trusk collector in the S. Shiverpeaks) that have, respectively, a zealous string and a 5:1 vamp string (available for 60-75K) on them. Both have +5 defense grips. Customize those bad boys and you're ready to go. Strings of any other type are not that great, except the specialized case of poisoner's strings if you're going to be doing poison damage to mobs or fire/ice/shocking/ebon strings if you are an elementalist who's using conjuring skills. Sundering strings = waste of money, hands down. They do minimal bonus damage, especially when compared to the +5 unconditional damage done by a vampire string or the almost unlimited supply of energy you get with late-game shot-spamming skills + a zealous string. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Hope this helps.
Edit to add: The advice above assumes you're doing PvE with minimal HP damage from superior runes. If you're using superiors a lot, you might be better off with a fortitude grip (30 HP is the max). This advice comes from a very trusted source (most of it is from him) and from my personal experience (minimal as it is).
Strings: I use three bows most of the time. I have a max+15>50 longbow (from the dune burrower jaw collector in the desert) that I use for pulling. I stuck a shocking string on it so I'd remember which it was (the collector bows all say "Ascalon" as the only descriptor), but the string type doesn't matter that much for a pulling bow. I have two max+15>50 shortbows (troll trusk collector in the S. Shiverpeaks) that have, respectively, a zealous string and a 5:1 vamp string (available for 60-75K) on them. Both have +5 defense grips. Customize those bad boys and you're ready to go. Strings of any other type are not that great, except the specialized case of poisoner's strings if you're going to be doing poison damage to mobs or fire/ice/shocking/ebon strings if you are an elementalist who's using conjuring skills. Sundering strings = waste of money, hands down. They do minimal bonus damage, especially when compared to the +5 unconditional damage done by a vampire string or the almost unlimited supply of energy you get with late-game shot-spamming skills + a zealous string. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Hope this helps.Edit to add: The advice above assumes you're doing PvE with minimal HP damage from superior runes. If you're using superiors a lot, you might be better off with a fortitude grip (30 HP is the max). This advice comes from a very trusted source (most of it is from him) and from my personal experience (minimal as it is).
Tony Blair
Yes, listen to Ryun. It's all situational. Bow grip of Enchanting if you're loading enchants, but otherwise Defense +5. The string all depends on your style.
It's all situational. Bow grip of Enchanting if you're loading enchants, but otherwise Defense +5. The string all depends on your style.
Fye Duron
Personally I use poisoner's strings on my bows. But I will switch to either 10/10 Sundering string or a perfect 5/1 vamp string (but only on a short or half-moon bow).
As for grips for me its the Defense +5... or if I can't find one a +25hp or higher grip.
I just wish that they would come out with a grip to lenghten stances.... then all bows would have them
As for grips for me its the Defense +5... or if I can't find one a +25hp or higher grip.
I just wish that they would come out with a grip to lenghten stances.... then all bows would have them
Blkout
+5 defense is nothing though unless you're still in pre-sear. When your armor has over 70 per piece, what is 5 more? 
aB-
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Originally Posted by Blkout
+5 defense is nothing though unless you're still in pre-sear. When your armor has over 70 per piece, what is 5 more?
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Kilik Rune
Is there some sort of speed mod for a bow? Cause I read it somewhere and I couldn't think of what it would be.
Maxiemonster
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Originally Posted by Ryun
...I have two max+15>50 shortbows (troll trusk collector in the S. Shiverpeaks)... on them.
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Ness
I think Ascalon Bows have same stats as short bow.
Corbin
what does vampiric actually do
stumpy
Yes ... they are ascalon bows with Shortbow RoF and range ... ascalon bows vary (in everything but sex appeal - or lack there of) ...
and the dreamy legthen stance would likely be a string ... like poisoners string which legthens poison or similar other mods for other weapons.
personally my dreamy bows
max dmg poisoners shortbow of defense
+20% vs. hexed
legthens poison duration
+ 5 armor
max dmg (insert elemental string) longbow of (insert random grip)
+15% enchanted
max dmg vampiric halfmoon of defense
+15% while health above 50
5/1
+ 5 armor
but I'm not nef ... not as rich yet anyhow lol.
and the dreamy legthen stance would likely be a string ... like poisoners string which legthens poison or similar other mods for other weapons.
personally my dreamy bows
max dmg poisoners shortbow of defense
+20% vs. hexed
legthens poison duration
+ 5 armor
max dmg (insert elemental string) longbow of (insert random grip)
+15% enchanted
max dmg vampiric halfmoon of defense
+15% while health above 50
5/1
+ 5 armor
but I'm not nef ... not as rich yet anyhow lol.
Lynnrose
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Originally Posted by Corbin
what does vampiric actually do
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Mariena Feladon
I got a collector bow (max dmg, +15% damage while health is above 50%) and I decided to make it a dwarvenslayer bow for the upcoming new areas (which, as much as I'm aware of, will include a lot of stone summit) so I could battle those annoying little armored men.
I've slapped a Sundering Bow string on top of it (9%) and a Bow Grip of Dwarfslaying (10% .. still looking for a better one!).
Bring on the dwarves
So, basically, the 'best mods' are the ones you'll need for a specific task. A Fiery Bow String will be more effective than an Icy Bow String in the Shiverpeaks. A Bow Grip of Fortitude might compensate for your HP loss caused by Major/Superior runes while a Bow Grip of Enchanting could be more useful for your E/R.
I've slapped a Sundering Bow string on top of it (9%) and a Bow Grip of Dwarfslaying (10% .. still looking for a better one!).
Bring on the dwarves
So, basically, the 'best mods' are the ones you'll need for a specific task. A Fiery Bow String will be more effective than an Icy Bow String in the Shiverpeaks. A Bow Grip of Fortitude might compensate for your HP loss caused by Major/Superior runes while a Bow Grip of Enchanting could be more useful for your E/R.
Rey Lentless
Sundering has the potential to add the most damage, but vampiric is more reliable damage added. If you're using a conjure element.. I'd just use conjure flame and use kindle. Physical damage hits almost everything harder than elemental (except warriors). Personally I like zealous and poisoners most of the time.
I'd say the +5 defense grip or +enchanting if you go that route. I consider +def far superior to fortitude upgrades and much cheaper.
I'd say the +5 defense grip or +enchanting if you go that route. I consider +def far superior to fortitude upgrades and much cheaper.
Rajamic
I still can't see how anything can compete with a Zealous String. The extra mana it gives is priceless. Vampiric 5/1 might be just a hair better for damage, I guess.
Tinweasele
For me my ideal bow would be a short/moon max damage with +15>50 (short/moon bows have the fastest refire times as well as a flatter flight path that makes them deadly with other ranger skills)
for string since im a R/E i would use something that i can enchant to give myself extra 7+ damage on each shot
and then for a grip since im enchanting CONSTANTLY a nice little +20% enchant length grip
for string since im a R/E i would use something that i can enchant to give myself extra 7+ damage on each shot
and then for a grip since im enchanting CONSTANTLY a nice little +20% enchant length grip
powdahound
Is the zealous string really that great with normal ranger skills? I don't use Tigery's Fury or anything so I'm not sure if the energy gain would be good enough to counter the regular 3 pips we get as rangers (1 energy per second).
Shwitz
It's my experience that a zealous string works well in situations where -
a) You're firing lots of arrows really fast (quick shot builds)
or
b) You're firing lots of arrows simultaneously (barrage or dual shot)
Otherwise, I'm not that much of a fan of the zealous string.
a) You're firing lots of arrows really fast (quick shot builds)
or
b) You're firing lots of arrows simultaneously (barrage or dual shot)
Otherwise, I'm not that much of a fan of the zealous string.
Ensign
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Originally Posted by Rey Lentless
Sundering has the potential to add the most damage, but vampiric is more reliable damage added.
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Take the ideal case - 16 Marksmanship with a perfect bow shooting at a 60 AL target. This is the situation where Sundering performs most favorably against Vampiric.
Average attack when Sundering doesn't trigger: 34 damage
Average attack when Sundering does triggers: 38 damage
Average attack with Vampiric: 39 damage
Critical hit when Sundering doesn't trigger: 63 damage
Critical hit when Sundering does trigger: 70 damage
Critical hit with Vampiric: 68 damage
Assuming a 25% critical hit chance at 16 Marksmanship, this means that a Sundering bow string has a 2.5% chance of outperforming a Vampiric Bow string by two damage.
On average, a perfect 10/10 Sundering Bow String will add .475 damage to each attack - less than 10% of the benefit that a 5:1 string gives you. Even under *perfect* circumstances for a Sundering String, a hypothetical 100% chance of 10% armor penetration string would be inferior to a Vampiric 5:1. That's how bad Sundering is.
(Addendum: similar calculations under ideal conditions give +0.4909 damage per shot from a 20% Marksmanship Grip - ideal, in this case, meaning you're using a +damage skill with every single attack. In reality those are even worse than Sundering Strings).
Peace,
-CxE
Algren Cole
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Originally Posted by powdahound
Is the zealous string really that great with normal ranger skills? I don't use Tigery's Fury or anything so I'm not sure if the energy gain would be good enough to counter the regular 3 pips we get as rangers (1 energy per second).
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in my opinion...unless you're using barrage or tigers fury zealous bows aren't worth it. You won't regen quicker than normal.
Tinweasele
whoa whoa whoa, what exactly does vamp string do then? i thought it was purely life bonus on hit. does it actually add damage?
Algren Cole
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Originally Posted by Tinweasele
whoa whoa whoa, what exactly does vamp string do then? i thought it was purely life bonus on hit. does it actually add damage?
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no.
Vampiric takes away life from them and gives it to you in proportion to the lifestealing modifier. So if your vampiric string was 3:1 it would take 3 HP from the target every hit and give you 3 HP every hit...it would also take away 1 HP every second from you.
Acan Vishnu
Your stealing hitpoints -- they have to come from somewhere, right?
So yes, it does (in effect) add damage.
edit: 1 pip of health degen is 2hp per second, by the way
So yes, it does (in effect) add damage.
edit: 1 pip of health degen is 2hp per second, by the way
Blkout
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Originally Posted by aB-
You underestimate the added defense of 5 more armor. In almost all circumstances, +5 defence is better than +30 health, while at a cheaper cost. I don't really know the math behind it, just know the end result.
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powdahound
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Originally Posted by Blkout
Can you back this up with facts because I've never seen this to be true and a +30 Fort sells for MUCH more than a +5 Defense.
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Also, many people still seem to think that the armor levels on your armor are all summed up to get your total armor. +5 doesn't add much to the sum of all your armor levels so people think it's crappy. 70AL + 5 all the time is nice, however.
powdahound
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Acan Vishnu
Your stealing hitpoints -- they have to come from somewhere, right?
So yes, it does (in effect) add damage. edit: 1 pip of health degen is 2hp per second, by the way |
SleepeR
I read somewhere on the forums the +5 grip defense absorbs around 5-8% more damage then without it. This person had the math all right but i can't seem to find it or remember the exact numbers...So overall and overtime a +5 defense prevents a considerable amount of damage than a +30 hp can give you.
carnivore
whats ebon do?
and does zealous get better than 1:1?
and does zealous get better than 1:1?
shady_knife
Vampuric Half Moon of Fortitude -works well with barrage + fav winds.
15-28
HP +20
5/1 Life steal
Icy Flatbow of Fortitude - works well with conjure frost + fav winds + barrage.
15-28 Ice dmg
HP + 22
Dmg +13% while HP below 50%
ima R/E and i punish people
15-28
HP +20
5/1 Life steal
Icy Flatbow of Fortitude - works well with conjure frost + fav winds + barrage.
15-28 Ice dmg
HP + 22
Dmg +13% while HP below 50%
ima R/E and i punish people
Dyeeo
[shameless advertisment] Im selling a +5 armor bow grip hint hint [/shameless advertisment]
Blkout
Like I said before, no facts to back up this +5 defense, I've never once noticed it being any better than a fortitude upgrade. If anyone can provide facts, I'm certainly willing to discuss.