Question re: Comparison of Bow Types: Flat vs Long vs Storm

http://www.guildwarsguru.com/content...ies-id1092.php

Given this data, is there anything aside from arc, refire rate, or flight time that distinguishes the bow types? I'm not asking about looks.

There are obvious reasons for using Flat/Long/Stormbows, and obvious reasons for using Half Moons/Short - are there reasons to use Eternal/Ivory/Composite taht are not apparent?

Thanks!

EDIT: edited my question.

Pulling mobs. It's easier to pull one mob at a time with a long/storm. Also, I use it when there's natural walls and obstacles in the way. They can't get to me, but I can certainly peg them with arrows.

But, yes, generally, short bows are for maximizing DPS.

Their function really depend on the opponent's action... If you are shooting someone who doesn't bother dodging, flatbow will defintely be the best... but if the target is good at dodging, flatbow with favorable wind is still easily dodgeable in good distance... Chances are... flatbow is just plain better as most people don't have the time to dodge everything, but that is in terms of damage... If you want to catch someone doing something with interrupts, long bow/storm bow will be much better option... As you can see on the skill list, most disrupting skill from ranger arrow have a cast time which allow them to act seperately from regular attacks (when caster recieve the command for casting, they would stop their attack at any time... same to this, which mean the fire rate won't be as big problem here).

Actually, composite bows are the best for interrupts.

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He asked for longbow/stormbow/flatbow, so he get what he asked =/

In someway, yes the recurve/composite is the best due to shortest flight time although low fire rate. But personally, I still prefer 100 range than the typical... but when it really come down to the point... long bow are pretty much recurve with longer distance, I can say that if you shoot longbow and recurve at the same distance... they have almost no difference (honestly, I never test it out thru numbers and stop watch). It is like shortbow and flatbow have almost no difference in close range... shooting from farther doesn't mean slower.

my 2 cents

So, just to follow up - there are no hidden stats having to do with bows?

If anyone has any data either way that would be great.

What is this I hear about Ivory bows having "built in" armor penatration?Thats something Ive been wondering about but didnt want to start a whole new thread on it

Just to answer exactly what the OP asked- with the examples you gave, no there are no hidden bonuses, but each are good in their own way.
If you want to lure or get a good chance at a long-distance shot (eg. to poison/cripple etc...) then a Longbow is great.
If you want to stay at range and still rain hell on stationary targets (or use Favourable Winds or other skills that increase arrow speed/flatten arc) then a Flatbow is good.

For pure DPS and rate of fire, then a Shortbow is the daddy.

(I think Shadow Bows are all flash-looking Longbows, but I may be wrong)

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Well, I'll give you a chart and you look at it, but I don't know anything of the Stormbow.
It goes like this, bow type, attack speed, range, accuracy, armor penetration.

Short, Good, Poor, Good, None
Long, Fair, Good, Fair, None
Flat, Good, Good, Poor, None
Recurve, Fair, Fair, Good, None
Horn, Poor, Fair, Fair, 10%

Note: these stats are for a BASIC bow with NO MODDES!