Longbow vs crossbow

Right now, the basic longbow and crossbow have exactly the same damage, critical chance, critical damage multiplier and attack speed. However, the crossbow has greater range. I think the longbow should get a small boost so that it's comparable, say 6% critical vs 5% critical or maybe a 10% speed boost. What do you think?

 

There is a more notable difference when you start using higher tier components.
The crafted longbow for example uses two bowstrings which when using the imbued elven ones gives a significant bonus vs the crossbow which uses only one (but uses an additional 'crossbow stock' component which gives different stats, depending on what type of material you use.).

All in all, in my experience as a "crafter of bows" the longbow seems to be the far preferred option.

 

Yeah, I make bows. the 20% damage bonus you get from a hard maple crossbow is nothing to look down on.

 

This surprises me, since the only person who can out-damage me in UT uses a crossbow.
Sup with dat ?

 

Crossbow is usually the better option. As long as you make it with the right materials and use them correctly. Imho

 

How do you use it correctly? I'm a bow user and don't see much difference in how to use a bow vs a crossbow.

Fenris

 

I've used both types of bows extensively, and I vastly prefer the crossbow. I get higher damage output, larger crits, and more frequent crits. I can much easily solo UT with a xbow. Not so easily with a longbow, etc. The increased range is exceptionally helpful as well.

 

Is that by virtue of the fact that you're using an xbow, or the construction/components of the crossbow? (aside from range which i believe is intrinsic to the weapon)

Fenris

 

In general, on hardcore end game 120+ lvl archer, bow can do higher damage then crossbow. Before it - crossbow is better. If you actively use free attack, bow is always better for you.

 

I only use free attack, and I have 123 in ranged combat (110 eagle eye, 110 draw strength as well). My wife was using a maple longbow (same skill levels as me), I was using a maple xbow. I did significantly more damage than she does, and she noticed it. Just got her upgraded to a maple xbow, and the time it takes us to do a full UT run dropped by over a minute. So I can't agree.

 

Maybe its depend on the build or gaming style, I wrote based on tests of my bro 300+ STR archer tactics spec and bow, it outdps crossbow on the single target, penetrator will give even more for the free attack. In UT I dont know, I hate it

 

Could be... It was also apparent in The Rise and sieges. Or basically, anywhere we went.

 

To me this is all about a build choice, deck and play style, as to which will serve you better.

Certainly if you are not using imbued string of X, I would go crossbow.
If you are using imbued string of X (which I would always would/do) it depends if that stacking of stats of the imbued string is better than the tier 2 crossbow stock.

For me, as my build is mainly stacking attack speed, having a longbow with 2 imbued strings of speed is better than a crossbow with a tier 2 stock and 1 imbued string of speed.

So to OP, try both and see what works for your character.

Edit : Oh i'm an odd bow user though, i use my bow mainly as a high DPS single target DOT on a target.


Regards
Spung

 

If you're using auto-attack then that equates to 2.5% less damage over time for the longbow. If you're using free-attack then it's likely even worse.

I did. Extensively. The crossbow not only does more damage over time, it also allows me to attack a target that is significantly farther away.

Anyway, my suggestion of 6% base critical vs 5% isn't much. Just something to make up for the extended range of the crossbow.

 

PEOPLE...need MOAR INFO...

@Barugon please explain how its 2.5% less damage for the long bow? How did you build the crossbow to account for the speed loss?

And everybodypeeps please give more details? are we stacking dex? stacking str? running light armor and flurry? single target?

I already shoot so far its annoying, not sure I can live with even further I'll be hitting stuff in other games.

 

In UT, the ability to hit the mobs at the bottom from the top of the hill with a xbow makes all the difference in the world. It makes a lot of difference in the mages room in the rise too.

 

If you're using auto-attack then that extra 7.5% speed directly translates to 7.5% more damage over time. 10% damage bonus (hard maple) + 15% speed bonus (imbued strings) = 25% more damage over time. 20% damage bonus + 7.5% speed boost = 27.5% more damage over time and 7.5% less arrow usage.

 

Except corpion poison is on hit and is not getting that 20% damage boost.

Also never actually done the testing for the maths, but is flurry additive or multiplicative with the weapon attack speed?

 

If you really want to dig into it (and ALL weapon classes could do this)

Short Bow is a Short range HEAVY penetration Weapon = Damage boost Crit Boost Raneg decrease and accuracy decreas A lot with range
Long Bow is a Long Range Accurate Medium Damage Weapon = Damage standard, range + accuracy ++
Hand Crossbow (not in game but nees to be) Shorrt Rage, little damage, FAST weapon = Small range little damge but a poison boost
Cross Bow, Long Range Slow heavy Damage = Speed SLOW, range ++, damage +
Heavy Crossbow, Heavy Damage but range is same as Crossbow = Damage +++ Rang + speed SSLLOOOWW Piercing shot +++

Now same can apply to every class dagger, short swords, long swords . . . .
Spears, Halbards, pike . . . . .
Hammer and axes whould be separated completely but again large / small / heavy / light / spiked / double headed / . . . . .

Soo much potential just sitting there.

and now my dig. . . But wait 4 players can Attenuate in UT in 5 minutes we must adjust.

 

Yes it's per hit, so you will get 7.5% more damage over time from it using a longbow that has imbued strings.