3 AP Bows

[tenbsmith]

The one in Oskahold has higher accuracy, range and damage. Tamilin hits most times for me, so the accuracy is nice but not compelling, though I can imagine this being attractive later in the game with an empowered attack that uses a lot of SP. Might also be nice with Silent Stalker.

OTOH, it is nice having the flexibility of three attacks per round.

[fallen]

tenbsmith - any conclusion? Did you pick up the bow or keep your 2 AP one? The higher Accuracy and Dmg is a clear balance for the 3 AP cost.

[En1gma]

Also would like to know if anyone has used the 3ap Bows with Pinning Shot... My newest game has her cursing AP alongside Ky, while using -dodge and parry curses with everyone so Vraes would have very crippled targets to hammer away at. Having the longer reach could be very worthwhile, while also conserving some SP on the long run as I couldn't be using it 3 times per turn. Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts on this one, as I haven't gotten to Osk yet and want to be sure before I spend my hard earned cash. 

[tenbsmith]

I haven't gotten one yet. I just got to Osk and there are so many toys I can't decide which to buy. Plus I hate buying new gear and then finding equivalent gear in a treasure drop shortly thereafter.

I've gone to find the lost caravan before purchasing. Maybe I'll pick up something along the way that will decrease my shopping list. I'll definitely have more gold when I'm done.

Also, I seem to recall there being a superior fletcher at one of the Farmholds--could be wrong about that. If I'm right, it's better to wait until then to buy a new bow.

[En1gma]

If I'm playing an archer, I always head to Nordhall first to peruse his wares- and I always spend top dollar, I'm no n00b when it comes to bows I'm asking wether or not anyone had any thoughts as to the merits of a 3ap bow used exclusively for PS, as I've never used one. It just feels like it would be a good fit- not only do they get an insanely overpowered arrow to the face, they also get Pinned, and then an AoE effect on top of that. I think I've answered my own question, actually, this bow type coupled with Ky's EA, plus the added range for PS and standard arrows, Selen wil be nigh unstoppable with this strategy. Coupled with Choking Ash, plus EA's added effects, then KJ's AoE with PS's AoE... I WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE.  Until I need to figure out how to set up an off-tank. Kyera you're up!

[TeeWee]

In my current game, I stayed with a 2AP bow the last time I had a choice. I saw only a slight increase in damage and the extra tile range was no big deal: I'm rarely bothered by range as my sight range often is shorter than 8 tiles. In any case, not worth sacrificing an AP for it.

So, Tamilin just stays with her trusty 2AP "quick" bow.

[contributor]

I haven't tried one yet either. Though if I was going to I would definately focus on getting crits with it using Tamilin. Since it does more damage I would opt for Deadly Intution and put none or few points into her regular empowered attack. I would also put at least a few points into Silent Stalker. The extra range makes that an even more useful talent. You can tap on squares that are dark until you find an enemy without using AP to scout. You can also send Vraes on a charge to uncover some enemies so Tamilin can drill into them. You'll obviously want a well armored Vraes for that, but if Tamilin can destroy their front line first, the pain shouldn't be too bad.

[En1gma]

TeeWee I would never consider a 3ap bow for Tam, less arrows fired means less chances to crit, I do plan on investing between 2-4 points into Sly Look, just to give Selen that at range situational awareness that the heavy bows would need. If the idea crashes and burns, I'll let ya know, but I'm excited about this one... I'll also keep the best 2ap bow I pick up just to have a backup, but she will only buy 3ap versions

Edit: contributor, fine, I guess that would be awesome too. use Burning Blades and +crit gear and see just how much damage an archer can deal. Badassness abounds.

[narana]

I don't have a group close to town right now, can you list the stats of some 3AP bows for comparison?

We should do a group effort to update the thread that has the list of all items, running from town to town to see the contents of shops is pretty dreadfully slow and unfun, having that thread up to date would be super useful.

[tenbsmith]

narana, I've updated the equipment thread for weapons with 3 AP bows here:
Updated Weapons Table

The two best bows available at Nordhold:
Ashwood Bow 2AP, 5 Acc, 15-33 (24), 586 gold
Great Ironwood Bow 3AP, 6 Acc, 21-34 (27.5), 538 gold
The 3AP bow only seems to provide marginal accuracy and damage bonuses over the 2AP bow. However, the 2AP bow is more expensive.

So I'm sticking with 2 AP bow for now because of stats and it allows me to spread the damage around a bit more when I need to finish-off enemies damaged by other heroes. Another reason is that Vraes is using a 2-handed spear and I'm concerned that having both primary damage dealers using 3 AP weapons would decrease flexibility too much.

I may experiment with 3 AP bows when I get Silent Stalker. The added accuracy, range and damage could be devastating coming out of stealth. One could switch back to a 2 AP bow after the initial turn or so. I'd want to see a 3AP bow with better stats to be completely convinced.

[narana]

Thanks dude, that's very considerate of you, much appreciated. Once I can update the game on my work notebook I'll walk my group in the last dungeon out to town and add the listing of that town's shops.

That 3AP bow doesn't look interesting at all. I'm gonna guess later 3AP bows must be much better.

[En1gma]

I believe the 3 AP bows have an extra square of range- extra long range Pinning Shot anyone? I can't sit through the prologue again- 24+ times and I've had enough, lol, so I think I'll be giving these a nod once the Duelist is released from his cage.

[narana]

An extra square of range is very good, but with 6AP the 2AP bow in that post will do an average of 24x3 damage before armor and misses, while the 3AP bow will do an average of 27x2. That's a pretty significant difference.

[En1gma]

Agreed- overall damage is indeed lower, but these bows for me would be a delivery system for Pinning Shot at a much greater range than usual- these effectively give you the range of a Krete Archer, and can help strip valuable AP without wasting MP on positioning. I do wish their bottom range damage was significantly higher than normal bows, but they also do have better accuracy, so it evens out (kinda?)

I could also see these being used like the Selen in the Let's Play that was posted- just give her a 2ap dagger with high acc or an accurate 1ap blade and turn her into a curse mobile with both PS and PB. 3ap Bows would give you a long range -ap AoE , and 2 or 4 chances to connect with Punishing Blades and strip armor away. I actually think this will be how I use her in my next play through,  as this seems like a very efficient way to use her, at least for my playstyle.

[narana]

I think trying to have enough accuracy with 2 different weapons will be a bad idea until act 3, I don't think there will be enough upgrade points until then to reliably hit with 2 different weapons.

As for the enemy archers and mages that outrange ours, I generally found it much safer to lure them into my range with calculated retreats rather then rushing them.