[Bowcraft/Fletching] Most Desirable Bows/Properties?

[Fink]

Hello.

I have a bowyer I haven't really done anything with since ML besides get all the recipes and turn out a few artifact bows. I haven't delved much into runics and I'm a little out of touch with what's hot and what's not. This will be my Artifacer character after SA hits, and I'd like to turn out custom imbued bows as a specialty. I'm after some up-to-the-minute info.

Basically I'd like a quick run-down on:

- bow types; most desirable for PvM and PvP?
- runics; buy or farm tools? price?
- material bonus; which wood to use?
- enhancing; which properties/combos are most desired?
- alternative bow sources; loot, quests?

I've read all the pertinent info on bowcraft and its product, but I'm just after a few pointers on the current market. Feel free to elaborate if you're keen to share your expertise.

 

[Barry Gibb]

material bonus; which wood to use?

Here are the material bonuses for bows:
Plain - nothing
Oak - 40 Luck & 5%DI
Ash - 10%SSI & 20% Lower Requirements
Yew - 5%HCI & 10%DI
Heartwood - Any One of the following (40 Luck; Durability 50%; 20% Lower Requirements; 10% SSI; Lower Weight 75%; 5%HCI; 16% Hit Life Leech; 10 Luck)
Bloodwood - HPR 2 & 16% Hit Life Leech
Frostwood - 40% Cold Damage Conversion (just like metals distribute the damage type) & 12%DI

I prefer to craft bows with Ash for the SSI. Yew is not a bad choece either, but HCI and DI are fairly easy to get on other items.

Stayin Alive,

BG

 

[Barry Gibb]

This will be my Artifacer character after SA hits, and I'd like to turn out custom imbued bows as a specialty. I'm after some up-to-the-minute info.

Basically I'd like a quick run-down on:
...
- material bonus; which wood to use?
- enhancing; which properties/combos are most desired?
- alternative bow sources; loot, quests?
...

For imbuing, you can not imbue items that are made from a special material (any wood other than plain). Once you imbue the bow, you can try to enhance it with a special wood type. You do run the risk of destroying the item when you try to enhance it.

Stayin Alive,

BG

 

[Fink]

Thanks, BG (love your work, by the way).

 

[Farsight]

Lists are in no particular order of importance
Property to add to every bow:
SSI

Properties which are good, if not critical, in PvM
Hit Mana Leech
Hit Stamina Leech
Super-slayer
Damage Increase
Hit Lower Defense

Properties which are good, if not critical, in PvP:
Hit spell (fireball or lightning)
HLD
HLA (significantly less so than HLD)
HCI
DCI
Balanced
Velocity

My dream bow - PvM:
SSI/HML/HSL/HLD heavy crossbow or yumi

My dream bow - PvP:
Balanced/velocity/SSI/hit fireball Composite bow

Both versions would be better upgraded to ash wood (with bows, SSI is EVERYTHING), but chances are slim of the upgrade being successful.

Note: I only used 4 mods, but I think imbuing can add a fifth. Since I am neither a crafter or imbuer, I'm not 100% certain on this.

 

[Fink]

Lists are in no particular order of importance
Property to add to every bow:
SSI

Properties which are good, if not critical, in PvM
Hit Mana Leech
Hit Stamina Leech
Super-slayer
Damage Increase
Hit Lower Defense

Properties which are good, if not critical, in PvP:
Hit spell (fireball or lightning)
HLD
HLA (significantly less so than HLD)
HCI
DCI
Balanced
Velocity

My dream bow - PvM:
SSI/HML/HSL/HLD heavy crossbow or yumi

My dream bow - PvP:
Balanced/velocity/SSI/hit fireball Composite bow

Both versions would be better upgraded to ash wood (with bows, SSI is EVERYTHING), but chances are slim of the upgrade being successful.

Note: I only used 4 mods, but I think imbuing can add a fifth. Since I am neither a crafter or imbuer, I'm not 100% certain on this.

Thanks, that's good stuff to know.