[Wakmidget]

About a month ago I picked up a Vali's bow and have currently started leveling RNG(53 atm). Lately I have started looking at Hellfire +1 as well since I have 8/8 Marksmanship merits and Faith Torque already.

I talked to a couple of friends, both of which I respect their opinions. One said Vali's Bow > Hellfire +1, the other pretty much just the opposite.

So now I'm torn, should I just stick with the Vali's Bow forever? Would it be a worthwhile investment to purchase a Hellfire +1?

Would they both be situational? Looking for some extra input on this decision.

[Antithesis]

Othinus' Bow.

Spoiler! --Click here to view--

Apples and Oranges. Stick to the one you like.

[Kaparu]

Its not really apples and oranges. As with all decisions in this game, one is technically better than the other.

[Spider-Dan]

If you merit Archery, use V-bow.
If you merit Marksmanship, don't.

Personally, I think marks is more versatile (better in exp, better in merit, incredibly superior in solo) with the only real advantage of archery being kited HNM.

[Alvehyanna]

Well, since the OP asked SPECIFICALLY about vBow vs HF+1 ... I'll stick to the topic and not go into oBow....

I found HF+1 disappointing. It was only hitting for 10-15 more per shot on Sea and Sky gods and Slug was giving me similar results.

Granted, when I dinged 75, I instantly had Seiryu Kote and some other good RNG pieces from having done Sky on Ninja. But I'm far from being 'well geared' still.

Bow benifits more from STR. I get almost 100 STR in WS gear so I think that is why my VBow is close to matching HF+1. There's still alot I need though. :/

I'll give you the advice I was given that worked.

If you have allot of RACC and AGI... get a HF+1 and use it whenever you can be close to melee range. Once you aquire more STR gear start seeing where you vBow damage is coming in. When you are happy with it...sell the HF+1 and buy a triumph or something.

I do use obow. But not against very high level mobs (gods/HNMs). Marks is very versatile and the Obow does fire a faster. I haven't played with fulltiming dsBolts - but from what I figure it comes out to a vbow-1...so why bother.

[Xellith]

Vali's Bow = Free
Hellfire +1 = -800k + inventory-1

Id use the bow personally.. and I do! But only on odin.. only time I ever get to bust out my ranger lol. Id sell the hellfire and get something shiny for something else >.> lol

[Vakso]

Bow benifits more from STR. I get almost 100 STR in WS gear so I think that is why my VBow is close to matching HF+1. There's still alot I need though. :/

Almost 100 STR? You should have allot more then that. Without food I have 124 STR. Now I'll give you the fact that I have allot of gear that most rangers only dream about having but you should be able to at least break 110 without any effort at all for WS set.

[Matsuo]

Well, since the OP asked SPECIFICALLY about vBow vs HF+1 ... I'll stick to the topic and not go into oBow.

Except it's not quite that simple. Call it a bonus or whatever, but by meritting marksmanship you leave yourself the option of using Obow to maximum effect in addition to Hellfire +1, which is something you wouldn't get the other way around.

I haven't played with fulltiming dsBolts - but from what I figure it comes out to a vbow-1...so why bother.

Hmmm... that would seem to be inconsistent will all previous information on Obow in these forums. Please, please don't make Spider-Dan post the DPS numbers again! lol

I personally use all three. I did the evil nono and meritted Archery to 6 and Marksmanship to 6 (Great Katana is at 8). What I choose usually depends on my subjob (I'm more apt to use Hellfire when /SAM for instance) and how far from the mob I want be for the majority of the fight.

[rambus]

Almost 100 STR? You should have allot more then that. Without food I have 124 STR. Now I'll give you the fact that I have allot of gear that most rangers only dream about having but you should be able to at least break 110 without any effort at all for WS set.

and what am i lacking?:




you are full of shit saying 110 is easy, i only lack two things, +7 more str on leg, and +5 on sakdi? 109+12 =/= braking 110 easy when that is the best.

[Antithesis]

Its not really apples and oranges. As with all decisions in this game, one is technically better than the other.

Quite correct. However, there are only so many instances where a Bow is superior to a Gun / Xbow and vice-versa, that I can confidently say apples and oranges.

[Vakso]

you are full of shit saying 110 is easy, i only lack two things, +7 more str on leg, and +5 on sakdi? 109+12 =/= braking 110 easy when that is the best.

First off I'm talking to someone who I assume is playing a mithra char. The difference between Mithra and Taru STR is 3, which even with base minimal sets like yours puts them over 110. Not to mention you are the first RNG in a very very long time that I've seen without Buccaneer's belt. Also keep in mind that Scouts belt is a CoP dynamis item, not all dynamis shells do those, so maybe their using something like RSE belt +4 STR.

For a basic set Mithra using AH bought items or easily obtained Rare/ex (Helm 5 + KO 10 + Rutters or skadi or RSE2 feet 3 + P.Seraweels 3 + Bucc belt 7 + HQ mantle 2 + E/V bow 3 + HQ staff 5 + grip 3 + ear1 2 + ear 2 2 + Ring1 5 + ring 2 5 + base STR 61 = 116 sub WAR 114 sub NIN).

^ The numbers reflect some of the most basic items every true endgame RNG should be pushing for, and these are all easy. Add in skadi hands, Hachiryu haidate, Gnadbhod's helm or maats cap, you get an additional 21-22 STR. These are the bigger items that more time and effort to get, and that not every ranger may have the resources to get. Everything above tho.......... hell a socail LS could get all of the stuff above and even prolly the Gnadbhod's helm. Hell I know of 3 Linkshells on my server INCLUDING my own that will let outsiders come and join in for einherjar for the purpose of getting extra help on T1-3 chambers and getting these people amps for items like Bucc belt!

you are full of shit saying 110 is easy

Maybe for a taru. But then again, I wasn't talking to a taru until now..........

[Fobos]

For a basic set Mithra using AH bought items or easily obtained Rare/ex (Helm 5 + KO 10 + Rutters or skadi or RSE2 feet 3 + P.Seraweels 3 + Bucc belt 7 + HQ mantle 2 + E/V bow 3 + HQ staff 5 + grip 3 + ear1 2 + ear 2 2 + Ring1 5 + ring 2 5 + base STR 61 = 116 sub WAR 114 sub NIN).

bucc belt gives +4 STR, not +7

My current setup (I'm elvaan btw, with 5/5 STR merits which makes my Base STR at 74 being /war)
Vulcan (5) + Grip (3) + Vali's Bow (3) + Wyvern HQ (6) + Double 2Str earrings (4) + KO (10) + Double 5Str Rings (10) + Amemet HQ (2) + Bucc Belt. (4) + Pln.Seraweels (3) + Skadis Bewts (3) = STR+53 for WS

Thats 122 STR for an Elvaan, 127 with 5/5 STR merits. For a taru, it would be lower of course:

A 75 RNG/WAR Taru would have 58 base +53 = 111 STR, add in 5/5 STR merits and its 116.

All these things are quite easy to obtain, maybe one that could be out of ppl's reach is wyvern+1. Even with NQ, thats 110 STR for a taru.

Btw, I'd recommend sticking to Seiryu's Kote for WS if you got them, instead of BFG's Bitesize. I havent obtained skadi hands yet, so idk much about them as WS gloves, but i can say for sure, you are better off with Seiryu's during WS's.

[Vakso]

Thank you fobos Bucc belt is +4 not 7. Even still tho you end up with 113 STR for mithra with the set I listed.

I also have yet to obtain skadi hands, they are in fact the last item my RNG gear needs. However only time id ever equip then is when I have unlimited shot up with my PPA. So they are not even that big of a deal too me. In most to all cases S kotes > Skadi hands, simply just because of how inaccurate Sidewinder is.

[rambus]

Maybe for a taru. But then again, I wasn't talking to a taru until now..........

then dont assume? dont be raciest ? i can act like all blms should have 150 int too

if you can not tell by gear im using str 4 boots, 2 , str 2 earings i see nothing i should change but the 2 items i said

[pathwriter]

He was responding specifically to a Mithra player, Rambus. Stop being an egomaniac. You're stepping into a conversation and demanding that they change it to suit your undesired presence.

[rambus]

He was responding specifically to a Mithra player, Rambus. Stop being an egomaniac. You're stepping into a conversation and demanding that they change it to suit your undesired presence.

then he can be more specific , and you say I have trouble with English, hypercite much?

avatars dont mean shit people use different ones all the time, he never pointed out race in the post i attacked.

[pathwriter]

You do have a problem with English. The post you're attacking very specifically said "you" in response to Alvehyanna, who uses a Mithra as his/her avatar. You're trying to swing your sense of entitlement around by whining that he wasn't addressing you, even though you'd not been present in the thread before.

[rambus]

You do have a problem with English. The post you're attacking very specifically said "you" in response to Alvehyanna, who uses a Mithra as his/her avatar. You're trying to swing your sense of entitlement around by whining that he wasn't addressing you, even though you'd not been present in the thread before.

you can referr to anyone reading.

and like i said i do not assume someone is this race or that race unless stated, i said this why are you rebutting something where i have to repeat my self?

someone lacks comprehension i think.

PS dont play RNG, your staff question shows your stupid about the job

[pathwriter]

What you do or do not assume has fuck all to do with what someone else is saying to someone who isn't you.

Weren't you planning to drink a gallon of bleach or something? Every time you start up your compulsive whining, my sympathy for your self-hatred goes down the toilet.

[rambus]

What you do or do not assume has fuck all to do with what someone else is saying to someone who isn't you.

Weren't you planning to drink a gallon of bleach or something? Every time you start up your compulsive whining, my sympathy for your self-hatred goes down the toilet.

assuming has to do with commutation, one can assume wrong and all hell brakes loose. if you dont understand something ask.

this is why i put you in what i am afred of in flame war