Souls Series Wiki Forums

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

+12
RANT
IV_Mark_VI
WaffleGuy
Odinbear
Hue
Sentiel
Green__Eagle
WhatDoesThePendantDo?
IIdoneus
WyrmHero
AnCapaillMor
dannyhugz
16 posters

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    dannyhugz
    dannyhugz
    Regular
    Regular


    Posts : 80
    Reputation : 3
    Join date : 2012-07-21

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by dannyhugz Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:16 am

    Hey guys, I've started a bow only playthrough and thought I would go with +15 Composite and/or Black Bow of Pharis. After having looked over all the upgrade paths for all the bows though I'm starting to wonder what, if any, good elemental bow/arrow combos would be good to carry with me for this playthrough. It seems a +15 Longbow is probably going to be the strongest purely for non-elemental damage because of the dex scaling(I am getting 27str to be able to use Gough's as well though). Any tips are greatly appreciated as I have no real experience with using bows. Usually only get the Black Bow and carry some Feather Arrows to use for sniping/pulling, otherwise never use them for damage.
    AnCapaillMor
    AnCapaillMor
    Insomniac
    Insomniac


    Posts : 1282
    Reputation : 102
    Join date : 2013-02-11
    Location : Shayol Ghul

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by AnCapaillMor Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:21 am

    Composite for short to medium range with 27 STR the scaling will suit it better plus you get off more shots, longbow for long range, pharis's bow has better range but thats it. Tried a lightning bow once and was unimpressed with it.

    If you want to cheese it, buy loads of poision arrows, they're a godsend in anor londo.



    BTW whats the deal with moonlight arrows, only used them on a few enemies but the damage was nothing to the large arrows. I'm guessing it's range?
    WyrmHero
    WyrmHero
    Lordvessel
    Lordvessel


    Posts : 8742
    Reputation : 221
    Join date : 2012-02-16
    Age : 36
    Location : The Painted World

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by WyrmHero Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:24 am

    AnCapaillMor wrote:Composite for short to medium range with 27 STR the scaling will suit it better plus you get off more shots, longbow for long range, pharis's bow has better range but thats it. Tried a lightning bow once and was unimpressed with it.

    If you want to cheese it, buy loads of poision arrows, they're a godsend in anor londo.



    BTW whats the deal with moonlight arrows, only used them on a few enemies but the damage was nothing to the large arrows. I'm guessing it's range?

    You gotta use them with an enchanted/occult bow for max magic AR.
    IIdoneus
    IIdoneus
    Addicted
    Addicted


    Posts : 252
    Reputation : 3
    Join date : 2012-12-09
    Location : Here but there. In all places, yet only a few locations.

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by IIdoneus Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:25 am

    I use a +15 composite bow for my bow only toon. I keep all types of arrows on stock. Use the hawk ring once you get it, and you will have no need for a long range bow.
    WhatDoesThePendantDo?
    WhatDoesThePendantDo?
    Duke's Archivist
    Duke's Archivist


    Posts : 11501
    Reputation : 327
    Join date : 2012-04-18
    Age : 34
    Location : WPB, Florida

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by WhatDoesThePendantDo? Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:25 am

    AnCapaillMor wrote:BTW whats the deal with moonlight arrows, only used them on a few enemies but the damage was nothing to the large arrows. I'm guessing it's range?

    40 Intelligence+Enchanted Longbow

    EDIT: Ninja'd by Wyrm. Yeah, what he said.
    Green__Eagle
    Green__Eagle
    Caffeinated
    Caffeinated


    Posts : 712
    Reputation : 51
    Join date : 2012-01-18
    Age : 63
    Location : Nebraska, USA

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by Green__Eagle Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:24 am

    I'm doing a Short Bow only challenge. Capra Demon was a pain.
    Sentiel
    Sentiel
    Compulsory Poster
    Compulsory Poster


    Posts : 3181
    Reputation : 231
    Join date : 2012-11-26
    Age : 36
    Location : Mushroom Kingdom

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by Sentiel Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:44 am

    Composite Bow + Heavy Arrows for lock-on shots.
    Black Bow of Pharis + Feather Arrows for manual sniping.

    If you want to use only one bow, use Shortbow + Poison Arrows. It has the speed of Composite and accuracy of Longbow, but the damage is lower than of other bows.
    Hue
    Hue
    Insomniac
    Insomniac


    Posts : 1488
    Reputation : 31
    Join date : 2012-12-23
    Age : 26
    Location : Killing the chat

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by Hue Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:51 am

    Composite bow+ heavy arrows for DPS
    Pharis+feather arrows for long range sniping

    That's about it, you may also add darkmoon bow+moonilight arows and some faith for magic damage
    Odinbear
    Odinbear
    Caffeinated
    Caffeinated


    Posts : 986
    Reputation : 28
    Join date : 2012-04-25
    Location : Sitting here in limbo, but I know it won't be long. Sitting here in limbo, like a bird without a song. Well they're putting up resistance, but I know that my faith will lead me on. Sitting here in limbo, waiting for the dice to roll.

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by Odinbear Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:05 am

    I rarely use the Pharis Black Bow. The longbow seems much better( long & short , though a little slow when enemies are closing on you)
    Dragonslayer or Goughs are super, just gotta learn the timing and eat the green blossom. Used it on manus and the chained prisoner with good results.

    One of my toons is using the shortbow right now and it pretty much sucks.
    WaffleGuy
    WaffleGuy
    Insomniac
    Insomniac


    Posts : 1111
    Reputation : 24
    Join date : 2012-10-28
    Age : 30
    Location : Belgium

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by WaffleGuy Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:12 pm

    Your guess is good, I use them for my bow-only too.
    Composite is the strongest one and also the fastest. I think it's the only one viable for close-combat (PVP). The Pharis Bow will come in handy with f.e. to poison the archers in Anor Londo. The Longbow is something to consider, but I've never needed it. Shortbow is out of the question.
    Needless to say, always use the Hawk Ring. But I have a hunch you didn't need me to tell you that silly
    dannyhugz
    dannyhugz
    Regular
    Regular


    Posts : 80
    Reputation : 3
    Join date : 2012-07-21

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by dannyhugz Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:47 pm

    Thanks for all the input guys, seems pretty unanimous that Composite is
    gonna be my best bet. Now what challenge run to do next?! =P
    WaffleGuy
    WaffleGuy
    Insomniac
    Insomniac


    Posts : 1111
    Reputation : 24
    Join date : 2012-10-28
    Age : 30
    Location : Belgium

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by WaffleGuy Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:52 pm

    dannyhugz wrote:Thanks for all the input guys, seems pretty unanimous that Composite is
    gonna be my best bet. Now what challenge run to do next?! =P

    I have a Chester crossbow build. It's really fun actually. You can be so deadly and *cough* stylish by learning to aim manually. Takes some practice, but I can f.e. easily shoot the tail off of the Red Drake and kill it too in a few 20 - 30 bolts. Crossbows also don't scale, so it's good for a low level build or for a lot of VIT and END silly

    Don't bother with the Sniper Crossbow, I almost never get the chance to actually use it. Stick with Light, Avelyn and mostly the Heavy Crossbow. All +15 regular upgrade path. Trust me, it's better eventually silly
    WaffleGuy
    WaffleGuy
    Insomniac
    Insomniac


    Posts : 1111
    Reputation : 24
    Join date : 2012-10-28
    Age : 30
    Location : Belgium

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by WaffleGuy Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:53 pm

    If you don't have the Chester set, try the chainmail set (+with a shield on your back). It looks more like a medieval archer with a crossbow silly
    avatar
    IV_Mark_VI
    Hollowed
    Hollowed


    Posts : 1721
    Reputation : 52
    Join date : 2012-07-30

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by IV_Mark_VI Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:11 pm

    I haven't done a bow only playthrough, but I use bows all the time.

    Composite is what others have said; best short-mid range. This should be your go to bow.

    Short bow is very good; lacks the damage of the composite, but at the start when you'll be pushing dex, it won't be much different. Better range, best all-around bow IMO. If I had to pick a single bow to do a playthrough with, this would be it.

    Long bow... not sure what people are talking about. I have never found a place for this bow. Long range, use pharis. Short-med range, use composite or shortbow. Longbow has better damage than shortbow, but a much slower draw speed.

    Pharis is long range. If you're doing a bow only playthrough, personally I would use a short/composite in one hand, and Pharis in the other hand. Eventually switch Pharis to Gough's once your STR is up there.
    RANT
    RANT
    Tyler Durden
    Tyler Durden


    Posts : 7779
    Reputation : 268
    Join date : 2012-01-17
    Location : Winterfell

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by RANT Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:39 pm

    you could go with the longbow and shorbow if youre gonna do a pure dex build, or comp bow and longbow if youre gonna go with a quality build. i like the longbow better than the pharis bow because it looks classy.
    dannyhugz
    dannyhugz
    Regular
    Regular


    Posts : 80
    Reputation : 3
    Join date : 2012-07-21

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by dannyhugz Thu Mar 07, 2013 5:25 pm

    I how do you get chesters xbow? O.o
    RANT
    RANT
    Tyler Durden
    Tyler Durden


    Posts : 7779
    Reputation : 268
    Join date : 2012-01-17
    Location : Winterfell

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by RANT Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:04 pm

    Chester's xbow is in sen's fortress, it kinda sucks compared to the others though.
    SlakeMoth
    SlakeMoth
    Hollowed
    Hollowed


    Posts : 1652
    Reputation : 76
    Join date : 2012-01-23
    Location : Otherwhere

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by SlakeMoth Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:58 am

    Composite+15 and standard, heavy and poison arrows.
    I only use my Dragonslayer Greatbow+5 in a few situations but it's very effective in the following:-
    The sniper knights on the roof in Anor Londo. Knocks them off their feet.
    The wyvern on the bridge.
    Lautrec and his mates in Anor Londo - stand far enough away and they wont move. Same goes for Gwyndolin.
    WaffleGuy
    WaffleGuy
    Insomniac
    Insomniac


    Posts : 1111
    Reputation : 24
    Join date : 2012-10-28
    Age : 30
    Location : Belgium

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by WaffleGuy Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:26 am

    dannyhugz wrote:I how do you get chesters xbow? O.o

    Trust me when I say you don't want to use the Sniper Crossbow. It takes about 4-5 seconds to shoot and reload. By that time, you have been backstabbed twice. Stick with a combination of Heavy/Avelyn Crossbow
    reim0027
    reim0027
    Moderator
    Moderator


    Posts : 6715
    Reputation : 381
    Join date : 2012-01-28

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by reim0027 Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:32 am

    I agree. Composite +15 and poison arrows.
    moomootv
    moomootv
    Addicted
    Addicted


    Posts : 130
    Reputation : 2
    Join date : 2012-01-18
    Age : 28
    Location : New Londo Ruins

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by moomootv Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:26 pm

    I would have a composit bow +15(or enchanted if you want moon arrows) and a longbow +15 (i would only really use the long bow to poison)then i would have a crossbow in your off hand for if you dont have the space/time to draw your other bow also they make a quick finisher or to stop fast but low poise monsters like the dogs if you can carry it dragon bow in the other left hand its amazing for sniping and also can knock people down or off ledge
    FruitPunchNinja
    FruitPunchNinja
    Revived
    Revived


    Posts : 2770
    Reputation : 106
    Join date : 2012-03-12
    Age : 35
    Location : East Coast , USA

    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by FruitPunchNinja Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:30 pm

    I suggest the same as the others Composite + Longbow/Pharis. If you are going to do a full playthrough of bow only though, I would just get enough stats to use the Greatbows just for some fun/variety.

    Sponsored content


    Best Bows for bow only playthrough? Empty Re: Best Bows for bow only playthrough?

    Post by Sponsored content


      Current date/time is Fri Mar 29, 2024 2:33 am