Taralash, Darkfire Bow, etc.

[Solusek]

Hey,
In another thread I once asked, whether it is the bow or the arrow enchantment that determines what you can hit. Most people who answered were quite sure it is the arrow enchantment.

Now I'm wondering. Is there a point to using Taralash +5 or Darkfire Bow +5 for example? Apart from the movement speed increase or the 5% resistance I mean. Aren't you actually still better off with Heartseeker or Strong Arm, since they give a damage bonus? I'm talking about warrior classes, especially the Archer here, since THAC0 will never be an issue.


So long,
Sol

[Crenshinibon]

The weapons also have different damage outputs and some enemies are immune to lower enchantments.

[Solusek]

You didn't really read my post, did you?

The weapons DO NOT have different damage outputs. It is the arrow that determines the damage. Some longbows do have characteristics that enhance the arrow damage though. Like Ripper +2 for example or Strong Arm. Taralash on the other hand, although it increases your THAC0 by 5, DOES NOT increase your damage.

Yes, there are some monster that are immune to lower enchantments. I know that. But again, it is the arrow enchantment that counts here. That means that it makes absolutely no difference in terms of hitting whether you use Taralash or a simple non-enchanted longbow. So if you're really interested in answering my question, read through it again. Carefully. Thx.



So long,
Sol

[galraen]

As it is ALWAYS the arrow that counts, if you need magic to hit not even Heartseeker of Ripper are any better than a plain, non-magical longbow.

I just ran a test to confirm this, and armed with both Heartseeker and Ripper but using non-magical arrows = no effect. Using arrows of piercing (+4) + a plus three shortbow = damage.

Just underlines how badly Bioware nerfed missile weapons for some reason.

[Grombag]

If your looking at the to hit bonus and damage bonus, I assume both the bonus of the ammunition and the launcher take effect. I haven't tested this though.

[Saros]

The damage dealt from a bow/crossbow/sling is determined by your launcher dmg bonus(if any) + missile damage. Note that:

Arrows and bolts don't increase damage with higher enchantments. A normal arrow deals 1d8 damage. So does an arrow +3. It only has a +3 thac0 bonus.

Arrows of Piercing, Fire, Acid, Ice , as well as bolts of lightning, are considered a +1 missile weapon in any way(despite the fact that the actual bonus of the Arrows of Piercing is +4 thac0).

Sling bullets increase damage with higher enchantments. A normal bullet deals 1d4+1 damage, while a +4 sling bullet deals 1d4+5 damage. Unfortunately, the base APR with a sling is 1(compared to 2 with bow/crossbow). And yet, the advantage of holding a shield while wielding a sling should not be underestimated.

When determining a hit, always the projectile(and not the launcher) counts. That's why Taralash and Darkfire Bow can hit with a maximum of a +3 projectile(which are not as common). But there are certain weapons which can strike with +4 and +5 projectiles:

The Sling of Everard(+5)
Gesen's Short Bow(+4)
FireTooth Crossbow(+4, if improved with Bowstring of Gong +5)

Note that these will fire their enchanted projectiles if no other ammo is equipped. Otherwise, they will use the equipped ammo's stats.

The only weapons that get Strength damage bonus in addition to the normal damage are the thrown daggers/axes, the Sling of Seeking and (in the unmodded game) the Sling of Everard equipped with other(not self-produced) ammo.

I personally find longbows not very useful, although in a solo-game it is nice to have an upgraded Taralash for the Improved Haste, or the two Heartseekers for the Thac0 bonus, or the Mana Bow for the magical damage resistance.

[Dummy]

The Sling of Everard(+5)
Gesen's Short Bow(+4)
FireTooth Crossbow(+4, if improved with Bowstring of Gong +5)

afaik this will only work when you use them with their own ammunition ( u does acually dont use any bolts/arrows)