Ranging the eDQ

[TheDearLeader]

A thread in my home Sarlona made me wonder about this.

I'll admit, I'm not exactly a "Ranged Combat" kind of guy. I use some pretty lame weaponry when the Queen is up on her perch.

But I have high crafting levels, and craftable throwers among other things.

With Attack Speed in mind...

+5 Holy Burst Longbow of Greater Evil/Chaotic Outsider Bane + Cold Iron Arrows
+5 Holy Burst Cold Iron Throwing Axe of GEOB/GCOB
Epic Noxious Fang (Slotted..Cold Iron?)
eThornlord, Slotted Good, Cold Iron Arrows


Which item would do better on:

Aneist, Level 20 Paladin, 40~ish Str, Quiver of Alacrity (or just Haste). No Bow Feats. IC:Slashing (Applies to Throwers?), Weapons of Good.
Kiarnan, Level 20 Fighter, 50~ish Str, w/Quick Draw, IC:Slashing, All Weapon Foci/Specializations:Slashing. No Bow Feats.
Oschkosch, Level 20 Rogue, 40~ish Str, No Bow Feats, IC:Slashing.



Because my gut reaction here is because of the lack of Bow Strength or any other Bow-related feats on all of my toons, the Throwing Axe would be the best option. Am I wrong here?

[Captain_Wizbang]

Which item would do better on:

Aneist, Level 20 Paladin, 40~ish Str, Quiver of Alacrity (or just Haste). No Bow Feats. IC:Slashing (Applies to Throwers?), Weapons of Good.
Kiarnan, Level 20 Fighter, 50~ish Str, w/Quick Draw, IC:Slashing, All Weapon Foci/Specializations:Slashing. No Bow Feats.
Oschkosch, Level 20 Rogue, 40~ish Str, No Bow Feats, IC:Slashing.



Because my gut reaction here is because of the lack of Bow Strength or any other Bow-related feats on all of my toons, the Throwing Axe would be the best option. Am I wrong here?


40 to 50 ish str? as long as your dex is decent, you'll hit her, and do some nice damage.

My SD III uses a +5 holy burst w/ cold iron arrows when she's on the perch, and does a fair amount of dmg. maybe not the best, but it works.

[TheDearLeader]

Erm...

Sorry if the above does not inspire much confidence in me that my question has been answered.

I'm looking to take my character's abilities, and incorporate the weapon that will work best. I logged onto Kiarnan, popped him up to 50 Strength, and equipped two different +2 Weapons, a Longbow, and a Throwing Axe. My results:

http://i811.photobucket.com/albums/zz36/Landar/DDo%20Screenshots/ScreenShot00938.jpg

I see a marked difference in both to-hit and damage components for the Throwing Axe. That alone makes me think the Axe would be better for everyone, due to lack of Bow Feats. I was hoping to confirm, however, of the options listed which would be best. I'm allowing for the fact that there might be other mitigating factors, such as ranged attack speed differences.

Either way, perhaps I could get someone else to speak on this?

[Cyr]

Throwing weapons are the clear choice for anyone with any strength score and no bow strength.

Of course assuming similar effects on the weapons, but you can craft so just go throwing axe with holy burst +5 of gcob.

[TheDearLeader]

Throwing weapons are the clear choice for anyone with any strength score and no bow strength.

Of course assuming similar effects on the weapons, but you can craft so just go throwing axe with holy burst +5 of gcob.

Right, right...

I just did a test on my ship's Dummy. Unhasted, no ranged feats, it seems that my attack speed with Throwing Axe/Bow were either exactly the same over a 1 minute period, or so incredibly close that I can't see the Bow outpacing the Throwing Axe.

I dunno... I just remember conventional wisdom for parties ranging the Queen back in the day (I hated that method) always called for bows.. and I guess it's because we didn't have Cannith Crafting at the time. Was easier to get a Silver Bow/+5 Holy Bow and some Cold Iron arrows.

[Cyr]

Right, right...

I just did a test on my ship's Dummy. Unhasted, no ranged feats, it seems that my attack speed with Throwing Axe/Bow were either exactly the same over a 1 minute period, or so incredibly close that I can't see the Bow outpacing the Throwing Axe.

I dunno... I just remember conventional wisdom for parties ranging the Queen back in the day (I hated that method) always called for bows.. and I guess it's because we didn't have Cannith Crafting at the time. Was easier to get a Silver Bow/+5 Holy Bow and some Cold Iron arrows.

Yup it was all about the damage bypass then. It's pretty dang rare to throwing weapons with cold iron and good damage on them from trash gen loot.

[Captain_Wizbang]

Glad you posted your results. Ill keep that in mind, if I ever run into that situation, I have never used a thrown weapon in DDO, and I posted based on that lack of knowledge.

same attack rate! Thats cool.

[Nysrock]

Have you thought of trying this bow?

http://ddowiki.com/images/thumb/Item_Gnollish_War_Bow.png/400px-Item_Gnollish_War_Bow.png

It grants Bow Strength just by holding it. Might be another option for you to look into.

[TheDearLeader]

Have you thought of trying this bow?

http://ddowiki.com/images/thumb/Item_Gnollish_War_Bow.png/400px-Item_Gnollish_War_Bow.png

It grants Bow Strength just by holding it. Might be another option for you to look into.


Gnollish War Bow, eh? I don't know. It doesn't really have a fantastic abilities to it. It wouldn't Bust DR on any toon but the Paladin.

[Nysrock]

Gnollish War Bow, eh? I don't know. It doesn't really have a fantastic abilities to it. It wouldn't Bust DR on any toon but the Paladin.

True, it wouldn't bust DR but you can also Bodyfeeder, Destruction, Demon Fever or Petrifying onto it also. Still might not be as great as what you can craft but easier to get.

[MsEricka]

I suggest throwing halflings.

If no halflings are available, wait until the cove is over and use Kobold Miners instead.

[sirgog]

Gnollish War Bow, eh? I don't know. It doesn't really have a fantastic abilities to it. It wouldn't Bust DR on any toon but the Paladin.

Artificers can get it there, right?

[wax_on_wax_off]

The biggest issue will be your AB so approach the problem from that perspective (as epic Lailat has 60+ AC?).

Both Noxious Fang (I think) and Greater Bane +5 weapons will give the same AB bonus but try to compliment that with AB boosting gear; epic spectrals or whatever.

Throwers have more going for them than bows.

[TheDearLeader]

Artificers can get it there, right?

I suppose, but I think it'll be a while before I can expect Sarlona to reliably have an Artificer for every eDQ I run. Even longer before they manage to be competent, as well.


The biggest issue will be your AB so approach the problem from that perspective (as epic Lailat has 60+ AC?).

Both Noxious Fang (I think) and Greater Bane +5 weapons will give the same AB bonus but try to compliment that with AB boosting gear; epic spectrals or whatever.

Throwers have more going for them than bows.

I'm not worried about the to-hit. Remember, that's a +2 Weapon, and I didn't have any buffs at the time aside from Power Surge. Those numbers in no way represent the maximum to-hit of that toon, but merely the discrepancy between Bows and Throwers.