I was looking for a hybird bow discussion and I can't believe I bumped into a 27 pager thesis. Interesting arguments from pro STR bow and Hybrid bow views. I actually started off my bow char before looking into this thread. =)
Background
As a backgrounder, I have the idea of developing this bow char with the balancing thoughts in mind:
Bow do not hit the hardest amongst the weapons available, a higher INT stats is required to balance the char damage (arguably, you might say "no" as the crits play a major part of bow and full STR gogogo)*
* I derive this thought from both pure INT spear and pure SRT Glavie char that I have and just made the conclusion INT = damage, STR = HP/tank. I am NOT a number grinder which does calculations like some of the forum members does
Some HP is desired as bow do not possess the tanking characteristics with the emphasis in INT stats for damage. As such, I have placed my stats as a 2:1 INT hybrid for this char - 74:79 balance, which is around the discussion of the thread
The major advantage for bow is a missile turret a.k.a range. You can plant the char in a high spawn area and effectively clear the radius
Crit is bow char best friend as well as attack rating, i.e. the damage is skewed towards the higher end of the equipment damage
Bow does not have the the shield advantage, ice force is a must in my view, hence the imbue of the char under discussion
Agility is also a must for bow, with inherent weakness in defense, hit and run is the name of the game, hence the sub force of light
The sucky part is major SP farming is required for such build. The bigger bit*ch is actually the cost of equipment that players rip the balls of bow users
Train
The train that I go through is a real pain for this char. The SP requirements is high to master 1 weapon and 2 force tree. Starting off at 1 ice imbue and Anti devil, the char has remained a 9 level gap mostly.
The only exception is when it is 3 - 4 levels away from the next equipment that I lower the gaps to around 5 gaps, i.e. reduce mastery gap to around 5 at mastery lvl 15 (fix to lvl 24) when char is at lvl 20-21 where the next bow is at 24. Same applies to 5 gap at mastery lvl 23 (fix to lvl 32) when char is at lvl 28-29 with the next bow at 32.
At the moment, the char is at lvl 32 at 9 gaps with 40k SP farmed. I foresee that the char will go through another 10 - 15 lvl of farming to make this char work.
I took months to develop this char as I am a casual gamer after work and maybe 3 - 4 sessions of 3 - 6hrs a week. Its a pain, but nonetheless enjoyable to play with. (Which I screamed at botters doing this crap in couple of days - Hand Grind FTW!)
Observations
One on one hits like a bit*ch, good damage
PvE one imbue kill - mostly red mobs (2 - 4 levels above)
Tanking 4 mobs while hitting giants - no issue
Pot consumption - low on HP, ice imbue takes care of mobs as they die before coming in to hit range (100 is enough), 300 MP pots in 1 sitting.
PvP lvl 32 - Hate to tell you this, STR blader is one tough cookie. STR glavie is still manageable, STR bow not a major issue, nuker is a walk over. Also, don't talk about 1 v 1 stand and fight, you are a bow, move buy time and anti devil crit! (Yes, this is a 9 lvl gap hybrid that owns with top gear AND I am NOT here to talk about the world is fair and we do NPC gear fights - sue me)
I use ice and the slow/frost effects are pretty good at current level PvE and PvP. But I was told at high levels effects immunity comes into play. SRO needs balance, effects immunity fcuk up the game
Skills
Bow - Anti-devil, Combo, Hawk, Autumn*, Range Increase and passive. Autumn wind is a sub skill to have before Zerk, which I would use later. Strong bow..... too slow and only an opening move perhaps. You need speed of attack for bow.
Ice - Imbue, Guard, passive - that is what you need. I up walls for PvP and nova - don't need it if you don't want to. Cold wave = waste of time.
Light - all passive (perry + magical), walk (phantom will be a MUST), shout (for finishing, optional) and maybe light nuke.
Might up fire force later for the protection, all SP dependant. So far only the above. Fire or ice is up to you, fire damage > ice, but ice can save loads of HP pots on PvE and interrupt skills PvP.
Gear
SoX, everything can be a normal gear but bow MUST be SoX. If you are not delivering damage, it defeats the purpose of range attack. Flame me, as this is my view of things and bow has never been forgiving in terms of cost.
Protector based. Come to think of it, nothing really touch the char - garment can be good for PvE as it saves cost of MP pots and faster movement. I favour protector as there are some guildies that like to "do me" PvP for the fun of it
Conclusion
Fun build, non cookie cutting, good PvE and so so PvP. Good char to play with to keep couple of free hours entertained. I am here only to share what I am doing in-game, not to throw in any arguments on the topic. If you like it, use it as a reference; if you don't there are 101 builds you can do and just do it.
