Do you have to use Bows?

[Jordon]

As a ranger do you have to use a bow for the arts? Can you use other ranged weapons like throwing knifes?

[bli]

<DIV>90% of the arts require a bow. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>But you could become an assasin <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Unfortunately the ranger is meant to be a BOW based class, so they kind of force the issue in that respect.</DIV>

[Scribbl]

You sure about that?From what I've seen, they only require a "Ranged weapon" doesn't specify a bow.

[Bulv]

<DIV>true - good point</DIV>

[Neec]

<DIV>You dont have to use a bow you continue to get a mix of ranges and melee skills all way through (some of your MELEE skills are ranged) </DIV>

[Kaga]

<blockquote><hr>Scribbler wrote:You sure about that?From what I've seen, they only require a "Ranged weapon" doesn't specify a bow.<hr></blockquote>Yes you need to use a bow. Ranged Weapons don't work, it has to be a bow. I submitted feedback on this. Also, at level 38 I can drop a ^^ 20-30% while the tank is pulling it to me using ranged attacks. And while fighting group mobs, I can just target the tank, and auto-assist spam specials... and do a lot of quick damage. I don't have to spend time positioning myself like other scouts, just be in range for all my specials to work.

[bli]

<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE> <HR> Neecha wrote:<BR> <DIV>You dont have to use a bow you continue to get a mix of ranges and melee skills all way through (some of your MELEE skills are ranged) </DIV><BR> <HR> </BLOCKQUOTE> <P>Actually, most of the melee skills are ranged.  About 60 %, because this is a ranged base class.  But there's a difference between having the "Ranged" skill as the base skill determining your likelihood to hit, and actually BEING a ranged attack (which is a distinction you talk about when you say "some of your MELEE skills are ranged).  </P> <P>Things like, Hidden Shot, Back Shot, Wounding Shot, Triple Shot, Sniping shot, Miracle Shot, Trick Shot, etc... require a bow.</P> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So yes, while you continue to get ranged attacks (Leaping Thrust, Longshank, etc.) you get a LOT of attacks that require a bow.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Actually, let me count.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ok, here's the tally - </DIV> <DIV>"Ranged" attacks that can be done with something other than a bow (often a dagger, even): 10</DIV> <DIV>"Ranged" attacks that can ONLY be performed with a bow: 19</DIV> <DIV>And out of that list, there was one attack that calls for a "ranged weapon" (only one) which I put in the "ranged attack without a bow" section.  However, as you well know, Bows are the highest damage dealing ranged weapons in the game, so it makes almost no sense to be a ranger and NOT use a bow, even for the attack that doesn't state that you have to.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Now, if we take out all of those "ranged" attacks that are actually MELEE attacks flagged as ranged (leaping cut, lunging thrust) lets see how many REAL ranged attacks don't require a bow:</DIV> <DIV>2</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So, thats </DIV> <DIV>8 Melee attacks flagged as "Ranged"</DIV> <DIV>19 Bow attacks</DIV> <DIV>2 ranged attacks that don't need a bow.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So yes, you can go without a bow, but you're robbing yourself of the majority of your attacks.  You're cutting yourself down by about 190% in effectiveness.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>If you don't want to use a bow, you NEED to do the betrayal quest and become an assassin.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I'm not saying this to be mean, I'm saying it because this is something you HAVE to do at level 17, and if you miss the chance I don't want you to be stuck with a class you don't like.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV></FONT>