This thread is a platform to discuss the current state of the Graetios Recurve Bow, and how it compares to the Zaryte bow. The purpose of this thread is to justify a buff to the recurve bow, as well as lay out the pros and cons of each.
Zaryte Bow
Pros:
Requires no ammo
Highest ranged strength in game
Drop rate of 1/246 from Nex
Can be donated for (Not really a pro, but makes it easier to obtain than Recurve)
The boss it is obtained from can be massed
Cons:
Even on rapid, it's pretty slow
Not a lot of people sell these
Graetios Recurve Bow
Pros:
Fastest firing bow in-game
Looks fuckin sick
Higher accuracy than Zaryte bow (+17)
Cons:
Lower ranged strength than Zaryte Bow (-15)
Requires arrows
Only 4 in-game at time of writing, leading to this bow costing 3-4b or more
Does not gain ranged strength from the arrows it uses (can use any arrow)
1/470 drop rate from Harbinger X'rul
Boss it is obtained from cannot be massed, only soloed or duo'd
Cannot be donated for (not really a con, just listed here for argument's sake and to compare the two)
Below is a table showing the results of Lation's test of both bows (wearing max gear) on the DPS dummies at home.
5 Minute DPS Test Zaryte Bow VS Graetios Recurve Bow
Zaryte DPS: 133 (66 hits in 5 minutes)
Graetios DPS: 121 (156 hits in 5 minutes)
As you can see, the recurve bow did over twice as much as the Zaryte bow in a period of 5 minutes, but still put out less damage. I propose two solutions to this issue, as the Graetios is supposed to be the BIS option for ranged DPS:
Option 1. Give the recurve bow the same ranged strength as the Zaryte bow, and let its speed be its superior trait
Option 2. Give the recurve bow the ability to inheret additional ranged strength from the arrows you use with it (currently, the type of arrow you use does not effect this)
I do NOT think that nerfing the Zaryte bow is an appropriate solution. This would devalue the weapon, the boss, the economy for the PVM community, and piss of a bunch of people. I believe the Graetios bow should be buffed to a point where it is actually worth the extra 2-3b you are paying over the Zaryte bow, not just for the exclusivity. Thanks for reading, and please post your thoughs below.