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Composite longbow vs short bow +1?

Discussion in 'Icewind Dale (Classic)' started by iceman, Mar 15, 2007.

  1. iceman Gems: 2/31
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    [​IMG] I'm not sure what does the short bow +1 mean but it sounds like a magic bow. So what do you think I should keep?
     
  2. Silverstar Gems: 31/31
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    Composite long bow has superiour range, it is able to hit from a far. BUT it is slower, needs strength, AND can not be usable by thieves and bards.

    Short bow+1, has similiar bonuses to Composite long bow abeit with a shorter range. BUT it can be used by thieves and bards, and it is actually faster.

    So keep them both, give the composite bow to your fighter for superiour sniping skills and shortbow to your rogue. (either thief or bard)
     
  3. ConjurerDragon

    ConjurerDragon Ich dien ★ SPS Account Holder Veteran

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    Does the +1 bonus to THAC0 and +2 to damage from the Composite Longbow count as a magical bonus to overcome the defences of creatures like e.g. Mummys?

    If not would then the Shortbow +1 as a magical bow have an advantage?
     
  4. Paracelsi

    Paracelsi Distinguished Member ★ SPS Account Holder Adored Veteran Pillars of Eternity SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Nope. The launcher's enchantment doesn't matter, to determine whether something works on a particular monster you need to check the enchantment of the projectile. In this case, that's the arrow.
    Note that there are some launchers that automatically create their own enchanted projectiles (if you empty your quiver). Usually these projectiles are weaker than the normal variety, but they can overcome the magical defenses of a creature. Tansheron's Bow +3, for example, automatically fire arrows that hit as +3 (which mean these arrows can hit creatures that can only be hurt by +3 weapons, but that they lack the actual to hit/damage bonus of a normal +3 arrow). Same for Everard's Sling, which automatically shoots bullets that hit as +5.
     
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    Both examples are from Baldur's Gate II and not present in Icewind Dale I which came out before BG2.
    Only items present in Baldur's Gate I are in IWD, though most of the "special" items can only be found using the CLUA Console.

    That said, launcher bonuses generally do not count for overcoming immunity to non-magic weapons, only the projectile counts unless the launcher supplies its own arrows, in which case you must be firing with an empty quiver.
    Launcher bonuses DO stack for bonus damage and THAC0, so an arrow+3 fired from a short bow +2 will do 1d6+5 damage with a total of 5 bonus to hit (-5 THAC0). Same for crossbows and slings only with 1d8 and 1d4 base damage.
     
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