Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Necrochaos 02-03-07, 08:53 AM	I'm trying to figure out the best way to go. I'm an archer. I have a +1 Frost Composite LB (+4 Str) I have access to all sorts of enhancements. I was going to put Bane Evil Outsiders on it. Should I stack it on this bow, or start a seperate +! bow? Also, how many enhancements are too many before it is not cost effective?
amnuxoll 02-03-07, 01:55 PM	I'm trying to figure out the best way to go. I'm an archer. I have a +1 Frost Composite LB (+4 Str) I have access to all sorts of enhancements. I was going to put Bane Evil Outsiders on it. Should I stack it on this bow, or start a seperate +! bow? Also, how many enhancements are too many before it is not cost effective? My opinion (which comes with the usual boulder of salt) is to stick with things that are more likely to do less damage (e.g., shock, corrosive) rather than those that do more damage less often (bane, ghost touch). Holy (and possibly sacred) are the best of both worlds and you should acquire those upgrades immediately if you get access. If I were you I'd hold off on Bane E.O. though I suspect I'm a minority on this opinion. However, I live in a region with lots of evil outsiders and undead (Furyondy) so my opinion has the weight of that experience behind it. To answer your second question, I think the cost effectiveness of an upgrade depends a lot upon your individual character and his/her existing equipment. I think a +4 equivalent bow (32000gp) is the minimum that you can guaranteee being cost effective. It's a rare archer PC that should retire without a bow that's at least that high. I would not forego other critical items (e.g., essential ability score boost items) to get there though. :AMN:
Sieylianna 02-03-07, 06:39 PM	I'm trying to figure out the best way to go. I'm an archer. I have a +1 Frost Composite LB (+4 Str) I have access to all sorts of enhancements. I was going to put Bane Evil Outsiders on it. Should I stack it on this bow, or start a seperate +! bow? Also, how many enhancements are too many before it is not cost effective? What level are you? Frost is more effective at lower levels. At high levels, a lot of things are immune. Bane evil outsiders is always good. I'd probably put them on separate bows, just because a lot of evil outsiders are resistant to cold. Ed
Necrochaos 02-03-07, 07:12 PM	I got Frost at 5th level. I think I have access to Sacred, but I have to look. I don't have a whole lot of access for my bow. I was just curious on people's opinion.
jstorrie 02-03-07, 08:33 PM	Bane goes on arrows, not on bows. Good enhancements for bows, in my opinion: seeking sacred holy speed merciful (depending on region) If it were possible to buy the whole thing at once and chuck your old bow, I might seriously consider a +1 sacred, seeking bow, or a +1 holy, seeking one. But sticking sacred or seeking on your current will work nicely, too. Speed is probably out of your price range.
Arvagor 02-03-07, 11:20 PM	Bane goes on arrows, not on bows.Bane is legal on bows, especially since the text of the ability states, "Bows, crossbows, and slings so crafted bestow the bane quality upon their ammunition."
jstorrie 02-04-07, 03:54 AM	I know that it's legal on bows. I'm saying that it's a waste when you can just buy baned ammunition and spend much more efficiently.
KarmaInferno 02-05-07, 11:32 AM	Indeed. Put the situation-specific enhancements on the ammo, put the general-use ones on the bow. I wish my melee characters had that option for their weapons. Carrying around a wagonload of different swords or the like for every situation get a little annoying. Thank goodness for Heward's Handy Haversack. -karma
Nerax 02-05-07, 05:54 PM	I know that it's legal on bows. I'm saying that it's a waste when you can just buy baned ammunition and spend much more efficiently. If you have access to upgrade your ammunition. This brings up a question...can you use you weapon upgrade access on ammunition?
jstorrie 02-05-07, 06:14 PM	Yes.
clannagh 02-05-07, 06:24 PM	some enhancements are better on a seperate weapon distance for example is a waste on your main weapon .. its rarely useful in a campaign like LG where all the encounters have the "in your face" special ability that lets them pop up at charge range so they cant be fireballed and shot into oblivion at 1000 ft. A seperate distance bow that you can pull out of your quiver of ehlonna on the other hand may just save the day on that rare occasion range is really important
clannagh 02-05-07, 06:27 PM	Indeed. Put the situation-specific enhancements on the ammo, put the general-use ones on the bow. I wish my melee characters had that option for their weapons. Carrying around a wagonload of different swords or the like for every situation get a little annoying. Thank goodness for Heward's Handy Haversack. -karma there is always weapon capsules for melee weapons i dont use them because role playwise i find the concept silly .. but in combat they are very very useful
Nerax 02-05-07, 07:43 PM	Yes. So you are spending 2,000 gp to upgrade 50 Master Work arrows to +1 and then another 6,000 gp to upgrade to Bane...ect? 8,300 ish ? for 50 arrows...about 143 gp for each arrow. I can see once you get to higher APL's, 10+, that that would be useful but until then it seems a little high...I am starting to like the idea though. :)