Ring of protection useless? xbow vs bow?

[unpointsword]

Currently at 700' running cold resist and ring of prot +7 for lack of better gear. I have just purchased a ring of dex(+3). Which should I replace? I also had the luck to find the dagger Narthanc early on and I am looking to protect it.

A separate question: Does the weight of a light crossbow (x3) (+2,+5) and it's ammo present a fair trade off in favor of the shortbow (x2) (+1,+3) with unenchanted shots?

[Zyphyr]

In general, a Ring of Protection is only more useful than an empty slot - AC is useful, but almost everything else is more useful.

[Estie]

Ring of protection: squelch
Shooter: either use the xbow or leave slot empty

[unpointsword]

In general, a Ring of Protection is only more useful than an empty slot - AC is useful, but almost everything else is more useful.

Ah, indeed. I ended up finding a suitable replacement in the form of a sustain body ring.

[unpointsword]

Ring of protection: squelch
Shooter: either use the xbow or leave slot empty

Found a much nicer bow in the shop and ended up dropping 10k on it! I do not regret it. I've become a heroic archer

[Derakon]

Ah, indeed. I ended up finding a suitable replacement in the form of a sustain body ring.

While there's nothing wrong with defensive abilities (including sustains), usually offensive abilities are more valuable. If that Ring of DEX you mentioned gives you an extra blow with your dagger, then it's probably worth using instead of the Bodykeeping ring. You can still keep that ring around as a swap item if you run into drainers, but most enemies don't drain stats.

[Timo Pietilä]

In general, a Ring of Protection is only more useful than an empty slot - AC is useful, but almost everything else is more useful.

Well, basic four resists are not that good until a lot later. RoProt at early stages of game can make huge difference in meleeing orcs and stuff. Cold resist probably isn't giving him anything he needs at 700'. I would swap that RoDEX to RoRCold.