Which Xbow to use

[bpleshek]

Hi all,

I have what i thought was a really nice xbow:

lt xbow of power(x3) (+10, +20)

I found it quite useful to augment my spell arsonel. I am hanging out at around 1100 looking for a resist paralysis item. I already have a see invis ring and a telepathy item so most things don't sneak up on my mage.

Just a few minutes ago i found this beauty:

lt xbow of extra shots(x3) (+11, +10)

I wanted to verify that this is slightly better than the one i currently have. Please correct my math if i'm wrong.

I have the xbow of power with normal bolts doing 63-75 damage with an average of 69. I clock the xbow of extra shots at 33-45 per attack, but x2 attacks that's 66-90 with an average of 78. Am I right that my new bow is 9 points per round better ?

Thanks,

Brian

[Pete Mack]

it depends on your situation. If you can carry lots of ammo, the extrea shtos is better. It also reduces the chance of getting double moved, which can be very important. Power is better if you have limited ammo, eg if you are trying to get maximum damage from a stack of ego ammo.

[bpleshek]

Well the situation is that i'm a mid level mage who has determined that i do much more damage with the power bow than i ever have with any of my spells and am beginning to get more adept at using the bow. My INT is fairly low due to some poor rolls at the beginning of the game. Currently I am lvl 26 Dunaden mage with the following stats:

13
10/30
13
10/50 (agility gloves)
12
16

HP 144
SP 47

I found 1 CHA potion and bought 1 INT potion

Items:

dagger Narthanc (2d4) (+8, +7)
lt xbow of power(x3) (+10, +20)
ring of See Invis
ring of prot +14
amulet of rAcid
Paial of Galadriel
Soft Armor [4, +3]
Cloak [1, +4]
Sm Metal Shield [3, +4]
Hard Leather Cap of Telepathy [2, +8] WOOT!
Leather Gloves of Agility [1, +7] (+3)
Hard Leather Boots of Stealth [3, +4] (+3)

Carrying 4 store books
4x pots of speed
13x pots CCW
6x phase door
1x teleport level
2x WoR
4x Rod of Light I love orc pits!
1x Rod of LBolts
25x bolts(1d5) (+0, +0)
14x bolts(1d5) (+3, +4) Just bought

That's me hanging around at 1100 ft looking for rParalysis. Just ran up against Ugluk and fighting him now. My first 6 shots with the bow didn't do anything. Gotta run and kill him or maybe i'll be back with a nevermind cause he killed me.

Brian

[Pete Mack]

If you're finding yourself at speed -1 all the time, or running out of ammo, stick with power. +9 damage isn't all that big an improvement, and getting double moved isn't a problem for a Mage until much deeper. Magic devices are a better weapon when you find enough rods.

[bpleshek]

I am constantly overweight. I have about a 12-13 pound spread between my "empty" starting weight and my max carrying weight. I usually take any items that are not really special and store them in a room until i am ready to change levels. But invariably i'll find an item i'd prefer not to lose and end up traveling around at -1 Speed. I have from time to time seen a ring of STR in the black market. Highest was only +2, but if it comes around again, should i grab it in place of my +14 AC ring?

Brian

[Narvius]

Yeah, dump AC.
It's not really useful [especially for mages].
At least less useful than stat boosts.

[Psi]

Yeah, dump AC.
It's not really useful [especially for mages].

...and similarly you might consider dumping your armour and shield. That will save you a lot of weight.

[bpleshek]

Well i normally would have dumped the AC ring, but 14 was a really good number and was hoping that an AC of some 60 points would be good for something at my current depth. I'll drop it at my next convenient find. I would be better off with an attribute modifier rather than a resistance at this point?

Brian

[PowerDiver]

ring of prot +14

Soft Armor [4, +3]
Cloak [1, +4]
Sm Metal Shield [3, +4]

2x WoR

25x bolts(1d5) (+0, +0)
14x bolts(1d5) (+3, +4) Just bought

You should toss/sell the wielded stuff above. You should carry about 4 WoR to be safe in case some get burnt. With a +20 bow, it is probably a mistake to carry those bolts(+3,+4). It is not worth using an extra slot just for +20% damage.

[bpleshek]

Just my luck. I just bought a pot of INT last time to town and this time the tome of destruction is there and no i do not have enough gold.

*sigh*

There is always something better.

Brian

[Pete Mack]

INT was the right choice. You will find Raals lying all over the floor starting around 2500'-3000', and you only need one of them. Without the int, the raal spells are useless anyway- they take a lot of mana. Acid bolt will keep you going until then.

[bpleshek]

You'd think if they were just laying "all over the floor" then perhaps someone would have sold one to the regular mage shop.

Brian