What' the heck's so great about the recurve bow?

[Amplifier]

i've tried getting used to it, but seriously, it just sucks. I thought it'd be best for hunting but seems I'm wrong. Just to kill ani animal, it usually takes 4 or more arrows to sink in. Aim for the head and it still takes around 2 arrows.
Range is definitely not it's strength either. I could headshot enemies much farther with a sniper rifle, kill most animals easily with a shotgun or heck, just a silenced assault rifle.

So what exactly is the bow good for then? I see everyone recommending it with little reason provided

[razberrie]

bow is the best weapon in game.

well..besides sneaking behind and doing a ninja throat slit with the knife.

[Amplifier]

Originally posted by Hawtpockets:

The damage is good with only needing one shot to kill pretty much anyone, plus the ability to make exploding arrows to quickly wipe out an enemy stronghold. Also in earlier stages of the game the arrow retrieval saves you allot of money you would normally spent on ammo so you can save up for signature weapons.

No, it only-shot kills normal human enemies and this is not even including the other "special" enemies encountered. 1-shot kills, what's so special?
I can easily do that with any silenced rifle. Oh, except a sniper rifle has the added benefit of a much longer range as well, plus you get headshots.
And then for animals, it's even worse. You can't even 1-shot kill them. The only favorable hunting wep I've found so far is the shotgun. 2-shots and it's a kill. You need twice that or more for the recurve bow, not to mention with the disadvantage of lesser firing rate. Shoot an arrow at a tiger once and he'll be blungeoning you to death before you can pull back your bow again.

I still haven't got a good explanation as to what makes the bow "so great", in comparison to other weps. Have you looked at my first post? gosh, I just repeated nearly all of what I mentioned

[razberrie]

bow is the best.

oh wait...I repeated myself too. :)

it's a personal choice drrrrrr....... if you cant use it effectively, go ahead and use the rifle at a safe long distance.

There is no shame in not being able to fight silently and in close combat.

[T-Bone Biggins]

Quiet, saves ammo costs when you retrieve arrows, if one is skilled enough you can kill patrols quickly and quietly without using up ammo. Thrifty and at effective if you can pull it off. Some people can't do that I guess. Combine arrow skills with takedowns (like heavy takedown) and you can really mop up even the most heavily guarded outposts no problem.

[Amplifier]

Originally posted by Hawtpockets:

You probably won't like the bow since it doesn't fit your play-style. So from this point of view you won't see plus side's big enough for you to like it, if you choose to snipe people instead of getting close enough for a take-down although the situation lets it you don't care enough for XP or the ammo you have to replace for taking those shots.

People that like the bow can like the money saving aspect, other people don't choose the way of just sniping but to challenge them selfs to do take-downs for the added XP value, then again other people like the fact that the bow can clear a stronghold with just three explosive arrow's, and much more reasons... again this depends on your play-style.

My play-style early game was to save money, clear strongholds to get 10 memory-cards and buy the Shredder with the money i saved by using the bow. This was successful so i like the bow since it was my main weapon while doing that, now i have the shredder my main has changed to that.

Originally posted by Blackwal|:

And then for animals, it's even worse...

I didn't mention any animals in that post so i won't reply to that although the special "heavy" can be killed with the bow by sneaking behind it and shooting it in the back of his skull. You can also kill him with the skill to do a take-down which can be selected pretty early if you have a play-style that gives you the most XP out of every kill.

Originally posted by gnawbones:

If you cant use it effectively, go ahead and use the rifle at a safe long distance. There is no shame in not being able to fight silently and in close combat.

This made me laugh.

TL;DR, you are using it in the wrong situations for easy kills or you prefer the less challenging way.

My playstyle is not what you're thinking. I do value EXP as much in this game, so obviously most of what I do are in fact Takedowns. But of course there's times where a ranged attack is a more viable option, killing off snipers or shooting cages for instance.

Put yourself in that situation (I'm sure you have already) and the weapons you think is best suited. Sniper rifle or bow? From all the reasons listed, clearly the sniper rifle is much favourable with the most advantage. Longer range, more accurate and headshots, thus giving you more EXP. So why use a bow at all then? For what situations exactly? You can also use a sniper rifle in mid-range combat, big deal.

And I can't see how money can be a problem to anyone in this game. There's so many loot chests scattered throughout the map, money reward from side missions is big, the stuff you sell gets you more money and weapons free. If you're half-way through the game and still haven't bought everything in the stores, then you're just playing it wrong

[razberrie]

Originally posted by Blackwal|:

..... then you're just playing it wrong

says the guy who claims there is no use for a bow .....

[Chief]

http://steam-wallet.steam-key-giveaway.com/?ref=NEYyaBrne

[Kinu]

It's funny people saying about "money saving" because you can take back the arrow you just shot. How can one care so much about money in Far Cry 3? It's so easy to get rich in this game, you don't even need to try.

[Karma]

Originally posted by Formiga:

It's funny people saying about "money saving" because you can take back the arrow you just shot. How can one care so much about money in Far Cry 3? It's so easy to get rich in this game, you don't even need to try.

Thumbs up to this times 1 million. There is WAY too much money in this game to be concerned about finances. I play the game using the weapons i want while not caring how much they cost because i'm freakin' rich after 1 hour.

And sure the bow is good, but it makes the game easier.....and adds a simplicity to a game that is easy enough already.....and yes i'm talking about the hardest skill level (Master is it?)

[Birdie]

Its good for hunting ;)

[ElectroRanger]

Originally posted by sYKo Fallen:

Its good for hunting ;)

So is shotguns :D

[Amplifier]

Originally posted by RavenForce:

Originally posted by sYKo Fallen:

Its good for hunting ;)

So is shotguns :D

And so is nearly every other weapon.
Breaking down advantages of the bow:

- Silent <<<<< Sniper Rifle can be silenced as well

- Long range <<<<< So is a sniper rifle, except it's MUCH MORE accurate, has even longer range and has a better scope that doesn't bob up and down and screw up your line of sight.

- Good damage to animals <<<<< Except for all hostile/tougher animals. Which means you have to take them off from a distance. Again, look at Sniper rifle

- Kills (most) normal human enemies in one hit <<<<< Yes, but again, SO CAN A SNIPER RIFLE. Oh yeah, and let's not mention again how inaccurate the bow (without skill perks) truly is. Miss one arrow shot and you immediately blow your cover

- Can use incendiary/explosive arrows. <<<<< You already have molotovs and grenades.so what's the diff? Plus these "special" arrows takes up a slot in your equipment wheel.



In other words, I think it's safe to say the recurve bow is indeed OBSELETE

[Slave New World]

just OBSOLETE to you buddy boy your opinion isn't the end all be all....you don't like it cool we get it, keep sniping

[Kinu]

Why a moron? Just because he started a discussion? I really want to know.

[Zacaroni_cheese]

The bow is COMPLETELY silent. Sure, putting a silencer on weapons makes it quieter, but doesn't muffle all sound. And if you dont believe me just watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx44WVdubSc

As you've said, the sniper can do a lot of what the bow can do better. But in some situations, like where it's close range or for some stronghold takeovers (where you want to disable all alarms and not cause any stress or detection), the bow is useful.

If you're trying to hunt a tiger or bear, then a sniper isn't a one-shot kill either. Sure it does a lot of damage and puts room between the two of you, but it still isn't really that great for hunting (unless you're across a river or something).

As people have said, it really depends on your playstyle. Both a great, but they're both good at different things.