All unlockable elf bows seem to be trash?

[Matticus]

the root bow takes too long to recharge which the upgraded sniper shot does not make up for.
The mortor bow does too little damage and has a very small hit box on both attacks, the invisiblity bow is not aggresive enough and just stalls the inevitable.

The bomb is just too good. it is a tatical nuke that provides great defense through complete genocide. None of the other bows can even get close to be as useful to the bomb.

[Solinarius☕]

Bow of the Deep Woods - Don't use Root Shot, it is currently worthless. Root Field, however, can create a huge choke point and capture high threat enemies! To make up for the lost DPS, I always use Ranadam and Ultimate Arrow with it.

Shadowstrike - This turns Elf into an executioner. You do have to be patient and precise in a room swarmed with enemies, however. Both Weapon Abilities also cause a small damage AoE. It's not much, but it's better than nothing.

The Messenger - I don't see why you think this is bad. Mortar's direct hits do damage close to the amount that Shadow Shot does, which is topped of with a massive AoE burn! Vault effectively gives you another dodge and does quite a lot of damage to enemies, which is topped off with a burn effect.

[Xeth Nyrrow]

What Solinarius said. The rooting bow is probably best in a smaller group where your sniper shot can pierce a dozen enemies with each shot.

[dʒɔːrdən]

I really loved the different abilities that were added in this update, and even though I don't personally like all the new move sets, I'm glad to see this variety.

I absolutely LOVE the Shadowstrike Bow, and the little change in playstyle is just what I needed to freshen the game up. And as much as I love the standard Green Bomb bow, Shadowstrike is my new go-to.

I was able to fairly easily get to Floor 50 on Solo Endless Mode with the Shadowstrike on my second try, after I understood the little quirks that come along with the bow. When I'm playing with friends, I will switch back and forth between Shadowstrike and the standard bow, depending on what they are using.

I briefly tried out The Messenger, and Bow of the Deep Woods, and wasn't initially impressed with them. I'll be going back soon to give them another shot ;]

[Jacobin Laden]

The mortar bow is insanely good. It provides a whole new way to maneuver with deadly force, and the DoT + Explosion damage is incredible.

I don't think you've spent enough time with the new weapons.

[Xeth Nyrrow]

Something else I experimented with that is nice with the, "mortar bow". Do a roll at the same time. You roll twice as far and place the bomb in the middle. More useful if you need a long roll. The only draw back is that you always gets stuck for a bit and usually have to roll again to get unstuck. I think it's a bug with the animations.

Someone please show me some footage of using the shadow bow to good effect. Right now it's just too weak against large groups to take over the mortar bow.

[Moffin Bovin]

i love the morter bow but you need to be super accurate with it. Miss just a little bit and it does very little damge.