Are any bows in game better than throwing weapons?

[redgreen999]

I have played hunter a couple times and what to use a bow but always end up with a throwing weapon and shield. I find throwing weapons do more damage than any bow I have used. Then with a throwing weapon you get the bonus of using a shield with chance to block and other stats, life often +def and resistance.

Its discouraging because my hunter builds end up playing like most any other range build using the same one handed weapon. But it makes no sense to nerf my character by using a bow.

Actually my melee characters do just as much damage also with a 1 handed weapon.

[sarcastic_godot]

In general, thrown outperforms bows. Faster RoF just beats it, and the resistances or buffs from the shield also come in handy. And unlike the spear, where the high damage actually translates to better performance of the rush attacks (Take Down, Shield Rush, etc.), the high single shot damage doesn't help anywhere. And the range advantage is meh in the open world, as there always are some silly banzai chargers coming to stab or slice or club you.....

Only place where I still prefer the bow: Typhon. That's the one fight where the greater range of bows is really relevant.

[MedeaFleecestealer]

I haven't played that much with throwing weapons, but prefer the greater range I get with bows myself. Throwing weapons mean you have to get into aggro range to use them. Ranged characters shouldn't need to do that.

[chris.ferrantegerard]

Bows have longer range but worse attack speed compared to throwing weapons. Meanwhile, throwing weapons can be dual wielded or used with a shield for extra survivability and stats.

Maybe an edge for throwing weapons, the benefit from a shield helping make up for the shorter range. I find both good overall and using a bow instead shouldn't make a huge difference. If you're playing Rune through, I'd probably plump for Dual Wield throwing to combo with Thunderstrike.

[MedeaFleecestealer]

One I do like is using Rogue's Knife skill along with dual wield throwing knifes. Knife has a longer range so use that first to hit foes at a distance and then when the remainder come towards you blitz them with DW throwing.

[Rad-Icarus]

I like bows for my earth/nature build.

Summon a ton of crap, max high dex, increase mana with items, sit back with the fire enchantment on your bow, sit back and direct/heal your summons from the back with highly accurate and high power bow hits.

You won't need a ton of mana because all you use it for are buffs and summons. You can focus mostly on dexterity and be deadly with a spear if they ever get past your summons and
close in on you.

Sure it works with throwing weapons, but I like having a lot os space to work with.