Best crossbow loadout?

[AdrianEon31]

I really like my crossbow and I was wondering what would be better for this play style. What would be the best mutations? Antlion armor or marksman's cap?

[Maya-Neko]

Well, the Black Ox Bow has 85 dmg. If we assume, that you hit everything, then the marksman's cap will do ~102 dmg in 3 attacks. At the same time, the Antlion armor allows you to do 5 attacks, which adds up to ~425 dmg, so roughly ~39 % more damage with the Antlion armor. The crit Energize: Bow-effect obviously doesn't matter, given that it doesn't trigger on the crossbow.

The marksman's cap is only better, if you just shoot a littlebit, but then go into meele, where you might want to have some different armor. types for your body/pants

[Cornelius the Pooka Prince]

Try Moth armor and Marksman Cap, it gives the Ranged Cut ability that apply's a Bleed to the enemy on hit. Just remember, Moth armor is Light Armor so you are easier to kill, also the Sleek effect is pretty good as well, giving ranged attack a small chance of giving you 15 stamina. The Antlion Armor is really only good for the Set Bonus that makes you fire faster, fun fact: this works with bows and with the Tier 2 bow and Antlion armor you can fire arrows really fast, makes up for the lack of damage and it is stronger with Bomb Arrows.

[Cornelius the Pooka Prince]

Don't forget to Sleek the Marksman Cap, that Bow Attack Up is a 20% damage increase.