18/24 is the only build to go for
longbowman every dedicated archer if you asked me. I'm an 18/27 Longbowman (level 32). Because I hate athletics kiting archers, so I'm not one.
The rus bow is better in every way, but i use the longbow for style
I used to use a MW rus bow, but Traded to my friend Beeper for his MW Longbow, even though it is
much worse. I prefer the style of it. If you saw my character, it is pure style hahahaha. THis is a glorified dress up simulator remember?
Long Bow is gimped for its price. It had its worth when it was the only pierce bow, but now the sheer slowness of it makes it a really bad choice. The release is quite delayed too, so your crosshair will not be impressive when you do release the arrow. Its positives is not worth the negatives. That it's the most expensive bow to boot doesn't help it either.
Long bow for style, rus bow or horn bow for effectiveness
The delay is dumb, but I still headshot people all day with my longbow.
Oh, and longbow is the least accurate bow on top of it all. Rusbow is slightly more accurate, and hornbow slightly more-so.
When I equip the horn bow with my 9 WM it is pinpoint at max accuracy. Every arrow goes into a head-sized target at 50m without straying even slightly. Longbow will stray an arrow here and there in comparison at that distance.
If I were to make a min-maxer archer to be the MOST EFFECTIVE BATTLEFIELD MACHINE etc, I would use a hornbow. Similar effectiveness to Rus bow, but oneslot so you can have a proper melee weapon. Pretty clear cut choice.
With all that said, in the awful awful troll thread in general discussion called "Buff Archery": I made a post and you can see just how effective longbowman can be though in my SS's.
link:
http://forum.meleegaming.com/general-discussion/buff-archers!/msg584622/#msg584622
