LAser Cannons or LongBows?

[symphonia]

Which is better? I am starting a protranser and was wondering which was better

Thnx

[ssl118]

It's a matter of preference. They two are totally different weapons which are better for different situations. As a GT I am currently using and enjoying both. With high bullet levels they both can do some serious damage. Plus bows just look cool.

[sikotic_demon]

i am a protranser my preference is the bow...at lvl 135 human class lvl 20 and my lowest bullet at 14 i still hit high 900's to mid 1000 damage without buffs

[FOnewearl-Lina]

If you must have only one then bow, you have better options for targeting multiple enemies. Plus, laser ain't gonna be much help against bosses (neither is bow but at least it's easier to target Dima, etc).

[Pillan]

You can't really compare guns to one another like you can do with Melee. None of Protranser's gun options have any similarity and all work well in different situations. Personally, I don't really use lasers or bows, but I don't really play Protranser either (more GT/fG).

Bows are only useful for bosses and the occasional high flying Zoona and Shangreece (most flying mobs can still be targeted by any range weapon even without first person unless they do the higher level flight). Lasers are useful on large quantities of closely spaced mobs, but you could easily get better utility from [insert AoE skill here] in those situations. As you can see, there's no overlap between their utility.

[ashley50]

Which is better? I am starting a protranser and was wondering which was better

Thnx

They're both great...

[Truth034]

SHOTGUN

[MSAksion]

To be honest - between Laser and Longbow its the Longbow.

The longbow can do something the Melee and other guns can do - is hit long range or flying targets. Get them to 21+ and youre also inflicting status 4 which only bows and rifles can perform.

For the laser - though its insanely great for mobs and groups of monsters at status 3 effect, you still have other weapons that do the same. You have Grenades for area attacks and you have Dus Majarra and Tornado break for melee squad annihilation.

[lantis-zagato]

Plus, bows seem easier to level. To me at least.

[Tetsaru]

Depends on the combat situation you're in.

Laser cannons, IF LEVELED SUFFICIENTLY, are excellent against large groups of enemies. Don't use grenades on mobs - they're slower and harder to aim, and your party will get pissed off at you for scattering enemies around. Unfortunately, laser cannons take A WHILE to level. In essence, the more you put into them, the more you'll get out of them.

Bows, on the other hand, are better for sniping and inflicting strong status effects. They're also pretty easy to level compared to other ranged weapons. Whatever you do, PLEASE DO NOT use bows at point blank range. I see too many noobish gunners do this with bows, as well as rifles and twin handguns. If you're up close to something, that defeats the point of having a long-range weapon! Use some melee weapons, or a shotgun in that scenario. :3

EX Traps will be your staple as a PT, but as for your weapons, you get both worlds of FF and FG (and bows thrown in, lol). Some people go pure melee, others pure ranged, and many like a mix of both - just go with what you like best. :3

[biggabertha]

I love the look of Longbows, I love the idea behind them and I loved how they were my safest way to kill enemies.

As Tetsaru said, I advise against using a Longbow point-blank. Please use a Shotgun in that situation instead so you both deal more damage and have an excellent chance to perform a Just Counter over and over. Longbows are for long range combat!

(But I suppose if it's your playstyle.... whatever...)


Laser Cannons even start off fairly strong, hitting around 600s - 700s at Lv. 1 with the correct element. At Lv. 40 they deal 1200s - 1300s for me on the correct element. If you hit three or more targets with one shot, you just dealt 3600 - 3900 with one shot!

It's easy to line up three targets as well, most enemies spawn in three, four or even more and what's more, you can stun or freeze them all with EX traps if you really need to.

Pick up Frozen Prism if you can only have one PA from Laser Cannons though, SE 3 Freeze is awesome as utility and the damage it can deal is very strong too.

Protranser isn't as good with melee as they are with bullets so if you're going for damage or killing things the fastest, then go for bullets. Use melee when you come against bullet resistant enemies.


(I don't even use my Longbow anymore unless a boss flies away or my Handgun can't reach!)

[amtalx]

The lack of Laser Cannon support in this thread is staggering. USE LASER CANNONS.

[darkante]

They are both different weapons, but i gotta warn you that Laser Cannon P.A is a beast to level.

Just because of that, i call it the most manly weapon.

Your choice really lol jk.

[Kion]

Hax cannons or nerf bows? Does that really require an explanation?

Over all it`s nothing against bows, over all the only thing i use them for is tagging bosses from a distance, so grbbing one element and leveling it for the distance is pretty decent. Fire, ice or dark, the other elements are pretty worthless status effect against single enmies and the added damage from element in`t worth even the small amount of time required to level them (in my opinion).

Laser cannons are huge numbers with lv 3 status against several enemies. It`s my recomendation to stick with that for mowing down mobs.

Pick the PA`s which best reflect how you play. Use both, balancing which PA`s and how you use them is up to you.

[Pillan]

Protranser isn't as good with melee as they are with bullets so if you're going for damage or killing things the fastest, then go for bullets. Use melee when you come against bullet resistant enemies.


(I don't even use my Longbow anymore unless a boss flies away or my Handgun can't reach!)

I have to correct you there. Photon Art cap has nothing to do with superior strength. There is nothing a Protranser can do with range that can keep up with Majarra or a well placed Jabroga. And that gap only increases as you get higher element.

And I'm pretty sure the handgun is still superior DPS to a bow due to the firing rate difference, but bows still have the range and DFP ignoring advantages. I won't give them an SE advantage since SE 3 x 2 (handgun), SE 2 x 5 (shotgun), or SE 3 x 3+ (laser) is generally higher than SE 4 x 1 (bow). The only things I know of that still require SE 4 or higher are the rediculous STA enemies like Junsugun and Rappy Gugg. (I'm not sure if Gugg is on that list, but I think it is.)

[Dragwind]

Two very different weapons, for two very different situations I'll continue to say.
Bows are more for range and possibly inflicting an SE on a larger enemy. Lasers are more for hitting multiple enemies.

[Hrith]

you could easily get better utility from [insert AoE skill here] in those situations.For half the damage, yeah, wonderful plan, there.

[CelestialBlade]

I'll say this much. I have a Nasuyoteri and a 10/10 Degahna Cannon. With level 31 Ice bullets, I do the same damage per hit on any given Fire monster with both weapons, yet the Laser fires a little faster and can hit multiple enemies. So in that respect, I say the Laser Cannon clearly wins, but I still use Bows a lot because they're freaking pretty, and looks > damage in this game. But as Drag said, it's difficult to compare these two weapons because they're used for different situations; you're better off comparing Bows to Rifles.

[Akaimizu]

I'm surprised someone made a post to compare the two as if to say one or the other. To me, it's like asking would you like Breakfast, or dinner?? Even though, one of my meals consist mostly of rifles than bows.

As Dr. Evil so eloquently put it. (I'd use this thing we call a "Laser". Using this "Laser", I'd say we punch holes through lines of monsters, threating to cause a massive dip in their population unless.....(bringing a pinky up to the corner of my mouth) the Illuminus pays us a hefty ransom??? (looks around) Hmmm????)

Yep. Lasers are good. It's one of the defacto weapons for a Guntecher to have when dealing with groups.

[mvffin]

bows are only useful for stupid flying bosses. and even then, not very good.

Laser Cannon is useful on groups of 3 or more enemies that don't scatter or teleport. Also great in small passages.

[Magus_84]

The following question is nearly pointless, as it's a minor nitpick. However, it's something I see mentioned quite often, and I don't quite understand the reasoning behind it.


And I'm pretty sure the handgun is still superior DPS to a bow due to the firing rate difference, but bows still have the range and DFP ignoring advantages.

If handgun outdamages bow even on higher-DFP stuff, wouldn't the DFP-ignoring "advantage" be a moot point? It seems like people mention that as a way to give Bow extra points, when the actual effect it has in the game at this point in development is nearly useless. Most often comes up in Rifle vs Bow discussions (which most don't seem to realize only applies to GT anyway >_>)

DFP scales horribly in the game, from what I've tested. Level 40 Zalure adds around 20-30 damage to most enemies. So in the damage calculation, a bow would be adding about 90-130 damage per shot if compared to a weapon with identical ATP, rate of fire, elemental percentage and ATP mod (very rough calculation for the purpose of comparison). Of course, since such a weapon doesn't exist, it's kind of pointless (from a practical standpoint) to look at the DFP ignoring properties of a bow as a separate advantage.

Especially since, in the rare cases where the DFP-ignoring could possibly make them outdamage Handguns on something both can hit (Dragons if you aren't aiming at weak points), you'd be better off using a Grenade anyway. The rate of fire on bows absolutely kills them.

If you're using a bow, by default, you're getting the DFP-ignoring properties calculated into the mediocre DPS that gets beat by a Handgun. And if you're using a bow, by default, you're passing up using something else that'd probably be more useful. Your choice in the end, of course. But if you're asking, you may want more advice than just "pick which one you like".

The only things bows are good for are a bit of extra range (when compared to a Handgun) and looking cool ;_;. Since if you can't hit something with one option, it doesn't matter that the option could theoretically be better.

I'd suggest giving high priority to leveling your Laser bullets, and picking up a bow bullet or two for the very rare cases that you can't hit a boss with melee, grenades or handgun.

[desturel]

for the very rare cases that you can't hit a boss with melee, grenades or handgun.

There are a few cases where melee, grenades or handguns might not be the best option. Not "rare". It's just that the missions that those occasions bring up are "rarely" run.

De Rol Le, Dimmagolus, Omnagoug and Dark Falz. In some cases Magas Maggahna since using a handgun can get dangerous due to the lack of range. It's even more important with MM if you don't have stun resist. But those go without saying and are likely the ones everyone thinks of first.

In other cases, chasing down an airborne Dragon boss with a handgun is mostly a waste of time due to the lack of range. By the time you get close enough to use a handgun and position yourself to shoot the head, most times it's flying off to a new location.

It's also useful for Jarba. Not so much Tengohg and Jusnagun since there is no dambarta to worry about with those creatures, so shotgun is your best option. Sure you can shotgun a Jarba at the back and avoid the dambarta, but bows give you more freedom of where you are placing yourself at any given time and allow you to rotate the camera to see what the other Jarba on the map may be doing. (Lab Recovery, Mad Beasts, Dual Sentinal, Crimson Beast. Not so much for Lightning Beasts obviously.)

There are also times when it's useful for Gaozoran. Low level players don't exactly want to get into handgun range, let alone shotgun/spinning strike range of a Gaozoran. Positioning a group of Gaozoran with a grenade, while affective, is very time consuming and frustrating in missions that aren't True Darkness where they all spawn together in one neat little set. Rising Hit 40 is good for one or two as a low level as long as you can keep and eye on both of them, but once you get to three or more, you want the extra range and security of being able to dodge the 3+ Foie flying at you at once. Of course doing a mission that has 3+ Gaozoran in one room and isn't True Darkness solo probably isn't advised.

The slow firing speed is one of the reasons why the ultimate bow PAs suck so much. Chosei-sou isn't really as big of a problem as Masei-sou. With the slower firing rate it has increased range, so you can stay at a comfortable distance. An elemental bullet is still better, but in a bind where you only have one bullet (I don't know why a PT would only have one bow bullet) that's your main choice. Masei-sou has horrid range, firing rate, accuracy and would wind up getting you killed in most situations where a bow can be used over other options. Why Sonic Team has never decided to fix Masei-sou is beyond my understanding.

[Pillan]

If handgun outdamages bow even on higher-DFP stuff, wouldn't the DFP-ignoring "advantage" be a moot point? It seems like people mention that as a way to give Bow extra points, when the actual effect it has in the game at this point in development is nearly useless. Most often comes up in Rifle vs Bow discussions (which most don't seem to realize only applies to GT anyway >_>)

The reason for still considering a bow's DFP ignoring properties when comparing it to a handgun (or any other gun) would be for the condition that your ATP is low compared to the enemy's DFP. There are only 3 cases where this is true: fighting Zamvapas, playing as Newman Fortetecher, or doing an AoI mission at the very minimum level. But I agree that in general this advantage doesn't account for anything.

[Transgamergurl]

If you are looking for opinions I would go with both the laser and the bow. Bows are very good source of long range damage, more effective on larger and flying monsters. Laser are great for a mob of small creatures. When they made laser cannons have 45% element at lvl 31+ they made the damage compare to the bow. My pt does around 1300 with the bow but at the same time i do about 1300 with my laser as well. Don't forget the bow ignores defense so youll don't have to worry about bullet resistance.
Consider getting all the bow bullets, but for the laser cannon, i would go with at least 2 bullets of your choice. Mainly i would pick the 2 that you like. In my case i have light and dark for my laser. I love virus, and the confusion is nice being able to make them attack one another and techs won't do damage to you. A two for one deal. ^^
Probally the best advice, just go try them out. If you don't like one of them, then don't use it.

[Gen2000]

For PTs, they can use Laser Cannons for first-person damage sub...that's what the OP was getting at I believe that was for the most part ignored entirely in this thread with the exception of like two other posters. Obviously any other time they are different and can't be compared at all.

For first-person damage, Laser Cannon keeps up with bow if not does better. Bow is only slightly better vs. Onma/Dimma because the laser bullet travels kinda slow to keep up with their erratic flying movements.

I got all Bow bullets lv.40 because I thought I need it for first-person damage at least but I rarely use it because for ****s and giggles I decided to use my Laser Cannon lv.40 bullets instead on bosses like De Rol and was surprised by the results. Bow is quite useless in the end. Using Degehna Cannon in first-person mode constantly isn't recommended though...you will go blind.

[CaRLxD]

Which is better? I am starting a protranser and was wondering which was better

Thnx
I guess it depends on the spawn because Cannons hit multiple targets so if its a big spawn your gonna hit more w/ cannon but bows would be better for large monsters and bosses.

[amtalx]

My pt does around 1300 with the bow but at the same time i do about 1300 with my laser as well. Don't forget the bow ignores defense so youll don't have to worry about bullet resistance.

Bows only circumvent DFP, not native bullet resistance. You will still end up dealing 50% damage, just 50% after ignoring DFP.

[desturel]

I guess it depends on the spawn because Cannons hit multiple targets so if its a big spawn your gonna hit more w/ cannon but bows would be better for large monsters and bosses.

I know you mean multi-creature instead of multi-target, but I'll nitpick anyway. A multi-target laser cannon would pretty much out do any other weapon in the game. ;)

[R2D6battlebot]

This argument is fail. Bows are not good anymore because SE4 is not needed to kill things, especially on a PT who has traps AND Majarra/Jabroga. Lasers win this argument hands down, range doesnt matter EXCEPT on Onma/Dima style bosses, and as already said, I'd just use a handgun. This game is way too easy for people to really argue about how to do more damage, especially with a stupid comparison like this one.

Question - Which spawns more often, a boss, or a mob?
Answer - Lol, quit the game.

[Hrith]

For PTs, they can use Laser Cannons for first-person damage sub...that's what the OP was getting at I believe that was for the most part ignored entirely in this thread with the exception of like two other posters. Obviously any other time they are different and can't be compared at all.

For first-person damage, Laser Cannon keeps up with bow if not does better. Bow is only slightly better vs. Onma/Dimma because the laser bullet travels kinda slow to keep up with their erratic flying movements.

I got all Bow bullets lv.40 because I thought I need it for first-person damage at least but I rarely use it because for ****s and giggles I decided to use my Laser Cannon lv.40 bullets instead on bosses like De Rol and was surprised by the results. Bow is quite useless in the end. Using Degehna Cannon in first-person mode constantly isn't recommended though...you will go blind.Of course bow is useless.

Bow has the lowest DPS of all guns, laser has the highest DPS of all guns, and some people argue over the uses of the former... lol

When there's not enough monsters to justify the use of a laser, you use shotguns, not bows.
If the monster resists bullets, you use melee; PT's melee damage is not very high, but it's decent.

You may think that Onmagoug and Dimmagolus justify the need of a long range FPS gun, but they don't, really. As a PT, you will deal at best 10% of the damage to the boss with your bow. When those bosses land, a combo of Ikk Hikk or some well-placed Anga Jabroga will deal the remaining 90% (I don't mean in one go, only FF can pull this one).
Fortefighter still kills those bosses faster than Protranser without using a gun at all.

As for De Rol Le and Dark Falz, they're never within bow range without being in handgun range, and handgun does more damage.

[desturel]

If a Fortefighter is facing Dimmagolus, you had better bring a handgun along or you're in for a pretty long fight. He stays down for 5 second if he's not hit and 10 seconds if his wings are destroyed. Onmagoug stays down long enough to make the battle shorter for a fortefighter, but with Dimma, you can certainly do it quicker as a protranser if the FF is not using Plasma hit since you will be able to break the wings at least one additional time allowing for two Jabroga to be completed while he is down on the ground.

De Rol Le and Dark Falz both stray far enough out of range that the only bullet that can hit them is Chosei-sou (which is pretty useless outside of this one situation). Also there are times when, due to raft movement, a bow/rifle can hit them, but a handgun cannot.

[Hrith]

Dimmagolus dies in two Anga Jabroga, or one Ikk Hikk combo, the puny damage you will deal with your handgun won't make the fight shorter than two Anga Jabroga or one Ikk Hikk. That is the whole point.

As for the raft issue for the worm bosses, it's only relevant to crappy players. As Guntecher, for instance, those die a lot faster from twin handguns than bows (disregarding rifles, obv).

[desturel]

Dimmagolus dies in two Anga Jabroga, or one Ikk Hikk combo, the puny damage you will deal with your handgun won't make the fight shorter than two Anga Jabroga or one Ikk Hikk. That is the whole point.

I would be willing to put this to the test. A beast FF with no gun and level 40 Jabroga vs a neuman protrasner with level 40 Raisei-sou and level 30 Jabroga against Dimma solo. I know you are on PC, so we would need to get someone on the Xbox version to join me in this escapade. We can see which one kills Dimma quicker. The person who has to wait for him to land, or the person who can force him to land.

[tirith]

play what u like, personally i use shotties and lasers mostly, and bows if i run out, i save the spear for my ff.... and as a pt traps aren't all that helpfull when you're solo...

[symphonia]

tnks evryone, think im goin with L.C.'s