What in the world to do with this bow...

[Aiglos]

So, I recently found a Ceremonial Bow...

4 os, +3 bow and crossbow skills, 14% ED

I can't decide what to do with it. I considered Harmony, but then I thought of making Passion for a mid-game leveling utility. But the fact is that I rarely play solo during that period and I end up Baaling up to around 75 and don't worry much about going it alone.

The damage on a Harmony would be an issue, I suppose. But it's a very nice mid-level bow that I absolutely hate to see go to waste. The level req is 43, I think, so I suppose I could make an Edge Bow, but even with the plus damage to Demons the base damage would still be unbelievably low.

I'm guessing the optimal situation would be to make a mid-level twink Melody for a FA zon, but I already have an Ashwood Bow that serves this purpose quite well. Not to mention that +6 to FA at level 43 would render the thing almost useless without a high level Insight wielding merc.

Any thoughts?

[citybird]

the thought is harmony

[superdave]

one too many holes in that bow for a melody or edge.

[Aiglos]

Dave,

Indeed...I had 4 os on the brain.

Melody and Edge are both 3 os, so I guess I'm stuck with Harmony then, eh?
*grin*

[crawlingdeadman]

faith, ice, passion, hoj, brand, fort, phoenix, or harmony.

[Aiglos]

It's Ceremonial though, not GMB or MAT -- I don't think I want to waste the runes for something like Faith or Ice on a Ceremonial Bow.

Passion or Harmony seem like the best twink bows -- good for NM and early Hell. I think Harmony is probably the route to take.

[crawlingdeadman]

i've seen a ceremonial faith, wielded by a zon that my harmony pvper kicked around. it was amusing.

[FrankWest]

Ice, Ice, baby. I wouldn't consider this bow a waste for an Ice. Not optimal, but it's definitely a good option.

And yeah, Harmony would be a good choice too - to wear as a weapon switch. And it'd take advantage of the low level requirement.

[KremBanan]

ICE would be a waste in this bow, because: if you can afford the runes to make ICE, then you should afford to get a 3sk/4sox Matriarchal Bow.

[Aiglos]

I can afford to make ICE, and I have a couple of 4os GMB and/or MAT bows, but I hate to let this go to waste -- it's a nice bow, even if it's not going to be made into end game equipment. Not to mention that it might be nice to have a Harmony on switch with +6 Valk (in a perfect roll) to prebuff my LF zon's valk...

Hmmm...decisions, decisions, decisions...

The thing about ICE in this bow is that, yes, the physical damage is terrible. But most FA zons rely on a combination of FA/MA to get them through. So a loss of, say, 10-15 average damage doesn't seem that big. The real issue is speed. It's a 10 speed bow, and Harmony is bereft of any additional IAS (and I'm a speed freak).

I don't know...I'd say it's a toss up at this point, but I think it's going to be Harmony for an elemental weapon switch, vigor aura, and valk prebuff for my LF zon.

Man, I wish I had stumbled across this bow in SP -- THAT would have been nice indeed.

[stephan]

Not to mention that it might be nice to have a Harmony on switch with +6 Valk (in a perfect roll) to prebuff my LF zon's valk...
Since the valk on harmony is an oskill, it will give you a maximum of +3 to valk for an Amazon (this is why Barbs don't cary dual CtA's around with them).

[FrankWest]

ICE would be a waste in this bow, because: if you can afford the runes to make ICE, then you should afford to get a 3sk/4sox Matriarchal Bow.

That's a bit of a non-sequitur, there - and by your logic, he could do anything he wants. If you can afford Ice, you can afford a 4os Matriarchal Bow. If you can afford a 4os Matriarchal Bow, you can afford Faith runes... and so on. You're kinda assuming unlimited wealth, and we don't know that this is the case.

Also, I'd say that in this scenario, buying a Matriarchal Bow to put Ice in would be a waste. The differences in the bows are negligible, especially when you consider the slight change in average damage and how little that means with regard to the real purpose of the bow - the aura and the cold damage.

Edit: Just saw the OP's most recent reply. In that case, sure. I'd make an Ice in a Matriarchal Bow - if any. Might as well use what you've got, but going out and buying one to make an Ice would be wasteful.

[Wmeredith]

I would say Harmony or Passion are the only choices that really make sense.

[Aiglos]

What an honor, ladies and gentlemen, WMeredith, author of the guide to runewords and your bow has graced us! *grin*

Well, Wmeredith, if you say Harmony or Passion how can I say no?

Harmony it is then!