Hellrack Bow

[Jezmonster]

Hi Amazon Forum.

I recently had a Hellrack bow drop for me on Hardcore Ladder. Since it dropped, I thought I would try to build a bowazon for it. I have played a bowazon before 1.10, but it has been awhile. Can somebody give me some suggestions on Skills I should invest in and some other equipment that I should use to make the bow effective (if that is possible). Please keep in mind I don't play a lot, so the other equipment would need to be reasonable to obtain. For example, I would have a hard time getting a Mara's amulet, so can a build be done with Exceptional items and not elite? Any help would be appreciated. I would like to use this character for Monster killing (and some Magic Finding if I can).

[Wmeredith]

I'm assuming you are talking about a Hellrack xBow. IMHO xBows are too slow for anything really. You should try to get a Lycander's or Goldstrike or WWS, if oyu want to build a bowazon. None of these bows are that expensive either.

[Jezmonster]

Yes it is a Xbow. Do you think I could trade it for on of the bows you mentioned? Sounds like it is not as good of a bow as I thought. I does have 2 socket in it (so I could put some Shaels in them).

[Shandrakor Deathstalker]

I have 2 myself. They're not worth anything, but I like the name. They always come with 2 slots, but despite the crazy elemental damage mods, it's just waaayyy to slow. If you're set on using it, the best char would be a Druid using Fury (I think -- the one that speeds you up). A Furysin was also suggested, but upon investigation a Furysin get 3/4 damage from a one-handed weapon and only 3/8 damage from a 2-handed weapon. So your best bet is either the Druid path or to swap it to a newb for pgems or a WWS. Personally, I used a Buriza until I got my WF, but the WWS also has it's fans. Good luck!

[Catrinus Jan]

Hello Jezmonster,

Since the other posted some threads about the slow speed on the hellrack i thought i could clarify that for you. This is the speed table for the Hellrack crossbow u mentiond.

Weapon: heavy crossbow, ballista, colossus crossbow
Weapon Base Speed: 10
Normal Base Frames: 19
Strafe Base Frames: 5

22/6: 0-1%
21/6: 2-5%
20/6: 6-10%
19/5: 11-21%
18/5: 22-28%
17/5: 29-31%
16/5: 32-41%
16/4.5: 42-47%
15.5/4.5: 48-49%
15/4: 50-69%
14/4: 70-104%
14-13/4: 105-119%
12/3.5: 120-173%
11.5/3.5: 174-214%
11/3: 215%

The best u can probably get is a 12/3.5 speed and it needs all the gear slots toget there. Not a very good choice in my opintion.

Lets take a look at the other 2 bows mentiont ok? Lycanders and Goldstrike.

Weapon: long battle, long siege, crusader bow; long war, gothic (Goldstrike), hydra bow; reflex, ceremonial (lycanders), grand matron bow
Weapon Base Speed: 10
Normal Base Frames: 13
Strafe Base Frames: 3

15/4: 0-4%
14/4: 3-10%
13/3: 11-25%
12/3: 26-41%
11/3: 42-45%
10/3: 46-79%
9/3: 80-119%
9/2: 120-156%
8/2: 157%

With little investment on ias u'll get more damage over time with this bow. An other point is that this bow has more usefull mods for a bowamazon than the hellrack does.

Same is for the Goldstrike Arch. The speed on this bow is way better resulting in more damage over time then the Hellrack.

But keep in mind that these are only some numbers, if u want to build an amazon wielding a Hellrack i would say: Go for it, it's your character and if u thinkit would be fun to play an amazon wielding a hellrack, do it, it your game

[Jezmonster]

Wow thanks everybody for the information. It was very helpful. I think I might try the Druid route, and keep my eyes out for the other bows you mentioned. Thanks.

[Aerath]

Won't work for a fury druid - way too slow to get anywhere near an optimal attack rate.

Specially not since Fury is largely based on Weapon Speed and the rest is largely inconsequential.

Fury sin is an interesting option, since Bladefury is unaffected by IAS, and the elemental damage transfers completely.

Only problem you'd face is its hefty strength requirement. You could plunk in two Hels to lower that though.