Power Draw: when you reach the damage cap ...

[Draksen]

Hello all
Just a small thought concerning Power Draw...
Each point you put in PD adds 10% to the bow damage up to 4 + power draw req. of the bow.
Just a quick example: in the case of a Bent War Bow, doing 20 damage and having 4 as pd req, the damage bonus cap is 4+4=8, which is reached at PD=4 (4 x 10% of 20 = 4 x 2)
I have only a very limited knowledge of the game and really dont know what kind of items are considered as "high end" by players, but I guess that as the damage raises, the pd req raises also, so basicaly you always reach the damage bonus cap quite early (between PD 4 and 8 max. maybe)
So here is my question: whats the point in having a very high PD?

Oh in case of Power Strike on the other hand, I understand it fully: +6% to the damage / skill level, without cap.
Sadly, as I understand it, for PD I dont see the point in having a higher level than the weapon req. 
Though, I've read several "walkthroughs" and "strategy guides" recommanding to "max" PD... why?
Or are my maths incorrest? Have I missed something?

Thanks for your replies and advices.
Regards, Draksen

 

[Sordid Sinister]

The PD increases not only damage, but also accuracy and 'hold time'. That is, with a high enough PD you can shoot a bow with pinpoint accuracy, and the higher PD you have, the longer you can hold the bow drawn before your hold starts weakening (~ accuracy worsening).

While on the topic, I have a similar problem understandning Horse archery. The description says that it decreases damage and accuracy penalties when shooting from horseback, but does increasing it further do anything once I reach a point where I can shoot with pinpoint accuracy in full gallop?

 

[Rannen]

To be fair, you'll need a Horse Archery of at least 6 to shoot at max accuracy during full gallop.  And after that...?  Ya, I'm not really sure.

 

[Rangor]

I think power draw is useless!! My power draw level is 2 and it is enough.

 

[Sordid Sinister]

You play a melee character, I take it?

 

[An4Sh]

I think power draw is useless!! My power draw level is 2 and it is enough.

Did you actually use a bow other than a cracked hunting bow?

 

[Sturmspawn]

Proficiency is a big qualifier to all of this, as well.

With PD=4, HorseArch=4 and using a War Bow, with proficiency around 120, life is pretty frustrating. Once proficiency gets around 180+, shots start getting easier and easier - or more effective. It helps to not think in terms of limitation, but just go make the shot - your proficiency will grow to meet your ambition. You can't let yourself think  'Well gee, I'm not supposed to be able to do this.' I didn't know I couldn't shoot a khergits' horse out from under him, or drop a dark with a headshot. At the lower levels it was tougher. You need the raw strength of PD>=4 and a powerful bow to put an arrow through reinforced black armor - but those points don't give you the proficiency to do that. At some point you reach a level of sufficiency - what ever that may be. PD2 isn't a bad thing, but if you are a specialized archer, PD4 is nicer. Being able to increase the skills helps [you can benchmark the effects of your upgrades on the training grounds], but it's not something that you have to spend your first and last level-up points on. [Oh, yeah, I think Riding skill also interacts with these, and then of course, there's your choice of horse.]

And y'know, if you are an effective addition to your force, then in a way that's good enough. 

 

[calandale]

What really confuses me is that horse archery seems to improve your ability to hold the bow steady over what you can get by being a foot archer. This seems really odd.

 

[armagan]

Thanks for asking this Draksen,  I guess there is a slight confusion regarding Powerdraw. I am re-wording the description of the skill to read:

Each point to this skill (up to four plus power-draw requirement of the bow) increases bow damage by 10%%.

Therefore, for the War Bow which has a PD requirement of 4, you'll keep getting bonus until 4+4 = 8. Getting PD to 9 or higher won't increase your damage, but as Sordid Sinister put it, will help you aim more easily.

Each point you put in PD adds 10% to the bow damage up to 4 + power draw req. of the bow.
Just a quick example: in the case of a Bent War Bow, doing 20 damage and having 4 as pd req, the damage bonus cap is 4+4=8, which is reached at PD=4 (4 x 10% of 20 = 4 x 2)

 

[An4Sh]

So basically it loses half it's usefulness at 4 points?

 

[Merentha]

No, because you'd still get the benefit of increased damage up to 8 for warbows, 7 for long- and strongbows, and do forth.

 

[argh]

just in case it is still unclear: the limit to PD usefulness (damage wise) is at 4 + PD requirement of bow. That means for a bow with PD req. 3, PD will be useful (damage wise) up til 4 + 3 = 7. You get increased damage with such a bow up til PD7, and you need to invest 7 skill points in PD to reach that limit. beyond that, PD will only improve aiming for that bow.

 

[Sordid Sinister]

Thanks for clarifying that, Armagan. What about my question about Horse archery, though? Is there any point in increasing it further once I reach a point where I can shoot with absolute accuracy at full gallop, or is it a waste of skillpoints?

 

[Merentha]

I would assume it is a waste of skillpoints, since HA, to my knowledge, only affects accuracy.

 

[Sordid Sinister]

Well, the description says that it reduces penalties to accuracy and damage. It's easy to see when the accuracy penalty is nullified, but there's no way to tell when/if the damage penalty is.

 

[Halden The Borch shooter]

Horse Archery is a nice skill if you are going to be soloing enemies. Soloing enemies on foot, or with a melee weapon only is madness. Take out as many as you can before you need the sword, is what I always say.

Personally, I would like to be able to carry ne more quiver of arrows, I am always running out.

 

[Sordid Sinister]

Actually, soloing in melee only is very easy, easier perhaps than with a bow.

 

[Rollipeikko]

What? How? Care to give few hints?

 

[Sordid Sinister]

There's no special trick to it, just get a long weapon and keep hacking. Always take out ranged troops first (and avoid parties with large numbers of them altogether) and watch out for lancers.

 

[An4Sh]

I just did a little testing and it appears that the war bow reaches 100% accuracy at 10 power draw not 8.