Bow or xbow

Idk, I like xbow more since you see a lot of bowmasters. I also like the animations of xbow better.

 

Arrow bomb has a big area of effect. Which means it's attacks mobs infront of you, above you, under you (everywhere). Iron Arrow only hits mobs infront of you. Which means it wont work at lupins since you will only hit one platform instead of 3(?).

 

As a nooby 'lil huntress I recommend bows, unless you're really hardcore and a fast leveller.
But you seem more like someone who enjoys the journey, and you're not even sure how long you'll stick to the class so I recommend bows. It's just better mobbing.

Crossbows are cool too, though, and if you want to try out a less mainstream class or you like their style go for it. It's just a game.

 

I think it's pretty much agreed that Bowmasters are objectively the better class due to their 2nd and 4th jobs- that's why throughout the history of Maplestory bowmasters have always, always outnumbered xbowmen by light years.

However, xbowmen do have their 4th job significantly buffed in ML, making them better at competing (even though bowmasters still do eventually outclass them with better scaling.)

Besides that, I'd argue that the main reason to pick xbowmen are to be unique, which is, btw a very viable reason. It's fun to have people pause in the middle of their tracks, look at you with the F6 emoticon and say "woah, rare job". That's why I play both paladin and xbowmen- I just can't stand the idea of being mainstream. You still get SE as an xbowmen, which is one of the hugest reasons for archers to be in a party anyway

 

well you still have a lot of time to decide :3

12 levels, halloween maintenence and does anoying ddos give you a lot of time to think it over

 

This. Be hipster with us pls.

 

xbow because that sounds cooler than bow

 

a bow user here~
from my experience, i also do enjoy the arrow bomb feeling at monkey forest, but it will start getting slow exp at around 6x lvl...
at that time, i wish i am a xbow who can use iron arrow which more efficient than arrow bomb in MP3 or FOG which the layout are flat...
somemore, xbow can have a 100% freeze skill at 3rd job and better mobbing skill at 4th job, while bow only have certain rate to stun the mob and hurricane all the way?

 

My opinion on this, go xbow.

Firstly , scrolls are cheaper compared to bowmaster.
Secondly, the number of xbowman is far lesser than that of bowmasters, its easier to stand out this way.
Thirdly, hurricane from 4th job onwards to level 200 is the most boring thing ever. And like what others mentioned. If you're looking for DPS I rather you go Nightlord ( TT from 4th job onwards to 200 similar to that of bowmaster) than debating over bowmaster or xbowman, in the first place bowmans are sort of a semi support/dps role. I will go xbowman as changing skills between snipe/strafe etc to kill mobs sound better to me.
Then again these are all my own personal opinion. Hope that helps!

 

AB can stun and curve. IA does more damage but doesn't stun and goes horizontal. iron arrow is much better for map layouts like terrance hall though

don't forget you get freeze too at 3rd and 4th job as marksman

 

Just to add, with the new maps at kerning square. Level 35 to 50 is easy to grind at CDs for xbowman as well.

 

its taipei 101 not kerning square which is 60~100 (iirc) you could check the thread to make sure of recommended levels

 

Bow for swag
Xbow for xswag

 

RIP deribou

 

Hijacking this thread for a bit... Just curious: how different is the gameplay like for bowmen vs. crossbowmen? Or do they not differ much at all?

In case my question wasn't really clear... for instance, in 2nd job, clerics can jump into a crowd of undead mobs and spam Heal, while F/P wizards would prefer to keep their distance and snipe.