Elven Double Bow

[LiL KiNG]

So I initially thought the elven double bow was going to be like two weapon fighting for ranged, but I guess rapid shot does that... kinda.

Looking at the double bow, it takes a move action to string a second arrow - is there a way to do this faster? Quick Draw or maybe taking the Rapid Reload feat? I know rapid reload is for crossbows, but it seems fitting for this nonetheless.

If not, I don't see the point of this bow. You waste a move action to nock a second arrow, then your attack is just firing the two arrows, so your full round is just two arrows...

Maybe I'm not seeing a more efficient way to do this, but as it is this bow seems like a waste of a feat - I'd rather cheese and grab a greatbow for the exotic weapon feat then.

 

[Greenfield]

So...

You're looking for a way to make a patently silly weapon less silly? Just asking...

 

[jefgorbach]

since it has TWO strings ... would it not double your base-number of bow attacks, regardless of whatever feats/etc you might also have??

 

[airwalkrr]

There is only one singular advantage to the elven double bow: it costs 1 feat to get a second attack at your highest base attack bonus instead of 2. If you are a feat-starved class and you want the ability to hit more reliably at high level with ranged attacks, the elven double bow is a decent way to do it. Rather than spend two feats on point blank shot and rapid shot, just take EWP: elven double bow and gain the ability to make two attacks at your highest base attack bonus rather than only one plus a bunch of measly attacks that get progressively worse.

It's a lousy weapon, but it has its place. A dedicated archer will probably ignore it though.

There are some other fringe benefits as well. There are situations in which you might want to hit the target with two types of arrows at once while still benefiting from enhancement bonus of the bow, but not so much that you are willing to invest in two feats to get Rapid Shot. Also, a character who has invested in Shot on the Run as well could benefit from this by making two attacks as a standard action in between ducking for cover.

And I agree with Greenfield, it's a patently silly weapon, but then again D&D is a patently silly game. We sit around a table pretending to be wizards and fighters marching into dungeons to slay goblins and dragons who guard magical items. All very silly stuff.

 

[LiL KiNG]

since it has TWO strings ... would it not double your base-number of bow attacks, regardless of whatever feats/etc you might also have??

No, because after your first shot it takes a move action to nock that second arrow again negating your ability to make more than one attack with it. That's what I'm trying to get around with quick draw or rapid reload - rapid reload lets you fire off a light crossbow at your full base attack, thats got to be more complicated then stringing an arrow.

 

[Jimlock]

A silly weapon indeed. Not worth it IMO. As you said, the fact that it drains you from both standard and move actions, which consequently does not let you have a full round action to use all your BAB attacks, makes it pretty useless.

As for the feats you mentioned, I don't think they work.

 

[LiL KiNG]

Yeah, seems like someone had a good idea with it for a ranged type build, but they jacked it up in the restriction on even using it...

Was just hoping someone else might have successfully tackled this problem or had a fix for it but I guess not... o'well.

 

[Dandu]

Talk to Water Bob.