flatbow versus longbow?

wiki stats says that

flatbow = maxed range + fastest speed

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longbow = maxed range

shortbow = max speed


so would flatbow be the best bow to choose?

Flatbow arrows also have the biggest arch & longest flight time of the arrow, meaning they are the easiest to dodge.

If you're using a flatbow in pvp, then most players will be able to avoid your arrows. In pve the weapon is more powerful, as monsters often won't bother to dodge them once they are engaged in combat. That is, you'll only miss while they are still running to engage somebody.

The whole arch & flight time of the arrows being the largest can also be avoided by using skills Read the Wind and Favorable Winds. Pretty much like it says on the wiki.

Yeah and another thing is that due to the elongated flight time you can generate more spike-esque damage, as by the time one attack hits another will already be mid air.

In general, flatbow for PvE. Favorable Winds will flatten the arc, but also benefits enemy mobs. Read the Wind is excellent, but the cast time can be a problem.

Recurve bow>all

With Barrage I usually use a recurve bow, without barrage I usually use Read the Wind and a Flatbow.

It entirely depends on your build.

A flatbow's slow arrow flight is a serious problem - you'll waste many a shot, even in PvE. So, if you use a build with a way to shorten the flight time, it's the best bow around. If not... you may well be better off using a shortbow for fast firing or longbow for range.

Of course, when it comes to interrupting skills, you can't beat a recurve bow.

As I said, it's all about the build. Anyway, a ranger should have a bow for every situation

I tend to use Longbow and Recurve Bow, Prolly Recurve bow more because of the flight time of arrows

One of my rangers carries nine bows only topped by the other ranger that I use to trade bows.

You certainly need a flat bow and a recurve bow as a minimum with the flat bow mainly used for pulling or as has been said with read the wind etc to make it the fastest bow in the game.

All the other bows I use are because I carry one each of vampiric, zealous, fire, Lightning and a load others with +20 vs Charr, undead Giant, etc.

Be great if the game let you restring Bows like you can in real life.
I could carry the Johnny 7 bow with 10 grips and 12 strings etc and assemble the ideal bow in the field.

Longbow is a poor man's choice for those who can't afford / don't know how to use a flatbow and a recurve bow in tandem. Flatbow > Longbow in terms of rate of fire, Recurve > longbow in terms of arrow flight time. Use a flatbow when pulling, and when enemies are in nearby range. Use a recurve bow for anything in between, or when you're serious about rupting.

Also, for barrage, if not using an IAS, use a flat or shortbow for best results. If using a 33% IAS, use a Recurve bow for best results.

Hornbow. U'll h8 it

It depends upon your build, your play style, and your level of experience.

As has been said, the flatbow has a very high arc and can be more easily dodged. In PvE you would notice more shots "missing" or being dodged. In order to make a flatbow really viable, you need to combine it with Favorable Winds or Read The Wind - but there are advantages and disadvantages to that also, such as loss of a skill slot, recharge times, etc.
Flatbows used to be used a lot by Barrage/Pet groups because one FW would affect the entire group. A B/P group was based around putting lots of arrows in play, so you'd want the rapid fire of a shortbow or flatbow.

Depending upon your level of comfort, I usually recommend a shortbow for general all round use. Some people will complain about the range of a shortbow bringing you close to the action, but it's worth noting that the shortbow's range is the same as a Paragon's spear, and only a little less than spellcasting range.
Also, if you are using Heroes and/or Henchies a lot, using a shortbow will guarantee that you get within range to trigger your H&H (and other various allies) to attack.

If your build is mainly centered around interrupting, then a Recurve bow may be your best choice, although a shortbow works almost as well.

Longbows are best for pulling, and wussies who are afraid to get close to the action.

Short/recurve.
Carry both flat/longbows for specific encounters.

On a side note I hope for better bow representation in GW2 as well as crossbows.

On the matter of the much derided Hornbows I still carry "Stinger" my first green bow and I always seem to do well when I use it, superstition I know but still I always take it.

As someone once said in a quote I can no longer locate, so I paraphrase: "with Favorable Winds in play, the flatbow is unquestionably the best bow in the game; without favorable winds, it's unquestionably the worst." (Though I must say that hornbow is probably still worse than flatbow without FW.)

Remember turret rangers? RTW+Flatbow > ALL. However, stating that a flatbow is useless without RTW or FW or any other way to reduce flying time is wrong. When splitting in GvG or even for hitting the guild lord in 8 vs guild lord the flatbow is extremely useless. Other than that, just use a recurve bow because it's flying time is shortest, which is especially useful for interupts.

As to discuss other bows, the shortbow and longbow are bows I never use. While the longbow has a longer range than the flatbow it is quite pointless because even with a flatbow you will be outside of aggro range.
The shortbow and flatbow both have the same refiring range. While the arc on a shortbow is shorter, it would not say it is worth switching to.
Hornbows on the other hand, are useful. They provide increased armor penetration(10%). This is the bow you should use in ranger spike.

Here, you can see all the data: http://guildwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bow