Bow vs. Crossbow in Divinity: Original Sin 2: A Comprehensive Guide

In Divinity: Original Sin 2, the choice between a bow and a crossbow is more than just a matter of personal preference; it’s a strategic decision that impacts your character’s combat effectiveness, action point (AP) management, and overall playstyle. The fundamental differences lie in their core attributes: bows generally have lower damage, lower crit chance, and a lower AP cost, making them ideal for sustained, rapid-fire attacks. Conversely, crossbows offer higher damage, higher crit chance, but demand a higher AP cost, positioning them as powerful, single-shot weapons best suited for burst damage and strategic ambushes.

Key Differences Detailed

The nuanced distinctions between bows and crossbows ripple throughout the gameplay, influencing build choices, skill prioritization, and tactical approaches. Here’s a breakdown of the major areas where these weapons diverge:

Damage Output

• Bows: Typically deal less damage per hit compared to crossbows. Their strength lies in their ability to maintain consistent damage output over multiple turns due to their lower AP cost.
• Crossbows: Pack a heavier punch with each shot, making them invaluable for quickly eliminating priority targets or dealing significant damage in a single, decisive attack.

Critical Hit Chance

• Bows: Have a lower inherent critical hit chance. However, this can be mitigated with gear, skills, and attributes that boost critical chance.
• Crossbows: Offer a higher base critical hit chance, making them naturally inclined towards builds focused on maximizing critical damage.

Action Point (AP) Cost

• Bows: Allow for more attacks per turn due to their lower AP cost. This enables greater flexibility in positioning, applying elemental effects, and using utility skills.
• Crossbows: Limit the number of attacks per turn, requiring careful AP management and strategic positioning to maximize each shot’s impact.

Weapon Skills and Talents

The Archery skill tree benefits both bows and crossbows, enhancing their effectiveness in various ways. The Crossbow skill further distinguishes crossbows by granting bonus critical strike chance and a critical damage multiplier, rather than flat bonus damage, accentuating their burst damage potential.

Ideal Character Archetypes

• Bows: Best suited for dedicated archers who prioritize consistent damage output, mobility, and versatility. Builds focusing on finesse, elemental arrows, and tactical positioning synergize well with bows. A class like the Ranger is perfectly suited for bow gameplay.
• Crossbows: A better fit for characters who occasionally rely on ranged attacks, such as a melee rogue who wants a powerful opening shot. A class like the Wayfarer is a good fit with the crossbow. Characters who favor a hit-and-run playstyle or those who prioritize maximizing damage per hit will find crossbows more appealing.

Specific Weapons

Certain unique weapons can tip the scales. For example, the Vord Emver crossbow is a highly sought-after end-game weapon that grants the Cryotherapy skill, along with bonuses to Finesse, Huntsman, Ranged, Life Steal, and Accuracy. Finding the right weapon for your build can significantly impact its overall effectiveness.

Strategic Considerations

Choosing between a bow and a crossbow also involves considering the broader strategic context of your party composition and combat tactics.

• Party Synergies: Consider how your weapon choice complements your party’s strengths and weaknesses. A party lacking in burst damage might benefit from a crossbow user, while a party needing consistent damage output might prefer a bow user.
• Enemy Types: Different enemies are vulnerable to different damage types and status effects. A bow user can easily switch between different elemental arrows to exploit enemy weaknesses, while a crossbow user might rely on raw damage to overcome resistances.
• Tactical Flexibility: Bows offer greater tactical flexibility due to their lower AP cost. This allows for more frequent use of utility skills, positioning adjustments, and elemental arrow combinations. Crossbows require more deliberate planning and strategic positioning to maximize their impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of bows and crossbows in Divinity: Original Sin 2:

1. Do I need arrows for bows and crossbows in Divinity: Original Sin 2?

Regular attacks and skills do not need arrows. However, special arrows (like fire arrows, poison arrows, etc.) are consumable items that add elemental damage and effects to your attacks. These special arrows can significantly enhance the effectiveness of both bows and crossbows.

2. Does the Archery skill affect crossbows?

Yes, the Archery skill tree affects both bows and crossbows. Any perks you gain in the Archery tree, such as increased range, damage, or critical hit chance, will apply to both weapon types.

3. What is the best crossbow in Divinity: Original Sin 2?

One of the best crossbows in the game is the Vord Emver. It’s a powerful end-game crossbow that grants the Cryotherapy skill and provides bonuses to Finesse, Huntsman, Ranged, Life Steal, and Accuracy.

4. Is a Ranger a good starting class in Divinity: Original Sin 2?

Yes, the Ranger is a good starting class, especially for those who want to focus on ranged combat. They have access to powerful skills like Ricochet and Elemental Arrowheads, which synergize well with bows. Likewise, a good alternative would be the Wayfarer with its Pin Down, Elemental Arrowheads, and Fossil Strike (Geomancer).

5. What makes the Ranger the best ranged class in Divinity: Original Sin 2?

The Ranger is the most versatile ranged class due to its ability to target multiple enemies, buff allies, and reposition quickly. The combination of mobility, damage, and utility makes them a formidable force on the battlefield.

6. What are the benefits of using elemental arrows?

Elemental arrows add elemental damage and status effects to your attacks. They can be used to exploit enemy weaknesses, control the battlefield, and inflict debilitating conditions like burning, poisoning, or stunning.

7. How do I maximize critical hit chance with a bow?

To maximize critical hit chance with a bow, focus on increasing your Finesse attribute, equipping gear with critical hit chance bonuses, and utilizing skills or talents that boost critical chance.

8. Is it better to focus on Finesse or Wits for a ranged character?

Finesse directly increases your damage output with bows and crossbows. Wits increases your critical hit chance and initiative. Generally, focusing on Finesse for damage and then investing in Wits for critical chance and turn order is optimal.

9. Can I use a crossbow effectively with a melee-focused character?

Yes, a crossbow can be effective for a melee-focused character as a way to open combat with a powerful shot or to deal damage from a distance when melee is not an option. Consider investing a few points into Huntsman for tactical utility.

10. What talents are best for a ranged character?

Some of the best talents for a ranged character include Glass Cannon (for increased AP but reduced armor), Executioner (for extra AP after killing an enemy), Savage Sortilege (to allow magic spells to crit), and Far Out Man (increased range).

11. How important is positioning for a ranged character?

Positioning is crucial for a ranged character. Staying at a distance from enemies, utilizing high ground for increased damage, and avoiding melee engagement are essential for survival and effectiveness.

12. What are some good early-game bows and crossbows?

Good early-game options include weapons with decent damage and beneficial attributes like critical hit chance or elemental damage bonuses. Check vendors frequently and complete quests that reward ranged weapons.

13. Does Dual Wielding affect bows or crossbows?

No, the Dual Wielding skill only affects characters wielding two one-handed melee weapons (like daggers or swords) or two wands.

14. What is the best armor for a Ranger or Huntsman build?

Armor with bonuses to Finesse, Wits, critical hit chance, and ranged damage is ideal. Seek out gear that also provides elemental resistances and physical armor to enhance survivability. Many players consider Ruvola to be the most powerful piece of chest armor in the game.

15. Can I respec my character in Divinity: Original Sin 2?

Yes, you can respec your character after completing Act 1 by speaking to the magic mirror on the Lady Vengeance. This allows you to redistribute your attributes, skills, and talents, enabling you to experiment with different builds and weapon types. This is a great way to test out the best of the bows and crossbows, and their ideal class.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Weapon

Ultimately, the choice between a bow and a crossbow in Divinity: Original Sin 2 depends on your preferred playstyle, character build, and tactical approach. Bows offer sustained damage, mobility, and versatility, while crossbows provide burst damage and critical hit potential. Experiment with both weapon types to find what works best for you and your party. Always remember that understanding the game mechanics, strategizing effectively, and adapting to different combat situations are key to success. And while you are at it, check out the Games Learning Society website to learn about more game-based learning experiences. The website can be found here: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. It’s time to load up Divinity: Original Sin 2 and get playing.