Artie bows worth it for a runie?

Neraka

Title says it all. When I'm not a shaman, I'm a runewarden. I'm going to start getting into group combat, defending mostly to start off, and I'm wondering if an artie bow would serve me well. I prefer the thought of LoS combat over melee in groups. All the noise really puts me off. I'm also a dragon, and I'd like to know if I'd be more useful in dragonform than with say... an eventual lupine bow. After those questions no doubt it's clear I don't particularly know what I'm doing, so, please feel free to explain like you're talking to a total beginner as far as group stuff goes.

[Deleted User]

Plenty of arties to get before a bow. If you want to LoS and you're a Dragon, use that. Breathstream breaks shields/prismatic, as well as does silly amounts of damage. And is still great if you do end up needing to melee, can't really go wrong with Dragon in groups- as boring as it can be.

Sobriquet

The only problem with using Breathstream as a Dragon is you can't be a Runie, I know that sounds obvious, but there are plenty if reasons to be your lesserform class in raids. I got a lvl 1 purely so i could customise it and not have to worry about decays, also -very- useful in certain situations and has gotten me a kill 1 v 1 a fair few times. Of course, Meteor arrows always useful too.

Bows =  useful. But as Pyori says, there are better arties to get for a Runie before a bow, but certainly make sure you have one at hand. 

Edit - If you don't have a rough runestone yet for faster sketching, get that. 100%

Zbaco

Sobriquet said:

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Edit - If you don't have a rough runestone yet for faster sketching, get that. 100%

Slightly off-topic, but how well does the rough runestone work? Does it cut the sketch time by 25%, 50%, etc.?

Antonius

50%, if I recall correctly. Well worth buying.

Kriex

If effects ground runes only. Not including thurisaz othala and hugalez i belueve

Xaden

Also hunting runes. It is absolutely worth it.

Tjay

Bow is definitely worth it in my opinion. There are going to be the defensive artefacts you're going to want to purchase first. But, bows play a big part in raiding/defending.