Starting archer again. Need advise on arrow and bow selection for the grind to 50

[Belial]

R26~28: Ash Longbow
R33~35: Kokoroon's Nestpicker
R40~41: Oak Composite Bow
R45~46: Crab Bow

Like Belial said, just use Warped Arrows for grinding.

Just a question for ya Carraway out of curiosity, but is it really worth it to dump the change into purchasing an Oak Composite Bow (assuming the OP doesn't have crafts leveled), for two ranks, or would it be more beneficial to just take the DPS hit on a lower ranked bow? I guess in the long run if he knows crafters he could use it to get someone to craft a Crab Bow later on, I just thought it looked kinda odd to grab a bow for two ranks.

[carraway]

Just a question for ya Carraway out of curiosity, but is it really worth it to dump the change into purchasing an Oak Composite Bow (assuming the OP doesn't have crafts leveled), for two ranks, or would it be more beneficial to just take the DPS hit on a lower ranked bow? I guess in the long run if he knows crafters he could use it to get someone to craft a Crab Bow later on, I just thought it looked kinda odd to grab a bow for two ranks.

My recommendations are based on where I estimate the next weapon to be an upgrade despite suffering a penalty from suboptimal rank. You could go with a Yew Longbow instead of an Oak Composite, but neither are really too hard to acquire. I've seen people shout for carpenters to craft for them, and I myself answered such a shout for a bow, charging an inconsequential fee.

I do think it's more than worth the time spent in upgrading, because 4-5 ranks (not 2) is a long ways to go in the 40s without a weapon upgrade. If you switch to Nestpicker at 35 then ride it all the way to Crab Bow, that's at least 10 ranks with the same damage. I'm not really comfortable with recommending that to anyone.

[Belial]

My recommendations are based on where I estimate the next weapon to be an upgrade despite suffering a penalty from suboptimal rank. You could go with a Yew Longbow instead of an Oak Composite, but neither are really too hard to acquire. I've seen people shout for carpenters to craft for them, and I myself answered such a shout for a bow, charging an inconsequential fee.

I do think it's more than worth the time spent in upgrading, because 4-5 ranks (not 2) is a long ways to go in the 40s without a weapon upgrade. If you switch to Nestpicker at 35 then ride it all the way to Crab Bow, that's at least 10 ranks with the same damage. I'm not really comfortable with recommending that to anyone.

See, 4-5 ranks makes sense, but in your OP it said R. 40-41, I thought you were suggesting that's when you would use the bow, not when you would upgrade to it, all makes sense now sir. haha.