Bows, Staves, and One Hands

Maximis_ESO · July 2014

So I was playing earlier I'm level 22 and have 0 points in one hand, bow, or destroy staff. I also have 0 points in the armor skill lines. This character I decided to "grind" and see what the fuss was about and don't have enough skill points to put in anything besides my crafting and class skill lines.

I noticed while playing the at level 22 my melee light attacks were hitting for 35-37 damage. I thought it was kind of low and was killing things slow so switched over to a bow.... the bow was also level 22 doing the same damage (49) as the sword. I tested it out on several monster but the bow consistently did 49-53 damage. Which is more than the sword. It might not seem like a a lot but at such a low level is really is.

I tested this out with a destro staff but this time it only had 33 damage on it and it consistently hit the target for 53 damage......

Why is this the case? Is it because the swords attack is that much faster that it deals less damage? The bow and sword are physical damage so they should be doing the same amount of damage if they both are listed as 49 damage shouldn't they?

I'm just a little confused and some clarification on the matter would be appreciated if anyone has any.

The sword doesn't seem that much faster to justify the reduced damage compared to the bow.

BTW the targets I attacked were mages and armored/shielded skeletons in Shadowfen. Both of them yielded similar results in terms of percentages.

SFBryan18 · July 2014

A sword is held in one hand, while a bow or staff is held in two hands. The sword allows for the second hand to do something else.

Liquid_Time · July 2014

SFBryan18 wrote: »

A sword is held in one hand, while a bow or staff is held in two hands. The sword allows for the second hand to do something else.

In other words.. choose a shield or another sword.

SFBryan18 · July 2014

Liquid_Time wrote: »

SFBryan18 wrote: »

A sword is held in one hand, while a bow or staff is held in two hands. The sword allows for the second hand to do something else.

In other words.. choose a shield or another sword.

Or an axe, mace, dagger, etc.

Maximis_ESO · July 2014

okay so just because you have a shield means that its alright that it does that much less damage even though the damage listed is the same? Doesn't make sense.

Ser Lobo · July 2014

Maximis_ESO wrote: »

okay so just because you have a shield means that its alright that it does that much less damage even though the damage listed is the same? Doesn't make sense.

At which point, are you arguing that they should adjust the damage values on the weapons to more accurately reflect their light attack dps? That's what I hearing, and isn't exactly a bad idea.

So if you have a 22 damage sword, and add a 22 damage sword in the off hand, the base attack damage should reflect to something like 44, no?

But a 22 damage bow should be 22. And a 22 damage staff should be 22.

Basically, the math itself would be easier for people who aren't inclined to dig into it, like myself. I'd like to know what my light attack base damage would be with that weapon.

Welka · July 2014

Should we not also take into account the target's armor and resistance to ranged attacks before assuming a 50dmg sword should inflict 50dmg?

Maximis_ESO · August 2014

Welka wrote: »

Should we not also take into account the target's armor and resistance to ranged attacks before assuming a 50dmg sword should inflict 50dmg?

Obviously you didn't read my entire post..... I have not edited it so feel free. The bow is a physical damage weapon just as the sword. Both of which say they deal x amount of damage. Both of them are physical so they should both be doing the same damage if that is what the number say correct? I'm sorry but attacking the same target, a bow and sword of equal damage should do equal amounts.... the bow has the advantage of range and the sword has a shield. The bow shouldn't be doing more damage.

Maximis_ESO · August 2014

Welka wrote: »

Should we not also take into account the target's armor and resistance to ranged attacks before assuming a 50dmg sword should inflict 50dmg?

Oh BTW, they don't have ranged resistance.... they have spell resistance..... which has nothing to do with bow and melee damage as they are both physical and only are reduced by the targets armor...... But again.... read the post and let me know if you can think of a logical reason as to why the bow does more than the 1 hand sword. I will also be getting a two hand and bow to test them out. I don't have passives in armor, bow, or two hand so it should be interesting.

Samadhi · August 2014

Maximis_ESO wrote: »

okay so just because you have a shield means that its alright that it does that much less damage even though the damage listed is the same? Doesn't make sense.

If you have a shield equipped you have better defense than the other weapons offer.

If you equip two swords, you will make swings that hit enemies with both swords at once doing additional damage.

Pick according to your needs.

Maximis_ESO · August 2014

Samadhi wrote: »

Maximis_ESO wrote: »

okay so just because you have a shield means that its alright that it does that much less damage even though the damage listed is the same? Doesn't make sense.

If you have a shield equipped you have better defense than the other weapons offer.

If you equip two swords, you will make swings that hit enemies with both swords at once doing additional damage.

Pick according to your needs.

No doubt, I understand that.... however the bow has an advantage just as the shield..... Shield has more defense..... more has more ranged.... Why does the bow do so much more damage..... They both have a different perk. When the weapon says they do the same damage why do they not? They are both physical attacks.