GM Archery/80 Tactics, GM Tactics/80 Archery, or both @90?

[Jill Stihl]

Hi folks.

Suppose you have 180 skill points to spend on Archery and Tactics. Which combination is the best overall, and why?

100 Archery / 80 Tactics
80 Archery / 100 Tactics
90 Archery / 90 Tactics


The character concerned is a woodland game hunter/part time fisherman. Any particularly nasty spawn or PvP will only involve a shot or two while I run away. Finding the extra 20 skill points to GM both would only be an option if it's going to make a big difference to these activities.

I initially think 100 Archery / 80 Tactics is the better choice, because there's no point doing more damage if you've missed anyway, and it'd make me less likely to be hit by a melee opponent. But as a bit of a newbie in this area, what do those who know this subject think is best?

Thanks.

[applejack]

I initially think 100 Archery / 80 Tactics is the better choice, because there's no point doing more damage if you've missed anyway, and it'd make me less likely to be hit by a melee opponent.
Thanks.

In my opinion, I say this. ^

It's why when shopping for a magic box or heavy, the skill modifier is a bigger deal for me than the damage modifier. I would rather have a +23 force than a plain vanq. I have no statistics to back this up mind you, I just know that I hate missing.

[Mikel123]

Two things.

First, if you're only using Archery to run away... why have Tactics at all? Or Archery for that matter? But, don't forget, a weapon skill also impacts the likelihood of you being hit. So if you're running away from someone, you'll want 100 Archery so they hit you less if you get within their range.

If you're actually concerned about which does more damage, you can figure this out pretty easily with math.

Turns out, 90/90 will do the most damage. But, 100/80 and 80/100 will do 99.5% of the damage of 90/90. Given the defensive advantage I noted above, plus the fact that weapon hits will interrupt spells cast by other players, and I'd overwhelmingly suggest 100 Archery, 80 Tactics.

[Jill Stihl]

Thanks guys. 100/80 seems to be my target then.

I don't only want the skills to fire one off as I run away - The bow is for hunting resource bearing animals and lower monsters, it was effectiveness against those that I was thinking about. The running away bit only happens if it's something tough or another player.