Lycanders Aim or Witchwild String

[makemachosalad]

Hello everyone!
I've got a kinda complicated question. I have almost perfect Lycander's Aim (196ED/7ML) and Witchwild String (164ED). I'm planning to use one of these for my strafe/freezing arrow bowazon, and I don't know what would be better to solo hell and then run various bosses and lvl85 locations with players3/5 - upped Lycander's with 40ED/15IAS jewel or upped Witchwild with two 40ED/15IAS jewels? I've been doing a lot of math recently, used weapon speed calculator, did a lot of google searches, but i still can't decide which is better, and according to my calculations, both bows will have nearly the same average damage per second. How do you think, which one will be better? Also, if you have used these, please tell me the results.

 

[Dagaz]

If you can, try playing - doing some runs - with both, you'll see which suits you better.
I've used Lycander's on my FA bowazon for a good portion of the game (without socket). In later Hell it became quite underpowered and at that time I switched to Wwstring. I really dodn't like that one, it didn't feel right; amp is nice though.
What about Harmony runeword (in +3 bow)? I finished game with it and am still using it for AT and Pindle runs with my FA bowazon. Fantastic and unexpensive weapon in my opinion.

 

[Grape]

What about Lycander's on switch when using FA and WWS when using strafe?

Btw, do you really have two 40/15 jools? Or just used in your calculations? Just wondering

 

[makemachosalad]

What about Harmony runeword (in +3 bow)? I finished game with it and am still using it for AT and Pindle runs with my FA bowazon. Fantastic and unexpensive weapon in my opinion.

Well, it is pretty cool runeword, but it has no IAS and I will not be able to get other sources of it, since armor/jewelry must provide me with a lot of resists and +to skills. I'll need to fill 3 inventory columns with +all res charms and 2 columns with +to skill tree charms. With horadric cube, tome of TP, keys and some small +to mana/life charms(need these just to fill these ugly gaps below GCs, lol) I'll have only 3x4 inv space to pick up loot. Also, I'll need to kill really fast to leech enough mana with these +2 points per kill. If I will use Lycander's, I'll have no problems with IAS and mana leech, if I'll use Witchwild - I'll be able to throw away 2 columns of +to all res charms, use Gloom's trap belt instead of Credendum, and I will have no probs with IAS too. Thanks for reply, anyway.

What about Lycander's on switch when using FA and WWS when using strafe?

Btw, do you really have two 40/15 jools? Or just used in your calculations? Just wondering

I can use both bows, but then I'll need to waste two Puls and 3 40/15 jewels, and I will need to reorganize my equipment in a really weird way. And yes, I have some of these ED/IAS jewels. They're not perfect(little less than 40 ED), but it's still really nice to socket them in some good elite uniques. I've got a frenzy barb with desert merc, who has upped socketed Rockstopper helm(+40ED/15IAS), and barb himself got socketed Harlequin(+15 to all res/9str jewel), also my trap assassin has desert merc with upped socketed Guardian angel(31ED/-15 req) and socketed Vampire gaze(38ED/15IAS). These two can clear most places on hell with players3 without any problems.

 

[mir]

For FA/strafe build I would go for Lycanders Aim. FA will be your main damage source and for it you need skills and not amp/deadly strike. More so, Lycanders give you mana and mana leech (that’s what strafe for ). I would socket it with perfect skull for even more ML and some LL.

The witchwild string (especially with 40/15 jewels) is more suited for pure strafer in combination with other effects like 'slow' and 'terror'.
For bosses I would keep Kelpie Snare in stash and lower resist wand on switch.

In the end both bows can work on this build.

 

[nulio]

I don't get why someone would be worried about wasting two Pul Runes when they are swimming in so many Ruby Jewels of Fervor.

 

[Cyrax]

Why not get a wizendraw? Excellent with FA ( up to minus 35% cold resist for monsters!). For CI's keep WWS on switch.

 

[makemachosalad]

I don't get why someone would be worried about wasting two Pul Runes when they are swimming in so many Ruby Jewels of Fervor.

I've just wasted too much puls already... Made two Stone RWs, two Oaths, and I think I wasted one on upgrading something. Of course you can get a pul by running countess, but she never drops a rune, if you really need it right now(I once wasted like 5 hours killing her to get pul). And these jewels - well, I just got them using 3 perfect gems + magic item recipe. Of course, I wasted hundreds of PGs, but they there just laying in my ATMA stash without any use.

EDIT:

Why not get a wizendraw? Excellent with FA ( up to minus 35% cold resist for monsters!). For CI's keep WWS on switch.

Low physical damage. I want to use both frozen arrow and strafe as my main attacks.

 

[Cyrax]

You can't use FA and strafe at the same time. You have to switch from one skill to another. It's just as easy to switch from weaponswitch 1 to weaponswitch 2. So i really don't see the trouble with that. Instead of pushing button A you're pushing button B.

 

[makemachosalad]

You can't use FA and strafe at the same time. You have to switch from one skill to another. It's just as easy to switch from weaponswitch 1 to weaponswitch 2. So i really don't see the trouble with that. Instead of pushing button A you're pushing button B.

I'm not like "This is my first day in the game", so I know it, I've already set strafe to left mouse button and FA to right. And yes, I can put wizendraw to weapon switch, because it may be much better for FA, but it will suck with strafe.

 

[Grape]

Ok=) VERY nice luck if you cubed those with just a some hundred pgms

If those were my jewels I wouldn't put them into something like Lycander's/WWS in the first place. Not that they are bad weapons. RJoFs are just super rare.

Good luck in whatever you decide! Many times you just have to play around with items to see which one is more to your liking.

 

[ioupainmax]

I would also use a Razortail for the belt slot - the pierce is just too good to pass up when you use FA.

 

[thefranklin]

You can't use FA and strafe at the same time. You have to switch from one skill to another. It's just as easy to switch from weaponswitch 1 to weaponswitch 2. So i really don't see the trouble with that. Instead of pushing button A you're pushing button B.

I agree with this, but I also am annoyed at the imprecision and lag time with switching weapon tab vs switching skills.

With that said, I would still use Wizendraw with FA and Lycanders (or something else) for physical damage. Wizendraw is just that good for FA.

And a RJoF would not be considered for any of these weapons. The only bow worthy (outside of a really, really obscene rare) is windforce, and even then the 5% ias difference between RJoF vs Shael might be worth more than the 30-40 ed.

 

[Darkthrone]

OP, I am curious what the rest of your gear is. Would you be able to post it? I think that may help some in what they think.

 

[pharphis]

For FA/Strafe I use whatever physical bow (windforce in my case, either of those will work) and a harmony on wep swap for way faster running and + bow skills for FA. Plus elemental dmg is included in the runeword

 

[makemachosalad]

Ok=) VERY nice luck if you cubed those with just a some hundred pgms

If those were my jewels I wouldn't put them into something like Lycander's/WWS in the first place. Not that they are bad weapons. RJoFs are just super rare.

Good luck in whatever you decide! Many times you just have to play around with items to see which one is more to your liking.

Well, I'm planning to use upped Lycander's as my high-end bow, since it looks like the best unique weapon I can get for my bowazon. Windforce has better damage, but I don't have it at all, and it has no +to skills and only +5 to dexterity. Of course, runewords like brand and faith are much better, but I've got only 2 HRs(Lo and Gul, and Lo is already used for fortitude for my barb). Thanks, anyway.

I would also use a Razortail for the belt slot - the pierce is just too good to pass up when you use FA.

Yeah, I'm already using it, but I'm sure I will need to use credendum for resists, since these bugged gloams and some other monsters will rape hard even if I'll have 75 res. I hope I'll find even more +to all res charms to keep razortail.

OP, I am curious what the rest of your gear is. Would you be able to post it? I think that may help some in what they think.

I'm lvl 42 now, so at the moment I have a bunch of crappy items, but I'm planning to use these on hell and later for boss runs/lvl85 locations:
Head - Harlequin with +15res/9str jewel
Armor - Smoke RW or Prudence RW in eth bugged Dusk Shroud(currently has 1039 defence, with rw it will have 2500+)
Belt - Razortail, or Credendum if I'll be short on res
Gloves - +3 to bow and crossbow/+9str magic gloves or Dracul's Grasp
Boots - upped Waterwalk
Rings - two Raven frosts or one raven and +12res/5 life leech magic ring if I'll be short on res
Amulet - Mara's
Charms - a lot of +res charms and 2 +to skill tree GCs

EDIT
Stuff:

Helm

Harlequin Crest
Shako
Defense: 141
Durability: 7 of 12
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 73
Fingerprint: 0x6c937f47
+11 to Strength
+2 to Energy
+2 to Dexterity
+2 to Vitality
Damage Reduced by 10%
All Resistances +15
50% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
+2 to All Skill Levels
+135 to Life (Based on Character Level)
+135 to Mana (Based on Character Level)
Socketed (1: 1 used)

Armor

Smoke
Scarab Husk
'NefLum'
Defense: 808
Durability: 28 of 28
Required Strength: 95
Required Level: 51
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xc85e51c8
+10 to Energy
+75% Enhanced Defense
+280 Defense vs. Missile
All Resistances +50
-1 to Light Radius
20% Faster Hit Recovery
Level 6 Weaken (18/18 Charges)
Socketed (2: 2 used)

Belt

Razortail
Sharkskin Belt
Defense: 99
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 20
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x508bd310
+15 to Dexterity
+129% Enhanced Defense
+10 to Maximum Damage
+15 Defense
Piercing Attack [33]
Attacker Takes Damage of 42 (Based on Character Level)

or

Credendum
Mithril Coil
Defense: 113
Durability: 16 of 16
Required Strength: 106
Required Level: 65
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 85
Fingerprint: 0x9e4bc033
+10 to Strength
+10 to Dexterity
+50 Defense
All Resistances +15

Gloves

Archer's Light Gauntlets of the Ox
Defense: 10
Durability: 18 of 18
Required Strength: 45
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 92
Fingerprint: 0xf75f0390
+9 to Strength
+3 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

or

Dracul's Grasp
Vampirebone Gloves
Defense: 136
Durability: 9 of 14
Required Strength: 50
Required Level: 76
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 84
Fingerprint: 0xb142807c
+11 to Strength
+107% Enhanced Defense
9% Life stolen per hit
+5 Life after each Kill
25% Chance of Open Wounds
5% Chance to cast Level 10 Life Tap on striking

Boots

Waterwalk
Sharkskin Boots
Defense: 118
Durability: 14 of 14
Required Strength: 47
Required Level: 32
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 94
Fingerprint: 0xc0ee2e9b
+15 to Dexterity
+56 to Life
+40 to Maximum Stamina
+195% Enhanced Defense
Heal Stamina Plus 50%
+100 Defense vs. Missile
+5% to Maximum Fire Resist
20% Faster Run/Walk

Rings(two of these)

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: **
Fingerprint: 0x3ddd1fc3
+17 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+195 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Raven Frost
Ring
Required Level: 45
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 57
Fingerprint: 0xc82870cd
+19 to Dexterity
+40 to Mana
+220 to Attack Rating
Adds 15-45 cold damage over 4 seconds
20% Cold Absorb
Cannot Be Frozen

Scintillating Ring of the Locust
Required Level: 59
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 93
Fingerprint: 0x713b314e
All Resistances +12
5% Life stolen per hit

Amulet

Mara's Kaleidoscope
Amulet
Required Level: 67
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 82
Fingerprint: 0x6b0eaff
+5 to Strength
+5 to Energy
+5 to Dexterity
+5 to Vitality
All Resistances +21
+2 to All Skill Levels

Charms

Shimmering Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 27
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 42
Fingerprint: 0x79775bb7
All Resistances +15

Shimmering Small Charm of Greed
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 25
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 61
Fingerprint: 0x3b80b6bb
All Resistances +3
8% Extra Gold from Monsters

Shimmering Large Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 26
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 58
Fingerprint: 0x75d8984c
All Resistances +7

Shimmering Large Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 26
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 55
Fingerprint: 0x1a08280b
All Resistances +8

Shimmering Large Charm of Vita
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 50
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 83
Fingerprint: 0xf8877f82
+30 to Life
All Resistances +6

Shimmering Large Charm of Inertia
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 26
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 86
Fingerprint: 0x8fb4e52c
All Resistances +6
5% Faster Run/Walk

Gheed's Fortune
Grand Charm
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 62
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 87
Fingerprint: 0x33fe3b99
160% Extra Gold from Monsters
40% Better Chance of Getting Magic Items
Reduces All Vendor Prices 10%

Acrobatic Grand Charm of Greed
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 52
Fingerprint: 0x8c09f61
37% Extra Gold from Monsters
+1 to Passive and Magic Skills (Amazon Only)

Fletcher's Grand Charm of Greed
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 42
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 77
Fingerprint: 0xf4275092
10% Extra Gold from Monsters
+1 to Bow and Crossbow Skills (Amazon Only)

Snake's Small Charm of Sustenance
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 24
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 46
Fingerprint: 0xd64f0152
+12 to Life
+11 to Mana

Sharp Large Charm of Dexterity
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 79
Fingerprint: 0x89f17a6f
+5 to Dexterity
+36 to Attack Rating
+6 to Maximum Damage

Fine Small Charm of Life
Keep in Inventory to Gain Bonus
Required Level: 21
Item Version: 1.10+ Expansion
Item Level: 44
Fingerprint: 0x77b4fd29
+7 to Life
+15 to Attack Rating
+3 to Maximum Damage

Planned build:
Maxed - Freezing arrow, Strafe, Cold arrow, Penetrate
5 Points - Valkyrie, Pierce
1 Point - Decoy, Slow Missiles, Inner Sight, Evade, Avoid, Dodge, Critical Strike, Guided Arrow, Ice Arrow, Multiple Shot, Magic Arrow.

 

[Darkthrone]

I would try to get some +2 bow skills and 20% increased attack speed gloves. You could also probably get some with life leech and some other mods like resistances. For armour have you considered Lionheart, it's much better than Smoke and not much more expensive.

 

[pharaoh]

If it's just between the two bows you have, either keep one on each switch, or decide what skill you'll be using more. FA is a powerhouse even without a lot of +skills, so it'll work well with WWS, though obviously not as good as the Lycander's.

I'd also like to recommend Harmony, even though you seemed dismissive of it when someone else mentioned it. The theoretical highest damage for Lycander's (perfect, upgraded, and socketed with Ohm) is 74-302. For Harmony (15% superior, perfect roll) is 63-289 in a grand matron bow, or 87-192 in a matriarchal bow. Harmony also adds 165-480 elemental damage. If made in a matriarchal bow, it's also a -10 WSM weapon instead of 10 WSM, making up for the loss of the 20 IAS. Keep in mind the Vigor aura means you can run away easier, and your merc/Valkyrie will move to engage enemies faster. Harmony is a great tactician's weapon, but if you just expect everything to roll over and die, you need Windforce or Faith.

WWS is great because it goes a long way to solving your resistance issues. You can also save all those points you'd spend in Critical Strike, because the DS on WWS will have you covered. The sockets can afford you leech, knockback, IAS, or even something more subtle like Eth for the -defense. The damage isn't as good out of the box, but when Amp kicks in, this little bow is stellar. The slvl 20 Magic Arrow is also nice too, meaning unbreakable immunes can still be killed, albeit slowly.

What I'd recommend on your gear is Pierce (ie Razortail), maxed lightning and fire resist (try not to neglect the others though), a source of cannot be frozen (ie Raven Frost), and some knockback (Nef rune, crafted gloves, Cleglaw's Pincers). You will likely also want a bit of mana leech unless you're running a merc with Insight. Life leech depends on how much you get hit, and how your defenses are. A Prayer merc with Insight should be enough unless you play recklessly, but you'll do more damage with a Might merc. If you can get them, lightning absorb for gloams and some hit slows target are nice. Blackhorn's offers both, and with Cleglaw's, things will be knocked back and slowed by 45%.