Diamond or Shadow is better for many reasons
Not to mention the fact that we had ran a test thread in S&G forum not long ago
About comparing damage between GMBs and Diamonds
Guess what?
Diamonds hit virtually the same average damage dps (damage per second) as a GMB

The only difference is that Diamonds/Shadows require only 65% ias to achieve 7fpa
And allow for much more versatile gear swapping, which is absolutely essential if you want to get involved in serious pvp
GMB ias req is too stiff, you won't be able to swap off Nosferatu's and use a t-gods (lets say) withought dropping to 8fpa (which is unexceptable in real pvp)

Diamonds or Shadows (due to 65% ias) also allow you the use of a Rare Diadem over a 45/120
Which adds alot more +resistance and life value

The only time GMBs should be used is if you play Europe and have access to Bugged Belt
Otherwise, you need to be wearing a Verdungo's and using a Diamond or Shadow


--> Habakkuk's Bow & Fury ZvA Guide V1.13d

This post was edited by Habakkuk22 on Mar 31 2012 08:25pm

The damage gap between GMB and diamond will increase as you increase the amount of dexterity you have. While your calculations are probably accurate for full vita builds, it is not true all the time. Any and all GMB use should be paired with a 160/60 in order to make sure gear swaps are possible.

The aforementioned increase in attack speed when using titans is often more vital than expected. However, if a rare with 30+ ias is included in the main build, this point is less valid.

This post was edited by Legolas-III on Mar 31 2012 10:54pm

15% Superior Diamond Bow has: 37 to 46 damage (avg 41.5)
15% Superior Grand Matron has: 15 to 82 damage (avg 48.5)




Quote: Arreat Summit


For Bows and Crossbows:

Final_Min_Damage = Weapon_Min_Damage * (Dex + 100) / 100
Final_Max_Damage = Weapon_Max_Damage * (Dex + 100) / 100

Total Damage:

Minimum Damage = (Weapon Minimum Damage + (+x To Minimum Damage)) * (1 + StatsBonus + (+x% Enhanced Damage) / 100) * Modifier
Maximum Damage = (Weapon Maximum Damage + (+x To Maximum Damage)) * (1 + StatsBonus + (+x% Enhanced Damage) / 100) * Modifier







Try adding this up, mathematics reveal amazing truths

This post was edited by Habakkuk22 on Apr 1 2012 01:26am

Faith GMB + 160/60 Physical DPS (2x 30/9/9/10 jewels in diadem) - 16109.51
Faith GMB + Fort Physical DPS (30/9/9/10 jewel in diadem) - 16640.115
Faith GMB + Fort Physical DPS (all items the same) - 16339.313
Faith Shadow/Diamond + Fort Physical DPS - 16060.604

Calculations are made to ensure that all relevant factors are the same for both builds (most notably life/res). Faith Shadow/Diamond still have some advantages (the mods given by fortitude). The build used is the one in your guide, let me know if I've missed something. Elemental damage was not included.

GMB becomes comparatively better as ED(dex) is increased as well. Faith GMB + Fort has the obvious disadvantage of reaching only 8 FPA. GMB has the advantage in the case where the character is built on NL as well, where less charms need to be invested in FRW.

Of course, due to the very small difference, less than ideal gear can often change the results.

I'll also point out that .08 Windforce is still numerically viable with very high dex (but we'll leave that out of this).

This post was edited by Legolas-III on Apr 1 2012 04:15am

7 avg damage on a weapon base is a significant increase.

nn big formulas, as you can see from first lines, gmb damage is about 16% better. on a 6k guided arrow, gmb would have 7k (~16%). math is simple, you just need to understand it.

tru and its why i hope you understand it work with MIN and MAX dmg and you don't do all time the max dmg also if you duel a character like assa pala etc who got block

its better to have more chance of doing 2x gmb min dmg as a diamond cause a assa block 60% of your hit and 75 for a pala then better dmg all the time is better

no 1 of 10 who make 15% more dmg when the 9 other time it can make crappy min dmg

This post was edited by Scum87 on Apr 1 2012 05:25am

Wearing GMB and maintaining 7fpa requires the use of 45/120 and 10%ias on belt(Nosferatu's Coil)
This results in a very significant lose of the following:

* Life value
* Life replenish
* DR%
* Resistance
* Overall ability to swap gear to gain upper hand vs different opponents while maintaining 7fpa

Losing all of the above is worth 7 more base damage?
Not a good trade off

Diamonds/Shadows > GMB




Are you paying attention at all?

The debate of Diamond vs. GMB isn't about which bow deals more technical damage
Obviously the GMB deals a slight amount more, no one was confused on this

The debate is about Diamond's 65% 7fpa utility vs. GMB's 7 avg dmg increase



Get with the picture bud

I don't mind if you want to try and argue that what you net is a greater gain than gmb's average boost (though I disagree), but trying to write off +7 base damage as insignificant is a poor argument.

diamond>
noobs