Crafting A Bow for Explosive Arrow Ballista doesn't have to be a daunting task. Follow this simple step-by-step guide to craft your own. By following the process below you'll be able to make a Bow resembling the one here. For the full build guide click here.
If you aren't familiar with the Crafting Methods below, be sure to check out our resources before you start:
Getting Your Base
To start crafting a Starter Bow for Explosive Arrow Ballista, we'll need to acquire a 6-Link crafting base since our Explosive Arrow will be socketed in here. Either buy 6 The Porcupine cards off of trade or look for a Bow (Item Level 60 or less) on trade listed for cheap. The best bases to choose from early are:
- Thicket Bow
- Grove Bow (same as Thicket)
- Short Bow (same as Thicket)
Essences of Dread
Use Shrieking Essence of Dread until you see Tier 3+ % increased Attack Speed. This is a ~1/13 chance if you used a The Porcupine Bow. Do not use Deafening Essence of Dread since it is no different than a Shrieking and usually costs more.
Removing Extra Mods
You need at least one open Suffix and one open Prefix to finish your Leaguestart bow like the one on the left. If Orbs of Annulment are too expensive on trade early, just use Essences until your Bow meets these requirements.
As long as Annuls are cheaper than 12-15 Chaos it should be worth it to use them.
Finishing the Prefixes
With an open Suffix and open Prefix, benchcraft Cannot roll Attack Modifiers for 1 Divine Orb then use an Exalted Orb to slam +1 to Level of Socketed Gems.
Finishing Up
To finish, benchcraft +(18-20)% to Fire Damage over Time Multiplier. This is a Veiled Modifier that is unlocked through unveiled Veiled Suffixes on Weapons.
If you still have an open Prefix you can use an Exalted Orb for a chance at a useful Prefix such as Cold or Lightning Damage to Attacks or Weapon Elemental Damage with Attacks. Be aware though that Fire Damage to Attacks prevents Elemental Equilibrium from working so if slammed you need to use an Orb of Annulment and risk bricking the bow or sell it on trade and start again.
Getting Your Base
To start crafting an endgame Bow for Explosive Arrow Ballista, buy an Item Level 82+ Bow with Fractured +(24-26)% to Damage over Time Multiplier (Tier 1). You can buy Tier 2 if prices and availability make Tier 1 too expensive or unobtainable. The best bases to choose from are:
- Thicket Bow
- Grove Bow (same as Thicket)
- Short Bow (same as Thicket)
- Imperial Bow (if you value damage the minimal Attack Speed)
- Royal Bow (same as Imperial)
Use Perfect Fossil before crafting until the bow is at least 24% quality.
Trade Link
Essences of Wrath
Use Deafening Essence of Wrath until you see +2 to Level of Socketed Bow Gems. This is a 1/51 chance with a Fractured Suffix.
Removing Extra Mods
You need an open Prefix and an open Suffix to move forward with the craft from here like the boe on the left. Use Orbs of Annulment if you do not meet these requirements and go back to the previous step if you remove your Wrath Prefix or +2 to Level of Socketed Bow Gems.
Finishing the Prefixes
With an open Suffix and open Prefix, benchcraft Cannot roll Attack Modifiers for 1 Divine Orb then use an Exalted Orb to slam +1 to Level of Socketed Gems. Your Prefixes are now complete.
Crafting the Suffixes
To finish the Bow aim for Attack Speed as well as an additional Damage over Time Multiplier Suffix. First, Benchcraft Prefixes Cannot be Changed for 2 Divine Orbs then use a Veiled Orb to add a Veiled Suffix. Benchcraft any of these 3 veiled modifiers unlocked through Syndicate encounters before unveiling to block them from appearing:
- (5-6)% increased Damage per Endurance Charge
- (5-6)% increased Damage per Frenzy Charge
- (5-6)% increased Damage per Power Charge
Go to Jun and unveil either of these 3 choices:
- +(25-28) to Dexterity and Intelligence, (12-15)% increased Attack Speed
- 15% chance to Trigger Level 1 Blood Rage when you Kill an Enemy, (12-15)% increased Attack Speed
- +(24-28)% to Fire Damage over Time Multiplier
If you are not given any of these, benchcraft Prefixes Cannot be Changed again and use another Orb of Scouring before trying again after recrafting the metamod.
Finishing Up
For your last modifier, benchcraft either Attack Speed or Fire Damage Over Time Multiplier depending on what you didn't unveil.
If your bow isn't 6-linked at this point, you can use your crafting bench to add 6 sockets and then fully link it for 1500 Orb of Fusing.
As a final step, go to your Horticrafting Bench and Enchant your Bow with Quality does not increase Physical Damage, 1% increased Attack Speed per 8% Quality for 5000 Primal Crystallised Lifeforce to finish.
Written by spicysushi
Reviewed by Tenkiei