What bow should I use to maximize my ranged damage?

I really like using a bow in DS2, but my current one seems a little weak. I'd like to do as much damage as possible as quickly as possible. For simplicity, we can assume that scaling in one stat is as good as scaling in another stat (I can always respec), and that I'm using wooden arrows for all of them. Which bow will let me do the most damage? Does the answer change if I use greatarrows instead? What is the best if we only consider bows on the normal upgrade path (Titanite Shards, Chunks, and Slabs)?

Solution 1:

To answer this question, it entirely depends on what stats you are focusing on. Scaling plays a big part when choosing the right weapon, in any situation.

What scaling does:

Scaling boosts the damage that you do with any particular weapon, depending on which stat(s) and which level of scaling are defined (S, A, B, C, D, E) as @slow_excellence pointed out; S being the best, E being the worst.

This picture shows a boost from strength scaling (shown by the blue numbers):

How scaling affects damage boost:

• E: one point every 3 levels.
• D: 2 points every 3 levels until 30, then 1 point per level till 40, then 4 points per 10 levels.
• C: One point per level until level 30, then 1.5 points until level 40, then 0.5 points until level 50, then 0.3 points until level 60.
• B: 2 points per level until 30, then 3 points until level 40, then 1 point per level until 50, then 0.5 points every level after.
• A: 2.5 points per level until 30, then 3.5 points until level 40, then 1.5 points until level 50, then 0.6 points every level after.
• S: barely higher than A, but still enough to make a difference.

Bows and their scaling stats:

• Short Bow: STR - D / DEX - A
• Long Bow: STR - D / DEX - A
• Composite Bow: STR - C / DEX - C
• Sea Bow: STR - C / DEX - C
• Dragonrider Bow: STR - B / DEX - D/ INT - C
• Bell Keeper Bow: STR - C / DEX - B
• Bow of Want: STR - C / DEX - A / LIGHTNING - C
• Hunter's Blackbow: STR - E / DEX - S

Greatbows:

• Alonne Greatbow: STR - C / DEX - C
• Dragonslayer Greatbow: STR - B / DEX - C

Also important to note that you cannot move while firing a greatbow, unlike a regular bow. This can affect your play style greatly.

Solution 2:

It all depends on how you are attempting to scale. If you're going for a strength bow,use the Dragonrider bow,it has a B scaling on strength. If you are aiming for dex,use the hunter's blackbow. I have recently started up an archer and I've tested the differentiation of the bows. I hate greatbows mostly because you can't move with em',making it a gamble if you miss your shot in PvP.