Bow (weapon type)

Bows (ゆみ Yumi) are a recurring group of weapons from the Final Fantasy series. They first appear in Final Fantasy II, and are used by most Archers. Sometimes Archers will wield the more powerful Crossbow instead. Bows are notable for dealing the same amount of damage regardless of the user's position in the front or back row.

In certain games, such as Final Fantasy III, arrows must be purchased in order to attack with a bow, while in others, such as Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, bows come equipped with an infinite amount of arrows. Recurring bows are: Dark Bow, Yoichi Bow, Elven Bow, Killer Bow, and the Artemis Bow, which tends to be the Ultimate weapon.

Final Fantasy II
Bows first appear in Final Fantasy II and are the starting weapon of Maria. Since Maria's stats are inclined towards magic and she is better off in the back row of the battlefield, bows are a good choice of weapon to equip her with. Final Fantasy II's bows come equipped with arrows.

List of Bows:
 * Bow
 * Longbow
 * Mythril Bow
 * Dark Bow
 * Flame Bow
 * Ice Bow
 * Yoichi Bow
 * Artemis Bow (Maria's ultimate weapon)

Final Fantasy III
The Ranger Job class uses bows, preferably from the back row. Unlike Final Fantasy II, arrows must be bought in towns around the World Map.

Final Fantasy IV
Rosa is a White Mage/Archer, and so can equip bows. Her special Aim ability lets her fire arrows with 100% accuracy.

Rydia, Edward, Palom, Porom, Cecil, and Cid can also arm themselves with a bow, but without the Aim ability. Arrows must be purchased in this game, but at least in the DS version, are only spent by equipping them, not attacking.

Final Fantasy V
Bows are used by the Ranger class, which can use the Aim ability to increase accuracy with arrows. The Ranger's Level 3 ability Equip Bow will let the character equip a bow regardless of job. Arrows do not need to be bought in this game.

Final Fantasy XI
Bows disappear for a while through the Final Fantasy numbered series until Final Fantasy XI. They can be used by a number of jobs, but the Ranger job is the only one proficient enough to use weaponskills with them.

Though there is a massive amount of bows, the most notable bows include;
 * Yoichinoyumi - The Relic Bow usable by Rangers and Samurai.
 * Expunger
 * Cerberus Bow
 * Arco De Velocidad
 * Failnaught
 * Hamayumi
 * Ifrit's Bow
 * Perdu Bow
 * Lamian Kaman

Some arrows include;
 * Rune Arrow
 * Kabura Arrow
 * Grand Knight's Arrow
 * Patriarch Protector's Arrow
 * Bodkin Arrow
 * Paralysis Arrow
 * Marid Arrow
 * Demon Arrow

Final Fantasy XII
Bows are the most basic of the ranged weapons in Final Fantasy XII. Their arrow shots are unblockable, but are also quite sensitive in inclement weather such as rain. Arrows must be purchased from shops in this game. Fran wields a shortbow as her default weapon.

Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
Fran once again uses bows in battle, and is the only playable character who does so. She cannot choose which arrows to fire.

List of Bows:
 * Elfin Bow
 * Artemis Bow
 * Raijoudou
 * Perseus Bow
 * Sagittarius

Final Fantasy Type-0
Trey uses a Longbow as his weapon of choice.

Final Fantasy Mystic Quest
Phoebe uses the only bow in the game, the Bow of Grace, as her primary weapon once she has given Benjamin the Cat Claw. It has limited ammunition and does additional "shoot-type" damage to enemies weak to it, primarily those that fly.

Final Fantasy Tactics
The Archer uses bows, which come equipped with arrows. The Archer can use the "Aim" ("Charge" in the PSX version) ability to build up power in a bow for a more powerful attack. Arrows are sensitive to obstacles and may be blocked.

Because the trajectory of bow is parabolic, the arrow may travel across obstacles if they are not too high. Also the default range of 3 to 5 grids increases as the attacker's position is higher than the target, and vice versa. Damage power of bow is related to equipper's Speed stat, but is unaffected by status Haste or Slow.

Trajectory of crossbow is always a straight line and its range is not affected by elevation. Also the damage power relates to equipper's physical attack power rather than Speed.

Bow is 2-hand weapon and crossbow is 1-hand. If the unit's job is capable of equipping crossbow and shield they can hold them at the same time, balancing the advantage of bow.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance
Hume and viera Archers uses the bow class of weapons, while hume Hunters and viera Snipers and Assassins use the more powerful set of Greatbows. Bows and Greatbows are cheaper to purchase at Cyril and Muscadet.

Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Bows can now be equipped by Archers and Rangers, while Greatbows can still be equipped by Hunters, Snipers, and Assassins. Most have kept their names and abilities taught.

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates
Bows are weapons used by the Selkie tribe. They are the only weapon able to attack from long ranges. As Selkies level up, they gain the ability to fire more projectiles, the max being five. Their charge ability allows them to fire many arrows at once rapidly.

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
Bows can be equipped by all classes, but are best suited for the Ranger crown. All bows inflict more damage against flying enemies.

List of Bows:
 * Artemis Bow
 * Blood Bow
 * Blue Shot
 * Bolt Bow
 * Earth Bow
 * Expunger
 * Failnaught
 * Hades Bow
 * Horne's Bow
 * Ranger Bow
 * Red Bow
 * Stardust Bow
 * Wind Bow