erm.. there are 3 type of bow attack, each bow has a fixed charge sequence, u will see this in those bow weapon chart.
e.g akantor bow:
(s) - (p) - (f)
this means when u tap attack 1 time it shoots a 'spread' type of attack, press and hold attk until it ping 1 time and then release it will shoot a 'pierce' type attack, press attk and hold till it ping a 2nd time it will shoot a 'focus' type of attack.
pierce attack = 1 bolt fly out and pierce the crap out of what ever it hits and cause multiple dmg ticks as it goes thru the body.
focus attack = 3-4 bolt fly out and hit whatever they touch for a 1 off dmg.
spread attack = bolts spread in horizontal fan, hit thigns for 1 off dmg.
usually the last 'ping' does the most dmg. so always charge ur attack.
some bow have its last charge 'hidden', like for example the akantor bow, that last focus attack is hidden, u wont be able to use it if you dont have the armor skill "load-up".
its because of these gay ass factor that makes bow very hard to dish out alot of dmg, thats why i said a bow by itself is almost always very f***ed up even when fully modified. u will need specific armor skills and gems to 'make it work'. u will also need alot of bow for different types of monster.
but once u got everything made its very sweet.
note: if u can tweak the game to bleed alot. spamming spread attack on big monster will create this bloody niagara fall effects. very nice effects.
wah i learn something here. thanks yo.