Stuck in a Catch-22

For those not familiar with Joseph Heller's novel "Catch-22", the main idea of a Catch-22 is that in order to do one thing, you must complete something that requires the very thing you desire. A simple modern example of this is "You need experience to get a job, but you cannot get a job without experience." In the book, the main example of Catch-22 is more complex.

Anyhow, I feel I am in a Catch-22 myself in my raiding progression. I can't seem to get a decent DPS ranged weapon from Kara, and our Kara group doesn't seem to be progressing beyond Prince. Is this because we cannot get the gear from Kara to progress? This is my main conundrum with my characters progression right now. I am frustrated with my inability to get beyond the Valanos Longbow. It does not help that I am not particularly fond of bows. A dwarf should have a gun! I haven't even updated my banner... I am thusly ashamed of my bow wielding.

So, I am grinding honor until a suitable weapon drops. Surely the Merciless crossbow is more like a gun than a bow is, so it is my prize. There are some other suitable weapons:

1. Telescopic Sharprifle - Mechanar - This has just a touch less DPS than Valanos, but it has agility and AP, rather than just AP. Its also a bit slower, which makes a shot weave work just a tiny bit better.
2. Veteran Musket - Requires exalted Honor Hold rep. The problem with this is yet another Catch-22. You need sufficient DPS to run the heroics, but this weapon is what you need to get the DPS.
   
3. Steelhawk Crossbow - Good DPS, some hit and AP. This drops from Kara (att, and there are better ranged drops in Kara. However, I am not picky at this point.
4. Merciless Gladiator's Crossbow of the Phoenix - This is where I think I am going, plus it helps me learn how to PVP. 40 AV Marks and 27,000 honor. I have had the marks for awhile, but I need 13,000 more honor. Its a long road.
5. Wolfslayer Sniper Rifle - My dream gun at this point. This is another Kara drop. Been to see the wolf twice so far. No drops. In fact, I have seen Opera 4-5 times and never had a Hunter drop at all. Just bad luck I guess.
6. Sunfury Bow of the Phoenix - This is Prince's bow in Kara. As I have said, I am not fond of Bows. I guess I would not pass this up, but I might just wait for the "Chocobow" if I can get the Wolfslayer.
   

This is my biggest quest right now, just getting my DPS up and over to something better. I really need this to progress to Heroics and beyond. Otherwise, I am just letting down the team.

Cheers,
T