I have recently reached level 15 and have the option to specialize. I noticed that while all the skills of stalkers increase in some percentage whereas in hunters it increases in absolute values. so i am tempted to choose hunter.
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However i currently have throwing knives(6-29 Strength +7) and Shield(Armor 117 Block +10), while the best bows available are like(5-33) and crossbows(15-40) that are much weaker. I want to know when i advance to tier 3 will there be similar disparity in weapons damage.
Crossbows have higher damage but some - to agility and dexterity, bows generally have low damage. Advantage of those weapons are that you have range (you can shoot several rounds before the opponent). The hunter skills are very good for fighting animals, especially after level 20 - hunting, volley and eagle eye are great !
As a stalker - I would recommend fighting with javelins (throwing knives are simply weaker), so you have 1 weapon that is much better than the other 2. Javs are good, but damage falls 50% after 12 rounds. Advantage is you can wear a shield so blocking is increased as well. The skills - mostly count on increasing critical hit, which anyway reaches 50% max around level 40, even before. It is the currently preferred specialization, but my advice is - follow your heart
Hunters are not weaker, just different, so if you feel like playing one - you can be successful as well