[dirtywick]

I prefer the Thunder Bow whenever possible. For it's effect, it's a steal at 5 gems.

I understand there's different ways to go about it, but Construction is a must for every nation at some point. Even just to level 2 will give your commanders something to do instead of standing behind their troops dodging arrows. For most nations, sending a regular commander into battle naked is going to kill him sooner rather than later, and making a small investment of 5 gems to give him a ranged weapon is a good idea. You don't have to kit him out, just a cheap ranged weapon allows him to contribute and stay in relative safety.

So I think that however you want to play it, Const to 2 early to forge some cheap bows/wands is a smart move.