Can a Warrior use a bow? : V - Skyrim

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:12 am

I don't mean to be negative towards the OP specifically, I just see a certain mentality with some people on this forum, that they can't get past a class system, and they can't break themselves of "mage", "warrior", "thief" classes, and I just don't get it, because that's exactly why I love Elder Scrolls so much, because I'm not restricted to an arbitrary "class" system, I just get to create the character that I want to play, and if that includes combining magic and combat, magic and stealth, combat and stealth, or anything in between, that's what I get to do. I'm not stuck with deciding between a Warrior or a Mage, I get to play both. I get to combine my dual wielding, heavy armored warrior with the skills of a Necromancer. Or I can give my Necromancer a bow and arrow and let him take out enemies from the shadows while wearing Light Armor. I don't have to just put my Necromancer in robes and let him use only magic. (I use the Necromancer example a lot because Necromancers are my favorite fantasy RPG class)

I can make a Paladin that doesn't stick to just blunt weapons, but can also pick up a 2 handed battleaxe to smite my foes with. I can be a "tank" that doesn't have to go "sword and board", but instead I can dual wield 2 swords and play an offensive tank of sorts.

The fact that I can build my character entirely as I see fit, without having to worry about arbitrary class restrictions, or what Aragorn was in the Lord of the Rings books, but rather the character can be whatever I want my own fantasy character to be, with any combination of skills that I deem fit, is the ultimate draw to Elder Scrolls for me, and I just don't understand how people would just pass that up and build their characters back into a box by worrying about if a warrior can use a bow or not. If you wanna do it, then do it! Make your own character, make your own way!

I don't intend to be negative towards anyone, I just don't "get it"

I think what hes trying to ask is what is considered a 'Warrior' class in Skyrim and if a Warrior would use Archery. Some people like to play into some sort of guideline and stick to whats what in the ES universe. Im one of those people for some reason. I don't throw on Heavy Armor, use. A two handed weapon, do a lil sneaking and call myself a 'thief'. Although the pc doesnt technically have a class, npcs do. I believe on UESP theres a listing of all Classes in the game. It interests me because theres always limitations and drawbacks for sticking to a certain set of skills and thats why i usually follow those examples. You could use heavy armor, archery, two handed weapons and raise the dead and call yourself 'Necromancer', but in the ES universe you are not.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:17 am

I've created a new character.

And i was thinking, can a warrior rightfully use a bow at certain points in combat?

For example, before he enters combat, while standing up, (not sneaking whatsoever) can he fire a entering battle shot?

or if an enemy is running away, fire an arrow at him to finish him off.

My question still stands, and i would like opinions on this.

Can a Warrior, rightfully use a bow?

I have a no-magic Nord warrior. He views the bow as a cowardly weapon best suited for hunting game. But he would have no qualms about shooting a coward who was running away. He also has no qualms about using a bow against other archers (although usually he just charges them) or against Dragons who won't land and fight him. He does not perk bows, nor does he enchant bows (or anything for that matter) because he views dabbling in magic as far worse than ranged combat.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 3:58 pm

I don't mean to be negative towards the OP specifically, I just see a certain mentality with some people on this forum, that they can't get past a class system, and they can't break themselves of "mage", "warrior", "thief" classes, and I just don't get it, because that's exactly why I love Elder Scrolls so much, because I'm not restricted to an arbitrary "class" system,"

Some people like the arbitrary class system. But that is beside the point. The OP was not talking about "classes." That word was nowhere in his post. He was asking a roleplaying question -- whether people who play warriors would consider using a bow to be cowardly.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:10 am

It depends on what sort of a warrior you are.
If you're one that uses a bow then I imagine you'll be just fine.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:15 pm

I always include archery in my warrior builds, just seems fitting that a warrior would be skilled in all mater of war fare. Not to mention that some dragons have a nasty habit of hovering instead of landing, which makes a sword obsolete until it lands and how are you supposed to force it to land without a bow or shout? Magic maybe but I personally don't like the magic this time round in the world of Tamriel. :biggrin:

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:04 am

My warrior uses a bow because it's practical for hunting and bring down dragons.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:23 am

It depends on your character. I know that others have said that, but it's true. Be it a bow or magic, by you, a summoned creature or a follower. You need some means of a ranged attack. If nothing else but to get a Dragon on the ground.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:17 am

Personally, it is up to the individual to choose whether any character can use a bow or not. If they plan on hitting the max level for any particular character, eventually they are going to have to pick up the Bow to level up Archery skill. So in the end it comes down to personal preference/whim at the moment. I like using bows for killing Dragons. I think they are the best weapons to use against those over-grown bats!

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 7:06 am

Can a Warrior, rightfully use a bow?

He wouldn't be much of a warrior if he didn't know how to use a bow, now would he?
:blink:

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:18 am

My warrior uses bows because I don't want to rush a distant enemy and end up being hit with bows and magic from all sides while engaging 2-3 melee opponents.

While in dungeons, my warrior starts off in sneak mode, using archery against any unsuspecting enemies, and when they close in he switches to sword+shield.

A warrior is simply someone who is skilled in combat. While I wouldn't expect a traditional warrior to be casting spells, I don't see anything odd about using both bows and melee weapons.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 2:14 pm

Some people like the arbitrary class system. But that is beside the point. The OP was not talking about "classes." That word was nowhere in his post. He was asking a roleplaying question -- whether people who play warriors would consider using a bow to be cowardly.

I have read the thread and this is the answer to many replies.

I'd say there are warrior types who would not use bows. Soldiers in the army are usually specialized with an archer component to any larger battle. The rest are sword and board mostly. You have to decide what type of warrior you are to usefully think about this.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:43 pm

A good example of warriors using bows is the fact that soldiers and guards use them. They're warrior classes - light armor, one handed or two handed and sometimes use shields - and when they come across an enemy at a distance, they'll use their bows.

Again, there's nothing to stop you using a bow. Unless it clashes with a roleplay, you'll be fine

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:57 pm

Some people like the arbitrary class system. But that is beside the point. The OP was not talking about "classes." That word was nowhere in his post. He was asking a roleplaying question -- whether people who play warriors would consider using a bow to be cowardly.

But again, that's up to him, how he wants to roleplay, and what kind of character he wants.

Not up to some arbitrary rule as to whether or not a warrior would consider using a bow cowardly or not.

Does he? Does his warrior?

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 1:54 am

Any proper warrior would use a bow. The medieval knights trained with bow and arrow when they were just young boys.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 11:10 am

I've created a new character.

And i was thinking, can a warrior rightfully use a bow at certain points in combat?

For example, before he enters combat, while standing up, (not sneaking whatsoever) can he fire a entering battle shot?

or if an enemy is running away, fire an arrow at him to finish him off.

My question still stands, and i would like opinions on this.

Can a Warrior, rightfully use a bow?

Of course not. Warriors are not allowed to use bows. If you want to fire an entering shot for a room, all you should do is cast a fireball or eat a big bowl of chili with pinto beans beforehand and light a torch.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:04 am

He wouldn't be much of a warrior if he didn't know how to use a bow, now would he?
:blink:

Mine prefers to teleport behind enemies (especially archers) and knock them off with his shield. He's more used to direct approaching :smile:

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 6:44 am

You could use heavy armor, archery, two handed weapons and raise the dead and call yourself 'Necromancer', but in the ES universe you are not.

Yes, you are. A 'Necromancer' in the ES universe is everyone who either raises dead bodies, binds black souls, binds ghosts or performs alchemy with the body parts of the intelligent races. The "classes" are just for npcs, there are classes for monsters, dragons and vampires. According to the npc classes, assassins dont use lockpicking and you are only a vampire if you are using alteration. Those are very bad guidelines.
In Daggerfall and Morrowind the pre-defined warrior class had archery, in Oblivion it didn't.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:10 am

My archer uses sword and board as support, so I don't see why the reverse can't be true

^This.

» Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:43 pm

But again, that's up to him, how he wants to roleplay, and what kind of character he wants.

Not up to some arbitrary rule as to whether or not a warrior would consider using a bow cowardly or not.

Does he? Does his warrior?

Sure, the final decision is up to him, but there is nothing wrong in asking what others think and how they play before making up one's mind about how to play.

Several posters have talked about how some soldiers are trained in the bow and how it is a necessary part of many battles to have your archers involved. Kind of reminded me of American Football, where each team has a kicker to kick field goals and such. Sometimes a winning field goal is the deciding factor between winning a game and loosing it. I imagine archers to be the same. However, kickers tend to be a lot smaller than the other players and often they don't get the same level of respect since they are not out there taking the hits on a regular basis.

So, yeah, it depends on what type of warrior you want to be. Do you want to be a game winning kicker or a game winning running back? Or some combination of the two.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:41 am

You can be any type of Warrior. Cehck out the Warrior Wiki = http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/The_Warrior_(Skyrim)

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:59 am

Well considering that Archery is not a Warrior skill, I would say so. To be honest I kind of hate the fact that rogues have no combat skills at all, other than a dagger and archery perk in the sneak tree.

Most my warriors are the light armored quick type and they rely heavily on bows. When I play a heavy armored, two handed weapon guy it is generally without a bow.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:39 am

I've been sitting on this question since I started my pure warrior. And I can't decide if it's out of character, or just pointless to even try. Either way, I still haven't decided myself. Just sword and board for now :/

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 8:41 am

Well considering that Archery is not a Warrior skill, I would say so. To be honest I kind of hate the fact that rogues have no combat skills at all, other than a dagger and archery perk in the sneak tree.

I pay no attention whatsoever to the green, blue and red categories they have slot the various skills into because they just seem silly to me. I agree that Archery should be in stealth, and arguably one handed as well. Alchemy belongs in magic, not stealth. Speech is no more stealth than mage or warroir. We all talk.

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 4:00 am

Sure, the final decision is up to him, but there is nothing wrong in asking what others think and how they play before making up one's mind about how to play.

Several posters have talked about how some soldiers are trained in the bow and how it is a necessary part of many battles to have your archers involved. Kind of reminded me of American Football, where each team has a kicker to kick field goals and such. Sometimes a winning field goal is the deciding factor between winning a game and loosing it. I imagine archers to be the same. However, kickers tend to be a lot smaller than the other players and often they don't get the same level of respect since they are not out there taking the hits on a regular basis.

So, yeah, it depends on what type of warrior you want to be. Do you want to be a game winning kicker or a game winning running back? Or some combination of the two.

That's an awesome way to think about it

» Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:47 pm

I use a bow for hunting and shooting high powered mage enemies with anti magic potions.