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?

Yes, although you might need to rely more on alchemy and smithing to give it extra power. Of course, you could use it to start the battle at a distance, lowering your opponents health before moving in for some close-combat with your preferred melee weapon.

its in the warrior....star thingy isn't it? I use archery constantly on my sword and board warrior. Its a great way to pick off fleeing enimies or get a hit in on a milk drinking mage. Also works good for the dragon fights

That's entirely up to you. Does it fit in with your roleplay? Is archery something you think your character would do?

Me personally, archery doesn't fit my rp, his character, or his disabilities. Since he's blind in one eye, neither archery nor sneak is much of an option...not only that, he just doesn't believe in it, however, he has no issues with using certain types of magic on occasion (mainly restoration and conjuration)

Of course. A warrior can do whatever the want, provided it fits with any roleplay

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

I have a Orc Warrior, I restrict my skills to follow that of a warrior, I do use a bow in matter of fact. I use the bow to close distance while still doing damage however, I do not perk into archery, I will rely on my level, strength of bow and smithing increase for archery damage. I use bows 5% of any combat encounter.

Don't take this the wrong way, but why do you care? Be your own warrior.
Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings does it, so I don't see why not.

Uh...why wouldn't a warrior be able to use a bow?

Ugh... if people are so worried about staying within arbitrary "class" boxes, why do they play Elder Scrolls?

Do you want to play a warrior? Do you want to use a bow?

Then yes, the answer is, a warrior can use a bow.

You can do whatever you want, that is the beauty of Elder Scrolls. There is no restriction to what kind of combinations you can make in your builds. This is why Elder Scrolls is a far superior RPG - arbitrary class restrictions, that only certain things can use certain skills, and only certain races can be certain builds, and only certain builds can use certain items, are far inferior to being able to create your character however you see fit, even if that means creating a heavy armored tank that sneaks around dungeons to pick off targets from the shadows with a bow and arrow.

Usually I go with some starting shots from a bow, then conjure an Atronach to provide support, if the enemy is still far away, and charge head on with Shield and Sword.
But it is all up to you, really.

What, archers are not warriors? The Huns would not agree with that, or the Mongols, or the Welsh. Nor the Vikings either, they were noted for their use of missile weapons. Not just bows either, but slings and thrown spears too. Olaf Tryggvasson was famous for being able to cast two spears at once.

Duh! Aragorn is a RANGER, not a Warrior!!!

J/K

To answer your rhetorical question, some people like to receive advice . There's no foolish question, just foolish people. What were you thinking when you made that negative statement towards the OP?

Though in the midst of it all, I do like the information you provided in the bottom paragraph.

well technically archery is a warrior skill (improves with warrior stone) so i'd say youre good to go.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/warrior: One who is engaged in or experienced in battle.

if you really have your panties in a bunch about it just think of yourself as a masterful wielder of all weapons. in a way thats kind of the ultimate warrior.

O_o I completely forgot he was.

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"

Exactly. I'm thinking about creating a character that dual wields maces, wears heavy ebony armor, is mainly a sneaky character (via perks), but uses alteration, restoration (for turn undead), and illusion (fear), as well. I'm thinking a female dark elf daedra worshiper.

dat

My character is something on between. I use stealth to kill before they can react, if that fails, then it I go with my Ebony bow and until they are close. Then, I conjure an Atronach and charge head on agaisnt the really tough foe.

Warriors can definitely use bows to weaken the opponents ranks before entering melee combat, by example. Nothing wrong with that. I do it on all my chars. My warrior, definitely my assassin/thief and even my mage (bound bow).

Not only can they use bows, they are awesome at it. Whether you're in light or heavy armor, archery is a very strong skill in skyrim.

Personally I see Warriors as masters of warfare. So yes, they can definitely use bows, and I'm sure they'd be damn good shots if they dedicate their lives to war as their profession suggests.

Warriors imo are masters of all weaponry. Such descriptions of them have been written since Baulders Gate and before. Saying a warrior cant use a bow is the same as saying he cant use a spear, or a sword. But in TES the choice is yours, there is no "true" class, just whatever you want to be.

No you can't. The game won't let you.

Who's going to stop him?