A lot more guys is dangerous for anyone. But still, I've backstabbed someone with my dagger with someone 10ft away watching the whole thing and not even seeing me. He obviously sees the body and comes over to investigate, but it's more than enough time to sneak away and reposition myself. I usually go for the toughest guy and end him quick. If the others see me, no big deal. If they're too tough, I run away and prepare for the next backstab. Or if they are just reasonably difficult, I stay and fight to raise light armor, magic or whatever else I want.

And still, the key thing here is that a fight that would take you several minutes to complete with arrows, really does not take me any time at all with daggers. Bows are fun - I'm not going to dispute that point - but it's no where near as efficient as my dagger, and no where near as satisfying as stabbing some guy in the back and lifting him off the ground, jabbing my dagger into his shoulder, or cutting his throat. You will want to use what is more fun for you, but from a purely ownage standpoint, daggers is leaps and bounds ahead of a bow. Even if there is a x5 multiplier, that is still no where near a x30. Sneak is also not even a factor. Once you get it to a high level, there's no point in worrying about being detected. I'm already well on my way to being able to run around completely invisible to everyone around me. I can already stand in front of a lower level creature and they won't even see me. Bosses, or really tough creatures, are the -only- thing that can see me, and it's still really hard for them - I can still get off several dagger hits (if it even takes that many) before they are aware and notice me.

Quick Question: What race do you guys recomend i play as?

IMO, I don't think it matters at all. Play whatever you think looks cooler for you, or fits the type of character you're trying to make. The skill bonuses are not that big of a deal (like bonuses to archery for Bosmer). You will use the weapon so much that you'll raise it in no time anyway. The only real difference is the race spell you get.

I play an Imperial because I thought the girls looked better. I never use voice of the emperor though. The finding extra gold thing is neat.

Dungeons are easy as you can sneak those. Wilderness is hard, because I dont have to patience to sneak everywhere. In a straight up fight, you'll get your ass handed to you, but if you can get backstab bonus you'll dominate.

This.

I love the archery in Skyrim and am favoring a Dwarven Bow with Shock Damage enchantment. I agree that when areas have many enemies, it helps big time if you can take out a few especially with one arrow and the X2 or X3 bonus. Poison arrows too work wonders on some bosses and tougher enemies. Once I'm spotted and the others get close, I just switch to another weapon and finish them off. Also, I just gotta say sneaking through dungeons, picking the unsuspecting off one by one, and still nobody is aware you're even there is soooo much fun!

lol, did you even read my response to that? If you guys want to be stubborn with your arrows because you like them a lot, by all means. I think you seriously need to give daggers a chance though if you're playing a sneak-based character. You obviously have no idea what the differences are if you're concerned about things like what that other guy said.


Yeah, I often times will be running in the wilderness and a big bear will appear and start attacking me. Not very good since in a straight fight I'm kind of weak, but I really have no problem sneaking in the wilderness either. I mostly go out at night anyway because of being a vampire. I can still go during the day, but I don't regen health/magic/stamina at all and I have negative penalties to them.

lol, yup read your post, but the OP was asking about other's experiences with archery specifically, so that's what I responded to. Nothing stubborn about it.

...what scripted attacks? Archery has no kill animations and the stealth ones don't happen often and look awesome

The guy you quoted wasn't the OP, and what he said wasn't entirely correct either. Sneaking is not even a factor when it's high enough - there is almost no danger for me. I just don't see why anyone would want to go through the entire game using just archery, especially when there are easier ways to get things done.

Sigh...seriously? I was addressing the OP by agreeing with the post I quoted. Look, there is more than one way to play this type of character, and daggers are awesome too. It's really just about personal preference and experimenting with the method that works best for you. Simple.

Sorry should have explained scripted attacks of u trigger an event e.g. golden claw cave word wall then zombie thing attacks

Oh, so triggered encounters. You can actually sneak during those. Only thing you can't sneak are dragons

For some of us, it's not about which is easier. Just because it's not for you doesn't mean it's not fun for others. My assassin is both a sniper and a backstabber. I like finding the corpses with my ebony arrows in their eye. I also enjoy a good backstab.

I've never had a problem with this at all.

I would LOVE to play some form of archer without stealth, magic (including enchanting) and alchemy. Archery always seem to involve one of those components.

Anyone have any ideas?

I am thinking that I can use heavy armor... But then what? One hands sword? Club/mace? Axe?

One rather large difference between the styles is setup time, not to mention safety net. As an archer all you really need is line of sight, since you're ranged. As melee you have to actually get up in there, and depending on your sneak level that can be risky. Archers can easily reposition and hide if they fail to kill immediately (and with 3x sneak attack and the crit feat you tend to one shot a lot too).

I've done stealth for Morrowind, Oblivion and not just started Skyrim. My one complaint is that it takes so long. maybe it's just me, especially at lower levels before I have sneek maxed out. But I just creep so slowly through each dungeon, peeking around each corner ready to shoot a bad guy in the forehead. Honestly It would be much quicker if I saved, ran through the dungeon, noting where the bad guys are, restored and killed them sneeking much faster.

I dunno. I've played very few times as a smashing warrior type and I just don't get immersed in the game, I just run in, swing weapons around and don't really care if I die or what. Whereas when I play sneaking around I feel much more immeresed in the game, to the point where junk actually startles me.

I wasn't arguing that bows aren't fun, I was merely stating that if you're going to do it, why not do the other as well since they are 1 perk apart? Some people are under the impression that bows are quick and easy (armand), and I was just saying that they are not compared to a dagger. I've also stated many times if you want to use bows, then go for it. The guy you quoted was also incorrectly stating something while responding to me. So quit being so defensive.

If you're trying to go straight archer I wouldn't bother with melee weapons besides keeping a dagger for back-up. I'd probably just pump up an armor skill and some non-combat skills like lockpicking, speech, and smithing

But how would I survive once they get close? Daggers seem to be mainly useful for stealth, and archery without poisons or stealth = a lot of close range fighting...

I think you would definitely have to do heavy armor to avoid getting beat on when they get close to you. You can melee with a bow that kind of staggers the enemy, too. Also, it would be a definite must to get the Ranger perk so you can move fast while having an arrow notched. Getting to that point though would be really difficult - that is a lot of archery training, and going through the game only with a bow up until that point... i can't see it. I would say use a big slow weapon as back up to finish off the enemy. If not 2h, then mace.

You just hit the nail on the head on why Archery is so enjoyable to me as well. Slowly and tactically making my way through things gets immersed so much more!

...just keep shooting them with your bow. I've killed people point blank with a bow multiple times. Also I use my dagger the most when I fight with dual sword/dagger because I try not to use up the charge on my sword unless I have to. Daggers give you tremendous speed so it's not really too bad for finishing up people after you've put plenty of arrows in them. Problem is that if you don't stealth then multiple enemies will be a huge problem because 90% of your fights will be close in anyway

lol, I wasn't being defensive at all, I merely clarified. Relax.


I don't think Alchemy or magic are necessary for archers and I don't use them all the time. Both simply add options depending on how you want too play, and I don't see why you have to use stealth either if you get the right perks and train hard. Your strategies will just be different. For backup, and especially once the fight gets close, I've had good luck using light or heavy armor, and both swords and axes.

Perfectly said and so true for me too. I've had my heart racing in some dungeons as I'm sneaking, waiting to hear the epic music start and that Oh Crap moment I just know is coming!