I've always kinda shunned archery because i can't hit running targets for nuts. So my tactic in oblivion was to move backward and pepper enemies with arrows; however this isnt as effective in Skyrim. But all the "archery is good" threads have tempted me :celebration: So is archery decently easy to use? Or do you have to make some uber math calculations to calculate if the arrow will hit and all that. I've got no problem with far strolling targets, its the running ones that i :sadvaultboy:

I'm the Robin Hood of Skyrim !

I love Archery...

I think it's just practice...

Mostly i can do 1 hit kill or then hit a moving target... but as you said, you gotta calculate a little and not just Spam arrows in the enemy..



Example: If the target is running left, try to aim in front of him, on the direction he is running, so the timing the arrow gets there and the target runs there wil be perfect and you'll kill...

Example: 2 If the target is walking left, same thing but aim a little bit near than when he is running.. etc

Perhaps i could give you a few tips if you want, when i have more time.. =]




But here is the major hint, don't spam arrows, be patient and kinda calculate your shots and try to foresee the target's next movement. ;D


EDIT: Another major tip.. pick the perks that allow you to zoom and the other one that when you zoom, the game slows down 50% or 25% .. it gets sooo much easier.

EDIT 2: As SouLosT said, if you are a Sneak type character, then archery will be easy, because you'll be able to get close enought to shoot.. =]

Some prediction is involved but if you're a sneak-archer, then prediction is less of an issue. There's obviously travel time and arrow drop to compensate for, especially for long range targets, but playing a sneak-archer just allows you to close the gap. You really just have to get used to it. I absolutely love it!

Archery maxed + Stealth maxed = nothing will ever find you/get close enough to attack you, other than dragons. Archery with sneak is easily the strongest build in the game.

Just gotta get used to it. Like a sniper in shooter games.
The bow takes patience and skill.
It all pays off when you get the hang of it.
Hell just yesterday I was "quick-scoping" everything.
OSK's everywhere. Of course I was in sneak mode with 3x bow damage.

Yesterday i was going to clear a Bandit Tower, then i thought, let's do some Archery here..

Dude, i think that God possessed me, i was hiting everyone in the head (doesn't count since TES don't have critical parts of the body, but ANYWAY) and killing them in 1 hit or 2 hit depending of the type of the bandit..

The good thing was that i killed them really fast and i was very far away from them ! That was awesome !

yeah pretty much leading the target is key which can take some practice and isn't always gonna work %100 but it's a good feeling when you hit a target that you have been leading

Once you get the zooming perk it gets easier to drop enemies in caves.

I can't hit the side of the barn with an arrow.....

However, the other night I was in a dungeon and up on a ledge I had a clear view of all the enemies. I took out a bow and tried it out. After 6 one hit kills (at low Archery levels I might add) I decided that archery would be fun in the right places. I still can't use it on a moving object, but for sniping from a distance to soften up a place, it is effective. I am just glad I don't have to use it on dragons anymore.

Archery is pretty easy once you get used to it, I used to svck at it but i kept on trying and now i can snipe enemies easily.

Always remember to shoot a little lower then where your intending.

The arrow always lands a little higher then where your pointing at on your crosshairs,I tested this on a target practice thingy and where I aimed my crosshairs at and shot,the arrow would always land higher,regardless of distance,and yes I had my bow fully drawn. So always aim a little lower since the arrows arc.

Feels like I'm using a cheat's bow, a compound.

Also if you are trying to shoot a target that is far away, remember that arrow isn't like bullets that go in a straight lone..
Arrows do an Arc form... so if the target is far away, try to aim a little higher.. =]

when you first start using it its kind of weak or at least it was for me 3/4 arrows to even kill a wolf....my prefered weapon wss 2handed swords but i find myself using the bow a LOT because of how easy it is to level that + sneaking

Most melee enemies will run towards you in a straight line when they spotted you, so aiming won't be as difficult in those cases. Especially if you have the slow time perks.

With ranged enemies taking cover and hiding works pretty well.

Best thing about archery is that you can put alot of points into stamina, so you'll be able to carry alot of loot.

So you don't put much into hitpoints then? Hmm kinda risky :celebration: what if some rogue bear sneaks up behind you. I've had that too many times, im just strolling there and suddenly i hear a RAWR and get a bear's paw in my face

Starts off fairly difficult, then becomes ridiculously easy.

It's great against most things. A little unwieldy indoors until you get power shot to give you a bit more time and space to pump arrows into things at closer ranges. With sneak attacks it's amazing.

Shooting while sneaking increases the damage.

I don't know if you play 1st person or 3rd person view, but I find it easier to aim in first person view. In third person view I find that it sometimes is hard to put that aiming thing on the target.

My current character is an all stamina every level Archer that uses Conjuration. I'm just trying to see just how strong this is on Master, and I'm not using any smithing items. The only enchanted item I am going to end up with is one that reduces Conjuration costs by 30% - 40% just so I'll have enough to eventually cast a Dremora. I'm also playing as an Orc just for the overkill button for dragons. I'm also not using Shadow Warrior. That breaks that game as bad as 100% Chameleon and there's literally no point in playing anymore after that.

It does start out kind of slow. So slow in fact that even though I spent more time shooting arrows, my two-handed skill raised almost 2.5x as fast. At level 18 my Archery is only at 44 skill.

I sneak everywhere with my bow drawn. Every RAWR I hear tells me "STOP! SLOWMO TIME"
Kill the bear and do my MC Hammr dance. :dance:

the arc and travel time of an arrow takes some getting used to its not like a sniper rifle where it travels exactly where you aim it with incredible speed. but once you get used to it it gets pretty easy.