I know this might sound silly but I've recently bought an Xbox controller to play the game on my couch and I'm puzzled on how you manage to land a single arrow on target, how people can play first person shooters with this thing is beyond me [yes, it's my very first game controller]

What's your secret?

the right trigger(on the backside) pull down all the way and when the bow is fully drawn,release. Or were you asking for tips?

I thought so too. It isn't that difficult really.

This.
It's very easy to do. There is no secret trick.
And when you get the correct perk, holding the Left Trigger will zoom-in while you draw the bow (hold down the Right Trigger.)

takes some time to get used to the aiming but it isnt that hard

I think he's having trouble getting the reticule lined up with his opponent. He can't fine-aim it like he can with the delicate controls of a mouse. I understand his problem.

On console versions, I believe we have this system that helps us aim... I forget the name of it... aim assist?

My trick is to strafe with the left stick and try to aim. Don't try to use the right stick to position the reticule on the enemy alone, use it to get near them, and then use the left stick to strafe left/right to 'fine-aim' before shooting them.

I generally always make my shots by using the left stick actually. My character moves slower and I have more delicate control over the reticule.

Actually I'm not sure myself what I'm asking for, It seems I can't get used to the aiming, my hand is always trying to reach the mouse on the desk

Hmm, I will have to try this, ty.

I'm better with the controller than I am with the keyboard and mouse... I can only play shooters on my Xbox. I've been getting better with the PC but I still don't even come close to how I am on Xbox.

It's just all about practice. You'll get the hang of it eventually. Aim assist is also a handy tool. ;P

I honestly found myself asking the same thing about the pc users. Its really really easy. This almost made me laugh.

You really just have to get used to moving the right stick very slowly. Lowering sensitivity can help. With practice, I've been able to have just as much accuracy with the Xbox as I used to have with Oblivion on the PC.

Happy to have made your day! Seriously, aiming with a mouse is an order of magnitude easier than with a joypad, that's what they were made for, moving objects on the screen. I have temporarily dropped my main archer character to get acquainted with this bloody thing.. I'll let you know whenever I land my first arrow on target : )


Really? How much time you have needed to achieve that?

When you're used to the accuracy of a mouse, getting to grips with the inaccurate control stick really takes getting used to.

To be honest, it's taken a while. My most-played file on Skyrim is an archer, and it's taken some getting used to, but after a while it's become normal, and I've gotten quite good at aiming.

I'm coming to the end of my first playthru without using the crosshair or the HUD. Granted, my char is a 2-H berserker, but I do use a lot of destruction spells at range. I play with a 360 controller, and solely in 3rd person too. Check it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX-MJfLSk9s&feature=player_detailpage#t=43s

Next up I will be playing the same with my archer. It gets easier and easier to line up shots. You want to give it a go in 3rd person - it's what controllers are best for.

You both give me hope

I'm not fond of 3rd person but I might give it a try.

Make sure to jigger with your look sensitivity. Took me quite a while to get used to the controller after playing Oblivion on the PC with a mouse. I still think having the keyboard for controls is better in someways: I can do more things at once with a keyboard, and I can have more than just two items hotkeyed.

Done that, a little less sensitivity helped a bit. What I really appreciate over mouse+keyboard are the smooth movements, with the keyboard is either walk or run. But yes, I still think mouse+keyboard are way better, you surely can't do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB76kyYxDoQ with a controller no matter how you're good at it.

Oh hey, I just killed my first bear with a lot [I mean A LOT] of arrows

invert y axis
only way i can use controler over keybord and mouse

I love the xbox controller. It's so comfortable. But if you really want to use a mouse and keyboard, I think there is a box you can buy that allows you to use a mouse and keyboard on an xbox. I forget the name of it though

hold RT till the arrow is backwards then release
also if you level up your archery skill you can choose slow time and zoom to do that press LT

When you get better at it, don't put all your hard earned perk points in the tree. I only used 7 in mine. My archery skill is at 100 and with my Daedric Flaming bow I can kill Mammoths with 2 shots. Took out a whole camp of Foresworn from a ridge using ancient nord arrows without being attacked once. Overdraw in the perk tree along with hunting perk and Ranger should be all you need. You'll get better for sure.
Try as TJByrum suggested and co-ordinate movements with a little left stick to help line'em up. I never touched the sensitivity of my controller.
Also try putting your arrow back in it's quiver from time to time as this helps with fine motor skills. Pick things up while aiming your arrow without firing said arrow and poisoning that arrow with a potion. All these things will help you get "Aquainted" with the controller.

Why do you think they added the eagle eye and steady hand perks? Because Skyrim is an Xbox game first and foremost, and without those perks aiming with a gamepad is a nightmare. I've never used those perks on PC but when I played on my friend's Xbox I had to.

Lol, to each his own. I'm not a pc player, so I'd have a hard time with that at first. It really just takes some getting used to. I hope you get it soon! Reading my original post over, I came off kinda snarky or whatever, so I'm glad you didn't take it personal.