Crafted Spears & Arrows Are Too Weak

[Semper Fight 0311]

The spears, and arrows are just TOO WEAK. I've wasted numerous arrows, and spears, with hits to the chest and necks, of deer, as I watched them run away never to be seen again, & I can only assume living happy, long, and healthy lives (as happy & healthy as one can live with a spear or arrow in their neck or chest). This is even sometimes with multiple spears or arrows being placed into my target.
Ye,s I know.."If you get the other types of arrows, & better bow..." Well, i've experienced the SAME issue with those. Also, when we were are running around as Hunter-Gatherers, we used fabricated bows, with stick & stone spears, and stick & stone arrows, and we not only hunted, we were successful at it, obviously, since our species seemed to survive, and we didn't live off of only berries. Our bows and arrows, and spears, were quite able to take down deer, and even bigger prey.
Also, you need to survive in the beginning, BEFORE obtaining the upgraded bow & arrows.
There really is NO REASON crafted bows & arrows, should be less than effective so often, and be so weak, when you consider the above. I just don't see any logical reason to make the crafted bows, arrows, and spear weaker than a basic needs of a starter-weapon, for a starter character, which has been shown repeatedly to be more than effective at doing what it was designed to do...kill.
For me, it is a significant issue, and one that deters me from playing when I think - "What do I feel like playing now?" It is also something I tend to tell people is one of my "gripes" with the game, when they inquire about the game, and possibly buying it.
I think the game has a lot of potential, & maybe this will be addressed, but for now...it is an issue to me.
My opinion...

[nilfiry]

Where you hit them is more important than what you hit them with... AKA headshots. One stone arrow or spear to the head still OHK normal cannibals and deers.

Unfortunately for you, this is also the case in real life, especially with large game like deer. They can definitely tank a few arrows if you did not place those arrows in the right places. Of course, the game cannot reproduce this level of detail, so in the future, just aim for headshots.

[distantlight]

Spears are better than arrows, as you can easily stun your enemies by hitting them in legs and the spear can be re-used.

Spears are actually kinda OP, IMHO.

Don't use spears and arrows to catch deer; that never works. Just set up some of those bone maker traps in the deer's general area and eventually they'll get caught.

[nilfiry]

Originally posted by distantlight:

Don't use spears and arrows to catch deer; that never works. Just set up some of those bone maker traps in the deer's general area and eventually they'll get caught.

You just have to be a good shot. lol

[Semper Fight 0311]

Originally posted by nilfiry:

Where you hit them is more important than what you hit them with... AKA headshots. One stone arrow or spear to the head still OHK normal cannibals and deers.

Unfortunately for you, this is also the case in real life, especially with large game like deer. They can definitely tank a few arrows if you did not place those arrows in the right places. Of course, the game cannot reproduce this level of detail, so in the future, just aim for headshots.

I think you shoot for the heart. Saying that in "real life" you should shoot for the head, a boned structure, with an arrow, or spear, I would have to disagree. If you want to shoot for the head with a rifle, by all means, but for various reasons i'd recommend the heart. We always called it shooting for the "pizza," the triangle area, but that's another subject.
My point is not that you CAN'T kill a deer in the game, it is that the bows and arrows, and spears are not realistic in their damage, AND that IF they are going to take multiple, which can and does occur, then there should be some sort of "tracking" blood trail, or other such tracking indicator in the game which provides the necessities for the "mini-game" (for lack of a better word) of following them around.
Perhaps that is in the game, and I missed it, or perhaps it is a future add-on to the game.
In any case, my point is supported by you saying "shoot them in the head," again, tends to detract from both reality, and game-play. I still say they are weak, and need some attention.

[Semper Fight 0311]

Originally posted by distantlight:

Spears are better than arrows, as you can easily stun your enemies by hitting them in legs and the spear can be re-used.

Spears are actually kinda OP, IMHO.

Don't use spears and arrows to catch deer; that never works. Just set up some of those bone maker traps in the deer's general area and eventually they'll get caught.

I wasn't saying you "can't kill them in the game," nor that I needed a means by which to do so. I was simply stating that they are "weak," and it "should work," which was my point, as it has worked for many, many years. Even if it takes more than one, the "tracking" should be an option, if it isn't already, if they are able to run off with numerous placed arrows and/or spears.
I think a good tracking system, etc., and increase in arrow, and spear damage, would be good adds to the game at this point.

[nilfiry]

Originally posted by Semper Fight 0311:

I think you shoot for the heart. Saying that in "real life" you should shoot for the head, a boned structure, with an arrow, or spear, I would have to disagree. If you want to shoot for the head with a rifle, by all means, but for various reasons i'd recommend the heart. We always called it shooting for the "pizza," the triangle area, but that's another subject.
My point is not that you CAN'T kill a deer in the game, it is that the bows and arrows, and spears are not realistic in their damage, AND that IF they are going to take multiple, which can and does occur, then there should be some sort of "tracking" blood trail, or other such tracking indicator in the game which provides the necessities for the "mini-game" (for lack of a better word) of following them around.
Perhaps that is in the game, and I missed it, or perhaps it is a future add-on to the game.
In any case, my point is supported by you saying "shoot them in the head," again, tends to detract from both reality, and game-play. I still say they are weak, and need some attention.

No, I am not saying that you should shoot the head in real life. The first paragraph was talking about in-game. The second was referencing real life to explain why location matters, even in game.

There is no tracking, unfortunately. Animals only die if you deplete their HP, else, they will run away to live another day with all your arrows and spears. That can be a bit frustrating, as it has definitely happened to me before.

[Semper Fight 0311]

Originally posted by nilfiry:

Originally posted by Semper Fight 0311:

I think you shoot for the heart. Saying that in "real life" you should shoot for the head, a boned structure, with an arrow, or spear, I would have to disagree. If you want to shoot for the head with a rifle, by all means, but for various reasons i'd recommend the heart. We always called it shooting for the "pizza," the triangle area, but that's another subject.
My point is not that you CAN'T kill a deer in the game, it is that the bows and arrows, and spears are not realistic in their damage, AND that IF they are going to take multiple, which can and does occur, then there should be some sort of "tracking" blood trail, or other such tracking indicator in the game which provides the necessities for the "mini-game" (for lack of a better word) of following them around.
Perhaps that is in the game, and I missed it, or perhaps it is a future add-on to the game.
In any case, my point is supported by you saying "shoot them in the head," again, tends to detract from both reality, and game-play. I still say they are weak, and need some attention.

No, I am not saying that you should shoot the head in real life. The first paragraph was talking about in-game. The second was referencing real life to explain why location matters, even in game.

There is no tracking, unfortunately. Animals only die if you deplete their HP, else, they will run away to live another day with all your arrows and spears. That can be a bit frustrating, as it has definitely happened to me before.

I think we're on the same page, but not saying it the same. In real life, go for the heart. In the game,. need head shots. My point is that they (arrows/spears) are too weak, and if you want more realism, and immersion, and for it to make sense (which many, or most do), then you shouldn't have to shoot for the boned head in the game, but for the heart, which has worked for hunting for a very long time, thus keeping in line with the actual damage potential of in reality, hunting success of in reality, and in-game apparent weakness of arrows & spears. I again say they are not in line with their potential for damage, nor optimal target areas of the body, and they (arrows/spears) NEED increased damage, and possibly some sort of "tracking" mechanics for chasing the ones down that either need to bleed out and lose the adrenaline before they drop, OR those whom you did not hit the best "kill shot" (whether delayed, or instant) in the best area for such weapons (heart/lungs).
In any case, my original position stands...Arrows & Spears are Too Weak in the game. You are free to disagree.
Enjoy your day...
Edited to make some corrections...and ease of reading...