Bow Only Build Tips

[The Mask]

So I have done pretty much everything there is to do in Dark Souls so far.

Strenght build fist-only? Check.

Pure dexterity? Check.

No-dachi / Dragonslayer spear master of melee? Check.

Mage? Check.

Priest? Double-check. (cuz I like miracles and I made 1 offensive/sunbro and 1 defensive/pricess' guard)

Spellsword (DEX/ INT)? Check.





Before I am accused of being masturbatory, I just want to stop any trolls that would like to derail this with "why don't you try this build" because it's very likely that I did. To near perfection. 99 humanity and perfect matching gear to suit purposes of build.
So let's not troll.



Please leave any tips & tricks you have for a bow only run! :D

What I am most interested in is PvE tips. (Capra Demon tips are most welcome, since my usual strategy is just magically reinforcing my shield, and tanking up to high ground).

[Groen90]

I made only one bow-only run so I'm probably forgetting something... first thing I did was run all the way to get the Composite bow, then proceeded to get 40 str/dex to get the most out of the scaling. Hawk ring, Leo ring and RTSR are a must (especially RTSR). Don't forget your Pharis' hat.
... I don't remember at all what I did with Capra, I probably ran up the stairs and tried getting rid of the dogs.

[The Mask]

So Leo ring works with bows? Interesting...

[Heck]

Dont use greatbows
Sounds like a good idea at first but the string animation is hella long and takes forever to set

[DuelShockX]

Tackle catacombs first for pharaoh bow and long bow. And don't forget Moss women sells fire and poison arrows, giant weapon smith in anorexia londo for dragon slaying arrows, lightning arrows and more. Maybe tin dark moon bow from Gwyndolin soul?

[DuelShockX]

And good luck pulling off Capra demon with bow only. I recommend you walk in just blocking and rolling at first.

[Groen90]

Originally posted by The Mask:

So Leo ring works with bows? Interesting...

it boosts any counter attack with thrust weapons, so that includes arrows as well

[The Mask]

Originally posted by DuelShockX:

Tackle catacombs first for pharaoh bow and long bow.

What?

Originally posted by DuelShockX:

Maybe Dark Moon Bow from Gwyndolin soul?

Fixed. And yes, I plan to use that one as soon as I can. :)

Originally posted by DuelShockX:

And good luck pulling off Capra demon with bow only. I recommend you walk in just blocking and rolling at first.

I might try getting RTSR before...

Originally posted by Oppai:

Dont use greatbows

Yeah, they're very troll. They seem very very high level material, where you have a huge amount of stamina, strength and dexterity where you can pull off shooting one and then rolling after.

[Groen90]

Originally posted by DuelShockX:

pharaoh bow

wait waht is dis

[The Mask]

Originally posted by Groen90:

it boosts any counter attack with thrust weapons, so that includes arrows as well

Well yeah, but I thought it would apply to melee only. You learn something new every day it seems. :)

[DuelShockX]

Sry I meant black bow of pharis. It somehow made me think of a pharaoh bow

[Groen90]

Pharis bow might be useful if you want to snipe things from very, VERY far, but I never really found much use for it during my run... Composite is faster, hits harder and the lower range doesn't matter much.

oh btw aim for the heads, lolololol

[The Mask]

Originally posted by Groen90:

oh btw aim for the heads, lolololol

I noticed the fabulous effect.

Question: does it work on non-humanoid bosses, such as... say... Sanctuary Guardian?

[AnKalameet]

Originally posted by The Mask:

Originally posted by Groen90:

oh btw aim for the heads, lolololol

I noticed the fabulous effect.

Question: does it work on non-humanoid bosses, such as... say... Sanctuary Guardian?

You'll do head-shot damage, but you won't get the flinch (though that can vary boss to boss).

[Groen90]

Originally posted by The Mask:

Originally posted by Groen90:

oh btw aim for the heads, lolololol

I noticed the fabulous effect.

Question: does it work on non-humanoid bosses, such as... say... Sanctuary Guardian?

I honestly don't remember, but I don't think so... at least I never saw him stagger from a headshot.
I know for sure it works on Manus, Quelaag (her whole human body is a weak spot), Capra, possibly Taurus, Gaping... about Gwyn and O&S I never managed to hit their heads but it would surprise me if it didn't work on them.

[WickedRequiem]

Obviously not very important, but is it possible to "cut off" (or shoot off) tails from bosses with a bow, if you target the tail only?