Bow and arrows, so weak

[EzioBF]

Ok. Maybe later in the game there are some upgrades (I've done only 4 main missions), but even the weekest grunt is still alive after the headshot, sometimes even 2 are not enough to put him down.
Could you help me how to make bow useful?

[Kрис]

Charge it up properly and it's a one shot headshot on normal Uruks.

[Sauce]

Draw it to the max. I was one shotting orcs with headshots from the beginning.

[NemoTheEight]

? I'm perfectly sure that succesfull headshot kills any Uruk which isn't captain with one arrow.

[Aeon]

Just as people stated before properly charged shot kills any normal Uruk, and Captains whom are weak against ranged attacks, on a single headshot. So good against Defenders, my most annoying foes. However later you gain ability to shoot teleport arrow, Shadow Strike, which allows you simply zip around the battlefield with the bow.

Bows also have ability to attract your foes to location which you can point to so as on overall I would say Bow is more utility weapon than killing one.

[DarkSentinel275]

Another way to make the bow useful is when you unlock the ability to root enemies in their place when you shoot them on the lower leg. That's incredibly useful against fleeing captains who arent immune to range, and it helps in case you get chased.

[Lenko]

I got an epic rune that deals +50% bow damage, it's awesome.
But yeah, charge your attacks by holding MB1 before releasing.

[Elrofrost]

A good shot to the head will kill any normal Uruk. The captains - some of them can be seriosully weakened by ranged attacks.

I like the bow - easy to shoot - even long distance and easy to find ammo (draining the orcs)

[InstableMonster]

shadow strike makes the bow fun as hell

[EzioBF]

Hi, thank you all for response, but for some strange reason I can't get the bow charched. Is there a special moment I need to release arrow? I still need 3-4 headshots. Sometimes I keep it drawn for some 15 sec or maybe longer and after that I get hint from the game 'charge your shot...'

[DarkSentinel275]

Originally posted by EzioBF:

Hi, thank you all for response, but for some strange reason I can't get the bow charched. Is there a special moment I need to release arrow? I still need 3-4 headshots. Sometimes I keep it drawn for some 15 sec or maybe longer and after that I get hint from the game 'charge your shot...'

Keeping it drawing for 15 seconds is way too long; you'll lose your focus, meaning that you can't see enemies in slow-mo. You only need to hold it for about 2 seconds, until the circle turns blue on the inside, but with a red outline (at least, that's what it looked like to me. The tip of the arrow should also flash BRIEFLY.

At that point, the circle should also be quite small. If you need a bit of help with charging it up and don't feel like you have enough time, I recommend leveling up your focus once or twice. Also, try to consider getting runes on your bow that increase your focus under certain conditions.

Examples are: x% focus increased after getting a headshot (not exact words, just summarizing)
x% focus increase after shadow strike, etc etc...there are many types that can benefit you if you decide to go with an archer's play style.

As with the comments that everyone else has mentioned, yes you should continue through the story to the point where you unlock the Shadow Strike ability. It will be one of the most useful, if not THE most useful ability as an archer.

If you have help with enemies who run a lot, invest in the skill, Pin In Place.

Also to the OP, feel free to add me if you need anymore tips. Bows are incredibly fun in this game; I haven't had this much enjoyment using a bow in a video game for a VERY LONG TIME.

[nico2000]

So HOW do you charge the arrows, (on PC)...???
The little red circle turning blue simply doesn't appear with me?
The focus I get, that works. But no charging is happening...

[Stergil]

I had the same problem at first - I must have blown through a tooltip or something.

Holding the right mouse button is not charging the bow, it's enabling ranged mode.

Press and hold the fire button before releasing, THIS is what charges your bow shots.

Happy hunting!

[Bricky]

you gotta hold it longer than that, like at least 20-23 seconds, somewhere in that range, and then after do a back flip then spin left once and the charge will only take 17 seconds

Originally posted by EzioBF:

Hi, thank you all for response, but for some strange reason I can't get the bow charched. Is there a special moment I need to release arrow? I still need 3-4 headshots. Sometimes I keep it drawn for some 15 sec or maybe longer and after that I get hint from the game 'charge your shot...'

[Ginseng]

Originally posted by Sauce Boss:

Draw it to the max. I was one shotting orcs with headshots from the beginning.

yup

[obliviondoll]

What Stergil said. It took me a few minutes to figure out for myself, but it's not as intuitive as it could have been.

Hold RMB or whatever the aim button is on a gamepad.
ALSO hold LMB or the fire button.

Just holding the aim button doesn't charge the shot.