Is a light armor build doable?

[Valykry]

By doable, I mean without having to be practically god-like in your ability to dodge hits. I like the ability to move around unseen, tagging foes with a bow, and mopping up the last couple with a sword. Can't really do that first part built like a tank, and I really rather like the look of a stealth build.

In a perfect world, where I have the element of surprise, this works plenty well, but we all know, especially if it's a scripted/story related fight, this can't always be done.

Will the added range and defense/offense value of a good longsword offset the loss of heavy armor/shield/short sword enough to make this not-a-pain?

[DargonBlak]

A medium armor build is doable, but what the game considers light armor will not survive many strikes.

A light armor build being used as you describe could work for the low- and mid-level bandits and skirmish stuff, but as soon as you come across a fully armored opponent with an Axe or Hammer, a medium or heavy armor build is best.

The bow eventually becomes OP.

[Valykry]

One last thing, partially related in a round about way. I've read that while the bow has a minimum strength level to use, the more you surpass this, the faster you draw the string, meaning that in theory it may be better to have a weaker bow if you value rapid fire.

Does this apply to swords as well? Let's say I have a strength of 8, and I'm looking at one longsword that requires str lvl 8, and another that only requires 4, but isn't THAT far behind in slash damage, which I can adjust my style to primarily use. Will the sword with lower requirements swing significantly faster making it worth keeping?

[DargonBlak]

i have no idea - but i have noticed that melee weapons that have lower requirements will sometimes report to do higher damage than melee weapons i barely qualify for (Knights Hunting Sword vs. Master Hunting Sword, for example) - i think that is how the game accommodates this aspect.

the epitome of over powered melee weapons would be unarmed fighting, and i've never noticed an increase in attack speed.

but you can swing a weapon and draw a bow outside of combat to test your theory

[Valykry]

Originally posted by DargonBlak:

the epitome of over powered melee weapons would be unarmed fighting

I've certainly noticed that one before. Even during my first playthrough (a year and some change ago? This is my second, haven't played in a while) I noticed while training with Bernard that if I sheathed my sword and boxed him into a corner I could work his head over and end the fight pretty early, as opposed to taking several minutes trying and failing to best him with real weapons. So far in this playthrough, weaponless it the only way I can beat him.

Oddly enough, this hasn't fared as well in a real fight. It's like Bernard specifically wasn't programmed to be able to handle a bit of fisting.