Tips on an Archery Build?

[Jakesss]

Hi, I started a fairly new save and decided to become an Archer. I chose a Wood Elf.

Anyone have a nice build I could use? Everything from perks, gear, enchantments, etc.

[darinbob]

You *can* use your bow even when the enemy is in your face with a hammer. That it, archery does not have to be used at range.

On it's own, archery does seem to have the lowest damage per second of the combat types. So it helps to use archery with something else. As in sneak of course, so that the first strike really helps. Or alchemy for poisons, enchanting to add extra damage, blocking since you can block with a bow, and so forth. When there's a crowd of enemies is when things get tough, so maybe some illusion can help, extra armor, etc.

[di eshor ribly]

How exactly does one block with a bow? Every time I hit the block button with a bow/crossbow equipped I end up bashing with it. Or is that what you meant by "blocking with bows works"?

[[ λ³ ] nob]

Get thief stone. Collect all alchemy ingredients that can be used to make potions. Help vaendal out in love triangle and use him for easy archery leveling. Join the bards college for a quest that boosts all thief-governed skills. Retrieve noster's helmet for a sneaking increase.

Use light armor, get good in sneaking, get the sneak upgrade that triples bow damage. Always use the best arrows you have, and make sure to hit up the solitude fletcher every now and then.

[Skyrimnut]

Publicado originalmente por Andy McKee:

Publicado originalmente por Skyrimnut:

Can I suggest a bit of a different sort of build? One that doesn't rely on sneak? My build is a heavy armor warrior with 82 in archery. There is a lot of fun in standing your ground using archery as a primary offense without sneak. With the Ranger perk, quick draw, and some of the really good bows and crossbows in the game, you'll have a very fast-paced gameplay style that's different. You can even use your bow to block and block perks on the right side of the tree work with bows.

That sounds nice. Might try it out - seems to fit my playstyle more, and I can always change it up seeing as I can get all the perks. :)

It is a cool way to play. Different as it is more of a challenge than the typical sneak/usepotions/illusion route that many take. Of course, I have played the otherway too, but in my opinion, it gets really dull after level 20 or so. The non-sneak way is far more of a challenge, but that archer I'm playing is on Requiem, so I don't suck at it too bad. Do I ever one-shot anything? Not really, not until Overdraw is perked, but that's not what I'm looking for in gameplay. But with Powershot, most things are staggered, so you do have crowd control.

Publicado originalmente por di eshor ribly:

How exactly does one block with a bow? Every time I hit the block button with a bow/crossbow equipped I end up bashing with it. Or is that what you meant by "blocking with bows works"?

You can block with a bow, bash, power bash, and disarm bash. Same way you block with a shield or a weapon. It just takes some practice.

Publicado originalmente por darinbob:

You *can* use your bow even when the enemy is in your face with a hammer. That it, archery does not have to be used at range.

On it's own, archery does seem to have the lowest damage per second of the combat types. So it helps to use archery with something else. As in sneak of course, so that the first strike really helps. Or alchemy for poisons, enchanting to add extra damage, blocking since you can block with a bow, and so forth. When there's a crowd of enemies is when things get tough, so maybe some illusion can help, extra armor, etc.

Of course, this is why archery is one of my favorite skills in the game, the damage is less. By endgame, other weapons deal a ridiculous amount of damage, especially if you've enchanted, alchemied, and smithed your way to max damage and I dunno about you, but by then, I'm bored. Especially if I combo it with sneak, alchemy, or illusion. Using it by itself, or supplemented by by block sort of ensures me that I'm more challenged at the end of the game. Though really, it's Skyrim, this is not a particularly difficult game.

It really depends, both playstyles mentioned in this post are certainly viable through end game. Whatever the OP decides. I just thought I'd present a second option.

What I like about it is that the combat feels less "click" and hit and you are forced to move; evade and reposition. I play on a controller, so it's a bit different moving the stick to aim than it is to shift a mouse on the pad to find your target. It is WAY easier to use the mouse, so for me, playing this way with controller adds some challenge. If you can aim quickly using a controller and clear bandits, you are pretty slick.

Again, up to the OP, and what fits best with their playstyle. Me, personally? With iNeed, Frostfall, and the Requiem overhaul installed, I'm a bit of a glutton for punishment. Not everybody plays that way.

By the way, for an epic early level bow, if you can show some necromancers who's boss. Head for Fort Amol at Eastmarch for the bound bow. Another neat combo with archery, conjuration. Summon your bow, summon a meat shield atronach or raise a body and fire away. Mystic binding from conjuration and archery perks makes the bound bow a good weapon for most of your skyrim adventures, especially if you're not into crafting, which I tend not to be. And who doesn't want a awesome-looking glowy bow?

[therussmeister]

If you're playing an archer, best thing you can do is fix the borked aiming dynamics they baked into the game: http://zemalf.blogspot.com/2011/11/skyrim-archery-tweak.html

[76561198133591931]

Just like you I'm playing a Wood Elf Archer. I'm also an Assassin but that's another story. To be an effective Archer, just as previously stated you must use sneak. A lot. Illusion also comes in handy. Being an Archer requires that you think before you launch that first arrow. Scout out the enemy positions. Where are they in relation to you? How many of them are there? Is there a good defensive position where I can get all, or at least most, of the enemies, yet where they have a hard time reaching me? I don't carry a back-up weapon. If I can't kill them with a bow then I die. But that's me. I would definitely recommend having a back up weapon for the up close and personal style of combat that you sometimes just can't avoid.

[chrisnc35]

Marksman tree, go for all perks. Sneak, most perks (increase sneak, reduced noise, 1-handed and daggers for increased damage output plus, secondary weapon for close encounters)
Pick an armor, light or heavy, doesn't matter. (or cloth for that matter) Get matching set and any additional armor bonuses from the perks.

For enchanting..I went with dual enchants per weapon and armor pieces...increased weapon damage, increased resistancers of your choice, increased health/stamina for chest piece. Enchant a ring/necklace as well with resistances.

I used the Lord stone for increased magic and physical resistances (25 points each). Your not going to have a a problem increasing your skills.

Can use the crossbows from Dawnguard dlc for more damage (avoids 50% armor) (improved crossbows that is.)

Followers??....Sneak types if you want one. Jenessa is pretty good with her sneak skills. Although you will probably be better off by yourself.

Using Illusion could help as well. If you can, use invisiblilty to hide and recover if things go bad.

Steel arrows or higher, iron arrows won't do that much damage.

Do Boethiah's quest for the armor reward..increased sneak and poison effect while wearing it, plus it's an Ebony Chest piece. Quest is available at/around level 20.

[Skyrimnut]

Milk drinkers, the lot of you! Give the non-sneak archer a try. ;)

Just teasing.

[Jakesss]

Publicado originalmente por Skyrimnut:

Milk drinkers, the lot of you! Give the non-sneak archer a try. ;)

Just teasing.

Yeah, I've been trying out the Warrior-Archer thing. Although, I do admit, for me personally, playing as the sneaky-archer makes the playing more tense and I'm more afraid. Don't know why, but I am!

[Skyrimnut]

Publicado originalmente por Andy McKee:

Publicado originalmente por Skyrimnut:

Milk drinkers, the lot of you! Give the non-sneak archer a try. ;)

Just teasing.

Yeah, I've been trying out the Warrior-Archer thing. Although, I do admit, for me personally, playing as the sneaky-archer makes the playing more tense and I'm more afraid. Don't know why, but I am!

I understand. I've played both. I just find that the stealth archers get a bit boring after a while, especially when you augment it with crafting, so I shifted my playstyle make things more interesting and voila! The non-stealth archer was born. Mounted combat is also used.

[76561198164064547]

Publicado originalmente por Andy McKee:

Hi, I started a fairly new save and decided to become an Archer. I chose a Wood Elf.

Anyone have a nice build I could use? Everything from perks, gear, enchantments, etc.

Download a mod from the Nexus called 'Bows Draw Faster'. It will add an enchanted pair of Gloves to the Solitude Fletcher which can be unenchanted and added to any piece of clothing, armour or jewelery. It's a must have for archers.
Other than that, Unrelenting Force or Ice Form work perfectly for getting the enemy out of your face if things turn close quarters.

[Brandybuck]

Publicado originalmente por ViciousWafflez:

Wood Elves are meant to be played as an archer, on my opinion of course.

Only if you slavishly follow the stereotype.

[Hamsterbytes , bits and nibbles]

Being an archer in my opinion means running away most of the time.

[Skyrimnut]

Publicado originalmente por Hamsterbytes , bits and nibbles:

Being an archer in my opinion means running away most of the time.

Seems my Atlmer Paladin didn't get that memo. LOL