Bow Aiming

[Endemic Mimic]

Hey, so I'm sure this screams noob, but is there a good guide that describes the proper way to aim the bow. I have no frame of reference to line it up correctly and I keep getting one shot by the bandits because I miss horribly when trying to take them out with the bow. I have built a dummy and practiced. I can hit the dummy, and yet when trying to hit bandits I miss completely.

[Krynnost]

I use the "V" where you hand meets the bow as a reference for windage. For elevation it just takes practice to estimate the range and how high to hold.

[zaltocleotl[Banned@Paradox]]

Build the practice dummy and practice. Best way to figure it out. Shoot from different ranges.

[Endemic Mimic]

Originally posted by zaltocleotl:

Build the practice dummy and practice. Best way to figure it out. Shoot from different ranges.

I have absolutely done this. I can hit the dummy no problem from many different ranges, I just cant seem to hit bandits. It's quite frustrating.

[zaltocleotl[Banned@Paradox]]

Is it the movement throwing you off? Forget to lead? Moving targets are harder to hit, especially at range. The bows are a pain. But they are kind of fun too.
You can draw the bandits together by missing, then hit the group with an exploding arrow.

[calvcork]

I concur. No cross hairs or something for reference is quite annoying.

[zaltocleotl[Banned@Paradox]]

I like that the basic bows don't have crosshairs. The fancy bow has an aiming reticule.

[Endemic Mimic]

Originally posted by zaltocleotl:

Is it the movement throwing you off? Forget to lead? Moving targets are harder to hit, especially at range. The bows are a pain. But they are kind of fun too.
You can draw the bandits together by missing, then hit the group with an exploding arrow.

Well the guy I'm trying to hit is the guard at the tower in front of the radio station where you get the dog. he doesn't really move and yet I can't hit him at all. The second I miss, however, he instantly knows where it came from and 360 noscopes me from his stationary position.

[LudwigVH]

Originally posted by Elixir Attacker:

Originally posted by zaltocleotl:

Is it the movement throwing you off? Forget to lead? Moving targets are harder to hit, especially at range. The bows are a pain. But they are kind of fun too.
You can draw the bandits together by missing, then hit the group with an exploding arrow.

Well the guy I'm trying to hit is the guard at the tower in front of the radio station where you get the dog. he doesn't really move and yet I can't hit him at all. The second I miss, however, he instantly knows where it came from and 360 noscopes me from his stationary position.

That's the sniper on that tower. I forget the direction to approach from, but its the hill side which has pretty good tree coverage I find is best to get him. The bandits on the ground can't see you because of the hill and trees. If you happen to miss or hit the sniper but not 1 shot kill him, backing up into the trees, gives you cover from the sniper. The sniper's path of travel seems to be fixed to the stairs and walkways, so not likely to come down and find you.

As for the aim, it may be a case of bad aiming or just that you are too far away and the arrow is not reaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_OXR_7pMjw (this video shows aiming with a basic bow, note the use of tactical gloves, about half way through is where he talks about aiming)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jMNK58Ubjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roepmtKUSSA

Please note video credits go to each respective creator. Also I'm not sure if tips used in those videos would still apply to the current version of the game.

If you get the compound bow in game, which is name Longbow, there is an aiming reticle with 5 prongs inside. One of the prongs has a green tip. The green tip prong is your reference for being on target. Just have to adjust for distance to allow for arrow drop, so aiming higher to hit target. (more so for longer distances)

[Endemic Mimic]

Originally posted by LudwigVH:

Originally posted by Elixir Attacker:

Well the guy I'm trying to hit is the guard at the tower in front of the radio station where you get the dog. he doesn't really move and yet I can't hit him at all. The second I miss, however, he instantly knows where it came from and 360 noscopes me from his stationary position.

That's the sniper on that tower. I forget the direction to approach from, but its the hill side which has pretty good tree coverage I find is best to get him. The bandits on the ground can't see you because of the hill and trees. If you happen to miss or hit the sniper but not 1 shot kill him, backing up into the trees, gives you cover from the sniper. The sniper's path of travel seems to be fixed to the stairs and walkways, so not likely to come down and find you.

As for the aim, it may be a case of bad aiming or just that you are too far away and the arrow is not reaching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_OXR_7pMjw (this video shows aiming with a basic bow, note the use of tactical gloves, about half way through is where he talks about aiming)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jMNK58Ubjc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roepmtKUSSA

Please note video credits go to each respective creator. Also I'm not sure if tips used in those videos would still apply to the current version of the game.

If you get the compound bow in game, which is name Longbow, there is an aiming reticle with 5 prongs inside. One of the prongs has a green tip. The green tip prong is your reference for being on target. Just have to adjust for distance to allow for arrow drop, so aiming higher to hit target. (more so for longer distances)

Thank you. This is really helpful. That makes sense that the guy I am struggling with is an actual sniper. lol.

[Krynnost]

I think the spot LudwigVH uses is the same one I do. I'd like to say it's southeast of the sniper tower above a cliff with a tree right on the edge. You'll be almost level with the top of the tower and will only have a shot when the sniper moves close to the stairs. You can move towards sawmill for a better view but you'll be more exposed to the sniper.

[LudwigVH]

Originally posted by Krynnost:

I think the spot LudwigVH uses is the same one I do. I'd like to say it's southeast of the sniper tower above a cliff with a tree right on the edge. You'll be almost level with the top of the tower and will only have a shot when the sniper moves close to the stairs. You can move towards sawmill for a better view but you'll be more exposed to the sniper.

Yes somewhere around there. I use the hunting rifle and snipe him instead lol. That camp is always empty after eliminating the sniper, so not sure if there are other bandits to worry about or it's bugged and only the sniper appears.

[Lorehunter]

I have watched several different YouTubes who are apparently the illegitimate off-spring of Green Arrow and Hawkeye score head shots at 100+ m. on moving targets with the bows. When they use the Hunting Rifle they can't hit a barn. I have exactly the opposite situation. I can't hit the barn while standing inside and can easily head shot bandits, bears, deer and Zeds from far enough away that they just stand there if they don't immediately fall over. I have no idea why we are having such drastically different play experiences.

[Tradesman]

Originally posted by calvcork:

I concur. No cross hairs or something for reference is quite annoying.

I don't want the cross hair I like it as is. Later their a better bow with aiming reticle

[Krynnost]

Yeppers, and it has a pretty authentic recreation of a compound bow sight.

Also gives you the chance to learn the bow a second time 😆

[zaltocleotl[Banned@Paradox]]

You can also practice on Scott, Racheal and Jayleon.
Just sayin'...