Why do so many people use a bow?

SevenKingdoms

I see quite a few people using a bow, but this doesn't seem to be the optimal weapon for PvP, aside from maybe the "snipe" ability. I'm only a week in, though, and want to know what the right weapon & class is. Is there something I'm missing about the bow?

Or, is it for raids (or something other than PvP)?

Jura23

I am using it because I like sniping ppl from the wall and sometimes even in the open field.

Lava_Croft

Long(est) range, high damage, spammable, Stamina based.

Oh, and the awesome new Bombard spam meta.

Voxicity

Because bow master race

ostrapz

Nice to have range in pvp. Snipe is a high-hitting skill, it also is good for picking people off solo. Passive gives you extra speed boost after dodge roll which not all classes get

lolo_01b16_ESO

When you have a bow equipped, your movement speed is increased by 40% for a short time, every time when you do a dodgeroll. This makes bows usefull for templars and dks, even when they don't use a single bow skill.

SevenKingdoms

ostrapz wrote: »

Nice to have range in pvp. Snipe is a high-hitting skill, it also is good for picking people off solo. Passive gives you extra speed boost after dodge roll which not all classes get

So, in PvP (one-on-one), a bow would be a better choice than 2H, DW, and 1H&S, even in close quarters melee, when sneak isn't an option?

Francescolg

Imo, a bosmer NB with a bow is the ultimate PvP CC-build char in this game. Fortunately, most players don't see why and will never play this build, as they all want max. dmg output, or max. def spec's.
f you have no access to "end game items" (Molag Kena, etc.) you might want to test "unusual" builds. That means not every bow-user is a max dmg build!

Unfortunately, ESO has a wide gap in PvP between people who are able to hit hard and the ones, who will never get the items to do so. This is slowly ruining PvP and the devs do nothing against it (since fall 2014). So, all what is left in PvP are organized raids that follow their leaders like sledge dogs, or some randoms, or some small-team dudes. All really ingenious players I know, have quit PvP (the ones who really develop sth. new).

Morozov

because pewpew

ostrapz

No but a sorc for example can be difficult to fight without range. It really depends on your class and skills your running. A morph of snipe gves a healing reduction which can help. Most people dont try to do damage with both bars, one damage bar and another for your buffs heals and utility

Xvorg

SevenKingdoms wrote: »

I see quite a few people using a bow, but this doesn't seem to be the optimal weapon for PvP, aside from maybe the "snipe" ability. I'm only a week in, though, and want to know what the right weapon & class is. Is there something I'm missing about the bow?

Or, is it for raids (or something other than PvP)?

Bows are great. You can do more combos with a bow than with any other weapon in the game

For example, a dk: Molten armaments + Heavy attack + potato (stone giant) + light attack + poison injection...

Alucardo

Poison injection. Ranged DoT, then rush in and apply my DK DoTs. Also gives major expedition after dodge rolling so my DK has some mobility.
I don't always use bow however. Just whenever the mood takes me.

Tryxus

Cuz I wanna feel like Heavy

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

revonine

Because 5 Snipes like to hit you all at the same time when it's laggy. Oh and also it's handy for classes that lack natural mobility thanks to the last passive.

Forestd16b14_ESO

Well I use it for bombard. Tis a excellent CC skill for PvE mobs.

dday3six

Bow has several uses in PVP.

Poison Injection along with Snipe and either morph are the most commonly used. They provide the best ranged options for Stamina. Though sometimes you'll see Arrow Spray and Shatter Shot with either of their morphs used as well. Bow has a passive which increases a player's speed briefly post dodge roll too. Besides that there are a few synergies with gear like 5pc Shield Breaker (light and heavy attacks will have some damage bypass ability shields) and 2pc Molag Kena (more damage for 6s with 2 consecutive light or heavy attacks) that go well with bow.

leepalmer95

Because snipe is a stupid skill, can hit 13k+ with a range of 50- meters, complete safety in group fights with high dmg, if you lag when someone is sniping you get hit 3 times and die

starlizard70ub17_ESO

In PvP it can be used to deadly effect as so many have pointed out. In PvE it has a good ranged CC, and it's useful to soften a target up before they get in range for melee attacks.

SevenKingdoms

leepalmer95 wrote: »

Because snipe is a stupid skill, can hit 13k+ with a range of 50- meters, complete safety in group fights with high dmg, if you lag when someone is sniping you get hit 3 times and die

Yeah, I noticed that snipe skill. It hits upwards of 800 at level 1. That's pretty ridiculous. I don't quite know what the developers were thinking with that.

bowmanz607

SevenKingdoms wrote: »

I see quite a few people using a bow, but this doesn't seem to be the optimal weapon for PvP, aside from maybe the "snipe" ability. I'm only a week in, though, and want to know what the right weapon & class is. Is there something I'm missing about the bow?

Or, is it for raids (or something other than PvP)?

Two reasons it is solid. One it provides a very strong dot that operates as an execute and for players that lack mobility it gives mobility. I like having a range weapon also and bombard is the only projectile that goes through dk wings. Also, bombard permanent roots npc.

PrinceBoru

My first character was a wood elf archer.
Then I rolled a sorc.
Bows are fun.
So perhaps it's time to roll another one.

mr_wazzabi

SevenKingdoms wrote: »

ostrapz wrote: »

Nice to have range in pvp. Snipe is a high-hitting skill, it also is good for picking people off solo. Passive gives you extra speed boost after dodge roll which not all classes get

So, in PvP (one-on-one), a bow would be a better choice than 2H, DW, and 1H&S, even in close quarters melee, when sneak isn't an option?

You can use 2 weapons dude. Just saying...

Tryxus

mr_wazzabi wrote: »

SevenKingdoms wrote: »

ostrapz wrote: »

Nice to have range in pvp. Snipe is a high-hitting skill, it also is good for picking people off solo. Passive gives you extra speed boost after dodge roll which not all classes get

So, in PvP (one-on-one), a bow would be a better choice than 2H, DW, and 1H&S, even in close quarters melee, when sneak isn't an option?

You can use 2 weapons dude. Just saying...

Not with the lag we currently got

Jura23

Tryxus wrote: »

mr_wazzabi wrote: »

SevenKingdoms wrote: »

ostrapz wrote: »

Nice to have range in pvp. Snipe is a high-hitting skill, it also is good for picking people off solo. Passive gives you extra speed boost after dodge roll which not all classes get

So, in PvP (one-on-one), a bow would be a better choice than 2H, DW, and 1H&S, even in close quarters melee, when sneak isn't an option?

You can use 2 weapons dude. Just saying...

Not with the lag we currently got

True. Often it's just a lottery if my bar will swap or not. Same for ultimate going off.