The Range of Bows

WinterBornGhost · July 2015

I think I found one of the most overlooked problems in the game. Currently, Bows have next to no range, which makes it completely useless to be an archer. The bows have a range of about 5 meters, which really makes it hard to be an archer. If you want to use a bow, you currently have to be within sword distance, and run in circles around enemies while shooting. Im not saying you should be able to snipe with bows from 100+ yards away, but you should be able to stand back from the fight and pick off targets, like archers are supposed too.

Akavir_Sentinel · July 2015

WinterBornGhost wrote: »

I think I found one of the most overlooked problems in the game. Currently, Bows have next to no range, which makes it completely useless to be an archer. The bows have a range of about 5 meters, which really makes it hard to be an archer. If you want to use a bow, you currently have to be within sword distance, and run in circles around enemies while shooting. Im not saying you should be able to snipe with bows from 100+ yards away, but you should be able to stand back from the fight and pick off targets, like archers are supposed too.

In-game distances do not equate to real-world distances. 5 meters in the game is not equal to 5 meters in the real world, that's why the ranges seem to be so short.

WinterBornGhost · July 2015

That might be it. I was just expecting bows to have at least some range after playing skyrim.

Aett_Thorn · July 2015

Ummm...you can shoot at enemies from a pretty decent range with a bow. Certainly a lot further than sword-swinging range. Most of the attacks have a 28 meter range on them.

Somakarma · July 2015

WinterBornGhost wrote: »

... If you want to use a bow, you currently have to be within sword distance, and run in circles around enemies while shooting...

This just isn't true. Though I agree increasing the range via higher lvl bows/skills would be nice, you're massively understating the current range.

Akavir_Sentinel · July 2015

Bow range is automatically increased while in Cyrodiil, as are the ranges of the bow skills. There are also sets and skills that increase bow range as well.

Daveheart · July 2015

Acid spray and magnum shot are a little short, but don't poison injection and volley have a 28 meter range with snipe even longer?

Bloodgharm · July 2015

I don't think the bow ranges are the problem. The real issue is not being able to properly kite since mobs are on a leash and will stop attacking once you reach their max distance.

Zsymon · July 2015

Snipe gets a 45m range in Cyrodil, pretty nice I'd say in how far the visual distance actually is.

Vizier · July 2015

With the right build you can reach out to 45 mtr plus with a bow. That's plenty compared to other skills. Bow range is fine.

Lynx7386 · July 2015

WinterBornGhost wrote: »

I think I found one of the most overlooked problems in the game. Currently, Bows have next to no range, which makes it completely useless to be an archer. The bows have a range of about 5 meters, which really makes it hard to be an archer. If you want to use a bow, you currently have to be within sword distance, and run in circles around enemies while shooting. Im not saying you should be able to snipe with bows from 100+ yards away, but you should be able to stand back from the fight and pick off targets, like archers are supposed too.

Bows have up to a 41 meter distance, with the appropriate abilities being used, and that can be extended with propelling shield to 45-50 meters. That makes bows the longest range weapons in the game.

I have no idea where you're getting the 5 meter limitation from, as that is the distance the game uses for dagger and 1h/shield melee attacks. Two handed weapons have a 7 meter range, staves and most bow abilities have a 28 meter range, with some bow abilities going up to 35 base with up to +6 range from focused aim.

Unless you're only using scatter shot / draining shot / magnum shot, which are designed specifically for enemies that get too close to you, all of your bow abilities should have a longer than 5 meter range.

ZakuBeta · July 2015

What abilities increase bow range? Currently a single charge attack gets a sword in range, in a second. That is my problem, an attack skill makes the bow range pointless. Maybe the distance traveled by the charge type attacks needs to be nerfed.

Lynx7386 · July 2015

ZakuBeta wrote: »

What abilities increase bow range? Currently a single charge attack gets a sword in range, in a second. That is my problem, an attack skill makes the bow range pointless. Maybe the distance traveled by the charge type attacks needs to be nerfed.

The entire point of charge attacks is to get into effective range.

Use magnum shot after an enemy charges to get that range back. When you see a guy charging in at you, roll dodge - Bow passives give you 30% more movement speed after you roll dodge, to help you gain distance again.

Use class abilities to root or slow down your target so you can more easily stay at range.

You can't just expect to indefinitely kite an enemy player in this game without using the abilities given to you.

ZakuBeta · July 2015

The point of charging is to...damage, disorient, set your opponent off balance, and/or stun your target. At least in real life. Closing the entire distance of a bows range in less time than it takes to draw the bow for a second shot is a bit much.

Magnum shot is useful, I'll agree, but it doesn't do that much in increasing the range. Rooting can be broken, and then the charge goes again.

I am not expecting to kite a player the entire game/battle, but I am expecting more than 2 ranged shots before the entire distance is covered, and I am on the defensive.

GreenSoup2HoT · July 2015

Snipe has insane range.

lolo_01b16_ESO · July 2015

ZakuBeta wrote: »

Closing the entire distance of a bows range in less time than it takes to draw the bow for a second shot is a bit much.

Charges have about half the range of your bow attacks. So if you attack someone from max range he needs to run about 20m towards you before he can use his charge. As you can run faster than him he will never be able to get you on his own as long as you don't mess it up.

ZakuBeta · July 2015

lolo_01b16_ESO wrote: »

ZakuBeta wrote: »

Closing the entire distance of a bows range in less time than it takes to draw the bow for a second shot is a bit much.

Charges have about half the range of your bow attacks. So if you attack someone from max range he needs to run about 20m towards you before he can use his charge. As you can run faster than him he will never be able to get you on his own as long as you don't mess it up.

That has not been my experience. 1 Shot with the bow in range is the same as that of the charge. I have even taken shots at the rear of an opponent and not hit because I was out of range, and had to move closer. Maybe my camera settings are a bit off, or I have glitched range, but it is not greater than the range of a charge.

kendellking_chaosb14_ESO · July 2015

I think the problem is you want to be all range as a Nightblade Archer since beta Bow has got the love it needed other weapons got more love but something is better then nothing. The five powers all full a Role

1- Poison Arrow's role is a single target DoT that adds much needed damage outside of burst,

2 - Volley's role is to lay an unblock able ground AoE to hit all enemies with a better range or higher damage morph

3 - Scatter Shot damage and range sucks but it's role is to knock back people that get to close (doesn't get the bow long distance damage buff passive)

4 - Arrow Spray is a semi melee range Cone AoE it says 20 meters but I thing it's less it feels smaller then that, really good for stopping/slowing enemies (like making take more Volley damage by not moving)

5 - And the Crown jewels Snipe only bow power that can get the full range buff and the hardest hitting you can easily get two Stealth Snipes and a Poison Arrow before they know you're there

Learning the bow takes time people will call you a bowtard for running the standard build while they run there standard class build but once you learn the right weapon skills to class skills balance bar combo you will enjoy the play style

Xvorg · July 2015

ZakuBeta wrote: »

The point of charging is to...damage, disorient, set your opponent off balance, and/or stun your target. At least in real life. Closing the entire distance of a bows range in less time than it takes to draw the bow for a second shot is a bit much.

Magnum shot is useful, I'll agree, but it doesn't do that much in increasing the range. Rooting can be broken, and then the charge goes again.

I am not expecting to kite a player the entire game/battle, but I am expecting more than 2 ranged shots before the entire distance is covered, and I am on the defensive.

Well, as a NB, you can always have some daggers hiden in your sleeve or some shadow waiting behind a tree or even a potion of mixed namira's rot, blue entoloma and columbine

Tamanous · July 2015

Sadly no extended physics or especially server side physics control which is the only real way to do proper archery.

Luckily, if a fan of Cyrodiil, there will be long range archery back again in another mmo. Likely not for 2 years though. My first mmo had long range archery and magic but with such a choice comes a wealth of issues. I can't wait to play that sort of mmo combat again.