Bow builds viable now?

Grimreaper2000 · May 8

Im a returning player and a few years ago (double) bow builds were uncommom and not really viable.
Seems now they are viable. But what classes/races are recommended?
Bosmer Warden looks the way to go ... or are there some (better) alternatives?

Necrotech_Master · May 8

im assuming this is for a pve dps

i think most classes can work well with a bow setup, warden would be a fine choice if you wanted to go that route

in terms of races, bosmer only gets a bonus to leveling bow skill line faster than other classes, but offensively you might be able to get more dps with a dark elf or khajiit if your really looking to try to min-max, otherwise race doesnt matter a whole ton in terms of a build

if this were for a pvp build, sorc or NB would probably be recommended

yadibroz · May 8

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

im assuming this is for a pve dps

i think most classes can work well with a bow setup, warden would be a fine choice if you wanted to go that route

in terms of races, bosmer only gets a bonus to leveling bow skill line faster than other classes, but offensively you might be able to get more dps with a dark elf or khajiit if your really looking to try to min-max, otherwise race doesnt matter a whole ton in terms of a build

if this were for a pvp build, sorc or NB would probably be recommended

There is no point on nightblade when most of the abilities is strong already and bow is strong so bow should go to a class that is weak and need strength.

Necrotech_Master · May 8

yadibroz wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

im assuming this is for a pve dps

i think most classes can work well with a bow setup, warden would be a fine choice if you wanted to go that route

in terms of races, bosmer only gets a bonus to leveling bow skill line faster than other classes, but offensively you might be able to get more dps with a dark elf or khajiit if your really looking to try to min-max, otherwise race doesnt matter a whole ton in terms of a build

if this were for a pvp build, sorc or NB would probably be recommended

There is no point on nightblade when most of the abilities is strong already and bow is strong so bow should go to a class that is weak and need strength.

i suggested bow for pvp NB, they absolutely make the best bow ganks

sorc can do good with the asylum bow + acid spray with the extra mobility

for pve it would be fine on any class

i gave both suggestions because the OP never specified pve or pvp, though i have the feeling the intent is pve

yadibroz · May 8

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

yadibroz wrote: »

Necrotech_Master wrote: »

im assuming this is for a pve dps

i think most classes can work well with a bow setup, warden would be a fine choice if you wanted to go that route

in terms of races, bosmer only gets a bonus to leveling bow skill line faster than other classes, but offensively you might be able to get more dps with a dark elf or khajiit if your really looking to try to min-max, otherwise race doesnt matter a whole ton in terms of a build

if this were for a pvp build, sorc or NB would probably be recommended

There is no point on nightblade when most of the abilities is strong already and bow is strong so bow should go to a class that is weak and need strength.

i suggested bow for pvp NB, they absolutely make the best bow ganks

sorc can do good with the asylum bow + acid spray with the extra mobility

for pve it would be fine on any class

i gave both suggestions because the OP never specified pve or pvp, though i have the feeling the intent is pve

I try which was my main bow for nb and is too strong Even for pvp but then realized don't need the bow especially three of them abilities is so good to kill players fast and no need to use that shadow ability to do those kills, which I hate people use it to get kill fast when it show no skills.

AcadianPaladin · May 8

I have the Bosmer only edition of the game so that is all I play (joking). Seriously though I only play Bosmer because they are best in slot for cute.

I play PvE mages and archers (mostly solo). I have archers that are Warden, Sorc, NB and Templar. Your results may vary but I find the Warden archer the best by far, the Sorc archer 'okay' and the Templar & NB archers both inferior.

TLDR: I find my Bosmer Warden archer to be very effective in PvE.

SandandStars · May 12

yep bows are viable

yep nb skills beat bow skills

Rkindaleft · May 13

If you're talking thematically then Bosmer Warden would probably be the best option.

If you're talking PvE DPS most classes are viable with double bow setups. The DPS ceiling of both Sorcerer and Templar can parse really high with double bow setup (we're talking about 130k+) but they only really use Endless Hail, Poison Injection, Snipe and the rest is class skills or other skill line skills.

Pelanora · May 13

Had my bow from when people laughed at anyone running a bow. So annoying it's fashionable now.

Juju_beans · May 14

I've always had a bow on my NBs. For my quester NB it's my main weapon. I don't care about high dps numbers..just survivability.

Zodiarkslayer · May 15

For Solo purposes a Nightblade and then a Sorcerer Bow build are best.
The reason they out perform others is three fold.

The first is they have superb class spammables, that are better to weave than Warden's Birds or Snipe or anything else that is ranged.

The second is that both Sorc and NB heal passively better than Wardens. NBs from Swallow Soul and Sorcs from Crit surge and blood magic.

The third is that NB and Sorc make more of the Bow skill lines passives. NBs can get close to 70% crit Chance and still use the Shadow Mundus for maximum damage. Sorcs don't get as high but enjoy a lot of bonus weapon damage instead. Also both classes have a passive that can increase a Maximum Ressource, which also is great.

All other classes are bound to melee range and cannot compete with the passive power that goes into damage and healing

dmnqwk · May 16

Bow is not good on a Warden versus Ice Staff, due to how powerful chill is right now.

On the other hand, Bow is outstanding for Templar.