Heavy conjuration mage-thief here (Conjuration + Bound Bow (archery perks) + sneak). [censored] LOVING it. Spawn 2 atronachs, pull a bow (with free illimited arrows) and go to town! Your atronachs die? Np, you have sneaking perks so just sit back in the shadow and use Silent Casting to spawn two more

I'm loving the sneak/archery combination so far. Alchemy is a major plus with this and I think archers should definitely look into this stat. Poison arrows significantly increase the damage count, and getting that awesome stealth shot on a tough enemy with poison damage can often be the difference between winning and dying.

Indeed. I have been looking around at alchemy. I just want to make sure I will have enough skill/perk points for my archery/1-hand/sneak trees first before alchemy.

Just killed two giants with 6lvl archer without potions, archery is overpowred vs evrything that cant run faster then player

I enjoy mine, dual daggers just in case but mainly sneak and archery.

Level 16 Stealth Archer here. Main skills are Archery (obviously), Stealth (obviously), Smithing, Alchemy, Light Armor, Enchanting, One Handed.

I use a Superior Elven Bow with +10 fire damage enchant. Love it. Bows + fire = awesomeness.

I also have my helm, gloves, ring, and amulet enchanted to add +% damage with bows. Sitting at around + 50% Archery damage from enchantments.

I can stealth one-shot any standard foe. Against harder enemies I use potions (+ archery damage, health poisons).

That is the same build I have been working on. I have light armour and my primary attack is archery (while sneaking of course), and then I switch to 1 hand/shield if I get into a battle where a bow is ineffective or impractical (i.e. I NEED the block). I have been dividing my skill points between archery and 1 handed, I haven't even looked at sneak yet but I guess I should, since it has some useful perks for archery by the sounds of it.

Alchemy...guess I gotta look into that too. But splitting my skill perks 4 ways seems like it would be spreading them too thin...

Completely head over heels in love with archery. I don't bother with any other weapons. Just got Ranger today so that should help tremendously in the few melee skirmishes I've gotten into with my bow.

I am playing only bow... It is great fun! And i'm only lvl 16!

Archery is great in Skyrim. It was totally lame in Oblivion.

My Archer is Archery/Sneak/Conjuration (I use Bound Bow and Sword) Light Armor.

I also push Lockpicking and enchanting.

It is very fun.

I play almost fully archer, with 1h to fall back on and I can't imagine playing any other way. BUT, I have also joined in with the numerous complaints about distance limitations (there may be a mod for PC, but I'm on console). It simply kills the element of being fully undetected when you have to be within certain perameters just to hit a target. Every new fort or camp I try to clear from afar frustrates me more every single time.

/end gripe.

Im suprisingly a fan of it. My first character was a Conjuration/Destruction/Restoration Mage mix, with proficiancy in Bows and One-Handed weapons. I can honestly say, it works well.

I love archery, only down side is you cannot craft arrow or dragonbone bows.

Your guaranteed slow is provided by potions.

I'm playing a ranger-type at the moment. Archery is kind of... lacking until you are able to fill out the archery tree. Quick draw and Ranger make the spec able to stand easily on its own without any other weapons.

Something gets close?Whirlwind Sprint / Bash target and backup / Run at it and hope for a stagger / Slowing poison and step just out of melee range. The only real danger is 3-4+ opponents in a winding corridor. But you've got shouts to help with that. (Ethereal is a godsend for emergency re-positioning.)

I am now playing a stealthy archer, and pleased to say i have found my comfort level. I knock down enemy health bars from the shadows, then if i feel like showing myself, walk upto them & finish with a sword.

I like being able to shoot oil pots & set enemies on fire or hit arrows against an opposing wall, to get eneimes to look in the wrong place.

At level 17 i am finding some more stronger enemies, and the stronger Bandits seems to be able to find me quite quickly, so i need more Stealth! :ninja:

Archery in this game is brilliant, with sneak and without it. I never used it in Oblivion or Morrowind but I've started using it with every character I make, be they a thief or warrior.