My character Lothran has used mostly melee weaponry in combat but has of late switched to the bow. I think it′s more suitable to an adventurer/hunter than carrying around a sword and perhaps a shield.
Of course he involves magic when fighting and the bow is more or less a main backup weapon, but it is what he uses these days

So, speak up please!

Bow every time, It fits in the my way I play the game. I very rarely rely on magic so when in the dungeons it's must have skill, that accompanied with sneak. I use a elven short sword for CQC situations and never a shield.

Which one I prefer depends entirely on the character I'm playing. Take these four, for instance:

Elberond (Race: Bosmer, Class: Recon Sniper). Elberond carries three different bows for use in different situations. He uses a heavily enchanted dagger as an absolute last resort.

Sir Veric (Race: Breton, Class: Knight Crusader). Sir Veric uses both blades and blunts in combat, but no ranged attacks of any kind.

Raxle Harmaveus (Race: Imperial, Class: Imperial Agent). Rax (as he prefers to be known) primarily uses ranged attacks, but prefers what he calls the 'Dance of Blades' (sword fighting).

Jena (Race: Imperial, Class: War Mage). Jena primarily uses ranged spells, conjuration and her mage's staff. She will use touch spells and her silver mace on those rare occasions when she is forced into melee.

You can't put a "depends on character" choice, huh? That's what it's all about for me...my newest character Kate prefers her bow if she can get away with it. But Dyan prefers her sword. Always depends on the character, mirocu.

Yeah I'm 100 hours into my archer character but I cant wait to make a new character and he's gonna be shield + sword all the way, using a bow is fun though specially sniping from really far away, so I'll still build up his agility and if I get bored of melee be able to switch it around a bit.

Edit: using a bow though takes more skill so it's a more satisfying kill I think.

The only weapon my character will touch is her bow. No melee, just a little magic back up. :dance:

I personally prefer a bow, between those two. But I prefer magic to both.

Aenar prefers his axe, Helena prefers Illusion spells.

Sorry bout that. As I have only one character myself, I sometimes forget people usually have many :blush:

I prefer magic to those two, but of the two listed its melee. Give me a mace or war axe any day.

I usually play characters that use a combination of skills. My characters always use three "attack" skills like Blade/Illusion/Marksman, or Blunt/Destruction/Marksman.
My vote was for "depends on the character".

It definitely depends on the character. Wild Elf uses only a poisoned bow. Martine doesn't own a bow. Fortja uses both; she uses a bow at range, and switches to a sword for melee.

My pure mages usually don't use a bow. Ranged spells are easily as effective as arrows. Those who use poisons generally carry a silver dagger to dispense it. It really depends on the character.

Bow + Alchemy = Dead enemy :thumbsup:

Bow for me.

None of my current characters use a bow (I have a pure mage and a stealthy character that uses daggers and magic), but some of my favorite characters (Legolas, a Wood Elf and Marcus Arelius, an Imperial) used bows.

Muchas gracias

Depends on Character, definitely. I enjoy using both, although neither of my characters use a bow at the moment.

With almost every character I've had I've preferred Melee, just because it's easier and quicker for someone like me who can't aim to save their life. But I tried Bow with one character, an Argonian, and absolutely loved it. There's something quite satisfying about watching an enemy fall when they haven't even seen you.