Advice for an Archer Character

Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:41 am

Hi,
I'm coming back to Skyrim after a loooooong break. Too long IMO... :) I know a lot has changed. As I was leaving we were still playing the game with no add-ons or expansions. Now Skyrim has three! :) Good times! :)
Anyway, I am planning on starting a new character and this time it's going to ba an archer. Yes, archery is a must as I haven't tried that ever in the past! I am plannig on learning Enchaniting, Smithing and Alchemy up to 100 so that I can craft myself a nice bow. Archery itself is obviously also planned to go no lower than level 100. However, I cannot decide what will the close combat weapon be.. Logic tells me: "daggers".. What do you think? Does Light Armour go with that well or should I choose something else? Perhaps there are some cool Archer clothes or tools I could use? Any interesting mods? Basically, anything that could assist me in getting most out of the archer character (girl) - please post below! :D
Thanks!

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Rach B
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:35 am

Mods? Absolutely!

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9286/? does an amazing job of rebalancing the game and adds some great perks for the stealthy archer. Not only is the Marksman tree expanded, you can use your Alchemy skill to create explosive arrows.

The Sneak tree expands to include "Sneak Tools" perks. They allow you to craft arrows with ropes. Use them to scale walls and cliff faces. And make distraction arrows to help draw an enemy into the open.

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Irmacuba
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:25 am

If you do Enchanting, Alchemy, and Smithing you might as well not really call them an Archer.

That would be a Master Craftsman build and you don't have to invest too much into either armor or weapon perks, just a few initials to get the base bonuses. Obviously you can be an archer, but when you focus on all 3 crafting trees, imo that's not really any type of combat speciality build, that is a crafting build. You'll easily become OP with archery if you invest heavily into it as well. Might as well take some speech perks and make lots of gold off of anything extra you craft (which you will have a lot of since you're planning on going to 100 with all 3 crafting perk trees).

I can't help you with mods on here. PC mods only allowed and I don't play Skyrim on PC.

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Darren
 
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Post » Wed Jun 05, 2013 8:20 pm

I agree, use the sneak skill. Undetected, you're talking about one shot one hit kills with a bow.

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Scarlet Devil
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:27 am

have the wabajack as a backup weapon.
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cassy
 
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Post » Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:13 pm

Archery is your close combat weapon.

Especially with that many crafting skills there will be no need for a dagger.

I have a no sneak archer that has never used a melee weapon yet at level 35 with just smithing up to Orcish armor and alchemy.

I do lay down a fire rune in front of me before a fight just in case anything gets close,often times I don't really need it though.

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Tiffany Castillo
 
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Post » Wed Jun 05, 2013 10:42 pm

Enchanting Alchemy and Smithing all at the same time.... yay boring I guess. My archer, went with Enchanting. Still actually haven't enchanted anything, is the funny part. Using a Superior Glass Bow at level 32, and I can kill a dragon with 9 Dwarven Arrows: Archery skill is 64. Archery perks yes. You will cry if you choose the 2nd rank of the perk that slows time... so be warned!

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Myles
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 5:34 am

whats bad about the 2nd rank of that perk.
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cassy
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 4:29 am

Yeah I never felt the need to get that perk it seems a bit overkill to me.

Actually my current archer hasn't even got the first slow time perk yet at archery level of 97,I've got everything else though except the master perk.

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WYatt REed
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:38 am

For me the first perk slows time more than enough,no need to go any further with it.

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Avril Louise
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 2:27 am

That's how I view a real archer.

I have a Master Craftsman build and by not taking any combat perks and investing all into what you create, it balances itself out to be just about the same.

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des lynam
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 3:03 am

The second rank of the perk, slows time too much for my taste. It's a huge Stamina Drain. My archer is magic-based, so only a couple investments have been made to Stamina. Everything else gets pumped into Magicka, some Health. The first rank is just right.

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Alina loves Alexandra
 
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Post » Thu Jun 06, 2013 11:11 am

1. I do have to echo what previous posters have said: don't do all three crafts. "Artificer" builds can be nifty once in a while, but they become a snooze when you set them up. If you want to go that way and become OP, though, I'll add a flexible (and reasonably complete) build later.*

2. You won't really need melee, especially if you work in shouts (Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint, Ice Form, and (DB) Frost Breath.**) If you feel safer with a melee weapon, go light armour with sword-and-board. You can also go heavy armour, though it will affect your stealth without other tricks. The ideal shields would be either Spellbreaker, Targe of the Blooded, or especially (DG) Aetherial Shield. (DG) Auriel's Shield also works, but it's better for melee builds.

3. Conjuration doesn't hurt - the Bound Bow is quite strong without crafting, and summoned allies keep your options (and range) open.

*This is a reasonably complete, flexible build if you just want to be OP:

Spoiler

**In Dragonborn, there is a buff that allows Frost Breath to also put Ice Form on the target.

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Natasha Biss
 
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