Don't worry, I'm NOT about to make an arrow to the knee joke.

But what I'm gong to say is that archery has to be the most over-powered skill for enemy NPC's.

For example, 2 shots for my level 63 Breton battle-mage with 100 light armor on expert from a Dragur death lord is instantly fatal. I'm not complaining that this game is too hard, only that the difficulty is to misplaced, (Another example is mounted Reiklings that do more melee damage than dragons, wtf?)

Possibly the most frustrating implication of this is when you ambush your foes at point blank range and they proceed to draw their bows while you are slashing them and do extreme damage compared to their flimsy melee weapons.

Why does a tiny spear launched at an enemy armored head-to-toe do more damage to them than a battle-axe to the head?

I just don't think it should go like this, "He's just raising his war hammer to decimate my skull, I'll be fine, wait, oh sh--! He's getting out his bow!!"

I understand that this was probably Bethesda's attempt to make bows more viable at closer ranges rather than be next to useless inside enclosed area's like it is (was) in real life.

(Final note, why do arrows that hit your shield even damage you in the first place? Do the dev's need a history lesson about ancient Greek war-fare?)

Well if you really wanted to be picky, I think arrows should have a chance of going through a shield. I could certainly imagine a powerful shot gong through a wooden shield more so than a heavy solid iron banded shield.

I need to get all three words of slow time again and catch arrows out of the air.

- because the standard shields in Skyrim aren't hoplons (or scutums).

- because there's a perk, Deflect Arrows.

When you're low leveled, a Bandit Maruader with a bow is terrifying.

Am I the only one who finds it very easy to dodge arrows, especially with the Steed Stone or weightless armor perk? All you have to do is sidestep as you close the gap.

When you're low leveled, how do you encounter Marauders?

Historically, if an arrow hit a shield, you wouldn't do much damage. More likely, you'll make the shield useless or maybe injure them if the shield is pressed against their body. I just wish shields were made of wood like the vikings had...

Yeah, arrows are stupid. Especially at close range. Bow (especially longbows!) are very tough to fire. And those metal bows? Just forget it.

There are hide and wooden shields. Even iron and steel are mostly wooden.

Don't worry, you're not the only one. It works against one, two and maybe more archers, depending on your situational awareness.

However, when these archers happen to be Falmer Warmongers, well... things change and you need to use line of sight, to bring them where you want -and even then, it's still a risky business.

What is this side stepping you speak of? In all seriousness though, I agree. The only time it becomes tricky is when you are trying to navigate around several bows at once (nightmarish) or when you are in a corridor. Obviously, the latter situation pretty much negates the whole side stepping thing.

I don't bother side stepping. I just block the arrows with other arrows already lodged in my face.

My archer doesn't have a problem at all. Also note that the average arrow at full speed can rip through hard materials rather easily. Heck, even my field-point arrows can steam through an inch of plastic.

True. And if someone gets close, bash him with the bow and shoot.

I only wish I could draw that fast in reality! The novice archer in Skyrim can nock an arrow like a professional.

Give him an Elven bow, if you haven't done so yet. Zephyr is a good candidate too, but you can't enchant it.

Those freaking Draugr deathlord archers, first they Fos Ro Dah your ass and then shoot all the ebony arrows into you, you have no clue how frustrated it made me.

Yep, they can and will be extremely frustrating. A combination of Magic Resistance, Wards (if you're into Restoration) and why not, Force Without Effort should help against them.

I'll see your Draugr Deathlord Archer and raise you with a Forsworn Ravager Archer.

Trying to take Knifepoint Ridge charging uphill with little to no defilade, Forsworn melee fighters breaking up the rhythm..

Move....and popand....Move and popand...

Reload...and dieand...reload...anddie...