Note my previous topicsd on trying to play realistic here. I want a build that utilizes archery, but not a sneak build. Kind of a dragonslayer build. I was thinking of a Nord, with a greatsword, bows and arrows, and light armor. I know I can carry all this crap in my inventory, but I only carry a few weapons at a time, and like to think that what I'm carrying for weapons is realistic. I used to think it wouldnt be possible, but then I thought, Legolas in LOTR carried 2 swords, a bow, and an arrow. And didn't aragorn carry a sword on his back along with a bow and arrow?

Yes, I believe so. Although it would be bloody tedious switching between a greatsword and a bow, it seems to me.

Hmm. Well, I would go with one handed, but since I don't want to use magic, I would need a shield. DW wouldn't really work as I bet I would be dying a whole lot. What about Heavy Armor and Archery, personally I think that would look silly.

The laws of physics work differently on Nirn. Volume and weight etc, are not as static as on earth.

That's why you can carry a bunch of stuff in a little pouch.

Or store tons of stuff in an apothecary satchel.

Or how clothes and armor can instantly transform between male and female forms.

Ha, I realize all those things heh.

Suggestion: Use Bound Bow.

You could possibly work in a Buckler that is tied to the arm. Most of them are very small and possibly would not interfere with the use of a bow.

Realistically, can you sling fireballs or breathe ice attacks at people? Its a fantasy game. Who cares if its "realistic" or not. Everything about any of TES games is unrealistic. I really don't understand the current obsession with "realism" infesting the forums right now.

edit- trying to force realism on an inherently unrealistic world only breeds more paradoxes.

Do you feel that you've made your point now? If he/she wants to play with realism that's his/her choice. Stop trying to ruin others' fun.

Try "internally consistent" instead. Just because someone has an ability others do not doesn't instantly invalidate the world.

My archer carries a dagger for back up, not a sword. So in theory... yes. A dagger on the belt and a bow and quiver on the back.

Its all the other stuff you can carry that seems odd. While its not perfect, I use a mod that adds a backpack. That way it at least seems feasible that I can carry at least a bit of the stuff I actually do.

Real medieval swords are lighter than they look. Further into the middle ages, by the time great swords and bastard swords became common, they were using better steel that allowed for large but thin, relatively light weight swords.

Carrying a sword and bow wouldn't be a problem IRL. But to switch back and forth from one to the other would be more of an issue in real world combat compared to Skyrim.

I agree with resident also that historically it was more the practice for archers to use knives, daggers, and short blades as their melee weapons. But I think it had more to do with class and wealth than anything else. Good swords were very expensive.

Are you talking about what a physically fit person in Medieval Europe could be capable of carrying? Well, think Aragorn or Legolas from LOTR. They're pretty damned strong, so I imagined they could carry a few swords, a bow with a quiver of arrows and a couple of very important potions and scrolls. They probably would not collect things unless it was really valuable in the stores. Coins? I guess a few hundred in a pouch seems reasonable. No 20,000 gold or anything, no, that would probably be best at a secret vault at their home.

Though switching? Yeah, it would be a pain. They'd have to duck for cover every time they wanted to change out weaponry.

"Realistically" the best way to use a greatsword and a bow on the same character would be to drop one and equip the other. I don't think anyone other than an Altmer would be tall enough to wear a greatsword on their hip, and if you have a quiver of arrows on your back, there's no where to put the sword when you start using the bow.

edit - Aragorn's sword was on his hip, and Legolas carries two long hunting knives, not swords.

Greatswords are actually not that heavy to be honest, it is just their size that is a real issue, not their weight. realistically, yeah, someone could do thta, might be annoying and is probably not the most effienct thing, but as this is an RPG......

Your metric for realism are a warrior-king capable of wrestling with the Will of Sauron, and a Sindarin prince?

I don't see why you would be dying a lot with dual wielding. Two daggers, two swords or two war axes on the belt with a bow in hand doesn't seem that far-fecthed for someone in good shape. Classic Ranger look IMO with the light armor. No need for shield. Magic resistance would most probably be the main issue for your build but there are ways to mitigate that.

Military Equipment is often attatched by lanyards to prevent loss. Popular Media often ignores the ability to keep from losing a weapon because it does not look "right".

It'd be a cumbersome affair. Switching between the two would be very fiddly, one would think.

Actual people didn't sheath greatswords on their backs, largely.

I fully agree with you. No point in buying a fantasy game if all you want is realism.