by Seignar Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:39 amBows are one of the best tools in the game. They have the longest range in the game, they require low stat investment and are quite versatile in their use. I'm sure most of you know what makes bows great, but for those that don't, allow me to enlighten you.
The Good
-Like Pyromancy, bows require little in actual stat investment; they can be used by nearly all builds.
-They have poison arrows that can be used in large quantities, effectively giving long range poisoning to melee builds and caster builds alike.
- Due to having aiming reticules, the bow can bypass lock-on limitations that hinder Magic, also they allow a player to be more "accurate"
- Like Pyromancy, a dedicated build is capable of great damage both in PVP and PVE
- The stats required for using and improving bows are related to the improvement of Magic and Melee alike.
- They are excellent for handling situations that Melee normally could not deal with.
The Bad
-Bows require 2 hands, hence they can be slow when trying to react to a situation when under pressure.
-The elemental upgrade paths do not boost bow damage, hence a bow is only as effective as how well your build is dedicated to using it, however Magic damage still applies.
- Bows are (obviously) quite horrid in Melee save against 0 poise enemies.
- Their is no way to have Lightning or Bleed damage on bows.
But, enough of small points. Let's get into detail:
1) A bow has an aiming reticule that is similar to a Binocular, but does not leave you motionless. Even if you can't use a bow due to stat requirements, you can use it as a binocularbut still be able to zoom out, move or dodge roll at a moment's notice.
1A) This has a use in PVP to be able to spectate fights while being a safe distance away.
1B) In PvE, you can use this to view far off areas, and see enemies more clearly.
2) You can have up to 2 slots of 999 arrows, giving you 1998 uses. Those are 1998 ranged shots that can be deadly under the correct build. You can ultimately use this as a great ranged alternative to Magic, due to the immense stock of arrows.
3)Shooting with an aiming reticule allows you to hit far off enemies, while being far off aggro range.
3A) This has an incredibly good application. An enemy will only attack you under 2 situations: you get in their aggro range or you hit them. This means an enemy will not engage you if you stay out of range and don't damage them. So, if you see a swarm of enemies, be happy to know you can shoot an arrow at one of them to lure them to your position, allowing you to engage 1 on 1.
3B) I some areas of the game, you can use this to kill enemies that are normally out of lock-on range and are in particularly hard areas to reach (*Ahem, Firebombers and Ledge Snipers*). This makes the journey to those areas less treacherous.
3C) This is a stealth application. Their is a sound system in the game where an enemy will react to noise and turn in that direction from which the noise came, hence how it's easier to sneak up on enemies with hush. Shooting an arrow at the ground or walls near an enemy will provoke them to turn to the sound; shooting at a wall or the ground behind them will cause them to turn their backs to you, lowering their aggro range.
4) They come in Poison. This lets you deal heavy poison damage to your enemies; gives you an advantage.
4A) They also come in fire for handling certain enemies, particularly in the depths and New Londo.
4B) Poison is a nice way to handle big enemies safely.
The Headshot
A neat trick and buff from DS that was given to the bow. A headhsot is simply to place an arrow on the enemies' head, dealing 50% critical damage as well as completely breaking the poise barrier, causing instant stagger. This is a good way to perform your first shot. Note that despite being a critical hit, it is not boosted by Hornet Ring.
Also note that a headshot can stagger enemies that normally could not be staggered.
Special Notes
-Queelag's human body is completely treated as a head. Her stagger is also long enough for you to prepare a second shot with a Short Bow. You can permanently stun lock Queelag with a Short Bow.
- Yo can "aim" Magic with this. When you turn off your aiming reticule, your camera is still stuck in the direction you were aiming. If you fire a Soul Arrow, it will travel on line with where the reticule is aiming. However, note that not all Magic is precisely on the reticule. The Lightning Spear miracles, for example, come from the left/right hand and so are slightly to the side of the aiming reticule. Despite this, it is an excellent way of "extending" the range of Magic. However, do to the time it takes to prepare, it is often impractical unless you're shooting a motionless target.
- A hedshot with a Dragonslayer bow cancels knocback damage. Which kind of goes against the purpose of it, but makes for an epic moment when you headshot someone with a spear.
*Most of the information here was gotten from an old Demon Soul's thread that explained some of the tricks of using the bow (Which include luring, lowering aggro-range and spell aiming). Another portion was from information on the wiki (Regarding the Hornet Ring) and some from personal experiences.
The Good
-Like Pyromancy, bows require little in actual stat investment; they can be used by nearly all builds.
-They have poison arrows that can be used in large quantities, effectively giving long range poisoning to melee builds and caster builds alike.
- Due to having aiming reticules, the bow can bypass lock-on limitations that hinder Magic, also they allow a player to be more "accurate"
- Like Pyromancy, a dedicated build is capable of great damage both in PVP and PVE
- The stats required for using and improving bows are related to the improvement of Magic and Melee alike.
- They are excellent for handling situations that Melee normally could not deal with.
The Bad
-Bows require 2 hands, hence they can be slow when trying to react to a situation when under pressure.
-The elemental upgrade paths do not boost bow damage, hence a bow is only as effective as how well your build is dedicated to using it, however Magic damage still applies.
- Bows are (obviously) quite horrid in Melee save against 0 poise enemies.
- Their is no way to have Lightning or Bleed damage on bows.
But, enough of small points. Let's get into detail:
1) A bow has an aiming reticule that is similar to a Binocular, but does not leave you motionless. Even if you can't use a bow due to stat requirements, you can use it as a binocularbut still be able to zoom out, move or dodge roll at a moment's notice.
1A) This has a use in PVP to be able to spectate fights while being a safe distance away.
1B) In PvE, you can use this to view far off areas, and see enemies more clearly.
2) You can have up to 2 slots of 999 arrows, giving you 1998 uses. Those are 1998 ranged shots that can be deadly under the correct build. You can ultimately use this as a great ranged alternative to Magic, due to the immense stock of arrows.
3)Shooting with an aiming reticule allows you to hit far off enemies, while being far off aggro range.
3A) This has an incredibly good application. An enemy will only attack you under 2 situations: you get in their aggro range or you hit them. This means an enemy will not engage you if you stay out of range and don't damage them. So, if you see a swarm of enemies, be happy to know you can shoot an arrow at one of them to lure them to your position, allowing you to engage 1 on 1.
3B) I some areas of the game, you can use this to kill enemies that are normally out of lock-on range and are in particularly hard areas to reach (*Ahem, Firebombers and Ledge Snipers*). This makes the journey to those areas less treacherous.
3C) This is a stealth application. Their is a sound system in the game where an enemy will react to noise and turn in that direction from which the noise came, hence how it's easier to sneak up on enemies with hush. Shooting an arrow at the ground or walls near an enemy will provoke them to turn to the sound; shooting at a wall or the ground behind them will cause them to turn their backs to you, lowering their aggro range.
4) They come in Poison. This lets you deal heavy poison damage to your enemies; gives you an advantage.
4A) They also come in fire for handling certain enemies, particularly in the depths and New Londo.
4B) Poison is a nice way to handle big enemies safely.
The Headshot
A neat trick and buff from DS that was given to the bow. A headhsot is simply to place an arrow on the enemies' head, dealing 50% critical damage as well as completely breaking the poise barrier, causing instant stagger. This is a good way to perform your first shot. Note that despite being a critical hit, it is not boosted by Hornet Ring.
Also note that a headshot can stagger enemies that normally could not be staggered.
Special Notes
-Queelag's human body is completely treated as a head. Her stagger is also long enough for you to prepare a second shot with a Short Bow. You can permanently stun lock Queelag with a Short Bow.
- Yo can "aim" Magic with this. When you turn off your aiming reticule, your camera is still stuck in the direction you were aiming. If you fire a Soul Arrow, it will travel on line with where the reticule is aiming. However, note that not all Magic is precisely on the reticule. The Lightning Spear miracles, for example, come from the left/right hand and so are slightly to the side of the aiming reticule. Despite this, it is an excellent way of "extending" the range of Magic. However, do to the time it takes to prepare, it is often impractical unless you're shooting a motionless target.
- A hedshot with a Dragonslayer bow cancels knocback damage. Which kind of goes against the purpose of it, but makes for an epic moment when you headshot someone with a spear.
*Most of the information here was gotten from an old Demon Soul's thread that explained some of the tricks of using the bow (Which include luring, lowering aggro-range and spell aiming). Another portion was from information on the wiki (Regarding the Hornet Ring) and some from personal experiences.
I've been wanting to make an archer as I played a berserked archer in Demon's Souls, but have yet to come up with anything decent in Dark Souls. 
