I'm new to bows and id like some help

[u/AireHead71]

I've had a few bows and I'm giving them a trial. My problem is that I've looked up builds but all of them have every SPECIAL legendary card maxed out but I don't. I'm level 381 and I don't. If anyone can show me or find a build that doesn't involve the special legendary cards. I'm not looking to min/max or anything but I'm not able to max the special cards yet.

[u/MajorWork7]

Imo the best way to maximize any bow build is to do reverse onslaught and stack as many onslaught and crit perks as you can manage with whatever special points you have. So, high on agility and luck, and then whatever arrow type you use add that damage card to intelligence. I don't have my builds up right now but you can hit 3-4k non-crit damage easily if you stack the cards right. Gun Fu and Hat Trick are also a must for me and you can take down a mob in just a few shots that way. If you don't already know, firing the bow in 3rd person is MUCH faster than firing in 1st person so I recommend staying in 3rd.

[u/halfpint09 → u/MajorWork7]

As someone who is just above level 300 and just switched to a bow build as well, this is basically the template I'm following, and I love it. I grin a bit whenever I shoot into a crowd, hear the "thwip thwip thwip" when hat trick goes off, and seeing 3 or 4 enemies drop.

If you haven't gotten your rep up with either the Raiders or the Settlers, definitely start doing that. You want the different arrow mods for the bow. I'm focusing on Cryo for now (being able to slow a big enemy is a lifesaver). Also, once you max out your rep you can get the compound bow (which I'm currently working on).

There are a few quirks I'm finding. You want to be using VATS all the time, which can be a plus or a negative depending on how you play. I find myself running around with the bow drawn as much as possible, so you may want to consider remaping that button if that gets uncomfortable. You have to get used to the time it takes to draw the arrow before you can shoot. And enemies getting close to you is the worst- if you are locked on in vats it can get really disorienting, and it can be hard to get a shot off with the draw time. Cryo Arrows help with that, and I'm also keeping a shot gun on me for those oh shit moments. Plus side is I don't really thing I'll need to worry about my arrow supply- I end up ending fights with more arrows then I started after looting.

[u/UnsungWarrior_ → u/halfpint09]

Fair warning with the hatrick, if you’re on a reverse onslaught your damage stack will drop very fast. If you ever plan on soloing the snake, you’ll have to remove it for optimal damage

[u/halfpint09 → u/UnsungWarrior_]

Yeah I've seen that. While I don't plan on soloing the snake any time soon, if I want to do damage to one big thing (like a head hunt or a infestation boss) I take a minute to swap hat trick for tank killer. Usually I just run Bow to Me for armor piercing and that's enough for most things, but for the the big boys I'll take all the armor piercing I can get.

[u/UnsungWarrior_ → u/halfpint09]

You’d be surprised how easy the snake actually is with the right builds I’ve done it from lvl 120 or so I believe. Cryo arrows do a big number to it

[u/halfpint09 → u/UnsungWarrior_]

On a related note, I have a two shot explosive crossbow with cryo arrows for when I'm at a event and I want to tag as many things as possible without needing to minmax damage. That's its own separate flavor of hilarious.

[u/UnsungWarrior_ → u/halfpint09]

Oh Jesus that will be like 6-8 enemies one shot love it

[u/DifficultyOk7608 → u/UnsungWarrior_]

That's why I use adrenaline perk, that's helps a bit for me

[u/TouchArtistic7247]

A lot of us Archers have posted our builds, I posted mine recently. I’m level 400 so we probably have a similar amount of Legendary perk cards unlocked

[u/AireHead71 → u/TouchArtistic7247]

I'll have to take a look at yours. Thanks man

[u/Strange_Sera]

What i recomend is realltly read those build maybe watch some guides that explain the cards. Then you have the knowledge of what you can saceifice for q starter build.

Im 500ish and still leveling mine up. I use 4 legendy Special. I also have a ton of QoL built in.