So are there penalities behind the scenes for using a bow in close quarters? The only disadvantage I notice so far is that when the monster hits you, it impedes you pulling back and also your aim. I guess what I'm saying is, is it stupid or smart to switch back and forth from bow to sword for whatever the combat situation is? Reason why I'm asking is because I want to use my bow as often as possible and not have my combat skill increases wasted on the sword when it could be increasing my bow skill.

I don't know the answer to your question. But one would think accuracy and damage of a bow would decrease in close quarters. My character is a very skilled marksman (50), but seems to fight better with a long sword (31) (well the longsword does have a higher damage rating).

I guess I havn't learned to play effectively with a bow yet. Im still level 1 with a few kills. It would be nice to see how much damage each blow does to an enemy.

I am going to fight him like this: Archers are fighters specializing in long-range combat and rapid movement. Opponents are kept at distance by ranged weapons and swift maneuver, and engaged in melee with sword and shield after the enemy is wounded and weary

Yeah you are right about the sword doing more damage. Plus it saves on spending arrows. I guess I'll just switch back and forth for now until I learn otherwise. [img]smile.gif[/img]

crossbows do heavy damage; even more than a sword, but theyre slow to reload i think so probably good to shoot once or twice at distance and then switch to sword when in melee.
im not sure how proximity works with them, but id assume its like a gun since thats what a cross bow is really.