The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is renowned for its vast open world paired with intricate gameplay mechanics. One of the prominent features in Skyrim is the ability to summon weapons using magical spells. Among these, the bound bow is a popular choice for many players who prefer archery. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of summoning a bow, assess its maximum damage potential, and explore the associated perks that enhance its effectiveness.
Pros and Cons of Summoning a Bow
Summoning a bow through the Conjuration skill provides several advantages and disadvantages that players must weigh depending on their playstyle:
- Pros:
- Weightless: The bow, being a conjured weapon, does not occupy any carry weight, giving an advantage in managing inventory space.
- Instant Access: The need for a physical bow is eliminated, allowing for immediate weapon summoning in various situations.
- Potent Base Damage: The bound bow has a high base damage that is competitive with many of the game’s best bows when summoned using the ‘Bound Bow’ spell.
- Ghostly Arrows: Summoning a bow also generates arrows, so there’s no need to constantly hunt for or craft arrows.
- Cons:
- Requires Magicka: Casting the Bound Bow spell requires a significant amount of Magicka, especially at lower levels or magicka reserves.
- Inability to Temper: Unlike physical bows, the bound bow cannot be improved at a grindstone.
- Conjuration Dependency: The effectiveness of the bow is somewhat tied to the player’s Conjuration skill, requiring investment in another skill tree.
Maximum Damage Potential
The bound bow, while potent, has its limitations when aiming for the highest damage output in the game. Here’s a detailed assessment of its damage potential:
| Bow | Base Damage | Weight | Speed | DPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bound Bow (Regular) | 18 | 0 | 0.875 | 6.21 |
| Bound Bow (Mystic Binding) | 24 | 0 | 0.875 | 8.28 |
From the table, it is evident that the Mystic Bound Bow variant significantly increases base damage, making it a formidable weapon when fully upgraded in the Conjuration tree. However, the bound bow cannot be tempered, which prevents it from reaching the enhanced damage levels of physical bows bolstered by smithing perks and improvements.
Perks to Enhance the Bound Bow
Several perks in both the Archery and Conjuration skill trees can enhance the effectiveness of the bound bow. Key perks include:
- Archery Perks:
- Overdraw: Increases bow damage by up to 100% at max rank.
- Critical Shot: Grants a chance to score critical hits, increasing damage further.
- Eagle Eye: Enables zoom in while aiming, combined with Slow Time perks can significantly improve accuracy.
- Quick Shot: Increases bow draw speed by 30%, making the bound bow fire more rapidly.
- Bullseye: Adds a chance to paralyze targets, enhancing crowd control capabilities.
- Conjuration Perks:
- Mystic Binding: Raises the base damage of the bound bow.
- Summoner: Increases the distance you can summon your bow, handy when in stealth or strategic positions.
- Dual Casting: Doubles the duration of the Bound Bow spell, ensuring sustained combat readiness.
Combining the right perks from both trees can greatly bolster the bound bow’s effectiveness, making it a versatile and powerful option for archers who prioritize magical over mechanical means.
In conclusion, summoning a bow in Skyrim presents a magical alternative to traditional archery. While it offers great advantages such as weightlessness and a consistent arrow supply, it comes at the cost of magicka usage and inability to temper. Nevertheless, with appropriate perks in Archery and Conjuration, the bound bow can deliver substantial damage and utility, making it a viable choice for many playstyles.
