STR challenged dood interested in Bow STR build

[VirginiaCreeper]

Longbows have draw strength just like compound bows. Your STR determines the draw strength of the bow you can use, thus the damage.

You mean "draw weight". And like I said above, your strength doesn't determine your accuracy and ability to aim while in combat. Only if you can draw the bow. Also, it would affect max range. Most modern longbows top out at 45 to 60lbs draw weight. An average large-framed man can use one. Average strength is a 9. So unless you are getting custom bows made for your character or a real-life human-being made only for someone who can, say, draw a certain specialized bow with a strength of 18 or above (as an example), there should be no strength modifier. Many human beings in real life will have shoulder problems if they have a bow with a 90lb (very rare) draw weight and use it regularly, which you can find with compound bows.

EDIT: Also, someone with a strength of 20 could pull a custom STR bow for 18, but wouldn't get any other bonus to damage: The damage isn't created by your strength as swinging a sword is. The damage is created by the physics of the bow, its size, the size/weight of the arrow, and the type of arrowhead along with how well or poor your aim is. Your muscles only determine if you can draw it.

If you are using a six-foot long longbow like those the English used in medieval times, you could get draw weights between 80 and 185lbs, but that was not a bow made for adventuring and running or horseback riding through the woods and dungeons with. You were either perched atop a rampart or atop a hill behind the infantry amidst a war. There are very few people today that can draw a bow like that.

Remember that arrows for English Long/War Bows were massive as well. The damage a bow does is strongly associated with the type of arrowhead and the weight of the shaft. More weight = more kinetic energy = heavier impact = more damage. And of course a broadhead arrow will do more damage than a standard arrow, but may not pierce armor.

So let's say we want to allow STR to be a significant damage modifier in DDO instead of DEX, beyond average STR when you start getting bonuses to hit/damage:

• You would need customized bows whose draw weight was at the limit of your strength i.e. someone with one point of strength lower than yours couldn't draw it. Thus bows based in STR modifier would be much more expensive to buy and finding one at your STR would be difficult.
• Range and accuracy would be affected greatly because you are using larger shafts and heavier arrow heads that are harder to control: You would have to be standing still to use it without a penalty. Range may not be better than a standard longbow depending on the type of arrows you use.
• Loading and drawing a bow with +180lb draw weight would take a considerable time to draw and shoot. Maybe 2x as fast as a large crossbow.
• You would get exhausted quickly: Your CON would determine how many shots you could get off before you needed a break. I would suggest if you are maxing out STR/Bow draw weight then 5 to 8 draws would be max before you had to switch to another weapon.
• You could only use it in open worlds without a penalty modifier. It's a war-bow made for war, not for hunting and guerilla warfare in dungeons and forests. It's a very specialized tool.
• If you aren't an archery-based character, you can't use your STR modifier since your focus was never on the longbow. Thus creating fighter-type classes or specializations with a focus on the English Longbow or similar would be necessary.
• Low DEX would still be problematic and cause penalties to hit and damage when not standing still when firing the longbow.
• Biggest benefit: The STR customized bows would do 2-4x the damage a normal bow would do, depending on the level of STR needed to draw the bow. BUT your STR bonus to damage/hit would not be added as it is the bow itself that determines the damage. Your STR just determines whether or not you can draw the bow. This is why it makes more sense, generally, to use DEX as a modifier. With DEX you can get better and better at placing shots. Accuracy matters. The damage is based on your ability to hit the target accurately. With STR the damage is based only on the draw weight of the bow and larger arrows.

EDIT: One thing I'd like to see in DDO is an increase in the chance of a critical hit and doubleshot with higher DEX ability scores.

There's a reason why throughout history and pre-contact that bows were not the size, draw, or weight of English Longbows. They are impractical for most situations except war.

I like these quotes from wiki:

A record of how boys and men trained to use the bows with high draw weights survives from the reign of Henry VII.

"[My yeoman father] taught me how to draw, how to lay my body in my bow ... not to draw with strength of arms as divers other nations do ... I had my bows bought me according to my age and strength, as I increased in them, so my bows were made bigger and bigger. For men shall never shoot well unless they be brought up to it."

— Hugh Latimer.

What Latimer meant when he describes laying his body into the bow was described thus:

"
the Englishman did not keep his left hand steady, and draw his bow with his right; but keeping his right at rest upon the nerve, he pressed the whole weight of his body into the horns of his bow. Hence probably arose the phrase "bending the bow", and the French of "drawing" one.

— W. Gilpin.

 

[Guntango]

You mean "draw weight". And like I said above, your strength doesn't determine your accuracy and ability to aim while in combat. Only if you can draw the bow. Also, it would affect max range. Most longbows top out at 45 to 60lbs draw weight. An average large-framed man can use one. Average strength is a 9. So unless you are getting custom bows made for your character or a real-life human-being made only for someone who can, say, draw a certain specialized bow with a strength of 18 or above (as an example), there should be no strength modifier. Many human beings in real life will have shoulder problems if they have a bow with a 90lb (very rare) draw weight and use it regularly, which you can find with compound bows.

Absolutely right. Once you draw and aim, it is dexterity that lets you apply the tip of the arrow to the target. Str truly has very little to do with it.

 

[Oliphant]

I coaxed bing gpt to agree with you:

longbow draw weight also called draw strength?

Yes, "draw weight" and "draw strength" refer to the same concept, though "draw weight" is the more commonly used term.
Draw weight is the amount of force required to pull back the bowstring to a full draw. It is typically measured in pounds (lbs). For example, a longbow with a 50 lb draw weight means you need to exert 50 pounds of force to pull the string back to its full draw length.
While "draw strength" can be used informally, "draw weight" is the standard term in archery. Would you like to know more about how draw weight affects performance?

does strength affect aim?

Yes, strength absolutely affects aim in archery! Here’s how:

1. Holding Steady at Full Draw​

• When you draw a bow, your muscles—especially in your back, shoulders, and arms—are under tension.
• If your muscles aren’t strong enough to comfortably hold the bow at full draw, you’ll struggle to keep it steady, leading to shaky aim.

2. Fatigue Over Time​

• Archery requires endurance. If your muscles tire quickly, your accuracy will drop as you struggle to maintain proper form.
• A bow with too high a draw weight can cause fatigue faster, making it harder to aim consistently.

3. Smooth Release​

• Strength helps control the release of the arrow. If you’re straining too much, your release might be jerky, throwing off your shot.
• A strong, controlled release ensures the arrow flies straight.

4. Proper Form and Posture​

• Good archery form relies on core and upper body strength.
• Weak muscles can lead to poor posture, affecting alignment and aim.

Balancing Strength and Draw Weight​

• If your bow’s draw weight is too high for your strength level, your accuracy will suffer.
• Choosing a draw weight that matches your strength allows for better control and precision.

Would you like tips on exercises to improve archery strength?

ok, ok hear me out. considering you need to pick a bow with appropriate draw weight, does strength really affect aim?

Ah, I see what you're getting at! If you've already chosen a bow with a draw weight appropriate for your strength, then raw strength itself doesn’t directly affect aim in the moment—but muscular endurance and control absolutely do.
Here’s the refined breakdown:

• If the bow is too heavy for you: Strength matters a lot because you’ll struggle to hold steady, leading to poor aim.
• If the bow is well-matched to your strength: Then aim is more about technique, stability, and endurance rather than sheer strength.

So, in a perfect scenario where the bow fits your strength level:

• Aim is more about control, posture, and consistency rather than brute force.
• Endurance matters more than peak strength—you need to maintain steady form over multiple shots.
• Fine motor control (rather than raw power) is what keeps the bow steady and ensures a smooth release.

So, does strength affect aim? Only indirectly—it affects stability and endurance, which in turn impact aim. But once you have a bow that matches your strength, technique takes center stage over raw muscle power.
Did I capture what you were thinking?

 

[Oliphant]

if someone nitpick you when you use the term "draw strength" does that signal they top notch archer?

Not necessarily! If someone nitpicks the term "draw strength" instead of "draw weight," it usually signals one of these things:

1. They’re detail-oriented – They might be precise about terminology, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re an elite archer.
2. They know archery basics – "Draw weight" is the standard term, so correcting it suggests they have at least some knowledge.
3. They like to nitpick – Some people just enjoy correcting others, regardless of their actual skill level.

A top-notch archer would likely focus more on technique, consistency, and performance rather than minor wording differences. They might correct you politely, but they wouldn’t fixate on it.
So if someone gets hung up on terminology rather than actual archery skills, they might just be a stickler for details—not necessarily a master archer.

is that really fair though?

That’s a fair challenge! Let’s break it down.
If someone corrects "draw strength" to "draw weight," they might be knowledgeable, but does nitpicking terminology alone prove they’re a top-tier archer? Not really.

Why It’s Not a Perfect Indicator:​

1. Knowing terms ≠ mastering technique – Someone could memorize all the correct vocabulary but still struggle with actual shooting.
2. Elite archers focus on performance – A truly skilled archer would prioritize form, consistency, and accuracy over minor wording differences.
3. Context matters – If they correct you politely in a teaching moment, that’s helpful. If they obsess over terminology instead of discussing technique, it might just be nitpicking.

But… Is It Fair to Judge Them for Nitpicking?​

 

[Hakoist]

I have just done a 14SF/5DL/1mnk life and I got plenty of investment in the gear set: Dread 3piece, Mind and Matter Ring 2piece, Frozen Fish 2 piece, Rocard Bracer, Absorption boot, Agarta's Belt, Bersarker Google, Cripping Strike Necklace, Con MD Trinket, Hammerfist for Cannith Combat and ins DS.

Next life options for +1 crit range is Raner DWS, Cleric Holy Sword, or repeat it in Pal/SF.
So I am trying to work on a ranger centered DL TWF and have bow option.
5 feats here are selected for Longbow: Point blank shot, shot on the run, Zen, combat archery and IC ranged.
But that open up the option for me to manyshot, manyshot, manyshot, switch to TWF.

Crit profile for that few manyshot is amazing
Base 20/x3
Point Blank Shot 19-20/x3
Enhancement DL T5, DWS C4 18-20/x5
IC/Keen 17-20/x5 (Could switch out IC ranged for disciple +5prr+5mrr if i just use Aerania)
Combat archery 17-20/x6
Fire Stance 17-18/x6 19-20/x7
Overwhelming Crit 17-18/x6 19-20/x8
Epic 17-18/x6 19-20/x9
Elasticity 17-18/x6 19-20/x10 (Assuming Aerania / Aeon, otherwise undying without this line is fine)
(Manyshot 16-18/x7, 19-20/x11)
(Sniper shot 15-18/x8, 19-20/x12)
(Shadowstrike 14-18/x8, 19-20/x12)

At core it is still the centered DL TWF build that uses Longsword DPS, but I am not sure what the 5 alternative feats can potentially add value to the melee build. All enhancement and epic destiny, most gear are giving benefit to both range and melee, so why not strength pew when they just boost the ability to damage modifier.

3 favored enemy from enhancement, 6 in total.

Mainly looking for the +5MP+5RP tree with doublestrike and doubleshot at the same time.

I am not sure if I am going to hit stuff because my dex is not high enough.
Worst case I will just be melee.

Comment welcomed

 

[ChickenMobile]

At core it is still the centered DL TWF build that uses Longsword DPS, but I am not sure what the 5 alternative feats can potentially add value to the melee build. All enhancement and epic destiny, most gear are giving benefit to both range and melee, so why not strength pew when they just boost the ability to damage modifier.

Am I right that you wanted to make a hybrid 2WF and bow strength ranged/melee build?

With the amount of feats Rangers get for free this would be possible but definitely not optimal for raid or higher reaper content - especially as you will be splitting the need to get both Melee and Ranged power. If melee was primary and ranged secondary what you got here would do fine. (but you pick up Zen Archery so late... why not just take that in Flowers and save the feat?)
DEX-based would probably still be the optimal choice with many Elf/Tabaxi/other racial past lives, but a Strength build with the new +50% extra Ability Score mod from Precise Shot and DL Str trance definitely could make things interesting - your trance will somewhat help with accuracy here for bows (unlike Horizon Walker's).

Focus Ranged?
You could use daggers or kukris and take Weapon Versatility and Deadly Blades for centering in VKF instead of Longswords and stack Ranged Power (as you already have points there)... but Archer's Focus stacks disappear (I think) when melee weapons are equipped - plus I don't even know if it works well at all .
Top of Dragonlord somewhat benefits both ranged and melee, but to do good damage with bows generally requires T5 in Horizon Walker or Deepwood Stalker and specilized ranged gear. You will be missing out on "always in point blank shot" range if you don't go to T5 Shiradi or Core6 DWS - which is a BIG damage loss.

Gear: Guessing Dread 3-set is Stalker's? Honestly this is really good - but definitely favors DEX builds.

------

As a perpetrator of weird builds, I have previously theory-crafted a strength bow build - Half-Orc - 15 DH/4 Blc/1 Barb - which takes takes advantage of Heavy Draw & Power Attack bonuses, Rage, Evasion from Blightcaster bee form, Ram's Might, Sneak Die from DH, while not sacrificing any Primal Lores using the rare ring from MD.
Originally this split was done on the assumption Animal Growth/Magic Fang from Ranger worked in Lesser Hive form (it doesn't, only the greater form does as it is "Vermin") though it does use the inferior DEX trance from Horizon.
Gear: 3 piece Vecna - Devil's Dance. Severed Tentacle, Ring of Unnatural Accuracy, Signet of Thelanis, Rest MD (Dracolich Eye, Death Deferral, Waist Wild Wisdom etc.) and Vipers (Trifalny) item fills.

^ EDs - definitely had no idea what I was thinking lol.

 

[Hakoist]

Am I right that you wanted to make a hybrid 2WF and bow strength ranged/melee build?

With the amount of feats Rangers get for free this would be possible but definitely not optimal for raid or higher reaper content - especially as you will be splitting the need to get both Melee and Ranged power. If melee was primary and ranged secondary what you got here would do fine. (but you pick up Zen Archery so late... why not just take that in Flowers and save the feat?)
DEX-based would probably still be the optimal choice with many Elf/Tabaxi/other racial past lives, but a Strength build with the new +50% extra Ability Score mod from Precise Shot and DL Str trance definitely could make things interesting - your trance will somewhat help with accuracy here for bows (unlike Horizon Walker's).

Focus Ranged?
You could use daggers or kukris and take Weapon Versatility and Deadly Blades for centering in VKF instead of Longswords and stack Ranged Power (as you already have points there)... but Archer's Focus stacks disappear (I think) when melee weapons are equipped - plus I don't even know if it works well at all .
Top of Dragonlord somewhat benefits both ranged and melee, but to do good damage with bows generally requires T5 in Horizon Walker or Deepwood Stalker and specilized ranged gear. You will be missing out on "always in point blank shot" range if you don't go to T5 Shiradi or Core6 DWS - which is a BIG damage loss.

Gear: Guessing Dread 3-set is Stalker's? Honestly this is really good - but definitely favors DEX builds.

Gear Strength Melee
Dread 3p Robe and Helm are crafted. I would probably reconsider Vecna 3p if I am switching away from dual fish +3 artifact stat. Undying longsword + Dino longsword/Aeon will be the weapon choice.
Yes I am not fitting the ranged gear like ins qua Doubleshot, markmanship, etc

Zen is not needed without monk level, and I need longsword centered in the GMoF tree.

I did a life on dex-based horizon walker 13rog/6dh/1ftr full time longbow. I am not convinced by the damage when manyshot charges are out, especially I am playing a repeater as alt.

I agree that the build is not optimal longbow ranged DPS, and it is built to be "Melee DPS with tactics slightly behind SF/DL/Mnk (losing smite) but now I can manyshot"

As a perpetrator of weird builds, I have previously theory-crafted a strength bow build - Half-Orc - 15 DH/4 Blc/1 Barb - which takes takes advantage of Heavy Draw & Power Attack bonuses, Rage, Evasion from Blightcaster bee form, Ram's Might, Sneak Die from DH, while not sacrificing any Primal Lores using the rare ring from MD.
Originally this split was done on the assumption Animal Growth/Magic Fang from Ranger worked in Lesser Hive form (it doesn't, only the greater form does as it is "Vermin") though it does use the inferior DEX trance from Horizon.
Gear: 3 piece Vecna - Devil's Dance. Severed Tentacle, Ring of Unnatural Accuracy, Signet of Thelanis, Rest MD (Dracolich Eye, Death Deferral, Waist Wild Wisdom etc.) and Vipers (Trifalny) item fills.

^ EDs - definitely had no idea what I was thinking lol.

Level split need rework if lv4 Hive doesnt work. magic fang afaik is broken?
I am not sure horc tree and bbn is bringing benefit over a pure ranger DH.
GMoF is strange choice too, shiradi all the way for a FT longbow.

 

[ChickenMobile]

Zen is not needed without monk level, and I need longsword centered in the GMoF tree.

True! I was thinking would be wearing cloth armor centered the whole way but you could even wear heavy if you wanted to.
You using Longswords only at end-game then?

I would probably reconsider Vecna 3p

Probably a better choice tbh. The helm gives all 4 needed physical stats and could switch out the Melee cloak for the Ranged one while keeping set bonus easily.

Level split need rework if lv4 Hive doesnt work. magic fang afaik is broken?

Only Shifter Racial Magic Fang is broken at level 34. It is impossible to break with the Ranger or Druid spell version.
However Magic Fang and Animal Growth would work with a Shifter/Razorclaw - and could just drop the druid levels.

GMoF is strange choice too, shiradi all the way for a FT longbow.

I think it was to get the extra +[W], helpless dmg and Movement speed. Probably a leftover from when was playing around with a centered Wis/Falconry version - shiradi mantle is the way to do it.

BTW I did test the falconry version of the build 5 barb/11 DH/4 blc (t5 Occult Slayer just to be weird) on Lamannia and was sometimes getting 30-60k crits with only Aeon equipped & main stat WIS - 44.
With good gear on, was sometimes getting ~300k crits (Hunts End, non-boss, helpless).
Boss Kobold (500k hp) took around 20 seconds to kill, so that is ~25k dps.
Baby kobold usually died within 5-8 seconds when helpless - ~60-100k DPS.
Screenie from test:

I'm not saying this is great... great DPS can kill the Boss Kobold in under 4 seconds and Baby Kobold in 1 - but it has potential. I think a STR bow-focused Dragon Lord/Monk/Ranger in Fire Stance would do better.

 

[Hakoist]

True! I was thinking would be wearing cloth armor centered the whole way but you could even wear heavy if you wanted to.
You using Longswords only at end-game then?

For the 14SF/5DL/1mnk, its handwrap 1-19 and longsword 20-34.
For the 12DH/6DH/1mnk, its Nicked 2-3, Carnifex 4-7, Nightforge Avenger Blade 8-?? (maybe SOS 10-19), Oathblade 20-29. Longbow meanfully kick in at Lv10 (DH6DL4 with manyshot)
Dont have to be centered at heroic.

Probably a better choice tbh. The helm gives all 4 needed physical stats and could switch out the Melee cloak for the Ranged one while keeping set bonus easily.

Helm kind of duplicated with the mind and matter ring. Not sure, dino armor provide 20% range speed, 3 prof DS and 2 sneak dice.
Losing +3 artifact stat for sure.

Only Shifter Racial Magic Fang is broken at level 34. It is impossible to break with the Ranger or Druid spell version.
However Magic Fang and Animal Growth would work with a Shifter/Razorclaw - and could just drop the druid levels.

I think it was to get the extra +[W], helpless dmg and Movement speed. Probably a leftover from when was playing around with a centered Wis/Falconry version - shiradi mantle is the way to do it.

BTW I did test the falconry version of the build 5 barb/11 DH/4 blc (t5 Occult Slayer just to be weird) on Lamannia and was sometimes getting 30-60k crits with only Aeon equipped & main stat WIS - 44.
With good gear on, was sometimes getting ~300k crits (Hunts End, non-boss, helpless).
Boss Kobold (500k hp) took around 20 seconds to kill, so that is ~25k dps.
Baby kobold usually died within 5-8 seconds when helpless - ~60-100k DPS.
Screenie from test:

I'm not saying this is great... great DPS can kill the Boss Kobold in under 4 seconds and Baby Kobold in 1 - but it has potential. I think a STR bow-focused Dragon Lord/Monk/Ranger in Fire Stance would do better.

Just gonna say I hope you enjoy character building
Nothing wrong to have fun in Lam for testing.

 

[VirginiaCreeper]

I coaxed bing gpt to agree with you:

longbow draw weight also called draw strength?

Yes, "draw weight" and "draw strength" refer to the same concept, though "draw weight" is the more commonly used term.
Draw weight is the amount of force required to pull back the bowstring to a full draw. It is typically measured in pounds (lbs). For example, a longbow with a 50 lb draw weight means you need to exert 50 pounds of force to pull the string back to its full draw length.
While "draw strength" can be used informally, "draw weight" is the standard term in archery. Would you like to know more about how draw weight affects performance?

does strength affect aim?

Yes, strength absolutely affects aim in archery! Here’s how:

1. Holding Steady at Full Draw​

• When you draw a bow, your muscles—especially in your back, shoulders, and arms—are under tension.
• If your muscles aren’t strong enough to comfortably hold the bow at full draw, you’ll struggle to keep it steady, leading to shaky aim.

2. Fatigue Over Time​

• Archery requires endurance. If your muscles tire quickly, your accuracy will drop as you struggle to maintain proper form.
• A bow with too high a draw weight can cause fatigue faster, making it harder to aim consistently.

3. Smooth Release​

• Strength helps control the release of the arrow. If you’re straining too much, your release might be jerky, throwing off your shot.
• A strong, controlled release ensures the arrow flies straight.

4. Proper Form and Posture​

• Good archery form relies on core and upper body strength.
• Weak muscles can lead to poor posture, affecting alignment and aim.

Balancing Strength and Draw Weight​

• If your bow’s draw weight is too high for your strength level, your accuracy will suffer.
• Choosing a draw weight that matches your strength allows for better control and precision.

Would you like tips on exercises to improve archery strength?

ok, ok hear me out. considering you need to pick a bow with appropriate draw weight, does strength really affect aim?

Ah, I see what you're getting at! If you've already chosen a bow with a draw weight appropriate for your strength, then raw strength itself doesn’t directly affect aim in the moment—but muscular endurance and control absolutely do.
Here’s the refined breakdown:

• If the bow is too heavy for you: Strength matters a lot because you’ll struggle to hold steady, leading to poor aim.
• If the bow is well-matched to your strength: Then aim is more about technique, stability, and endurance rather than sheer strength.

So, in a perfect scenario where the bow fits your strength level:

• Aim is more about control, posture, and consistency rather than brute force.
• Endurance matters more than peak strength—you need to maintain steady form over multiple shots.
• Fine motor control (rather than raw power) is what keeps the bow steady and ensures a smooth release.

So, does strength affect aim? Only indirectly—it affects stability and endurance, which in turn impact aim. But once you have a bow that matches your strength, technique takes center stage over raw muscle power.
Did I capture what you were thinking?

Yes, I think you did capture it pretty well.

Per the Bing GPT response and remembering we are trying to turn our attributes into a realistic representation of how we use a bow:

1. This is mostly true, except with compound bows there is an anchor point at full draw that has about 80% let off of the STR required to hold the bow at the anchor point. But to the BGPT response, what it doesn't state is that most archers don't want to hold the bow drawn for an extended period of time: The longer you hold it, the more your muscles will shake and the worse your shot will be - but more STR could allow you to hold longer if necessary. Yet a quick pull and release for an accurate shot definitely requires a finer tune of muscles and muscle memory (fine motor control) - aka DEX.

2. In D&D if you want to run a long distance or do something exhausting that's your CON - constitution - roll. So if you have the STR to draw a bow, your CON (endurance) would determine how long you could hold it in place. Or how many times you could fire a weapon like a longbow without being fatigued and getting penalties. I think I covered that in one of my last posts.

3. I think what BGPT misses is relating archery to DDO or D&D attributes. Firing a bow requires pretty much every attribute except CHA in real-life, but a smooth and accurate release would again require those finer tuned muscles and muscle memory - aka DEX. in DDO and D&D. Same if you were riding a horse and firing or running through the woods firing.

As a point of reference, Dexterity is defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as:
The ability to perform a difficult action quickly and skillfully with the hands. The ability to think quickly and effectively or do something difficult extremely well.

Thus DEX represents a combination of physical and mental skills to do something difficult skillfully or extremely well. Which is what firing a bow is and why DEX in D&D has always traditionally represented the attributes needed to have a high-level of skill in archery. You can have all the STR in the world and then take a half hour to actually take the bow from the quiver, notch it, draw it, aim it, and then fire it accurately in one smooth motion. Much like an acrobat, you need to have STR, sure, but without DEX you are just a pile of muscles that are untrained. I've met a lot of guys twice my size that are gym rats that can't put the head of a bat on a baseball and are awkward as heck doing anything that requires balance or eye-hand coordination. But hey they look good striking out every time.

4. Sure, you need STR for proper form and posture, but with the right training, that's built into every shot and goes back to muscle memory. If you were an archer training in archery your whole life, being stronger won't necessarily give you better posture, you just have to reach a level of strength for the style of bow you use and then you are good.

Interesting post and thanks for the response.

 

[VirginiaCreeper]

if someone nitpick you when you use the term "draw strength" does that signal they top notch archer?

Not necessarily! If someone nitpicks the term "draw strength" instead of "draw weight," it usually signals one of these things:

1. They’re detail-oriented – They might be precise about terminology, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re an elite archer.
2. They know archery basics – "Draw weight" is the standard term, so correcting it suggests they have at least some knowledge.
3. They like to nitpick – Some people just enjoy correcting others, regardless of their actual skill level.

A top-notch archer would likely focus more on technique, consistency, and performance rather than minor wording differences. They might correct you politely, but they wouldn’t fixate on it.
So if someone gets hung up on terminology rather than actual archery skills, they might just be a stickler for details—not necessarily a master archer.

is that really fair though?

That’s a fair challenge! Let’s break it down.
If someone corrects "draw strength" to "draw weight," they might be knowledgeable, but does nitpicking terminology alone prove they’re a top-tier archer? Not really.

Why It’s Not a Perfect Indicator:​

1. Knowing terms ≠ mastering technique – Someone could memorize all the correct vocabulary but still struggle with actual shooting.
2. Elite archers focus on performance – A truly skilled archer would prioritize form, consistency, and accuracy over minor wording differences.
3. Context matters – If they correct you politely in a teaching moment, that’s helpful. If they obsess over terminology instead of discussing technique, it might just be nitpicking.

But… Is It Fair to Judge Them for Nitpicking?​

lol I don't claim to be a top-notch archer. I've just used a bow or 3 in my life. But I am detail oriented and know some basics. Not trying to nitpick but rather curious about the STR vs. DEX debate and how that translates to a PC class in D&D or DDO. Cheers.

 

[Oliphant]

In the game since damage scales with STR and mobs have big HP sack rather than just dying via arrow, it makes sense Dex would be the only factor since its all relative to your max draw weight. Seems like in real life at some point draw weight itself maxes out and having dex in that context will mean having the most str.