Thanks for the replies. So far, I'm just (unrealistically) running the deer down and melee killing them, and practicing my archery on everything else. I hate taking a shot at a deer knowing I'm probably going to miss.

I am using full draw, just having a terrible time estimating how much drop to account for, and how much of it is lack of in game skill vs. lack of understanding the game physics.

Originally posted by kaypy:

Rule of thumb for starting out: if you are horizontal and just close enough to get the target health bar popping up, then fire at the health bar.

This is the most directly correct answer, I think. Use the target's health bar, NOT some point on the target itself. Not foolproof, but a better place to start. You have to aim a LOT higher than I'd have thought to have a chance to hit your mark.

Originally posted by Saber Cherry:

Originally posted by Lonewolf:

As your archery skill increases, it doesn't get any easier to aim. You just draw the bow faster and use less stamina.

I don't think that's quite correct. I found the crude bow to have terrible aim with massive drop, and all the subsequent bows to be much better in that regard. It's true that that is unrelated to skill, but the hitbox is still related to progession in my experience.

The first bow is weak, so you have to aim higher, the following bows are a bit stronger, you have to aim less high. It has nothing to do with your skills. The skill is just how fast you draw the bow with full force and how much stamina you use.

Originally posted by Lonewolf:

As your archery skill increases, it doesn't get any easier to aim. You just draw the bow faster and use less stamina.

I don't think that's quite correct. I found the crude bow to have terrible aim with massive drop, and all the subsequent bows to be much better in that regard. It's true that that is unrelated to skill, but the hitbox is still related to progession in my experience.

Don't worry about low tier bows. Higher level bows shoot faster and farther and make life way easier.

I can kill almost anything with a crude bow. The real trick is making sure you get the full draw on the bow. Then yes, you will need to aim high. As your skill increases it becomes more reliable.

With the lower level bows, I found I had to aim high and a sliver to the right. My playing partner did not experience that offset but I did and still do, although it is not as extreme as it was in the beginning.

Arrows and thrown spears arc in flight. As a result, you typically need to aim above your target to reliably get enough distance. As a general rule, you can release your bowstring with the targeting reticle about a centimeter (as seen on screen) above your target to score a hit. Judging distance (and the necessary vertical offset) is a matter of player experience. As you progress through the game, you will have the opportunity to build better bows. These enjoy greater damage, range, and accuracy.

When using your bow, it is important to fully draw. This will maximize the power, distance, and accuracy of your shot. Shooting early is suboptimal for damage, stamina use, and ammunition. As you gain bow skill, your draw time and stamina use both go down. You will need to damage creatures to gain skill, so get in practice on birds, deer, and unaware enemies. Wood arrows are poor ammunition, but perfect for target practice.

Originally posted by stvlepore:

Also allow for the target circle to get smaller, as your more accurate the smaller it is. Takes a couple seconds.

I figured that, but at low skill I can't tell a difference. Loving the game, just finding this particular skill to be kind of wonky.

As your archery skill increases, it doesn't get any easier to aim. You just draw the bow faster and use less stamina.

Rule of thumb for starting out: if you are horizontal and just close enough to get the target health bar popping up, then fire at the health bar.

aim above targets with the first bow its kinda hard to hit over 10 feet cuz the arrow fals very fast

Yes, aim high, more so with the early bow, and a bit less with improved bows/skill, and always relative to distance. As skill increases, it seems to be more forgiving for left/right/up/down variance. (feels like the hitbox gets bigger).

Originally posted by Blood_f1st:

aim above targets with the first bow its kinda hard to hit over 10 feet cuz the arrow fals very fast

Originally posted by -|zH|-D@sh:

Yes, aim high, more so with the early bow, and a bit less with improved bows/skill, and always relative to distance. As skill increases, it seems to be more forgiving for left/right/up/down variance. (feels like the hitbox gets bigger).

Thanks. I just couldn't figure if it was low character skill, or not knowing where the 'hit box' is.

Also allow for the target circle to get smaller, as your more accurate the smaller it is. Takes a couple seconds.