I am currently playing as a pure archer. No swords or back up weaponry just a bow and crossbow. In the earlier levels it was essential to think of ways to survive against many enemies. Set a fire rune on oil to shoot. using shouts to push back enemies or make a quick escape from being surrounded. I came to wonder what the community has created for tactics. Post below of any tactics that have saved your life or were just too fun to not use
love archer!!! obvi best skills that complement are alchemy, poison potions, and paralysis are great i acually put poison on hot key, so u dont have to pause game. and again sneak and first strike are great. and best shouts are whirlwind to escape quick and become etheral.
I really dislike "archers" that play like mages. Using a tank to avoid all damage. The point here is to make decent damage from a safe distance. But to still be able to draw a melee weapon and fight at close range.
If all you want is to to sit down and keep shooting arrows while Lydia Is taking all the damage than what's the point in using a bow or a crossbow? Just wear some robes and be a mage than.
At least that's what I see when talking about a "pure archer".
The following are excerpts from my "Adventuring Tips" post that I made the same month of Skyrim's release.
If you are attacking from stealth, move after firing your bow. The enemy often will head toward the origin of the shot (good to know if you use runes). Firing an arrow past an enemy can misdirect them... Often times they will give up looking for you, allowing you to make another surprise attack....
Nearly all traps can be activated from a distance with a well place bow shot. (Unfortunately this does not work with runes).
You may find some nice tidbits in the comments within Ulysses post "Which do you find more satisfying: Bows or Crossbows"
This was my attempt. You can check my Arbalist too.
http://theskyrimblog.ning.com/group/character-building/forum/topics/character-build-the-strafer