Starting as archer without smithing

[locus]

Originally Posted by HallucinationMushroom

Increase the chance of orc archers dropping shortbows upon death?

This seems like the most flavorful option, although even managing to kill an orc archer without a bow might be tricky.

[debo]

We could probably give shadow spiders the ability to shoot arrows too, I'm not sure they're strong enough yet. This would at least give a stopgap to the player if they hadn't found a bow by 600'

[taptap]

Originally Posted by debo

We could probably give shadow spiders the ability to shoot arrows too, I'm not sure they're strong enough yet. This would at least give a stopgap to the player if they hadn't found a bow by 600'

Shoot webs! With added slow and stun I would propose

[HallucinationMushroom]

With eight legs... why not have them shoot 4 arrows at one time?

[BlueFish]

Originally Posted by HallucinationMushroom

With eight legs... why not have them shoot 4 arrows at one time?

Hand crossbows would allow for 6 at a time, assuming you observe the realistic need to use the two hind legs to stand up straight while shooting. This would also be thematic with the spider queen Lolth, who's Drow followers use hand crossbows.

[locus]

I feel a little crazy when you guys talk about Shadow Spiders like they're some horrible death monster. You can fight 'em if you have decent armor and will, otherwise you can avoid 'em, and if you've got enough light they're pussycats.

[Arjen]

So instead of having a chance of a shortbow at -50 -100, we are getting a heavily armed spider you can't see with 6 crosbows? Nice

[Psi]

I always thought that shadow spiders should come in packs - otherwise you can occassionally see them with a large light radius.

My non-archers are always tripping over bows in the early levels. I'd suggest playing a non-archer and then switching once you've tricked the RNG into generating a bow.

[Antoine]

Originally Posted by Psi

I always thought that shadow spiders should come in packs - otherwise you can occassionally see them with a large light radius.

Make them appear in groups and then give them plasma rifles

A.

[Psi]

Originally Posted by Antoine

Make them appear in groups and then give them plasma rifles

I don't think that plasma rifles were in use until late in the second age.