Current Events > Come to think about it, why are elves always portrayed as good with bows?

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Bow & arrows only have 1 use, to kill & maim (ok that's 2 but I digress).

Elves are not inherently warlike like men. They are vegetarians so there's no need to hunt. They live in harmony with nature.

So why the hell do they need to be good with the bow?

Following that, why are elven weapons/armor considered top class stuff? If anything, men's desire & need to one up each other due to conquests should mean they are constantly improving their equipment but elven gear is always shown to be better than whatever men can produce.

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Dont they live in the mystic woods and guard it like it is sacred ground?

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Elves are usually portrayed as having stronger senses than men so they can be very effective with bows. And I guess you can frighten an assailant with a ranged weapon thus eliminating the need for actual bloodshed.

And elves can use magic in their creation of weapons and armour in a way humans generally cant in fantasy stories.

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Couldn't the bows be used for hunting food?

EDIT: I missed the part where you said they're vegetarians. I don't really watch anything with elves so that's news to me.

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Theyre ancient and smart and one with nature.

So theyre aim with the bow is incredible lore wise. Theyre also known for like finesse weapons like rapiers or daggers. Again its a skill over brute strength deal.

Theyre advanced age usually makes them respect nature more, just cause.....

I guess, lore wise, being able to live much longer just makes them more mature in general. Instead of worrying about having fun and fucking in their short prime years like humans they practically have our life time in their prime.

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St0rmFury posted...

They are vegetarians so there's no need to hunt.

Are they? I could have sworn that some were hunters.

Anyway aside from excellent finesse like others have said, any elf is likely to be older than a human and in prime physical shape, so lots of time to hone their skills.

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Because thats how Tolkien did it.

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