Bowcraft can be taught by the following NPCs: NPC Bowyer At 40 skill, you will begin to make exceptional bows Bowcraft is not a movement-based skill You can repair your own bow with zero skill, as long as you have a fletching kit and the item has not lost more than 20% durability Durability varies, but generally a bow will shoot at good accuracy for 100-200 arrows, but up to about 500 maximum. The bow will still function well beyond this, but less effectively Bows are a starting (newbie) item when you choose the Archery Skill, but no longer bear the [practice weapon] label. Bows of Exceptional quality, whether GM-Branded or not are equivalent, see VDP below for more information

Vendor Default Price (VDP)

There are two types of vendor prices. The amount an NPC Bower will purchase the bow for. The default price given to the bow when placed on a player owned vendor. How do I determine VDP for an item? On a vendor you own, just drop the item into their bag, and single-click the item to see what the price is displayed as. This is not the price you set, it is a measurement of quality, the higher the Player vendor prices it, (ex two GM exceptional-quality bows) the better the item quality. That means if one prices out at 53 gp and the other at 60 gp the 60 will be superior in damage, durability, and accuracy. What if I don't have a vendor, can I still test vendor price? Yes, the simplest way would be to take a new bow for which you know the VDP, and test what the shopkeepers offer in town for it. This method is less reliable, as the price may reflect the "economy" at the time, and any wear and tear on the bow will factor in. Also, this alternate method take longer, due to travel time, etc. VDP Percentages Of 445 crafted Bows the VDPs percentages were: % VDP (gold) 43.3 56 gp and under 17.1 57 gp 15.1 58 gp 19.6 59 gp 4.9 60 gp Contributed by: Colum Phosphoros, GM Bowyer DF

Method to Gain

Once you have your logs you can use fletcher's tools to engage the bowcraft skill. You will be given a menu to select the type of item you wish to try to create. The items get more difficult as you move right through the menu. The easiest thing to make is kindling and the hardest is a heavy crossbow. You will not have the option to make all of the items until you have sufficient skill. The skill needed to make a bow is 30, for a crossbow it is 60 and for a heavy crossbow it is 80. (Kindling, arrows, and bolts can be attempted at any skill level. At the minimum skill level required to create the item in question, you will have a 50% chance to succeed.To become a grandmaster, you will need time, patience, and a lot of boards or logs. Though exact board usage 30-GM is still being compiled, I can tell you the quickest method to gain: Bow 30-59.9 Uses 7 boards or logs Crossbow 60-69.9 Uses 7 boards or logs Composite Bow 70-79.9 Uses 7 boards or logs Heavy Crossbow 80-89.9 Uses 10 boards or logs Repeating Crossbow or Yumi 90-100 Uses 10 boards or logs Often, it is easiest to train lumberjacking and bowcraft/fletching simultaneously so that the crafter can supply his own supply of wood. If you want your crafter to be able to turn the various new woods into boards, you will need to GM carpentry as well, as you cannot produce boards for easy sale without carpentry.

Tips

For best results gaining: Don't waste your wood on arrows until after you are Grandmaster. Try Xbows and heavies and stick to what makes you gain the best. Selling: With the advent of "market value" arrow and bolt pricing, a bowyer who sells arrows and bolts can make a nice living selling their wares to NPC bowyers and provisioners. Bows and arrows can also be sold to the NPC Ranger/Bowyer, and Blacksmith shops For more in-depth information consult the Bowyer Skills page, the Player Essays or UO Archer Forum