I've searched and searched. There is a lot of good info out there about Gothic, but what I'm unable to find is a discussion of training dex and bow skill in the right proportion. I mean, how much of my lp should I put into dex and how much into bow %? Right now I'm at level 6 with 35 dex (modified to 40 with the ring from Bosper) and 21 bow skill, using a hunting bow. I also trained skin animals, lockpicking, and pickpocketing. I haven't put anything into 1h, 2h, or str. So should I keep investing in bow skill to a certain point or just go all in for dex? Does that change when I get to Jark or ch 2? Thanks for guidance.

old post but hope this helps other people.

Dex and Bow. Dex is used for bow damage and what type of bow you can equip. Bow skill is used for how far you can hit stuff. If you have no bow skill, you pretty much can only hit foes at point blank range. Dexterity is vastly more important than the bow skill. Dexterity is used to factor in damage (damage = your dex + bow damage). Dexterity is used for other things, such as pickpocketing, a great skill. Dexterity is used for using 1 handed dex based weapons.

I wouldn't train archery at all unless your focusing on a mainly archer character. You can still hit stuff without any bow skill (and you'll gain some anyway with boost items in the game, like tablets) but just at close range. With any character it's a good idea to train dexterity to 64 (which lets you use the master rapier, composite bow), and gives ok pickpocket skills. Then start to apply item boosts. If you are doing a mainly archer character (like a merc archer), probably get dex up to 94 before such item boosts, and pick up 34 points of basic archery to hit a little better. No need for more than that.

I believe 160 dex for best bow in the game, 120 dex to pickpocket anyone in the game, and you can use your master rapier pretty early, a great sword. stop at 64 dex for melee or mages then boost with items. Go up to 94 dex and 34 bow for a archer build. Maybe a paladin if you have points to spare you can go with 34 crossbow skill to hit a bit better, but no more.