Bows were good in both BG1 and 2, but only if you had the gear/skills to use them properly. With 5/5 in Longbows and a Composite Longbow +1 in BG1 (buy it in Beregost if I recall correctly), you'll tear through almost anything before it can get close. They're also extremely good at taking out mages - it's like hitting them with a machine gun, leading to very few spells being cast (always gets interrupted).
Generally, I only use bows where needed though, as a character with maxed out bows will burn through a whole inventory of arrows in no time. In BG2 there are several bows that require no ammunition, in addition to various items that give infinite arrows, so it's not as bad there.
Generally, I only use bows where needed though, as a character with maxed out bows will burn through a whole inventory of arrows in no time. In BG2 there are several bows that require no ammunition, in addition to various items that give infinite arrows, so it's not as bad there.