Why do the hotkeys lose their bindings

the-elder-scrolls-v-skyrim

I am currently binding number key 1 to an Iron Sword, and number key 2 to a bow. However, when I press #2 to use the Bow, and press #1 to use the Iron Sword again, the binding to bring up the bow disappears.

How can I quickly switch between bow and sword/shield?

Best Answer

The number hotkeys do not work well if you favorite a weapon or shield that becomes part of a stack (as mentionned by yx). Early on in the game this happens a lot as you use regular items, but is less of an issue as you tend to get magical weapons with unique effects that will rarely match exactly that dropped by the enemy.

Pressing the hotkey for the bow is an easy way to switch between melee and ranged weapons. Instead of trying to re-equip your one-handed weapon and shield, simply press your bow hotkey once more to switch to the separate left and right hand setup.

As an example I have keys 1, 2 bound to a sword and shield, and key 3 bound to a bow. When getting in melee range I press 3.

The game remembers what where the last left and right hand items/spells equipped when you switch to a Two-Handed weapon. A neat little feature that allows you to only use one hotkey.

If you switch between the Bow and a Two-Handed melee weapon, you only have one hotkey to press, but you can not use this trick. You have to press the distinct hotkey for each weapon. Whereas when you switch between One-Handed + Off-hand and a Two-Handed weapon you can keep pressing the same Two-Handed hotkey to toggle between both setups.