Ranged Weapons comprise Bows and Crossbows, with the special Greatbows mixed in.
Ranged weaponry gives your character the ability to strike foes from a distance, and this is extremely useful and powerful in many parts of the game. It is very easy to neglect ranged weapons, skipping them entirely or rarely using them. Don’t do this if you’re a new player!
Pulling enemies apart with a bow can make tough encounters manageable, and some difficult encounters or enemies can be outright defeated without ever engaging them with sufficient arrows.
Very early in the game, you can buy an unlimited amount of arrows or bolts cheaply. Take advantage of this. As you progress, you unlock new and more powerful types of ammunition, and combined with the right stats and an upgraded bow, this can allow you to inflict considerable damage from a distance.
For veteran players, some of the bow skills may be of interest, giving bows an extra option in combat.