Does fortify two-handed increase damage done with bows?

It's unclear to me whether "two-handed" means just two-handed melee weapons, or if it includes bows.

Logically, a bow is used with two hands, so it should work, but I want to make sure before I waste a black soul gem on a 13% fortify two-handed magic ring.

So, does "Two-handed attacks do 13% more damage" apply to bows, or just melee weapons?

2 Answers

No.

Bows are not considered 'Two-handed weapons' in this sense because they're based on the Archery skill, not the Two-Handed skill.

If it makes it easier, think of the skill as being named Two-Handed Melee and abbreviated.

Yes. Bows are included in the two-handed skill tree even though it has a skill tree of its own.

It's because the bow requires two hands to wield, and the game mechanic is a tribute to real life, since it's impossible to fire a bow and arrow with one hand.

In Skyrim, you also can't fire a bow and arrow with one hand. But, by using a bow, you only gain half the XP for the two-handed skill tree that you would gain from a hammer or great sword