Shooting an arrow around obstacles - GIF

[schuylergrace]

Ha! You do that by nocking the arrow high. With the bow turned 90°, the arrow oscillates side to side, naturally trying to correct its course. It will oscillate like that, but with decreasing amplitude, until the arrow hits something. You could probably do the same with a crossbow, but I wouldn't want to be the one who tried, given the extra power/acceleration of those things. The shorter, stiffer bolt might also make it more difficult to do because part of the oscillation comes from the arrow flexing back and forth as it flies.