I recently returned to the game after a couple months being away not being able to play so if this has changed please advise.
I was adventuring getting to re-learn the game when I came across some treasure maps and I was like sweet. I crafted and stocked up on gear and ammo and set sail for the islands these treasure maps were on. I arrived and spent a few minutes searching for the spots and finally I found them, just like before the soldiers arose from the ground and I waited for them to fully climb out of the ground when I started to shoot arrows into their chests and face. Each arrow I shot stuck into them but no damage was done, so I quickly ran and climbed the nearest ledge just out of reach as I fired arrows rapidly to try and defeat these enemies. About a minute of firing arrows I realized absolutely zero damage was being done. I then made a run for it back to the ship.