Bow or Crossbow?

[Ivan Khan]

In seiges I just use my bow, when I run out of arrows and the Dwads/Rhods have none to pick up I dump the warbow and find a good x-bow and bolts

[Persnychite]

Because I prefer a "leader" type character who isn't a brute in melee I have always ended up going with the bow for it's speed since I can back away and peck at attackers before they reach me in situations like being jumped by robbers in towns/villages from dusk til dawn.  I do keep my armor pretty state-of-the-art so that I can stand there and trade blows using my balanced hand-and-a-half when it gets down to that with the surviving attackers..

Three Khergit arrows arrows in the head usually sees-off the armored guys   I would only be able to get off one shot with a crossbow before pulling out the sword in a crowd situation.

This is all true even though my characters always seem to start with crossbows and crossbow skill...

[bonez899]

Persnychite, the starting gear is based off of the starting choices, and for the type of character you use the choices which get you a bow to start are not good ones to choose.

I as stated before but expanded upon now, use a bow because it shoots a lot faster, does at least the same amount of damage at a high level, and when I'm on my trusty steed nothing stops me from pounding a couple of arrows into the guy infront of me.

[QWW]

Crossbow, more accurate, more damage, saves ammo, don't have to level up skills to make it useful and it's still accurate on a horse.

[Persnychite]

bonez899 -- Yep, I understand about that and am not surprised nor disappointed that the before-story that I pick would not result in a heavy-duty archer -- I just meant to say that I tend to subsequently develop my character in the direction of archery as that is my preference for carrying a missile weapon with a higher fire-rate when I am on foot. 

It is very useful either in siege, when attacking a bandit hideout or when depleting the bad guys in what would otherwise be a pure melee situation.  Also when killing the "nervous man" it is pretty effective when I do not have the hit points, health or armor to get into a whacking exchange with that individual.

If I have extra points I will sometimes beef-up these skills, although it is always secondary to the aim that I need to lead my band.  I am quite content to use a masterwork hunting bow for it's speed and nonexistent power-draw requirement, combined with as many high-damage arrows as I can lay my mitts on.

I do not waste extra points on horse archery because I rarely use my bow while moving on a mount, but almost always mounted standing still or in a siege.  For me, the choice is speed.

[bonez899]

Yeah I can understand that completey Persn, you are talking to the person who downloaded a mod so that he could try out firearms then bought a bow because they were to slow

QWW: You can't reload any really powerful crossbows on a horse, a bow is just as accurate if you spend a bit of time and don't get the one with a power draw requirement that is the exact same as the power draw level you have, and damage with a bow becomes the same if not more when you get the skills up, ammo saving can be the same if you take a few seconds to know where and what before shooting. For the skills, yes becoming an archer of any great damage dealing, or amazing accuracy requires several skill points and some dedication, but if you can sometime just give it a try and I think you will be somewhat impressed of the results of a character that has at least somewhat dedicated archery skills.

[QWW]

Yeah I can understand that completey Persn, you are talking to the person who downloaded a mod so that he could try out firearms then bought a bow because they were to slow

QWW: You can't reload any really powerful crossbows on a horse, a bow is just as accurate if you spend a bit of time and don't get the one with a power draw requirement that is the exact same as the power draw level you have, and damage with a bow becomes the same if not more when you get the skills up, ammo saving can be the same if you take a few seconds to know where and what before shooting. For the skills, yes becoming an archer of any great damage dealing, or amazing accuracy requires several skill points and some dedication, but if you can sometime just give it a try and I think you will be somewhat impressed of the results of a character that has at least somewhat dedicated archery skills.

I know you can't reload some of the heavier crossbows on horses, and I've tried bows every since I've started. But if you're good with a crossbow and you get a headshot or even if you shoot them in the leg it's very effective.

[bonez899]

I've honestly tried crossbow's I've never gone super far with them, but I have gone to the point of a fully closed reticle with a siege crossbow, and I found that aiming was still rather hard to do as, because of the Dev's not wanting to over power (I assume), the crossbow has quite an arc to it's shot and after shooting the bow, even someone who can change play styles rather fast and catch on still can't quite get the hang of it. That is one of the many reasons I think I am loving my foot soldier character who has throwing weapons, because no matter where I aim they won't go there.

[QWW]

Just a matter of opinion, but I've found that I love footmen too. My melee skills are better then my ranged skills.

[TheArmourer]

I like bows, but I don't know why I waste my skills on them. They take so many points that I should just use a x-bow unless I am creating a dedicated archer character, which I don't think I have ever done. I like them, it just takes too many skill points to be practical when I can just hire some archers really cheep(ish).  That's one thing this game needs is mercenary archers.

[bonez899]

I like bows, but I don't know why I waste my skills on them. They take so many points that I should just use a x-bow unless I am creating a dedicated archer character, which I don't think I have ever done. I like them, it just takes too many skill points to be practical when I can just hire some archers really cheep(ish).  That's one thing this game needs is mercenary archers.

You want to give me a template and 30 mins?

[TheArmourer]

Oh, I could do it myself, but I'm too lazy. Decent armor and melee weapons+skills, good bows+skills. Kinda like mercenary x-bows, but archers.

[grlz]

don't get the one with a power draw requirement that is the exact same as the power draw level you have

could you explain why not?

[Caba`drin]

don't get the one with a power draw requirement that is the exact same as the power draw level you have

could you explain why not?

You get a bonus to damage and accuracy for having more skill than the bow requires.
See the power draw guide in the stickied Singleplayer Manual above.

[Arterra]

I used to use bows, but considering how i can get twice as much damage done with any two handed weapon on horseback, and as long as I have good armor, it matters not.  now oi stick with crossbow.  why?  a volley or two from rodock sharpshooters can sometimes halve charging cavalry and decimate slower infantry, especially when on a hill overlooking the scrim.
also, since my army uses bolts, i can pick up extra ammo from my dead teamates in sieges.  you use what is around you.