Bow or Crossbow?

[bonez899]

As said about I'm wondering whether I should use the bow or the crossbow? Just some pro's and Cons of each and some reasons either way.

 

[Northcott]

The bow is faster and, with sufficient points dropped into 'power draw', doles out terrifying damage.

The crossbow is slower, and the larger ones can't be used on horseback. That said, it takes up no skill points and is far easier to use than a bow. A lighter one can be used from horseback, if you really must, and the big siege crossbows do crazy nasty damage.

In the end, it depends on what play style you prefer.

 

[xXbailey97Xx]

I always have both with me at all times, but I use the bow for most battles and use the crossbow for when I'm defending a castle.

 

[Derkylos]

I always have both with me at all times, but I use the bow for most battles and use the crossbow for when I'm defending a castle.

I'd be interested to knpw your reasoning, as I prefer bows when defending and crossbows when attacking castles.

The superior speed of a bow during defence can keep the attackers on the back foot, and with a few archers on your team provide a ready source of reloads (surgery 14 helps...just shoot 'em in the head when you need more ammo...) whilst the crossbow's ability to aim for longer allows you to carefully place each shot into defenders as they appear from behind battlements.

 

[fragonard]

The bow/xbow choice is easy once you decide what kind of character you want. Bows are much better potentially but you need to have at least 21 strength (and preferably 24 or more) to make them work. If you want a charisma and Intelligence leader type, you just won't have the points to make it work.
I've made both types in a number of variations and there is no question in my mind of the superiority of bows if you put in the required points in strength and power draw. A bow character will get many more kills and essentially get an extra 3 or 4 levels. The problem is that it will take an extra 8 or 9 levels worth of skills and attributes to do it which will reduce your leadership capability.
This actually a very good game balance decision by the development team IMHO.

 

[Oggleep]

Noob ?

Do you guys also keep a separate chest armor to eliminate the penalties to AGI skills?

 

[heckani]

I prefer the crowsbow, as it also can be used right before u go into melee, and always can be loaded so u can have up to 4 loaded crowsbows at once if u wanted to.

I normally use my masterwork siege crowsbow for castle sieges both attacks and defendings, but if im riding in battle i would prefer my masterwork warbow however.

 

[hruza]

In terms of damage you need to have powerdraw of 6 to be able to get as much damage with bow as you can get with best crossbows. If you can rise your powerdraw higher, you will be able to do more damage with bows than with crossbows.

However with bow you can shoot much faster. Moreover with crossbow you need to stop moving while reloading. And of course, you can not use best crossbows from horseback.

So to sum it up, bow is much more flexible to use and if you intend to use ranged combat often, especially from horseback, bow is way to go. With 4-5 points of power draw and few points in horseback firing you will be fine and still have enough points left to invest in to other skills.

 

[jwyoo123]

The bow/xbow choice is easy once you decide what kind of character you want. Bows are much better potentially but you need to have at least 21 strength (and preferably 24 or more) to make them work. If you want a charisma and Intelligence leader type, you just won't have the points to make it work.
I've made both types in a number of variations and there is no question in my mind of the superiority of bows if you put in the required points in strength and power draw. A bow character will get many more kills and essentially get an extra 3 or 4 levels. The problem is that it will take an extra 8 or 9 levels worth of skills and attributes to do it which will reduce your leadership capability.
This actually a very good game balance decision by the development team IMHO.

What this guy said. if you're going combat character, go bow.
If you're putting points in non-combat areas, go xbow.

 

[Hertog Jan]

I use a crossbow in sieges. In the field i throw some axes and have no need for another ranged weapon. 

 

[Captain_Octavius]

Bow if you want to go dedicated, crossbow if you rather spend points somewhere else.

 

[Ogrecorps]

Directly related to your question:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,168199.msg4082648.html#msg4082648
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,195750.msg4690772.html#msg4690772
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,110164.msg2676761.html#msg2676761
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,111379.msg2696950.html#msg2696950
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,154049.msg3699133.html#msg3699133
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,158498.msg3813557.html#msg3813557
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,120933.msg2921285.html#msg2921285
Vonskyme's Powerdraw guide

Related but through discussion of troops and related character builds:
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,172928.msg4162923.html#msg4162923
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,188257.msg4507568.html#msg4507568
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,132355.msg3189972.html#msg3189972
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,130765.msg3151393.html#msg3151393
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,180576.msg4348305.html#msg4348305
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,178736.msg4299279.html#msg4299279
http://forums.taleworlds.com/index.php/topic,172449.0.html

My 2 cents: Bow. With high powerdraw you are more powerful than an xbow, faster, can use it on a horse, and ammo is more plentiful.

 

[bonez899]

Thanks for all the help and locked.