Crossbow or Bow

[Skilled Pro]

Hey, im new here and tottally addicted to the game. Just need the money to buy the full thing,

Ive been reading the forums and find you all cool people and the discussions are quite interesting.

I couldnt be assed to search, wanted to make a decent post on my first go, so if this is done before. Dont flame

Anyway. Which do you think is better, the bow, or the crossbow? (Not AI wize)

The crossbow is deffently more powerful, but you get less ammo, long reloads (Must be stationary) and you cant reload on horseback.

The only downfull to the bow is its power, but its better in my opinion. Anywat, over to you....

 

[Voldy]

I prefer the bow, I enjoy the quick fire. It helps to invest in power draw skill for higher damage.

 

[Ilex]

Crossbows's flaw preventing shooting from horseback makes it worse for me in the game. With a horse IMO is so much easier to play. Of course you can use crossbow to shoot only one bolt and that's it.

 

[Tyaqx]

I prefer the bow. The main reason for this is that once you get the skill high enough (over 100) it's not that difficult to be able to pull of headshots (doing a fair amount of damage). Also, when you're being swarmed, it's much easier to use for fending off enemies (on account of being able to reload much quicker than a crossbow).

 

[Skilled Pro]

Yea, thats cool. but i read in another thread that most people think that the crossbow owns when in the hands of ai. Well, if AI Crossbow men vs AI bowmen. Crossbowmen would win according to most peeps. So, erm, whats your view on that?

 

[Voldy]

Well, if AI Crossbow men vs AI bowmen. Crossbowmen would win according to most peeps. So, erm, whats your view on that?

I think it's the same reason the old rifles and muskets were so devastating 200 years ago. Individually it takes a minute to reload one, in which time you are very vulnurable, but get 1000 guys together and you are a fierce force. So a group of swadian crossbowmen blasting bolts is preferable to a single player character who doesn't usually have the luxuary of waiting however long to reload while a horde of guys are after you to steal your bootie and whatnot.

 

[jackx]

Crossbow probably is the best "backup" ranged weapon, as it requires no skillpoints/skills whatsoever... this obviously makes it less useful at higher levels, but you can have more skillpoints elsewhere than a bowman and should be able to compensate that way

As far as the AI is concerned - I recently had some Swadian Sharpshooters with bows, they were doing pretty well, but generally the AI's RoF is too slow with the bow, which also impedes accuracy...


best ranged unit award would probably go to sea raiders, though, because not only are their throwing weapons enormously lethal, but they're also just an added bonus to one of the most powerful melee units in the game...

 

[Wildcard]

Also, when you're being swarmed, it's much easier to use for fending off enemies (on account of being able to reload much quicker than a crossbow).

not forgeting the ability to back while reloading.

I go for the bow, playing as a foot archer i have been notice that i can pull off headshoots at a difficulty at around 4-6 with damages over 100 (with some powerpulls given) with the crossbow, its like you have one chance to hit and thats it. sure IF you hit the base damage is allright. but then, if you miss you will problity be thorndown by enemy cavarly. (still dislikes the shield)

on the acount for the AI. i would guess that crossbows are better. i dont know how cleaver the AI realy is, but i doubt that it can compensate enough to hit far away with the less powerfull bow.

 

[[bulletproof]]

Bow is way more satisfying and useful. Horse archery is my favorite form of combat in Mount and Blade.

 

[CurryMutton]

Crossbow, despite its inflexibilty.

When my party is small, crossbow allows me to hit-and-run, especailly on horses. Move to a high ground, unmount, shoot, shoot more, mount, when enemy (usually non-mounted) gets too close, repeat.

When my level is high enough, it is seldomly used and when I want a single, accurate shot, crossbow is always handy.

My 2nd long-term character specialized in throwing. It has low ammo count, but it doesn't have the problems with bows and arrows.

Humm, trying a ranged team (xbowman + sea raider) would be a great idea...

 

[slavetrader]

well if had to choose between crossbow and bow i'd go for the bow, simply faster and it really takes only a couple of hits to take down an armoured knight, with crossbow it takes only one, but the chance of getting hammered whilst reloading is too great for me.

all in all i'd say go for the throwing weapons, javelins are the kewlest.

 

[calm force]

I like the crossbow.

Nothing beats riding in full gallop together with 15 other knights, and towards a similar group and just before the clash I shoot my 1! arrow at full speed into someones throat, then pull out my big axe or sword and crash into the enemy killing em left and right.

Crossbow has sniper style for me , bow feels more like a machinegun or a shotgun ... sorry if you consider comparison inapropriate.

With the crossbow I can bide my shot until its not only effective, but looks stylish too, and I have to switch back to close combat weapons in close combat. You don't have to do it with a bow if you have high athletics and powerdraw.

Bow seems to be almost overpowered at some level, my brother can kill swathes of enemies with his bowman alone with his bow ... in close combat! Dont even ask about the ones that have no shild or worse ... ride on horseback. He looks like a stationary machine gun post when he plays M&B.

Me, I like giving come cross bows to Marnid, Borcha and myself and kick some ass - with less effectiveness, but more style.

 

[Wanderer]

Personally? I recommend Javelin.

Yeah, okay, I'm a little nuts.

I regularly ride at a troop of people, javelin laid back, and as we close, I pop one in the head. They always seem to land in the head during a straight on attack, dunno why.

Then, it's a quick switch to the lance for anti-infantry. Once I swing back around, it's saber time. If someone manages to get annoying at a distance, I've still got a few javelins to back it up with.

The Javelins only take up one slot, give you just enough range firepower that you can use it in a pinch or as the opening salvo, then you can get down and dirty with the enemy with two sets of weapons... AND a shield.

 

[Tarrak]

Since I still play with my initial character, which I chose to be equiped with a crossbow, I love the crossbow.

It certainly has that sniperfeel, and I can manage plenty instakill head shots long before they enter combat range. I simply love to sit on a hill while my men protect me from any who gets close. Then when I'm done it is time for the lance to do its job.

And it is certainly great with a horse, move around find a good spot, shoot a couple of bolts, then scoot to another position, rinse, repeat. And eventhough I don't consider myself a great sniper I can usually manage to get about 16-18 hits out of my 21 shots (if I use them all), it is simply that easy to use.

 

[Zuwxiv]

For me, horses are a must. I use bow, it fires faster, it is more flexible, and it still can be deadly. Still, there's nothing wrong with carrying a couple axes too just in case....

 

[jackx]

The bow may be the better "primary" weapon, but just imagine what you could do with the up to 8 skillpoints you don't have to put into power draw when you use a crossbow... >

 

[Stonewall382]

Tarrak! Tarrak! Are you from the TotalWar.com forums!?

Anyhoo, to the point: I prefer the crossbow, because I like being able to bide my time with my shot, especially when my computer lags like mad, and I'd have to wait a long time with a bow.

 

[Tarrak]

Yup, that is me...

Let me guess, you are stonewall right?

Anyway I forgot to add that I like the crossbow's ability to infinately aim, unlike the bow where the archer gets tired. You can use that to reload from cover, aim, move up, shoot and retreat back under cover again before any archers has even drawn his bow.

 

[Stonewall382]

Dang Striggidy! Good to see ya, man!

 

[Tarrak]

Thank you. It is always good to feel welcome.