What have you got against crossbows?

[captainradish]

Just wondering, as any and everybody seems to carry bows exclusively. I like the "punch" associated with crossbows, so I ended up editing the Pendor troop tree so that every non-noble ranged unit carries a crossbow instead of a bow. It's much more satisfying now, IMO, and more realistic. My nobles still carry bows, but my lesser-trained conscripts carry crossbows.

 

[Ralyks18]

Crossbows are not bad in the game, many consider them even better than bows for sieges.

And for mounted units... most xbows cant be charged whilst ridding, so theyll only shoot the first bolt^^, unless you give them all maiden xbow or remove the "can't be used on horseback" on the other.

If that helps you feeling "more real" in Pendor, good for you! But bows existed way before xbows and xbows are more expensive to make than a bow... shouldnt nobles be the ones using these xbows and the normal troops bows if you want more realism?

 

[captainradish]

Crossbows are not bad in the game, many consider them even better than bows for sieges.

And for mounted units... most xbows cant be charged whilst ridding, so theyll only shoot the first bolt^^, unless you give them all maiden xbow or remove the "can't be used on horseback" on the other.

If that helps you feeling "more real" in Pendor, good for you! But bows existed way before xbows and xbows are more expensive to make than a bow... shouldnt nobles be the ones using these xbows and the normal troops bows if you want more realism?

IRL, crossbows were more commonly used as they were considerably easier to train someone to use. To be a good shot with a bow takes many years of practice. In comparison, crossbows can be easily used by poorly trained troops. In addition, IRL crossbows were considered highly ungentlemanly to use as they could easily pierce armor. While bows could as well, because it was much easier to train someone to use a crossbow than a bow, conscripts became able to take down heavily armored knights.

 

[krisvk]

There's the knights of the Ebony Gauntlet, they use crossbows, and the Mettenheim and Empire, though yeah, apart from those it's mainly bandits snake cultists and adventurers that use crossbows, I believe there's a unique one you can get from a minor faction as well.

 

[Serazu]

because it was much easier to train someone to use a crossbow than a bow, conscripts became able to take down heavily armored knights.

Which is precisely why two Popes, Urban II and Innocent II, declared an anathema to crossbow users against Christians. The idea that a commoner could one-shot a noble was deemed preposterous at the time.

 

[GrumpyMel]

Not sure game wise but historically the biggest drawback of the crossbow was the rate of fire. In the middle ages alot of archery happened at the outset of battles as harassing/skirmishing fire at pretty long ranges. Bows were just better at that due to the increased rate of fire and better ballistics in arcing shots.

I also suspect it was because the bow was a more accessible item to the average villager that would make up the bulk of a levy militia.  Usually when I've read about crossbows, they were in the hands of professional mercenaries. Perhaps because feudal lords were concerned about putting a weapon that had such good armor penetrating capacity in the hands of the average villager.  In any event, the bulk of the average army in those days would have been levy troops, bringing whatever weapons were readily available to them.... while the mercenaries would comprise smaller specialist forces.

Personally in Mount and Blade, I like the bows better because I really don't like the reload step for crossbows.... that and I shoot a bow in real life, so I'm a bit biased

 

[John Shepard]

Like Grympy stated crossbows have drawbacks historically, but this game doesn't follow history that closely, or the mod. So, I just follow a practical approach.

Bows:
Similar ammunition count
faster firing rate
weaker

Xbows:
Similar ammunition count
slower firing rate
stronger


This is only related to troops. If you begin to count, proficiencies and skills, then it begins to side heavily towards Bows.

And this is just my opinion, but I concluded:
CKHO=bow arrow sword shield
Field army has archers
Garrison Army has Xbows.

Do I carry a crossbow? Not anymore, once I got more points into Bows then my damage went up and it justified using them.

 

[Serazu]

Crossbow's biggest advantage in this game is that one doesn't need to spend anything in PD and still be able to shoot things.

 

[NouH]

Bow is better than the crossbow, that's a fact, while the crossbow can be good at early game, in the mid and endgame the Bow own everything.

 

[Salzber]

Because bows in Pendor are magical weapons that can penetrate even  the heaviest armor without problems.

 

[Pacific_Salmon]

I really hope that for 3.8 dev's make one (or more) super crossbows for the player so that there is a REAL choice between using a bow and xbow

 

[M0rdred]

Crossbows are also good for players who want a ranged weapon but do not wish to sink skill points into Power Draw (or Power Throw).

That said, there is definitely a positive payoff for those who do invest in PD.

 

[noosers]

Though mainly because TW worships bows. Just look at the way PD works. It´s evil.

Crossbows are fine as they are, and the Arbalest whacks quite a punch in any argument. The real pity is that Paveses aren´t included in MnB like they should be used.

 

[Articulo34]

Crossbows are fine as they are, and the Arbalest whacks quite a punch in any argument. The real pity is that Paveses aren´t included in MnB like they should be used.

There is a custom made animation that makes the crossbowman turn his back as he reloads his weapon, thus presenting the shield to the enemy. It is used, at least, in Diplomacy 4.litdum. It´s not perfect, as the shield doesn´t completely block incoming projectiles, but it´s better than nothing.

 

[lonely]

There is a custom made animation that makes the crossbowman turn his back as he reloads his weapon, thus presenting the shield to the enemy.

Is shield protecting their backs, when they are reloading crossbow?

 

[Nikomakkos]

Pavise shields have been modded into the game. I've played a mod where you can order your Rhodok crossbowmen to put their big shields on the ground and use them as smallish pavise shields. I am pretty sure it was PBOD, which has so many awesome things.

 

[Articulo34]

Is shield protecting their backs, when they are reloading crossbow?

It provides a passive defensive bonus against ranged attacks. It doesn´t block all of the damage, but it reduces a %.