Compound bow

[baeleg]

Storyteller01, I thought from your previous post that you had shot a compound before? You mentioned it being smooth after the break, after all.

But anyways, that's basically right. You're pulling back the whole amount, but then you don't have to hold nearly that much, giving you more time to aim without straining yourself.

 

[IcyCool]

Storyteller01, I thought from your previous post that you had shot a compound before? You mentioned it being smooth after the break, after all.

But anyways, that's basically right. You're pulling back the whole amount, but then you don't have to hold nearly that much, giving you more time to aim without straining yourself.

It's been nearly 15 years since I've used one, but I honestly don't remember the initial draw being just as hard as a recurve (it was part of a boy scouts outing, we were comparing compounds and recurves). I've been known to be wrong before, but I'm quite certain that the initial draw was much easier (as well as the hold). Are you sure you've got that right?

 

[JimAde]

The max draw on a compound is what is rated. So if the bow says it's a 50-lb, then that's the peak you have to pull. But that peak is at a spot where you are strong (you are in a good position to pull).

On the other hand, a recurve keeps getting harder to pull so you are pulling and you have to hold the max amount when you're in a less advantageous position to do so.

Also, the drop-off in draw is (IIRC) at least 50%. So with that 50-lb bow you'd be holding 25 lbs. at most.

If I were to allow compound bows in my game, I don't think I'd make them do more damage or anything, just give you a bonus to hit because it's easier to hold steady while you aim. I remember the first time I shot a compound bow, thinking "man, I could do this all day."

 

[baeleg]

Were the bows of equal draw weight? Because I've drawn 65 lb compounds fairly recently, and my 75 lb longbow alongside them, and they seemed pretty comparable. I remember doing that comparison between recurves and compounds years ago as well, and the difference was mostly draw weight, not recurve vs compound. I do know that different bows will just draw a bit differently, too. I've draw a 60 lb bow that felt very stiff compared to my 75 lb bow, and I've drawn two compounds of the same weight (I think it was 65 lbs) that felt different from each other as well. Could have just been the specific recurves and compounds you were using.

 

[Storyteller01]

Storyteller01, I thought from your previous post that you had shot a compound before? You mentioned it being smooth after the break, after all.

But anyways, that's basically right. You're pulling back the whole amount, but then you don't have to hold nearly that much, giving you more time to aim without straining yourself.

I have...for about three arrows. Limited info, so extra insight is always good.

Besides, I was trolling for info to use for my 'compound bow as mighty bow' ruling. A character with a 10 strength can dead lift 200 lbs, a medium load for a character with a strength of 18. If I used this as a comparison, then the first character should have no problem 'deadlifting' the initial break into the draw (assuming the compound bow is a Str 18 mighty bow with pulleys).

Any thoughts?

 

[Michael Morris]

I made the compound bow a gnomic exotic weapon dealing d8 x3 in the hands of a small character and, presumably if a larger version for medium character was ever made by the gnomes it would deal d10 x3

 

[baeleg]

I think I would give the compound bow a set amount of advantage, rather than try to base it on real world strength. Particularly not deadlifting, since that uses the legs as well as the arms.

I would personally go with allowing +2 greater strength bonus. So, a Str 14 bowman could use a +4 mighty composite bow, but not your example of Str 10 bowman using it. If you want to go bigger, that's personal preference. I'm just saying I don't know if the real world comparison is that big a deal.

 

[Storyteller01]

I think I would give the compound bow a set amount of advantage, rather than try to base it on real world strength. Particularly not deadlifting, since that uses the legs as well as the arms.

I would personally go with allowing +2 greater strength bonus. So, a Str 14 bowman could use a +4 mighty composite bow, but not your example of Str 10 bowman using it. If you want to go bigger, that's personal preference. I'm just saying I don't know if the real world comparison is that big a deal.

No no, there's a misunderstanding. I realize that deadlifting and a bow pull isn't the same, but I used it for lack of a better word.

My presumption is that a Str 10 Character could generate enough force to pull back a mighty (str 18) bow without penalty... for about a second. With the pulleys of a compund bow in place, that might be all they need.

Real world example just makes sense to me. Your taking a standard bow and adding modifications to reduce the pull strength, at least during aiming. As I understand it, compound bows aren't impossible to draw without the pulleys, they're just on the high end of the power curve (ie stronger individuals would be better suited to them w/o the extra mechanics involved).

 

[Enkhidu]

No no, there's a misunderstanding. I realize that deadlifting and a bow pull isn't the same, but I used it for lack of a better word.

My presumption is that a Str 10 Character could generate enough force to pull back a mighty (str 18) bow without penalty... for about a second. With the pulleys of a compund bow in place, that might be all they need.

Real world example just makes sense to me. Your taking a standard bow and adding modifications to reduce the pull strength, at least during aiming. As I understand it, compound bows aren't impossible to draw without the pulleys, they're just on the high end of the power curve (ie stronger individuals would be better suited to them w/o the extra mechanics involved).

A simple solution would be to allow lower strengths the benefits of a mighty compound bow, but at the cost of making it a standard action for bows requiring a Strength bonus of +1 or +2 more than the character's strength, or a full action for +3 or +4 higher (and more than +4 would be impossible). Example, a Character with a 13 Str could use a Might Compound Bow with a +3 damage bonus as a standard action, but could not use one with a damage bonus of +6 at all. This allows the use, but doesn't allow the potential powergaming abuse.

 

[Shellman]

Why are you trying to reinvent the wheel?

IMO, It seems to me there is already an item to emulate a compound bow, its called the composite longbow or shortbow. Add the Str bonus purchased with a composite bow and you have the equivilant to your compound bow.