How Big can a bow go?

[Tarangil]

Question: There's a player wanting to use a Centuar as a PC. Since they are size L, what's the biggest kind of Bow they could use?

I don't quite have the extra resources but I'm assuming the next step larger than a longbow would do something like 1d10 damage.

 

[lgburton]

sounds about right.

 

[Tarangil]

sounds about right.

Right on. Any suggestions for range?

 

[lgburton]

ok, according to a straight conversion from the rules for weapons sizing,

a large longbow would have

2d6 damage x3 modifier
range 100

cost 150gp.

so.. guess 1d10 doesn't sound bout right. doh!

 

[JimAde]

The SRD has a bow attack listed with the centaur:

composite longbow (+4 Str bonus) +5 ranged (2d6+4/x3)

 

[Vlos]

I have an EPIC character that currently can shapechange into a Giant. He is currently tracking down the Storm Giant King (who they recently save the daughter of) to ask if his crafters can make him a bow. Normally Storm giants use composite longbow (+14 Str bonus) +14 ranged (3d6+14/x3).

Once I get that I will probably try and get it enchanted, but mainly want a ranged weapon to start with as those pesky casters always attacking from afar!

 

[TheGogmagog]

The SRD has a bow attack listed with the centaur:

composite longbow (+4 Str bonus) +5 ranged (2d6+4/x3)

Funny thing with the centaur, it's a human torso on a horse, the size would be mostly from the back side (was 5X10 in 3.0) yet it would be considered large for equipment size and damage due to 3.5 facing. I minor complication I can live with, it's easy to say it's taller and probably built more like an orc than a human. Just noticed that quirk when going through the DMG for polymorph forms.

 

[3d6]

Of course, centaurs are much stronger (the average centaur has a carrying capacity 9 times greater than an average human's) and heavier than humans, so that they use larger, heavier weapons isn't suprising.

 

[Hypersmurf]

One interesting thing about ranged weapons is that they're not considered light, one-handed, or two-handed... so when you use a larger one, its designation is not changed to something other than light, one-handed or two-handed... so as written, there's actually no reason the centaur couldn't use a Colossal longbow at a -6 penalty.

If we ignore that, though, keep in mind the Greatbow (exotic weapon from Complete Warrior).

-Hyp.

 

[Zappo]

The way I've always interpreted weapon sizes, the reason for which you can't use a Huge greatsword even if you've got a 32 Strength is one of mass. Regardless of your magically-enhanced Strength, you can't use a Huge greatsword because, well, the sword would swing you. I know that you can carry it easily, but in combat you would be unable to stay balanced, and the harder you swing, the harder it would be. I don't know if this is actually a reasonable explanation, but it sounds good enough.

In this view, a centaur could easily use bigger weapons, because it weighs a lot more than a human, in addition to being strong enough.