[RANT] Archer Prestige classes? Why none for X-bows or Sling users?

[SableWyvern]

Just want to add my indignation as well of the mistreatment and secondary place xbow men have in D&D. We know in history it was the militia mans weapon and not the real warriors... but hey xbow are neat and should be given due attention.

Militia-man's weapon?

You've never heard of Genoese crossbowmen, I take it? They were widely utilised, professional mercenaries. Virtually all professional missile units in Western Wurope utilised crossbows, until they were supplanted by firearms. They were also used by the nobility when hunting.