Should composite bows require an Exotic Weapon feat?

[Grayhawk]

I'm not really sure I'd want to nerf archers this much, but doesn't it make sense to require an Exotic Weapon feat to be able to use a composite bow build for extra strenght?

Balance wise it seems that some feats give less benefit than going from a normal to a mighty bow does.

Flavor wise, doesn't it accurately describe how being a really good archer requires dedicated training?

What's your take?

 

[DanMcS]

No. The training necessary to use a bow well is represented in the fact that it's a martial weapon, not a simple weapon. Most people start at -4 to-hit with a bow. A mighty bow is just a regular bow with extra pull; it requires more strength to use, not more skill, and this is already present in the rules.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I've always thought a longbow (composite or otherwise) should be an exotic weapon. Real life-wise, it required a lot of training to use with any effect, and game-wise, it is a far superior weapon to crossbows.

 

[The_Spider]

Is composite that much different?

The question I would ask is if an archer skilled in the shortbow, then switches to the compostie short bow, how much of his skill is he really losing? Is a composite bow really that much different from a shortbow?

Game wise, if you wanted to rule the "mighty bow" was an exotic weapon, leaving non mighty composite bows still martial weapons it wouldnt seem to me unbalanced, especially since crossbows are inferior.

 

[Laurel]

Question back first: Would you then require this feat for each type of composite bow?

Basically what they others above said.....
1) it's strength bonus not finess. They are made slightly different, but with it being masterwork automatically that should help any inital changes of regular to composite
2) it's not a simple weapon to begin with
3) Don't archers have enough feats and penalties?
4) If you don't make a longsword weilder adding a +4 to thier weapon have to take this feat I don't see that an archer should

 

[Enforcer]

As an archery instructor during the summer, I can tell you that the strength of the bow matters (stronger means less arc which means easier to aim), but the process is the same whether it's a 15 lb pull or 75 lb.

 

[Nifft]

As someone interested in the mechanics, I think that for Composite Longbows to be exotic, they'd have to deal at least 1d10 damage. Otherwise the Feat is wasted.

Composite Shortbows would stay as-is -- Martial and Elf -- but the Mighty version of a Shortbow would have to cost more towards the high end, or be capped relatively low -- say, +3.

-- N

 

[DreamChaser]

There is not technically such a thing as a mighty bow in 3.5. They are just composite bows with a max strength modifier. A normal composite bow is +0.

DC

 

[DreamChaser]

And no. I don't think more feats are needed. They work fine as is. The strength added and range increase are not that big of deals. Plus, as someone pointed out, they would actually be slightly easier to use, provided you could pull them, than a regular bow.

DC

 

[Chimera]

but doesn't it make sense to require an Exotic Weapon feat to be able to use a composite bow build for extra strength?

No.

A composite bow is just a bow made of a variety of materials, designed to increase the "pull" (power required) and durability of the bow itself.

This would be like requiring a Exotic Weapon Feat to use a Adamantine or Silver Longsword, just because it's a different material.