Weapon: Stonebow

[Krug]

http://www.thebeckoning.com/medieval/stonebow/about-sbow.html

How would you rate this weapon's damage? Not much, I know, but an interesting weapon nonetheless.

 

[Romotre]

1d6/x2. bashing damage. might be useful against skeletons.

 

[Tetsubo]

As said 1d6, x2 crit. I'd make the range increment 60. A bit longer than a sling but not unrealistic. The stonebow was used as asmall game hunting weapon in RL. It killed without piercing the animal. Used mostly by the upper class and clergy.

 

[Happiest_Sadist]

I'd say it is the same as a crossbow except it does bludgening damage and has a crit of 20/x2. These come in the same varieties as crossbows (light, heavy and hand), proficiency with the crossbow implies proficiency with the same stonebow. Reload times are the same.

 

[Tetsubo]

The problem with that is that the stonebow missiles are much less aerodynamic than a bolt. Unlike a rifled firearm there is no spin on the stonebows pellet. It isn't going to go as far and will probably have less force behind it when it gets there. Additionally all the research I've seen on them has pointed to only a "light" version. They were never indended as a martial weapon. Just something for small game and target shooting. But if you want more powerful versions in your campaign go for it. Me, I'll just use guns.

 

[Thorvald Kviksverd]

Incidentally, there was also a shortbow version of the stonebow.

I think I've got an article about it in an issue of Primitive Archer--I'll see if I can dig it up.

IIRC, the article concerned its use in Nepal (?). There was a prohibition against needlessly killing animals, yet the farmers needed to protect their crops/livestock. So they used the stonebow as a non-lethal means for driving predators off.

 

[Tetsubo]

I have pictures of the shortbow version. I think it must have been a bear to aim. Must have taken as much practice as a sling.

 

[Thorvald Kviksverd]

I have pictures of the shortbow version. I think it must have been a bear to aim. Must have taken as much practice as a sling.

You're right there.

The stone won't return to true like an arrow will as it flexes after passing the stave. The user has to allow the bow to rotate as he releases, and it has to be done with such timing that the stone flies true, and the hand is not struck.

Though I think, once the timing is down, it is a bit easier to aim than a sling--but still less powerful and shorter ranged.