Why is archery the prefered combat style?

[Ranger REG]

At least in the PHB there is no doubt about the bias. I can understand that you shoot faster with a bow, but that you would do more damage than with a crossbow sounds really contrived.

Meh. Better to shoot faster than to rely on one good shot.

And of course then there are the feats. There the bias really reaches absurd levels. I would think that shooting more than one arrow from a bow is next to impossible as opposed to say crossbow and especially a sling, where this was a common way of use.

EDIT: The talk is about ranged combat style, of course.

Maybe with two arrows at the same time, it is possible. But four arrows would be absurd.

I don't know about shooting more bolts simultaneously from a crossbow, nor loading up more stones/bullets in a sling would be less absurd. Even the repeating crossbow shoots one at a time, and even when the cartridge is empty it takes a full-round action to reload a new filled cartridge that can only hold five bolts.

But since PHB2 is out, I'm more inclined to change archery combat style feats to that of bow specialization/mastery feats.

 

[Machiavelli]

I have a hard time imagining a heavy projectile with a flat trajectory delivering less energy to the target than a light, arcing projectile.

In fact, without external links to reputable sources, I have a hard time treating any of the statements made in this thread as "facts" at all.


However, I will happily agree that the crossbows in the PHB are pathetic compared to bows, in so much as choices for players. Even with the PBHII, they are ridiculously feat-intensive, despite being apparently intended for rogues. If someone can come up with a way to simultaneously have a decent handful of sneak attack dice, a long list of feats, and a way to ensure some degree of reliability for those sneak attack opportunities, then the crossbow can be superior.

On the other hand, a crossbow is concealable and can be carried into a low, tight space while still being ready to lay down effective fire. In D&D settings, these things can be important.


As for why this is so... *shrug* because the game designers said so? You can always house-rule it.

 

[shilsen]

Maybe with two arrows at the same time, it is possible. But four arrows would be absurd.

In real life. In mythology it would be just fine. D&D, of course, does the latter.

 

[nittanytbone]

Its a game, don't shoot for realism.

One of the weapons (bow) is a martial weapon. It is expensive, especially to get a strength bow, putting it out of price range of starting characters. It is superior, with enough feats invested in it.

The other weapon (xbow) is a simple weapon. It is cheaper, but can potentially do more damage in the first shot for a low level character (1d10 hvy xbow vs. 1d6 shortbow), making it ideal for mooks, hired mercenaries, and ambushes by low level characters. It can be fairly effective at higher levels, but you need an extra feat (rapid reload).

The final weapon (sling) is also a simple weapon. It is so cheap as to be nearly free, is easily improvised, and does the least damage. However, you can apply your strength modifier to damage without needing any fancy gear, making it a good choice at early levels for savage warriors that have high strength.

There are situations in which all of the weapons are appropriate. Of course, the martial weapon is going to have an edge, especially once you have the feats/cash to trick it out. That's not really a problem, though, is it? After all, nobody complains that the longsword is so much better than the heavy mace, do they?

 

[pawsplay]

At least in the PHB there is no doubt about the bias. I can understand that you shoot faster with a bow, but that you would do more damage than with a crossbow sounds really contrived.

And of course then there are the feats. There the bias really reaches absurd levels. I would think that shooting more than one arrow from a bow is next to impossible as opposed to say crossbow and especially a sling, where this was a common way of use.

EDIT: The talk is about ranged combat style, of course.

Historically, crossbows were weapons for conscripts. Bows are faster and shoot farther, but require more training.

Firing more than one arrow can certainly be done; I've seen it demonstrated. Firing more than one crossbow bolt, however, is a little like trying to sink two balls while playing pool standing on a skateboard. The moment one bolt loses contact with the firing mechanism, the other is going to juke, hard. Not only is it wildly inaccurate, but even siege weapons are rarely built this way, because of the loss of range.

 

[Felon]

I have a hard time imagining a heavy projectile with a flat trajectory delivering less energy to the target than a light, arcing projectile.

In fact, without external links to reputable sources, I have a hard time treating any of the statements made in this thread as "facts" at all.

The reason a bow delivers more energy is pretty simple and scientific: it's got a much broader armspan. As to the weight of projectiles, a heavy one loses energy in flight faster than a light one.

However, I will happily agree that the crossbows in the PHB are pathetic compared to bows, in so much as choices for players.

Well, what is it that makes Xbows unattractive? It's pretty much the far slower loading time, which is pretty factual.

As for why this is so... *shrug* because the game designers said so? You can always house-rule it.

For better or worse, D&D is not a game wherely single shots of anything are terribly deadly. Any type of "one-shot" attack is going to be reflected poorly.

Having said that, I have a scout in my campaign who is quite successful with his heavy repeating Xbow.

 

[Ranger REG]

In real life. In mythology it would be just fine. D&D, of course, does the latter.

No, that would be anime, which is handled by BESM (d20 or Tri-Stat).

 

[Ranger REG]

Historically, crossbows were weapons for conscripts. Bows are faster and shoot farther, but require more training.

Be glad that in D&D, crossbows have a longer range than bows.

 

[Nail]

As to the weight of projectiles, a heavy one loses energy in flight faster than a light one.

Felon, think that one through again. You know that's not the case.

 

[bestone]

x-bows are the preffered choice for low level mages!(imho) drop prone for the 4 bonus to ac from ranged attacks and shoot away without penalty. (note this only works at range, dont try this in melee)

Last mage i played this, the fighters tied up the melee, and i felt i could do something, with mage armor + prone i had +8ac vs the ranged targets. I didnt need to hide, i could sit there and shoot!

at higher levels this tactic became really....useless tho