Why is archery the prefered combat style?

[Ranger REG]

At least in 3.5, the dagger is almost balanced. In 3E, it was the most broken weapon in the game!

As long as a dagger is as dangerous as a 7.62mm round, I'm content.

 

[Votan]

As long as a dagger is as dangerous as a 7.62mm round, I'm content.

In D&D one thing that is kinda of strange is that missile weapons represent one strike while a round of combat appears to represent many possible blows and parries. This makes it hard to compare to real life where a duel can last for a surprising length of time but one solid hit with an arrow probably ends the fight.

In the same sense, a sword is a more dangerous weapon but a well placed dagger is extremely lethal.

In this spirit, careful discussion of physics and relative lethality are alwasy going to run into the issue that the game overly abstracts this part of battle.

 

[Nail]

If the amount of energy that goes into projecting two objects is equal, than the heavier object loses velocity faster, because it takes more energy to keep it moving forward. You cannot throw 100 lb shotput farther than a 10 lb shotput just because its heavier. Now, if you can ratchet up the amount of energy that goes into projecting it, then your shotput is a cannonball.

I finally went back to see how Felon responded....

Oh dear.

Someone needs to look over his Physics textbooks again....

 

[green slime]

I feel compelled to mention that I got there five years ago, NOT THAT ANYONE LISTENS TO ME

What was that you said again?

 

[Nail]

What was that you said again?

Did you just hear something?