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What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 5:25 pm
by melm
Curious to know the historicity behind the design.

Re: What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:47 am
by MVP7
What difference exactly do you mean? I thought the only difference between the two was that crossbow has lower base damage but ignores armour.

Re: What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:58 am
by jomni
Must be the rate of fire.

Re: What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:58 am
by rbodleyscott
melm wrote: Tue Jun 11, 2019 5:25 pm Curious to know the historicity behind the design.
We are drawing a balance between:

1) Crossbow lower rate of fire.
2) Chinese use of crossbows vs nomad cavalry.
3) Crossbow better vs armour than ordinary bows.
4) Crossbow loses in a duel vs longbows. (Although other reasons have been put forward for the debacle at Crecy)

Re: What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:34 am
by melm
MVP7 wrote: Wed Jun 12, 2019 6:47 am What difference exactly do you mean? I thought the only difference between the two was that crossbow has lower base damage but ignores armour.
I mean crossbow has -16% against cavalry but -41% against foot, but bow/sling/javelin doesn't differentiate the effect against mounted or foot. RBS's point #2 may be the reason.

Re: What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 7:43 am
by melm
Yes, I've read that lack of shield-bearer is the reason for the poor behavior of crossbowmen in Crecy.