Poll: Bow or Crossbow
- Thread starter bam13302
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It has already been mentioned, but I think you need to do more research on the crossbow.
Whether it is a lighter crossbow used on horse, or a heavy crossbow behind a wall or settlement, or an arbalest if you have the time, crossbow over bow for me.
Having said that recurve eastern bows are fine tools.
Whether it is a lighter crossbow used on horse, or a heavy crossbow behind a wall or settlement, or an arbalest if you have the time, crossbow over bow for me.
Having said that recurve eastern bows are fine tools.
you seem to have played alot at Age of Empires 2 haven't you?Akai Shizuku said:
Chukonu anyone?
in mideval times, crossbows usually had a lot of force behind them, more than longbows, and had heavier projectals. The cut through armor just as easily. Lonbows not only have a longer range, but could fire about 5 times as fast, so for me, longbow.
You have it backwards. The English longbow (6.6ft tall) usually had a draw force of about 150 lbf and a range around 200 yrds. Typical military usage was about 6 shots a minute, to start with, and then greater conserved aimed shots later.bam13302 said:
Much quicker, and with greater range, but not power, the crossbow allowed for a far grater draw strength, and the fact that the bow could remain drawn while the arbalist aimed made them far more accurate. Less stressful on the shooter as well.
It's really a toss up, with the more effective one being situational. I would think however that any kind of defensive fight would benefit more from crossbows than bow and arrow.
Whilst they do have a much smaller span, they normally have a much greater draw weight to compensate. This is why crossbows often required a complex winching system to reload them - they were that overwrought, they needed a lot of mechanical power (and time) to draw them back.Continuity said:
A longbows max drawstrength was 200N, compared to the most powerful crossbow's (the Arbalest) max, of 22kN. That is somewhat more than "3 times the draw strength". Thisridiculously high draw strength more than compensates for teh crossbow's shorter span and lighter darts. Even if you assume the OP is referring to standard, early crossbows, the power of a typical crossbow is marginally greater. The range of early crossbows is less than that of longbows, but crossbows developed considerably, increasing in range and power. It was specifically the crossbow's penetration power at closer ranges (and not the bows's) which led to heavier and heavier armour.
Battle of Agincourt as well, as many others.Hurr Durr Derp said:
Basically the only reason the English won in the 100 years war for so long.
Before Joan of Arc came and kicked their ass.
Edit: The longbow is the reason, that is
MMeh, they were pretty weak sauce crossbows. Unless you tipped the arrows with poison and targeted only closs range, light armoured mooks, they were pretty ineffectual.S_O_L_U_S said:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repeating_crossbow
Who said bows are faster?
Crossbow. In modern times, these could mount sights, and would be more useful. I think everyone has argued about the advantages and disadvantages, but I still prefer the point and shoot capability of the crossbow.
No better upper body workout than shooting an old fashioned english longbow. First time I shot one of those I was straining so much to keep the bow taut I didn't even notice I'd let the arrow drop to the ground.
Anyway if I were stuck in a battle medieval style, I would definitely go with a longbow. I think it's a bit easier to use personally, and if you're up against an enemy with superior numbers I think their a bit better at hit and run attacks. They're easy to sling over your back, they blend in with the environment so as long as you're not in a city you might be able to escape, and you can easily get another arrow ready while running (try reloading a crossbow while running).
Anyway if I were stuck in a battle medieval style, I would definitely go with a longbow. I think it's a bit easier to use personally, and if you're up against an enemy with superior numbers I think their a bit better at hit and run attacks. They're easy to sling over your back, they blend in with the environment so as long as you're not in a city you might be able to escape, and you can easily get another arrow ready while running (try reloading a crossbow while running).
