Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Trakx 07-29-05, 02:22 PM	What is better: a crossbow or a composite shortbow +1 Str (and your character has 12 Strength, so you have just the right bonus)? Note: I don't know what sort of crossbow. One that would be comperable against a shortbow of the type above, I guess.
sleazeonwheels 07-29-05, 02:29 PM	The crossbow will be hitting for 1-8 damage, while the shortbow will be hitting for 2-7 damage. Crossbows critical more often than shortbows, but shortbows do more damage when they critical. Personally, I think they're nearly the same, but shortbows have a slight edge.
Centauri 07-29-05, 02:38 PM	Unless you get Rapid Reload or a Exotic Weapon Proficiency with a repeating crossbow, you'll always be limited to one shot per round with the crossbow, or one every other if it's a heavy crossbow. With the bow, you can take as many shots as you have attacks, more if you have Rapid Shot.
tarkin 07-29-05, 02:41 PM	Assuming you are proficient with the shortbow, the shortbow is far superior. Crossbows are there fore two people: Those that are not proficient with bows Those that are weak and have a Strength penalty. No one else has any reason to use them.
Centauri 07-29-05, 02:49 PM	No one else has any reason to use them. The extra range from the crossbows is kind of nice. Bows also don't come in a hand-sized version.
Steeltwo 08-12-05, 11:51 AM	they are good to take down a creature or two while they are charging. but other than that. They are a PITA to use in a normal fight. the repeating crossbow is nice...until it blows up :-D
Willie the Duck 08-13-05, 11:44 PM	I've had rangers or rogue/rangers that set up elaborate ambushes that involve a bow or poisoned javeline for the surprise round shot, ambidextrous light crossbows for the first full round, and mounted combat with composite longbows every round thereafter. The crossbow may not outfight the bow in a straight "I'm a full fighter with one ranged weapon and one melee weapon" type of build, but the uses the thing has justifies its existance, even for classes wih martial proficiencies.
boredgremlin 08-14-05, 02:26 AM	Personally i have never liked crossbows for my characters. They are more expensive and shoot slower. Also and this is just my experiances when i am a player but most of my DM's make me keep track of arrows used and i seem to run into more archers then crossbowmen. Makes resupplying my ammunition on a long adventure much easier with a bow.
Wolf72 08-14-05, 03:31 PM	I've always been a fan of the heavy crossbow ... it's a nice one shot ranged weapon for 1d10 ... get some mw bolts for a better chance at hitting someone
Gun Toter 08-14-05, 05:57 PM	Assuming you are proficient with the shortbow, the shortbow is far superior. Crossbows are there fore two people: Those that are not proficient with bows Those that are weak and have a Strength penalty. No one else has any reason to use them. The Crossbow, a low level magic user best friend.
Acheron 08-14-05, 06:09 PM	Unless you get Rapid Reload or a Exotic Weapon Proficiency with a repeating crossbow, you'll always be limited to one shot per round with the crossbow, or one every other if it's a heavy crossbow. With the bow, you can take as many shots as you have attacks, more if you have Rapid Shot. Aboslutely true :)
guru7892 08-14-05, 06:27 PM	No one else has any reason to use them. you cant dual-weild bows. thats why a dual weilding dex fighter, with quick-draw shoots two L.crossbows and then draws their swords, during a surprise round. or you could load your character up with a ton of crossbows and take quick draw and some dual-wielding feats.... that would be funny.
Thamior Magus Rex 08-15-05, 09:55 AM	In Real Life: I would choose a Light Crossbow; better range than a bow, easier to carry cocked-and-loaded, flatter trajectory (so it's easier to hit with) and requires less practice. My reasoning is based on my build, I'm not a dextrous person so the crossbow would be my first-strike weapon followed by readying for melee. In The Game: MW Mighty Bow all the way. Depending on your characters Str it's the best bet; When you hit you're guaranteed of doing more than a mere 1pt of damage and you get all those beautiful multiple attacks at higher levels without needing feats or magic. In my current game my elf wizard has been cristened "Aerich the Death Elf" because I critically hit and killed a vampire samurai and a manticore with my composite short bow-and it wasn't even mighty or enchanted at the time!