All muscle-powered weapons – not just melee weapons – are limited to damage for three times the ST listed in the weapon tables. For bows of all kinds, the ST on the table doesn't rate
user ST (which is a separate rating) but minimum ST to pick up and shoot a bow of that design without a penalty. See p. B270 for more. Just looking at the bows on pp. B275-276, then:
Short Bow or Crossbow (any kind): Min. ST 7, Max. ST 21. A bow can be designed to match user ST for ST 7-21; the user needs this much ST to operate the bow. The user has a skill penalty if his ST is 6 or less, regardless of the bow, because it's too bulky and heavy for him before he so much as draws the thing (which he might still be able to do with extra effort).
Regular or Composite Bow: Min. ST 10, Max. ST 30. A bow can be designed to match user ST for ST 10-30; the user needs this much ST to operate the bow. The user has a skill penalty if his ST is 9 or less, regardless of the bow, because it's too bulky and heavy for him before he so much as draws the thing (which he might still be able to do with extra effort).
Longbow: Min. ST 11, Max. ST 33. A bow can be designed to match user ST for ST 11-33; the user needs this much ST to operate the bow. The user has a skill penalty if his ST is 10 or less, regardless of the bow, because it's too bulky and heavy for him before he so much as draws the thing (which he might still be able to do with extra effort).
The same rule is why throwing knives and shuriken can't be as deadly as guns. They list ST 5 for the most part, which means that ST 16+ users are treated as if they had ST 15.
That said . . .
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhd
I don't see a big problem when someone with the best (cinematic!) training available, using one of the strongest bows available does damage comparable to a rather low-level artillery weapon (mostly anti-personnel, if my memory serves).
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Agreed. Especially since this is true at later TLs even without much training. The latest, greatest rounds for reloadable RPG launchers and other LAWs do more damage per shot, with a greater rate of fire, than the lightest battery mortars and howitzers. What light artillery customarily gets you is sustainable fire and a wider range of ammunition options.