[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by Pimpão

So, the basic rule is that you need to be as strong as or stronger than the bow you´re using?

That's the best option. The ST rating of the bow is its minimum ST as well as maximum, determining the damage that it does regardless of the user's ST.

The minimum ST rule on B270 applies to muscle-powered ranged weapons (Krommquote):

Originally Posted by B270

If you try to use a weapon that requires more ST than you have, you will be at -1 to weapon skill per point of ST you lack and lose one extra FP at the end of any fight that lasts long enough to fatigue you.

Later,

Originally Posted by B270

Crossbows and ST: Bows, crossbows, and prodds have their own ST value. Use this instead of your ST to determine range and damage. You must specify the ST of such a weapon when you buy it. You can always use a weapon that is weaker than you. You can use a stronger crossbow or prodd; it does more damage but take longer to cock (see Shots, above). You cannot use a stronger bow.

So if you have a way to cock your BFC 9000, like a stronger friend or mechanical aid, you can fire it at a skill penalty. But you can't manage to draw a self-bow stronger than you are, at least in the usual fashion.

If you're desperate, you can use Extra Effort to draw a bow stronger than you are. (See B357.) This is both tiring and risky, probably not something to plan on doing routinely in combat.