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WaterAndWindSpirit · 07-17-2015, 06:48 AM

First, the penalty due to move is for needing to lead the target (that is, aiming at where the target will be in a few seconds). If he runs toward you in a straight line, there's no need to lead.

Second, archers train for years to be efficient. In GURPS terms, your average archer probably has at least 14 in the Bow skill, and a green archer has maybe 12. The reason why armies phased out the bow was because the contemporary guns did require much less training.

Last but not least, hitting with a bow is extremely deadly. I had an archer roll a lucky hit on the party wizard once and bring him to 0 HP. He only survived because the warrior defeated the meatshields and the rest decided they weren't paid enough for this. Plus, you can use Bodkin Points which are effective at piercing armor. And in the modern world, they are good against modern body armor (Impaling damage, which modern body armor are weak against unless the target uses heavy inserts which will likely put him at a high encumbrance level), and are a relatively silent weapon.

In short, bows tend to be difficult but awesome as weapons.

07-17-2015, 06:48 AM	#3
WaterAndWindSpirit Join Date: Oct 2014	Re: [Combat]: Do you bow, bro? First, the penalty due to move is for needing to lead the target (that is, aiming at where the target will be in a few seconds). If he runs toward you in a straight line, there's no need to lead. Second, archers train for years to be efficient. In GURPS terms, your average archer probably has at least 14 in the Bow skill, and a green archer has maybe 12. The reason why armies phased out the bow was because the contemporary guns did require much less training. Last but not least, hitting with a bow is extremely deadly. I had an archer roll a lucky hit on the party wizard once and bring him to 0 HP. He only survived because the warrior defeated the meatshields and the rest decided they weren't paid enough for this. Plus, you can use Bodkin Points which are effective at piercing armor. And in the modern world, they are good against modern body armor (Impaling damage, which modern body armor are weak against unless the target uses heavy inserts which will likely put him at a high encumbrance level), and are a relatively silent weapon. In short, bows tend to be difficult but awesome as weapons.