Bow draw weights and skill

[smurf]

Originally Posted by Keampe

One thing to consider from the historical perspective is consistency. Specifically the arrows. Every arrow in your quiver is hand made out of natural materials. Now a good Fletcher will be quite consistent but there are limits that modern arrows don't have - modern arrows are very consistent. This is why TL7+ weapons are fine at no extra cost.

If you've ever shot a quiver with arrows from different manufacturers in it, you'll know what that's like. Most archers have, when they start out, myself included. :)

Seems to me that such consistent arrows should qualify for an accuracy bonus, but the rules don't reflect that. Then again, the medieval archer might just be very familiar with each arrow and know it's individual properties. You could treat that as an unfamiliarity penalty if the characters get new arrows - some time at the butts will cure the penalty.

- Shane

IIRC the Bow at TL7+ also can be Compound/Recurve, this gets a bit more sinister with their Crossbow equivalents.

B270 gives a Max ST for melee weapons and I believe they apply it to Bows too.

The Longbow has a min ST 11 and could theoretically have a Max ST of 33 thrust +2 imp, where as a Recurve bow it is Maxed ST 30 thrust +3 imp.

It gets scarier with the Composite Crossbow that can be cranked up to ST 24 thrust +5 imp, whereas the Military Crossbow that can be cranked to ST 36 thrust +5 imp.

Another aspect is that all Bows are designed for the Shooter. If you have a buff dude with ST16 then someone finding such a weapon and is ST11 is going to have a hard job shooting it.