Bow draw weights and skill

[AlexanderHowl]

Originally Posted by Polydamas

Aside from "The Deadly Spring" and GURPS Tactical Shooting (oriented towards firearms and contemporary US thinking), GURPS Martial Arts has rules for archers in heavy bow traditions buying up Striking ST for the purpose of archery. (Heavy bows were a fad in 16th century Eurasia, but its not at all clear to me that all traditional archers used heavy bows for war).

That Mongol anecdote does not sound like either of the two Eurasian archery traditions I know (shower shooting from long range, and sending single riders to gallop close, loose a few arrows at point blank range, and gallop away while the next rider approaches and picks her prey).

Though only Foot Archery gives special exercises for ST, and it allows the purchase of up to Arm ST+3 rather than any level of Striking ST (Arm ST is arguably a better deal). Heavier bows could be used with the Huge Weapons (ST) and Strongbow perks. Arguably, a character with ST 12, Arm ST+3, Huge Weapons (ST) 2, Strongbow, and Bow at DX+2 or higher could use a ST 19 composite bow, which would deal 2d+2 impaling damage, up to 2d+8 impaling with very fine arrows and Weapon Master (Composite Bow).