Post by saturnine on Nov 13, 2020 10:05:57 GMT
"No one uses bows 'cause they're efficient, you use 'em cause you look hot doing it."
– Archer's proverb
Bows, and later crossbows, were once the pinnacle of human weaponry. Even before the Great War, there were many in use with many modern military forces, mostly by special operatives. Most of the time, they're poison tipped (or have vials attached) for instant kills. Bows and Crossbows have the following advantages over firearms:
1: Silent
Even though the old holo-vids would have you believe otherwise, "silenced" firearms are anything but silent. In fact, the correct military terminology is "suppressed". Though the degree of suppression varies, and there are guns which are highly suppressed, they're not silent; at least not more so than bows. There's also another silence that's important here, that of the target. The victim of a gunshot can possibly stay alive long enough to shout out a warning, but not in case of an arrow, which brings us to the next point.
2: Instant kills
Suppressed weapons can also kill instantly, but you have to aim very carefully at the head or the heart (depending on the caliber of bullet). By contrast, arrows and bolts are big shafts of wood or metal that cause massive trauma anywhere they hit. This, combined with the lethality of poison tipped projectiles, give bow/crossbow shots a greater chance of killing instantly.
3: No risk of collateral damage
Arrows and bolts will never over-penetrate their targets, except in freak circumstances where someone may be standing directly behind your target. Bullets, slugs or buckshot can run the risk of over-penetrating a target and end up going through walls and hitting something else in the next room. Useful in some circumstances, but it's a variable that you can never fully control.
4: Ammo economy
Arrows and bolts are very easy to craft, requiring very little resources to produce. Furthermore, undamaged projectiles may be collected and re-used after shooting them, lending massively to self-sustainability.
5: Weapon coating
Arrows and bolts can be coated with venom, offering a variety of extra effects.
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Bowflex
Moving along, we come to the matter of Strength. One should consider their Strength statistic when it comes to the Bow/Crossbow weapon class. Determining your optimal draw weight is very important when deciding on the right bow for you. The proper bow weight based on a bow-user's experience and physical ability will help them maximize the control of the draw cycle of that bow, and more effectively execute consistent and accurate shots.
1: Silent
Even though the old holo-vids would have you believe otherwise, "silenced" firearms are anything but silent. In fact, the correct military terminology is "suppressed". Though the degree of suppression varies, and there are guns which are highly suppressed, they're not silent; at least not more so than bows. There's also another silence that's important here, that of the target. The victim of a gunshot can possibly stay alive long enough to shout out a warning, but not in case of an arrow, which brings us to the next point.
2: Instant kills
Suppressed weapons can also kill instantly, but you have to aim very carefully at the head or the heart (depending on the caliber of bullet). By contrast, arrows and bolts are big shafts of wood or metal that cause massive trauma anywhere they hit. This, combined with the lethality of poison tipped projectiles, give bow/crossbow shots a greater chance of killing instantly.
3: No risk of collateral damage
Arrows and bolts will never over-penetrate their targets, except in freak circumstances where someone may be standing directly behind your target. Bullets, slugs or buckshot can run the risk of over-penetrating a target and end up going through walls and hitting something else in the next room. Useful in some circumstances, but it's a variable that you can never fully control.
4: Ammo economy
Arrows and bolts are very easy to craft, requiring very little resources to produce. Furthermore, undamaged projectiles may be collected and re-used after shooting them, lending massively to self-sustainability.
5: Weapon coating
Arrows and bolts can be coated with venom, offering a variety of extra effects.
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Bowflex
Moving along, we come to the matter of Strength. One should consider their Strength statistic when it comes to the Bow/Crossbow weapon class. Determining your optimal draw weight is very important when deciding on the right bow for you. The proper bow weight based on a bow-user's experience and physical ability will help them maximize the control of the draw cycle of that bow, and more effectively execute consistent and accurate shots.
Every bow/crossbow has a minimum draw weight/STR requirement, just as every person has an ideal draw weight. Some archers easily pull 30 pounds, and others can pull over 70 pounds. Certain bows can be adjusted to become lighter or heavier as needed; Some can be tuned into the 70 pound range, while others offer a smaller range of poundage adjustment as low as 10 pounds.
If, when drawing a bow, you need to lean forward or backward, or raise your bow skyward to get the bow to full draw, your bow's draw weight is most likely too heavy. Shooting a bow's draw weights (or reloading a crossbow) heavier than your natural ability increases the risk of failure and injury. It's important to remember however, that draw weight alone won't always ensure fatal shots, because lethality includes other variables. Bows with high draw weight better ensure your arrow and broadhead penetrate vital organs, but some lower draw weights can also harvest animals better if the shot placement is accurate.
Consider these factors when shooting low-poundage bows:
– Shot placement: To inflict kill shots, you must place your arrow into the target's vital organs. Even if you shoot a 70-pound bow, a shot to a target's lower leg won't be lethal. However, a broadhead in the target's heart or lungs ensures quick, humane kills.
– Shot distance: The closer your shot, the faster and more powerful your arrow will be. Close shots are also easier to make because your target appears larger.
– Arrow weight: Heavier arrows penetrate hide and armor better than light arrows because they carry more energy.
– Broadhead design: Fixed-blade broadheads penetrate well, so they're an excellent choice when pursuing large targets and when shooting light-poundage bows.
– Range: The stronger you are, the bigger the bow, and the heavier your arrow, the further your maximum shot range will be.
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Shortbow
DMG: 10
Min STR: 3
Longbow
DMG: 20
Min STR: 6
Min STR: 6
Techbow
DMG: 30
Min STR: Variable
Special: May benefit from scopes and laser sights
Greatbow
DMG: 50
Min STR: 9
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Hand Crossbow
Wristbow
Wristbow
Hunting Crossbow
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Airbow
Harpoon Cannon