In an earlier versions of cRPG I used to play as an assaultarcher.
I ran around like a Legolas-Rambo with a Strongbow/Warbow ,powerdraw 10 and 1-2 shotting ppl with great speed and precision.
In heavy armor with a backup 2hand axe.
Opponents shields and armor made little difference.
High level archers were truly overpowered.
The true power of the bow came from its ability to give fast and precise damage.
You could shoot into meleefights from close range, without hitting friendly melee if you used common sense.
Stop cav by doing a cold stand and headshot the rider or the horse.
Shoot the shielder in the feet or hit a small window above the shield that resulted in a headshot.
The heavy damage was a bonus, but it was the speed and precision that was the key.
So adjustments were implemented gradually so that it would remain Mount and Blade, and not Warbow and Arrow.
The adjustmentteam in crpg seems to be trying to balance theoretical damageoutput between bows and xbows.
It seems like they are forgetting that the most important thing for the bow to work is that is has to be fast and accurate.
The xbowmen reload behind cover, and release their bolt with good accuracy, and can aim until they get a clear shot.
The archers have to draw(reload) in the open , and release their arrow at a fixed time window when the reticule is small(ish).
If the target is blocked by passing friendly melee or cav in that 0,5sec time, you have to abort the shot ,and draw again.
I usually abort half shots. Mostly because people get so angry if they get teamwounded or teamkilled.
Since accuracy and missilespeed is lower now, its very hard to engage any target in the proximity of friendly units.
And most have learned how to zigzag and do the crazydancespinn ,even the cav on horses.
The inability to stay on the ground and run together with melee , has forced archers to try and find highground, esp roofs.
Where it is easier to get clear shots,and less worry about beeing cut down by melee or cav.
The changes made one after another has reduced archery to an slowfiring roofcamping inaccurate closerange "sniper".
The low armour+no melee wpf+2 slotsystem+slower drawspeed+slower missilespeed+armoursoak+lower damage has effectivly neutered this once so overpowered class.
I deleted my archer today, and rolled out an xbowman.
Soon you will not see any but the most dedicated or fools trying to use the bow.
Ranged players want to play ranged, when more archers convert to xbows , meleeplayers will be cursing even worse than before.
Because xbows are a real cowards weapon, cover shoot, reload , run close to a fight, shoot, run back to cover,reload.. goes on and on..
And they will be faster than most and pack a mean punch, since most of the skillpoints will go towards agi for weaponmaster and athletics.
No need for lots of str for powerdraw anymore.
Sorry for incoherent wall of text, I can rant on forever
Torost
