If we're gonna talk about reality the devs have clearly never aimed and shot with either a bow or a crossbow. If we're talking about reality the devs have clearly chosen to ignore the laws of physics on how projectiles act. If we're talking about reality the devs have clearly replaced the reality with their own...
Elerions awesome work clearly shows a huge disadvantage for archers compared to crossbowmen. It is really silly how you can even defend this as there is no thing that supports this either from a realistic or game balance point of view. Archers where a big part of medieval warfare and the bow have always been superior to the crossbow when it comes to range, reloading speed and accuracy. The thing that made the crossbow thrive was the fact that you could use it with very little training. The aerodynamics of the arrow compared to the bolt is way way better which gives it better range and accuracy and damage at longer range than 30 meters. But enough about the bow vs the crossbow. As stated above these should not go at each other. The real problem is the ranged vs the melee. In reality ranged should be superior, for game balance they should be equal.
Have you any idea how much power a crossbow or bow put out? With such a small hit area as the tip of a arrow or bolt it has way way more power than a human can ever muster in a swing or thrust. If you had ever been hit by a two handed sword while wearing a plate you would know it doesent do that much damage unless it hits where you dont have protection. Guess what, the arrow/bolt works the same way only difference is that the arrow/bolt actually penetrates breastplates and even helmets. I was reading this thead
http://forum.c-rpg.net/index.php/topic,10358.0.html and in it Paul gives alot of pseudo science argument backed up with youtube clips of how the bodkin didnt penetrate armor. Well I dont think they did either as I know a thing or two about steel but im also convinced that no melee weapon in this game can penetrate that breastplate. The power of a human is simply to low. So if the bows are to be nerfed by the fact that the arrows cant penetrate modern steel on youtube then all the melee weapons should also be nerfed. But seriously...
Crossbows should have higher dmg and lower missile speed compared to bows. This to replicate the fact that bows are more accurate and effective at longer distance while the crossbow has higher v0 due to pure power. Crossbows should be easier to use and need less skillpoint investments. This to replicate the faster time to learn to use crossbows.
Conclusion: Revert bows to what they where before patch and keep crossbows the same as they are now.
@Elerion: Thank you for taking your time presenting this positive criticism in such a clear way.
@Devs: Keep up the good work! This is the best game/mod I've ever played but plz fix this as its breaking the game.
