I have been an avid user/abuser of the crossbow for a while now. I have a x1 Arbalest at the moment, had a x3 one before heirloom rerole, but transferred that to my light crossbow for cavalry use. The arbalest is balanced unloomed, as the reload speed really makes you pause for thought to where you are shooting. I think it is part of the crossbow's role to pierce heavy armours and pick off tanks and other long range high value targets. However, I do agree that the rate at which you pick off targets with a crossbow is too high. Leave the damage of the arbalest, if you have to do something to it, make the RELOAD SPEED slower (note: NOT the missile speed). Also do this with the lower tier crossbows (except the hunting crossbow). I haven't played a high level archer for ages so I'm not qualified to tell archers what their class needs, but I thought archery was more of a suppression weapon, the main advantage being the reload speed.
Longbow vs heavy armour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3997HZuWjkI suppose they wouldn't have padding under their helmet though!
A few valid points we can apply to balance between the two?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g-0-RK3cjkBeing a crossbowman is apparently very expensive (already implemented) and a very specialised skill. Perhaps attach it to weapon master skills?
The crossbow is deadlier at close range, but the longbow fires further.
Oh wait, this is a normal crossbow! More akin to the light-heavy than the arbalest. The arbalest is a HEAVY SLOW siege weapon. Would a weight increase be a logical change?
Anyone think the crossbow is too slow? I think at least arbalest reloading should be nerfed. The damage should stay.