I'm not a fan of pocket xbows. Fucking 2h/polearm heroes can just take an xbow and bolts with them without any significant penalty. Yes, the xbow/bolts adds a little weight, and yes they are expensive, but that's it.
And anyone who meets the str requirement can use an xbow.
I think that WPF should more greatly effect xbow accuracy. I like that the current system is realistic, in the sense that an xbow required little training to use. But it's stupid to see people carrying a crossbow around like it's a fucking sidearm, that they can just whip out and pew pew away on a whim. Perhaps some other drawback could be implemented.
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And I agree that horse xbows should be changed a little. Damage is ok, imo, but there needs to be SOME drawback. Obviously the class is almost useless in melee, but when does melee happen when you ride a fucking Tie-fighter into battle? The rate of fire is less than an HA, but you can hold the xbow up (aim) forever, releasing your auto-aimed shot at the perfect time. Maybe a slightly slower rate of fire would be good, since the primary difference between HX and HA is the way the weapon is fired--slow and deliberate vs fast and furious.
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Bows are ok, though it is odd that everyone uses the fucking rus bow. FCC has taken to using archer death-squads, but its funny how often we lose. Maybe we just suck, but since half our team is ranged, the other half just gets steamrolled by the other team's 2h/polearm-hero juggernaut, and the archers are defenseless, unless they sit astride a random mountain.