Cross Bow vs Long Bow vs Short Bow


Pathfinder Online

Goblin Squad Member

How do these compare in range, rate of fire, stamina, weight/encumbrance damage or is that just whatever feat is used? I know some of these are not implemented yet. a number of melee weapons are called out, but ranged seem lumped together.

Also I note that weapon specialization at level 2 seems limited to fighter.

Goblin Squad Member

Not sure about Crossbow, but Long Bow is 35m (same as Wizard Staff), and I think Short Bow is 20m (same as Wizard Wand).


Also, in general, it seems you aren't supposed to be able to use a longbow from horseback (see here), so that's what shortbows are for (see here. (But scattered about I have seen something that contradicts this -- wonder if some class feature or feat is supposed to be able to override the prohibition on use of longbows from horseback, or if this is just mistakes in editing.)

As for crossbows, they get a bit more range and damage in exchange for a considerably slower firing rate (due to long reload), especially in the case of a heavy crossbow. The Rapid Reload feat can speed up the reload rate enough to let you fire at full speed with a light crossbow but not with a heavy crossbow, which seems to be mainly useful for sniping. Not sure if you can even extend Sneak Attack range enough to make use of the heavy crossbow's extended range, though (but doesn't look like it, except maybe at very high levels). In any case, once you get +2d6 Sneak Attack damage, Sneak Attack is doing way more damage than the rather small differences in damage between the various types of bows, so for sniping, you might as well use whatever works best in other respects.

Crossbows (both sizes) are categorized as Simple Weapons, while bows (both sizes) are categorized as Martial Weapons. This has to do with how easy or hard they are to learn to use, not with respect to the construction (crossbows are more complex pieces of equipment, but easier to learn how to use, although mastery can take you further with bowst -- see here, since Paizo's material doesn't seem to go past the implication stage of explanation of this; this Wikipedia article even has hand crossbows).

Scarab Sages Goblin Squad Member

It may be a long time before we see horses and other mounts in Pathfinder Online. It may be even longer before we can fire missile weapons from horseback. Things in PFO don't always follow the tabletop rules precisely, either.

Goblin Squad Member

Shortbows look like they are supposed to have better accuracy, and there is at least one shortbow active feat that allows for 35m shots. Not sure if there is a similarly range extending feat for longbow/crossbow.

The comparison between staff and wand is an apt one though.

Goblin Squad Member

longbow kills contribute to martial achievements,
shortbow kills contribute to subterfuge achievements.

Goblin Squad Member

Darcnes wrote:

Shortbows look like they are supposed to have better accuracy, and there is at least one shortbow active feat that allows for 35m shots. Not sure if there is a similarly range extending feat for longbow/crossbow.

The comparison between staff and wand is an apt one though.

This is correct, the other comparison between short and long bow is that the damage multiplier on long bow attacks on average is higher but as mentioned accuracy is lower.

Goblinworks Executive Founder

Necro, just because I couldn't help but think about this topic when I saw the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr_1z3GwxQk

Goblin Squad Member

If one would like to follow the TT for the statistics of these weapons, here's the relations (in a "how it would feel" accuracy):

Crossbow, light
range: between Shortbow and Longbow
damage: equals Longbow
rate of fire: somewhat slower than bows
criticals: more frequent, less potent.

Crossbow, heavy
range: greater than Longbow
damage: greater than Longbow
rate of fire: much slower than bows
criticals: more frequent, less potent.

Also, crossbows are easier to use.

I am sure this is of no help, but anyways :D

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