Where they are functionally tied
Long bows have very similar effective range of most crossbows, tied with light crossbow and slightly edging out heavy crossbows and repeating cross bow variants.
A repeating crossbow can be fired up to five times without reloading but then reloading becomes very time consuming, so it's sort of a wash.
Bowstrings are easily damaged but they are fairly easy to replace if broken midbattle. Crossbows are more durable but a damaged crossbow is probably going to be out of comission all battle.
Crossbows are cheaper than long bows, which matters little for most adventurers but relatively few armies can afford to outfit large numbers of longbowmen.
Repeating crossbows cost more than long bows. So much so that it is uncommon for men-at-arms to use them en masse. Repeating crossbows are basically a weapon for adventurers, assassins, and gadget loving nobles.
Pros of long bows
Long bows take only a partial action to reload.
Long bows do more damage in the hands of high strength character though bows for very strong characters cost a fair bit more.
Pros of cross bows
Crossbows do more damage in the hands of a low strength character.
Crossbows can be loaded in advanced and left loaded for long periods of time. This good for ambushes, firing a shot before entering melee and for horseback "ride by" volleys.
Crossbows can be loaded and fired in tight spaces.
Crossbows can take a modest amount of punishment without any real damage while long bow that is struck could be ruined forever.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
Long bows can fire much faster than crossbows, but in a military situation, it is very rare for anyone to fire at their maximum rate of fire. Archers will run out of ammo in minutes this way.
Comments