Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

[Wibbs]

Hey all,

I'm thinking of giving one of my PCs the chance of having either a modern hunting bow or crossbow, but have no idea of where to start in statting them out. Obviously there are the medieval equivalents, but I would imagine the modern versions would be significantly different.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Wibbs

[Thasmodious]

I don't think they'd be statistically any different. You could assume modern bows have a bit better range and use the english long bow range, maybe give modern arrows an AP of 1. Despite the change in looks and materials, the bow hasn't really changed much over the centuries. The main difference today is that you have to be a bit less skilled overall with a bow than our medieval conterparts, with modern materials, the let off of compound bows, accurate sights, etc.
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There's more than seventy earths spinning 'bout the galaxy and the meek have inherited not a one.

[kreider204]

Agreed - better range, AP 1, maybe reduce Strength requirements.
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"It only takes an extra second to be courteous."
- Constable Benton Fraser

[farik]

Would just use the bows as statted. The biggest advances in bow technology have more to do with the durability and reduced required maintenance (to keep them accurate); factors that aren't covered in the weapon stats. Now I could see applying AP or other traits because of improvements in ammo.

It's important to remember that ultimately savage world has a pretty grainy resolution so if two things are similar enough they are mechanically identical.

[chillburn]

Since encumbrance can be tight I'd consider reducing weight.
You could also allow bonuses for the sighting (other than ease of use, better sights are probably the biggest advance): basically let them buy a scope/sighting-system that gives them an additional +1 when using the Aim action.

[Zadmar]

[chillburn]

[Vinzent]

Speaking as a student of archery -
The English Longbow had a pull of 150lbs. Even with modern materials no one shoots this poundage today. At most you're looking at die-hards that shoot 80lbs.

The advantage to modern compound bows is that the wheels reduce the amount of pounds you hold when aiming. Also you get balancers, peep-sights, scopes, laser-sights, and click releasers which make them more accurate. However the problem with modern bows is they get damned heavy. Try holding 5-10 lbs of bow at arms length. Wood bows rarely clock in at over 1 pound.

As for armor piercing, their were two types of bodkins available. One for piercing chain and one for piercing plate. These would be useless against modern armor. And there is no modern day equivalent (nor could there be against bullet proof armor).

So if you want to keep it simple, use the same range and damage as a long bow but get rid of armor piercing and reduce the strength requirement.

[ogbendog]

compare the bows as written to guns. Do you want them to be worse or about the same as guns?

go from there.

[chugosh]

[VonDan]