Bow

From the 7.2 Rulebook section Combat, Weapons and Equipment

Arrows from a longbow do base four points of damage. Arrows from a short bow do base two points of damage. Hand Crossbow are considered short bows while two-handed crossbows are considered longbows. See the Archery section for more complete descriptions. Bows, crossbows, and arrows are considered wooden for purposes of being targeted by spells or affecting monsters.

Short Bow

The maximum limit for a bow’s pull is 35 pounds with a maximum 28-inch draw length. At close range (20 feet or less) bows must be no more than half drawn. Arrows from short bows do two points of damage to armor. A weapon in hand that is hit by an arrow is destroyed. If a bow is hit by a weapon, it is destroyed.

Long Bow

The maximum limit for a bow’s pull is 35 pounds with a maximum 28-inch draw length. At close range (20 feet or less) bows must be no more than half drawn. Arrows from longbows (any bow that has an AMO measurement of 60 inches or a physical string length of 56 inches) do four points of damage to armor. A weapon in hand that is hit by an arrow is destroyed. If a bow is hit by a weapon, it is destroyed.

Crossbow

Crossbows are limited to no more than 450 inch-pounds. Arrows from single-hand crossbows do two points of damage to armor. Arrows from two-handed crossbows (over 20 inches in length) do four points of damage to armor.

Arrow and Bolts

Arrows may never be used as a hand or melee weapon. The “point” of all arrows must have a diameter of at least 2.5 inches. An arrow scores hits like any other weapon. Arrows from short bows and single-hand crossbows do two points of damage to armor. Properly colored head covers may be used in lieu of ribbons.

Arrow Construction

Arrows are generally fragile and are often broken under the constant rigors of fighting. Arrow shafts made from graphite offer a flexibility and resilience not found in their aluminum or wooden counterparts. Wooden arrows must be taped along their entire length. All arrowheads must be removed from the arrow, and the base of the arrow at the tip must be built up with a sufficiently strong material to at least the diameter of a penny, which is used to cap the arrow. Arrows may not be drawn beyond 28 inches, and must have a stopper in place if they are longer. Arrows must have a minimum of 2 inches of closed cell foam on the tip, and it must be at least 2.5 inches in diameter. It is suggested that you also incorporate a layer of open cell foam to reduce the recoil of the arrow when it strikes a solid surface. Arrow fletching and nocks must be in good repair, and arrowheads should be checked regularly for degrading foam. All arrows must be clearly labeled with their owner’s name on the shaft. Properly colored head covers may be used in lieu of ribbons.

Who uses this weapon?

Bows are used by Archers, Assassin, Barbarian, Scout, Druids and Bard using their Mimic ability .

From more information on Arrows see the Projectiles Section.

About Bows

A bow is a weapon that projects arrows powered by the elasticity of the bow. As the bow is drawn, energy is stored in the limbs of the bow and transformed into rapid motion when the string is released, with the string transferring this force to the arrow. Bows are used for hunting and sport (target shooting), and as a weapon of war.

This is a particularly fine example of a highly decorated, recurved composite bow of the 17th or 18th century. It shows the distinctive unstrung C-shape of the Turko-Persian bow form. This results from the sinew backing, which is so tight that, when strung, the bow is drawn into an arc that is completely opposite in profile. The back is painted with two friezes, one on each arm, which depict mounted archers and their hunting dogs falling upon lions, antelope and other animals of the chase. These are as finely executed as any contemporary Moghul miniatures so this was likely to be the weapon of a high-status individual.

The technique of using a bow is called archery. Someone who makes bows is known as a bowyer, and one who makes arrows a fletcher. Together with the atlatl and the sling , the bow was one of the first ranged weapons or hunting tools which used mechanical principles, instead of relying solely on the strength of its user.

The development of gunpowder, muskets, and the growing size of armies (and their consequent demand for less-trained levies) slowly led to the replacement of bows as weapons of war, supplanted by firearms, which were simpler for conscripts to learn and use, causing bows to be relegated to sport and hobby use.

Regardless of its other construction, the basic elements of a bow are a pair of curved elastic limbs, typically of wood, connected by a string. By pulling the string backwards the archer exerts compressive force on the inner section, or belly, of the limbs as well as placing the outer section, or back, under tension. While the string is held, this stores the energy later released in putting the arrow to flight. The force required to hold the string stationary when pulled is often used to express the power of a bow, and is known as its draw weight. A higher draw weight is associated with a more powerful bow, which is able to project arrows heavier, faster, or a greater distance.

In bows drawn and held by hand, the maximum draw weight is determined by the strength of the archer. The maximum distance the string could be displaced and thus the longest arrow that could be loosed from it, a bow’s draw length, is determined by the size of the archer. For bows drawn and held mechanically, the maximum draw weight was a matter of engineering. The mechanical force required to draw the string was mainly limited by the time required to do so. See Oznog.