(TFT) Re: Crossbows Are Too Powerful ?

["Brett Slocum" <slocum@skypoint.com>]

From: "Ty Beard" <tbeard@tyler.net>
> From: "Stan" <srydzews@ix.netcom.com>
> > As it is now, TFT longbows may be underpowered compared to real
> > longbows, but the higher ROF makes up for it.
> 
> Agreed -- if you're fighting lightly armored foes. But you cannot
> replicate the superiority of English longbowmen over knights with TFT. My
> rules changes are an attempt to remedy this.

The battle where this impression comes from is Agincourt, where several 
hundred longbowman defeated a few thousand heavy cavalry. But that's not 
the whole picture. The French cavalry were defeated by a combination of 
factors, including no unified command, bad terrain (lots of mud), and ignoring 
the archers in favor of more prestigious nobles, in addition to the 
effectiveness of the long bow. The long bow penetrated armor most often at 
weak points, like eyeslits and joints, not on the heavy plates. The key was 
continuous concentrated fire, starting on horses and then on the dismounted 
heavy cavalry while they wallowed in the mud. 

See http://home.austin.rr.com/wdaniel/agincourt/ as a resource.

For other things to do with long bows, see Bill Seurer's house rules at:
http://www.skypoint.com/~slocum/tft/combat.html under Archery. This 
includes Good Bow Shots (treat like a Fencing hit), enhanced range, and 
opportunity fire.

I feel that Bill's rules are sufficient to solve this problem.

---
Brett Slocum  --  slocum@skypoint.com  --  ICQ #13032903
Home page: http://www.skypoint.com/~slocum/
"Chemistry is a lot like Witchcraft, only less newt." -- Willow on Buffy: The Vampire Slayer
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