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Difference between revisions of "40d:Crossbow"

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'''Crossbows''' are the only hand-held ranged [[weapon]] usable by [[dwarves]]. In addition to the [[metal]]s usually used to make [[weapon]]s, crossbows can be made of [[bone]] or [[wood]].
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'''Crossbows''' are the only ranged [[weapon]] that [[dwarves]] can carry. This article also covers '''bolts''', '''quivers''', '''bows''', and '''arrows''' for completeness' sake.
  
===Ammunition===
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==Crossbow usage==
Crossbows fire [[bolt]]s which are made from bone, wood, or weapons-grade metals. [[Quiver]]s can be given to dwarves to hold bolts, and dwarves can also hold bolts in their hands. Thus, a dwarf can effectively carry multiple stacks of bolts. Dwarves will place metal bolts in quivers in favor of wooden or bone bolts. When shooting a crossbow, only the material and quality of the bolt affect it's damage potential. The crossbow's quality level is directly added to the soldier's effective marksdwarf skill increasing his accuracy and rate of fire
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Once you tell a dwarf to use a crossbow he will pick it up if he has either the [[ambusher|hunting]] [[skill]] enabled or if he is in the [[military]]. He will then pick up a [[#quiver|quiver]] and [[#bolts|bolts]], preferring [[metal]] bolts if available. A dwarf can carry one stack of bolts in his hands, and one in his quiver.
  
===Training===
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When in range dwarves use crossbows to fire [[#Bolts|bolts]]. If they are engaged in melee they will use the crossbow as a club, using their [[hammerdwarf]] skill.  
Scoring a successful hit with a crossbow trains the [[marksdwarf]] skill, and a high skill in marksdwarf affects accuracy with the weapon. Practicing at an [[archery target]] also improves the [[marksdwarf]] skill.  Dwarves will not waste metal bolts on [[archery target]]s. In order for your dwarves to practice, they must have a steady supply of wooden or bone bolts.
 
  
===Melee===
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==Crossbow skill==
If a dwarf is forced into melee combat while wielding a crossbow, the dwarf uses the [[hammerdwarf]] skill. It is therefore useful for marksdwarves to be trained in the hammerdwarf skill, for example by switching them from crossbow to wielding a [[hammer]] once they become a [[Champion]] marksdwarf (this tactic also prevents wooden/bone bolts being needlessly wasted by dwarves who need no further training). The material used in the construction of the crossbow affects the damage dealt when it is used in melee(i.e. a steel crossbow whacks harder than a wooden one).  
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Interestingly, when a dwarf levels up his crossbow skill both his civilian ([[ambusher]]) and military ([[marksdwarf]]) skills go up at the same rate{{verify}}. This means that an accomplished marksdwarf will be equally good at hunting animals, despite having never done it before.
  
===Construction===
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Increasing skill requires a successful hit upon a target, with "live targets" granting more experience than an [[archery target]]{{verify}}. Higher skill affects accuracy and rate of fire. An archery range is only used by military dwarves that are off duty, and they will only use wood or bone bolts during practice.  
Wooden and bone crossbows are created in the [[bowyer's workshop]]; metal ones in the [[metalsmith's forge]]. They are constructed using the [[crossbow-making]] or [[weaponsmith|weaponsmithing]] skills, respectively.
 
  
The [[quality]] of the crossbow is added to the [[marksdwarf]] skill. The [[material]] of the crossbow DOES NOT affect the damage done when firing, however it does affect the damage done when used as a melee weapon.
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==Construction and quality==
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Crossbows can be constructed from [[wood]], [[bone]] or [[metal]]. Wooden and bone crossbows are created at a [[bowyer's workshop]]; metal ones at a [[metalsmith's forge]] using the [[crossbow-making]] or [[weaponsmith|weaponsmithing]] skills, respectively.
  
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The [[quality]] of a crossbow is added to the [[marksdwarf]]/[[ambusher]] and [[hammerdwarf]] skills.  The [[material]] used in construction of a crossbow does not affect the damage done when firing, but does affect the damage done when it is used as a melee weapon.
  
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==Related information==
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===Bolts===
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'''Bolts''' are used by crossbows and [[Weapon_trap#Weapon_Trap|crossbow traps]]. Making bolts from [[wood]] or [[metal]] gives a stack of 25 whilst making them from [[bone]] gives a stack of 5*number of [[bones]].
  
[[Category:Weapons]][[Category:Traps]]
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Metal bolts are created at the [[metalsmith's forge]] and require [[weaponsmith]] skill.  Wood and bone bolts are created at the [[craftsdwarf's workshop]] and require [[woodcrafting]] and [[bone carving]] skills, respectively. The material and quality{{verify}} of the bolts affects the amount of[http://www.example.com link title] [[Weapon#Material damage modifiers|damage]] done.
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If you decorate a stack of bolts, the same decoration will be applied to every bolt in the stack simultaneously.  In other words, decorating a stack of 10 bolts will produce 10 times as much wealth as decorating a single sword, even though it takes the same amount of material.  This can be considered as an [[exploit]] because doing so increases the value of a fortress by a ridiculous amount.
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In [[adventure mode]], bolts can also be thrown for about the same results as firing them, except that it uses the [[thrower]] skill.
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===Quiver===
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A '''Quiver''' is an item used to store [[bolt]]s or [[arrow]]s. It is worn on the body, like a [[backpack]].
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Quivers are made of [[leather]] at a [[leatherworks]]. Dwarves equipped with a crossbow will automatically wear quivers if they are available, and carry a stack of bolts in it. This allows a dwarf to carry one extra stack of bolts, typically [[bone]] or [[wood]] training bolts in the hand, and [[metal]] ones in the quiver.
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Invaders, merchants, and migrants often have [[silk]] and [[cloth]] quivers, even though you can't make them yourself.
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In adventure mode, a quiver can hold any number of arrows and bolts.
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===Bow===
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A '''bow''' is  exactly the same as a crossbow, except that is uses [[arrow]]s instead of [[bolt]]s and that [[Dwarf|Dwarves]] cannot use bows. If you have a large number of bows for some reason the only use for them is as trade goods or to fill [[weapon trap]]s.
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When firing arrows it uses the [[bowman]] skill.  When attacking with melee, it uses the [[swordsman]] skill, although it's a bludgeoning attack.
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===Arrows===
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An '''arrow''' is just like a bolt but for bows. [[Dwarves]] can't handle bows, so they don't need arrows. But in [[adventure mode]], [[humans]] and [[elves]] can use bows, so they will need arrows if they choose to use one.
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Arrows can also be thrown in adventure mode for about the same results, except that it uses the [[thrower]] skill.
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==See also==
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*[[Ambusher]]
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*[[Marksdwarf]]
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*[[Archery target]]
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*[[Bowyer]]
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[[Category:Weapons]]

Revision as of 22:50, 21 November 2008

Crossbows are the only ranged weapon that dwarves can carry. This article also covers bolts, quivers, bows, and arrows for completeness' sake.

Crossbow usage

Once you tell a dwarf to use a crossbow he will pick it up if he has either the hunting skill enabled or if he is in the military. He will then pick up a quiver and bolts, preferring metal bolts if available. A dwarf can carry one stack of bolts in his hands, and one in his quiver.

When in range dwarves use crossbows to fire bolts. If they are engaged in melee they will use the crossbow as a club, using their hammerdwarf skill.

Crossbow skill

Interestingly, when a dwarf levels up his crossbow skill both his civilian (ambusher) and military (marksdwarf) skills go up at the same rate[Verify]. This means that an accomplished marksdwarf will be equally good at hunting animals, despite having never done it before.

Increasing skill requires a successful hit upon a target, with "live targets" granting more experience than an archery target[Verify]. Higher skill affects accuracy and rate of fire. An archery range is only used by military dwarves that are off duty, and they will only use wood or bone bolts during practice.

Construction and quality

Crossbows can be constructed from wood, bone or metal. Wooden and bone crossbows are created at a bowyer's workshop; metal ones at a metalsmith's forge using the crossbow-making or weaponsmithing skills, respectively.

The quality of a crossbow is added to the marksdwarf/ambusher and hammerdwarf skills. The material used in construction of a crossbow does not affect the damage done when firing, but does affect the damage done when it is used as a melee weapon.

Related information

Bolts

Bolts are used by crossbows and crossbow traps. Making bolts from wood or metal gives a stack of 25 whilst making them from bone gives a stack of 5*number of bones.

Metal bolts are created at the metalsmith's forge and require weaponsmith skill. Wood and bone bolts are created at the craftsdwarf's workshop and require woodcrafting and bone carving skills, respectively. The material and quality[Verify] of the bolts affects the amount oflink title damage done.

If you decorate a stack of bolts, the same decoration will be applied to every bolt in the stack simultaneously. In other words, decorating a stack of 10 bolts will produce 10 times as much wealth as decorating a single sword, even though it takes the same amount of material. This can be considered as an exploit because doing so increases the value of a fortress by a ridiculous amount.

In adventure mode, bolts can also be thrown for about the same results as firing them, except that it uses the thrower skill.

Quiver

A Quiver is an item used to store bolts or arrows. It is worn on the body, like a backpack.

Quivers are made of leather at a leatherworks. Dwarves equipped with a crossbow will automatically wear quivers if they are available, and carry a stack of bolts in it. This allows a dwarf to carry one extra stack of bolts, typically bone or wood training bolts in the hand, and metal ones in the quiver.

Invaders, merchants, and migrants often have silk and cloth quivers, even though you can't make them yourself.

In adventure mode, a quiver can hold any number of arrows and bolts.

Bow

A bow is exactly the same as a crossbow, except that is uses arrows instead of bolts and that Dwarves cannot use bows. If you have a large number of bows for some reason the only use for them is as trade goods or to fill weapon traps.

When firing arrows it uses the bowman skill. When attacking with melee, it uses the swordsman skill, although it's a bludgeoning attack.

Arrows

An arrow is just like a bolt but for bows. Dwarves can't handle bows, so they don't need arrows. But in adventure mode, humans and elves can use bows, so they will need arrows if they choose to use one.

Arrows can also be thrown in adventure mode for about the same results, except that it uses the thrower skill.

See also