Editing 23a:Crossbow

{{quality|Fine|15:46, 25 August 2010 (UTC)}}{{av}}
''(This article also covers '''bolts''', '''arrows''' and '''quivers''' for completeness' sake.)''

'''Crossbows''' are the only ranged [[weapon]] that [[dwarves]] can carry.  A dwarf will open fire at a range of about 20 tiles, but the bolts may travel further and hit something by accident.

A [[bolt]] does a fine job at [[piercing]] the internal organs of a [[creature]] while also doing some damage to outside parts. This is of limited use against creatures without organs, such as [[Magma man|magma men]] or [[undead]], but excellent against creatures with more "normal" internal anatomy.  Occasionally a bolt will get stuck in a target; the only known use for this is that a [[wrestling]] dwarf may grab the bolt and twist it in the [[wound]].

==Crossbow usage==
Once you tell a dwarf to use a crossbow (either from the {{k|m}}ilitary/{{k|w}}eapons sub-menu, or by {{k|v}}iewing the dwarf and accessing the {{k|s}}oldiering sub-menu), he will pick it up if he has either the [[Hunting]] [[labor]] enabled or if he is in the [[military]]. He will then pick up a [[quiver]] and [[bolt]]s, 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 [[bolt]]s. If they are engaged in melee they will use the crossbow as a club, using their [[hammerdwarf]] skill.

Dwarves often do not return to base and pick up more bolts if they run out if there are enemies nearby; instead, they will enter melee.

==Construction and quality==
Crossbows can be constructed from [[wood]], [[bone]] or [[metal]]. Wooden and bone crossbows are created at a [[bowyer's workshop]] and metal ones at a [[metalsmith's forge]], both using the [[crossbow-making]] labor and [[bowyer]] skill.

The [[quality]] of a crossbow is added to the [[marksdwarf]] 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.

Using [[masterpiece]] ammunition will not result in a bad [[thought]] for the maker, whether or not it breaks, nor will trading it away.  However, losing even one masterpiece bolt out of an original stack of 25 will. If a single masterwork bolt left outside is stolen, or if a wounded enemy escapes with a masterpiece bolt stuck in them, the maker will receive an '''extremely''' bad thought and will almost certainly begin to [[tantrum]]. For this reason it may be wise to, as policy, just [[trade]] them away.

==Related information==
===Off-Hand Items===
According to [http://www.bay12games.com/forum/index.php?topic=47004.msg940332#msg940332 this forum discussion], marksdwarves are able to wield their crossbows one-handed, and so can use another item in their second hand. If they use a [[buckler]], they may carry it plus an extra set of bolts in the off hand; if they use a [[shield]], they still suffer no penalty to the crossbow usage but cannot carry the extra set of bolts. 

===Bolt===
'''Bolts''' are used by crossbows and [[Trap#Weapon_Trap|crossbow traps]]. Making bolts from [[wood]] or [[metal]] gives a [[stack]] of 25 bolts, making them from [[adamantine]] gives a stack of only 10, and making them from a stack of [[bone]]s gives a stack of {5 x number of bones}.

Metal bolts are created at the [[metalsmith's forge]] and require the [[metalsmithing]] labor enabled.  Wood and bone bolts are created at the [[craftsdwarf's workshop]] and require [[craftsworking]]. Higher levels of [[skill]] will tend to produce higher [[quality]] bolts.  The [[material]] and quality{{verify}} of the bolts (not the crossbow) affects the amount of [[Weapon#Material damage modifiers|damage]] done.

In [[adventure mode]], bolts can also be thrown for about the same results as firing them, except that it uses the [[thrower]] skill and doesn't destroy the bolts.

===Quiver===
A '''Quiver''' is an item used to store [[bolt]]s or [[arrow]]s. 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.

==See also==
*[[Marksdwarf]]
*[[Ambusher]]
*[[Archery target]]
*[[Bowyer]]
*[[Crossbow-making]]
*[[Bow]]
*[[Equipment and encumbrance]]

{{Category|Weapons}}{{Category|Military}}