40d:Crossbow

Crossbows are the only hand-held ranged weapon usable by dwarves. In addition to the metals usually used to make weapons, crossbows can be made of bone or wood. Crossbows are created in the bowyer's workshop, and the metalsmith's forge, and require crossbow-making in both cases.

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.

Crossbows fire bolts which are made from bone, wood, or the metals good for making weapons.

Dwarves will not waste metal bolts on archery targets. In order for your dwarves to practice, they must have a steady supply of wooden or bone bolts.

Quivers can be given to dwarves to hold bolts, although dwarves can 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.

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 (which tactic also prevents wooden/bone bolts being needlessly wasted by dwarfs who need no further training).