Bow, Crossbow and Musket Tactics Compared
Around 1500 to 1600s all of these weapons were used. So what factors would make you pick one weapon over the other?
Online you will find endless discussions about the merits of these different weapons and debates about which ones were the better ones. In this story I will try to summarize the many arguments and give you a better understanding what advantages and disadvantages these weapons offered in different situations.
Topics covered:
- Understanding range and accuracy
- Damage, impact and armor
- Volley fire vs Combined Arms
- Are slings effective?
- Why did Javelins fall out of use?
Part of my interest in understanding these differences stems from playing role-playing games from years back. In these kinds of games the difference between these weapons are usually expressed merely in terms of the damage done, weight, cost and range. However, the advantages and disadvantages of these weapons must be expressed in far more complex terms. It is also important to understand that the weapon you might prefer in a large scale combat, going hunting, or traveling in a small group as in, for example, Lord of the Rings, is profoundly…
