Ironworks Gaming Forum - View Single Post - Ranged attacks too powerful (avoid spoilers)

Axterix · 05-09-2001, 02:09 PM

>>Are crossbows effective?

The second best ranged weapon in the game is the repeating light crossbow. Has 1/2 attacks less per turn than the Longbow +4: hammer (the 4 attack one). Combine that with the fact that crossbows deal 1-8 damage as opposed to 1-6 of bows... yah, they are effective. Things like the crossbows of accuracy are nice for classes who's thac0 falls behind (like thieves/bards). It never hurts to have a character or two that's good with them. That way, you can use all the magical bolts you find. There are more good bows than crossbows though, in my opinion.

Now, as to the power of ranged weapons... the ammo limitation is the big thing. And it gets bigger the higher level of difficulty you play on. Kick it up to Heart of Fury mode and the critters have so many hp's that you won't rely upon archery in most instances. On HoF mode, you quickly wind up going melee with all but your mage/clerical types. The good old slings don't go through ammo. The high hp of critters means that they'll live to close on you anyway.

The second limitation is critters that require a certain level of magic to hit. Only what is on your arrow counts.

And the third disadvantage is that archery damage doesn't do as much as melee. My fighter/thief clocks things for 20+, hit after hit after hit. And other melee weapons have chances to petrify, destroy, slow, whatever the enemy.

Fourth limitation is space. All those arrows, bolts, and bullets take up inventory space.

Now, all of my characters always carry a ranged weapon. There are times when mass ranged firepower is called for. But the main ranged weapons I use (besides slings on the casters that can't take a HoF-mode punch) are the throwing axe +2 and lover (+4 throwing dagger). Both of these don't offer mass attacks per round... but neither requires ammo.

By the way, to carry it all a step further, try throwing summoned critters into the mix. Summoned critters are the main way I deal with enemy spellcasters now. The melee enemies tend to rush up front, so I drop summoned critters behind the lines to mulch their casters. However, summoned critters also work great cast in front of your party while you fire arrows past them.

05-09-2001, 02:09 PM	#10
Axterix Manshoon Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 160	>>Are crossbows effective? The second best ranged weapon in the game is the repeating light crossbow. Has 1/2 attacks less per turn than the Longbow +4: hammer (the 4 attack one). Combine that with the fact that crossbows deal 1-8 damage as opposed to 1-6 of bows... yah, they are effective. Things like the crossbows of accuracy are nice for classes who's thac0 falls behind (like thieves/bards). It never hurts to have a character or two that's good with them. That way, you can use all the magical bolts you find. There are more good bows than crossbows though, in my opinion. Now, as to the power of ranged weapons... the ammo limitation is the big thing. And it gets bigger the higher level of difficulty you play on. Kick it up to Heart of Fury mode and the critters have so many hp's that you won't rely upon archery in most instances. On HoF mode, you quickly wind up going melee with all but your mage/clerical types. The good old slings don't go through ammo. The high hp of critters means that they'll live to close on you anyway. The second limitation is critters that require a certain level of magic to hit. Only what is on your arrow counts. And the third disadvantage is that archery damage doesn't do as much as melee. My fighter/thief clocks things for 20+, hit after hit after hit. And other melee weapons have chances to petrify, destroy, slow, whatever the enemy. Fourth limitation is space. All those arrows, bolts, and bullets take up inventory space. Now, all of my characters always carry a ranged weapon. There are times when mass ranged firepower is called for. But the main ranged weapons I use (besides slings on the casters that can't take a HoF-mode punch) are the throwing axe +2 and lover (+4 throwing dagger). Both of these don't offer mass attacks per round... but neither requires ammo. By the way, to carry it all a step further, try throwing summoned critters into the mix. Summoned critters are the main way I deal with enemy spellcasters now. The melee enemies tend to rush up front, so I drop summoned critters behind the lines to mulch their casters. However, summoned critters also work great cast in front of your party while you fire arrows past them.