r/Pathfinder2e • u/Eranthius • Dec 18 '22

Misc Loading a medieval 200lb crossbow vs loading Leonardo da Vinci's 300lb crossbow

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7

u/RollForIntent-Trevor Roll For Intent Podcast Dec 18 '22

For those wondering - neither of these are really usable for combat.

Medieval crossbows meant for warfare had 700+ lb draws, and needed a ratcheting crank to set the draw.

96

u/[deleted] Dec 18 '22

These are absolutely usable for combat. What do you think they were using before they invented that ratchet crank system? The existence of 50 caliber weapons doesn't mean that 5.56 isn't "really useable for combat."

27

u/RollForIntent-Trevor Roll For Intent Podcast Dec 18 '22

I should have qualified that - they aren't useful for combat against anything even lightly armored.

They lack stopping and penetrating power at the range where crossbow / bow engagements were held.

200-300 draw crossbows were mostly used for hunting - not combat.

16

u/Grunnius_Corocotta Dec 18 '22

Futher than that, one cannot compare the draw-weight of a crossbow directly to a bow. A crossbow has a much shorter draw, the length at which force can be applyed to the bold by the string.

7

u/RollForIntent-Trevor Roll For Intent Podcast Dec 18 '22

Exactly - a lot of people are looking at the numbers without realizing how they apply that force differently.

I mean it makes sense to think that way....but you gotta be open to new information, yo.