No Crossbows for humans?

[ArmaFennica]

I am not sure weather this topic is discussed before, but was it a conscious decision to leave crossbows from human factions?
-That unit would make a fine merc-unit and as Crossbow can be used by a simpleton with half-wit and an empty attic, why not include it?

P.S. Baron Samedi... thanks for the submod.

[Mhaedros]

Because there where no crossbows in Tolkien's world

[ArmaFennica]

Because there where no crossbows in Tolkien's world

...amm...
Yes there was. (i mean no insult, and yes-no debate harldy ever yields fruit)
-Some people get stuck with the idea that Middle-Earth was akin to Merovingian era, while Tolkien mentions coal-mines, mechanical tools and engineering. Even cufflinks is said to be present.

Crossbows history is veeery long, many separate civilizations have made them and the Orc-kin were said to be great engineers with fondness of mechanics and cogwheels.
-And Isengardian Uruk-Hai do have a unit which uses such weapons.

[Incredible Bulk]

Because there where no crossbows in Tolkien's world

Now if he actually said there where no crossbows then thats that. It if he never mentions them that's another story, just because he does mention them does not mean they did not exist. I mean you could argue that they did simply by reasoning, if they had more advance seige weapons I am sure they people of middle earth where smart enough to make a crossbow

[Mhaedros]

Indeed, but considering Tolkien says there are no crossbows, I believe him

I know. That was in PJ's world not Tolkien's

[Hermes Trismegistos]

Well, Tolkien did borrow a lot of stuff from different time periods and some don't totally fit together (I mean the Shire appears more like rural 19th century, Rohan like the Dark Ages) so I wouldn't regard it as totally absurd if there had been crossbows somewhere in this world. However he mentions them at no point while bows are mentioned many times and for nearly all the factions (even dwarves and hobbits).

I think there are more than enough crossbows in the game already. And by the way there is also a human faction with crossbows already: Rhun.

[Hallow]

I still don't really understand the reasoning for the Dwarves having a Crossbow unit instead of an Archer unit.

[Daddl]

I still don't really understand the reasoning for the Dwarves having a Crossbow unit instead of an Archer unit.

Even if "The Hobbit" tells that they used bows on their trip, I would say this is very simple: Dwarves are too short. Their arms are not long enough to use big sized bows you need in a battle. But for Crossbows you only need to be strong and not tall.
Okay, maybe you could give this idea a try. It will sure look very funny.

[Agamaran]

Crossbows are complex machinery. Everything in Middle-earth that deals with machinery comes from a source of evil (i.e. Isengard representing the epitome of an evil industry). The Free Peoples are without siege weaponry because it is considered that siege weaponry is a type of evil and, apparently, the Free Peoples have no interest in learning or trying to learn how to utilize this weaponry. Consider all siege battles, including the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, where the good forces besieged Barad-dur for seven years. Something tells me that siege would've ended a lot earlier if they had some catapults.

Never are the Free Peoples described using crossbows and/or catapults (or any other similar devices, like ballistae). The word "bolt" appears twice in the trilogy when talking about enemy missile attacks--a lot of people believe this is an opening for the belief that the enemy had crossbows. In the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the forces of Mordor did indeed have siege weaponry and did their best to use it against Minas Tirith, but their catapults were ultimately useless, as the Othram (the main city wall) was built out of the same material as Orthanc, thus making it impossible to damage. Instead they used a gigantic ram to break the gates of Minas Tirith.

To make a long story short; machinery is bad, "simple" weapons are good. It's bad enough everyone under the sun has siege weaponry (which can't be helped, or else good factions would never take settlements). I'm fairly confused as to why Dwarves have crossbowmen as well, as well as ONLY crossbowmen. Honestly though, if we want to stretch the lore, then leave the crossbows to the Orc factions.

[Andor Vex]

Consider all siege battles, including the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, where the good forces besieged Barad-dur for seven years. Something tells me that siege would've ended a lot earlier if they had some catapults.

I remember a mention of "dwarven war machines" or something like that in the siege of Barad-Dur.

[Swad]

Even if "The Hobbit" tells that they used bows on their trip, I would say this is very simple: Dwarves are too short. Their arms are not long enough to use big sized bows you need in a battle. But for Crossbows you only need to be strong and not tall.

The steppe bows are quite small due to the shape of the curves, as well as bearing one of the greatest draw weights of all the bows. I think that given those two features, the dwarves would be quite attached to these if hey knew how to make them.

[Hallow]

Even if "The Hobbit" tells that they used bows on their trip, I would say this is very simple: Dwarves are too short. Their arms are not long enough to use big sized bows you need in a battle. But for Crossbows you only need to be strong and not tall.
Okay, maybe you could give this idea a try. It will sure look very funny.

You already pointed out the example of Thorin using a bow in the Hobbit. On top of that there are numerous examples of hobbits firing bows (and they're even exceptionally good at it), whom if I may remind you are shorter than dwarves.

[Daddl]

On top of that there are numerous examples of hobbits firing bows (and they're even exceptionally good at it), whom if I may remind you are shorter than dwarves.

Hm, oh, yes^^ I should think first before writing. Thanks for reminding me

[AQUILIFIER]

You already pointed out the example of Thorin using a bow in the Hobbit. On top of that there are numerous examples of hobbits firing bows (and they're even exceptionally good at it), whom if I may remind you are shorter than dwarves.

Dwarves love hand to hand fighting... However the mastery with the bow requiers a lot of time and practice- a time which the dwarves would love to spend training with their melee weapons and drinking I think thats the reason why they have chosen the crossbows

[Shocked]

I am not sure weather this topic is discussed before, but was it a conscious decision to leave crossbows from human factions?
.

I thought Rhun had a crossbow unit...

[Hermes Trismegistos]

It is said that Thorin used a "horn bow" to shoot at Bilbo, that probably means a composite bow.

[Mhaedros]

That's bullcrap. Sure, the dwarves like 'real' combat, but they use bows as well. Never anything said about crossbows

[AQUILIFIER]

I dont argue about what Tolkien have written. Its just not nesesery the games and films to be strict to the book. Anyway they look cool with the crossbows

[Mhaedros]

How come you play the mod if you dont like Tolkiens work?

[AQUILIFIER]

I do, but it's just a game