Posted May 14, 2017
mystral: That's true, but longbows were an English/Welsh weapon that was invented much later than the late 8th century when this game takes place.
Early Vikings would more likely use hunting bows, which should do decent damage but have pretty low armor penetration.
Hickory: I know that, but I was just making a point about squid's comment re. bows not being able to do equivalent damage. A bow, any bow, in the right hands is a fearsome weapon. Don't underestimate them. Early Vikings would more likely use hunting bows, which should do decent damage but have pretty low armor penetration.
I'm not saying they shouldn't do lots of damage, just that they shouldn't be able to pierce armor as well as they do and that they shouldn't be as insanely accurate and/or quick firing. If bows were really this amazing in combat, one would think that it would be the primary weapon of the dark ages; however, this is not the case.
The way bows are presented now, they might as well be semi-automatic pistols.
Bows of the era Vikings takes place in were used primarily as harassing weapons prior to engagement, at ranges greater than slings and javelins.
The other strange thing about archery in Vikings compared to Conquistadors is that quick shot seems way more effective than it used to be (and it was already good), while hailstorm is now really weak - especially considering it's a top-level skill. The only times I ever bother with it is if there are multiple enemies close together that I can't already use a quick shot on.