Hi.

Why do I prefer bows over crossbows or crossbows over bows?

What's real differences between these two groups of weapons?

(I don't think that characteristic "speed factor" mean anything in IWD or BG. Am I wrong?)

Speed factor doesn't really matter.

The main difference is that bows get an extra attack per round.

Therefore even most magical crossbows can't even keep up with a simple non-magical composite longbow in terms of damage output.

As already mentioned, bows get two attacks per round -- speed has to do with who attacks first in each section of each round, so bow automatically gain the advantage of two checks per round.

Bows and crossbows don't actually do any damage (but they get added damage bonuses). The base damage is done by the ammunition: none magical arrows do 1D6 (+1 THAC0), while none magical bolts do 1D8 (+2 THAC0). So arrows are weaker and less accurate, and bolts are more powerful and more likely to hit.

As you can see, bows in general have the advantage of more attacks, but a crossbow like the light Crossbow of Speed (2 attacks per round as per bows), or the heavy Crossbow of Accuracy (+7 THAC0) can make up the difference.

1. Yes. Except for special cases, crossbows are set at one attack per round.

2. Yes. Except for special cases, bows are set at two attacks per round.

Proficiency (stars) give better THAC0, not more attacks per round.

"1. Yes. Except for special cases, crossbows are set at one attack per round.

2. Yes. Except for special cases, bows are set at two attacks per round.

Proficiency (stars) give better THAC0, not more attacks per round."

I'm afraid it's not true.

I can't check for crossbows, but if we take HoW Ranger character (11lvl) with bow-profession, will have 3 attacks per round in his profile with any bow equipped...

So, is he getting +1 attack for it's fighter (ranger) lvl (11)?
And what about crossbows then?

In IWD extra attacks you get for weapon specialization or reaching warrior level 7 and 13 also apply to ranged weapons like crossbows and bows.

So a level 13 fighter with 3 stars in crossbows gets 2,5 attacks per round using the heavy crossbow of accuracy.

Bow and crossbows do, in fact, set attacks at a specific level (2 and 1 respectively), but I failed to take into account the warrior's added attacks per round -- I was taking it too literally... my mistake.

kmonster
Hickory

Thank you for your answers!