ik they need more archery weapons because its the only offensive skill with only 1 option

Interestingly, they put dual rocket launcher action. At least crossbows were still tied to a skill.

Spheres don't spend 20 seconds looking at their shoes/balls. They must have a automatic reloading mechanism somewhere. Am sure a few of the Dwemer and Smithing experts in Skyrim could get together to make an automated one out of used centurion parts. :shrug:

true, possibly a small one handed crossbow would be good, with a slower reload, shorter range, but a large increase to armour pen'... if that stat is even in the game...

a game that used Crossbows (and bow verieties in general) really well is, the Mount and Blade franchise by Paradox, however once again I dont think it would really appeal to the majority of FPS gamers.

with all the forts and castles (which have actual murder holes in) crossbows would have made sence for at least a selection of npc's to have even if we couldn't ourselves in a scripted battle or two while doing the civil war.

I would much rather have seen a return of throwing weapons instead.
It would be much more useful in the current combat system, and would add some much needed variety. Shield/Javelin would be a cool way to fight ranged! It'd also be significantly different than the bow.
Additionally, I feel it would make much sense considering the settings, if we accept that Nords are somewhat based on the Norse (Vikings). Throwing weapons was hugely important in Viking warfare. Stories mention an able warrior being required to bring (at least) 1 shield, a melee weapon (axe/sword), a bow and a handfull of spears (long enough to be an anti-cavalry weapon, but short enough to be thrown).

(Random fact: While most people think of the English when discussing the Longbow, it's actually believed the Vikings brought the concept to the British Isles. For instance, the 10'th century Irish had two words for "bow". One Gaelic word, for shortbow, and one Norse word, for Longbow)

there is more than 1 type of crossbow you are discribing a heavy crossbow that you need to use a wench to draw the bowstring back. A medium crossbow could be preped by buy useing 2 hands. Slower that a bow to be sure but not 30 secs. Dont forget the light or hand crossbow they can be drawed back by one hand almost as fast as a bow. It comes down to damage versus rate of fire. ( or pentration vs. RoF in RL)

"Some people want special bows that take too long to load and need special arrows called bolts. M'aiq thinks they are idiots." - M'aiq the Liar

I hate M'aiq!
It just feels like Bethesda mocking their fanbase, calling everyone that doesn't blindly agree with all their choices, stupid. :sadvaultboy:

I agree. Try reloading one while an opponent - pretty much any opponent - runs you down. There's nothing in the game slow enough to get a second shot at.

Hm Crossbow would be much more realistic against heavy armored enemies then a normal Bow But reloading it in a offinsive combat isn't a good idea.

when u sneak and use them u can use it more than once before they find u

But without animation. So it would look like the Crossbows in Oblivion. :foodndrink:

It'd actually be pretty neat to have little hand crossbows. I'd try out a Dunmer, hand crossbow dual-wielder.

Because stealth kills aren't already overpowered...?

i dont think dual wielding would work lol cos u wouldnt beable to reload them both

well i play on expert and i dont always get them in 1 hit

while i must admit the dual wield, crossbow totting, demon hunter in diablo 3 looks pretty baddarse, it is impossible to dualwield even the smallest of crossbows and still reload them. Just imagine the animations!

You'd of course strap them to your wrists so that your hands would be free to load the bolt on the opposing wrist. Simple! j/k

I'm more interested in throwing knives than crossbows myself. It just seems like each game bethesda takes out more and more options. Streamlining is fine, but it can be done without making an impact on variety. This loss of variety is what I think is meant by "dumbing down," along with the increased storyline simplicity.

i dont think some thrown weapons will fit in with the skyrim feel

Because a real warrior uses their brute strength and a .45 gauge bass lute string for killing.

It's a fantasy game. It's not like reloading had to be realistic, it only had to be at some scaled/balanced disadvantage compared to bows, then let the modders to the realism scaling for those that desired it.

Sure, they could have slower reloads and increased damage, but where is the fine grain in that? As an archer, I find the archer thing to be a bit over powered. Although I did put points into one handed and block as supplementary combat skills, I realize now that I didn't have to at all.

I would be happy if arrows had weight, bolts had more weight, and armor penetration was modeled so that I'd feel inadequate only using a bow and either had to use complementary skills or additional equipment (crossbow) with the same skill.

I've been asking the same question about that kind of weapon. Check out my thread, and give me your opinion! http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1313958-give-us-back-our-pole-arms/

Strictly speaking, you are half-right. Yes, they were useful for equipping unskilled armies unlike say - longbows, which required years of practice. What you don't realize- or didn't mention (when you said useless) is that you do not have to get an arrow and draw a crossbow, it is a "trigger" weapon. It can be loaded and ready to go at all times and at a moments notice- allowing for a much faster first shot when compared to a bowman. It would be an excellent first strike weapon for a fast moving character, so it is a shame it is not in. (where it to be properly implemented)

Yes they take a long time to reload. that doesn't really matter if you shoot them once and switch to a blade, or are taking on opponents one at a time.
Not useless. I would swap my bow for a crossbow in a second if it were in and done correctly.