since they are in real life devastating weapons
It is hard to get around that since it is considered (even by me) to be the established feel of Dwarf Fortress... Though the problem is obviously that bows are powerful to a fault.
-----------------I was writing this until I changed my post... take it as you will --------------
Getting hit by an Axe, Hammer, or Sword by a super human combatant should be a tad more deadly then a crossbow or bow who have been used. hense the need for balancing.
I guess Ill try to put down all the things about Bows and Crossbows that have been said
Changes:
-Armor and Endurance has more of an effect (more so on Arrows then Crossbow bolts)
-Block/dodge chance is greater especially at greater ranges and if using shields. (Shields are a tad too important in this for their own good IMO)
-Less Multiorgan hits
-Increased damage reduction against larger creatures so to prevent the often over-reliance on bows to deal with everything.
-Bows use strength to increase damage to a limit determined by its quality
-Crossbows increase damage based on quality to a greater degree
-Crossbows require Ready actions (How about 2?) to fire and bows require none
-Swarm bonus to accuracy for Crossbow/bow fire
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