What about mounted crossbow troops?

[Tiamat]

Something I find missing as a troop type are mounted crossbows. Hopefully that will be added later.

[Dopestar]

Kinda hard to reload a crossbow while mounted.

[Joe Coffee]

Originally posted by Tiamat:

Something I find missing as a troop type are mounted crossbows. Hopefully that will be added later.

Depends on the crossbow. I think most of the versions used in M&B2 are the variety where you have to use upper body strength to set the bowstring - that is, with two hands and a lot of effort. Not sure if there is a cocking stirrup where you put it underfoot but my troops with CBs have to lower the weapon and make lifting movements with their arms. If so, this type of crossbow is probably one-shot and entirely deadweight and all but useless on horseback, unless you've got one of the ancient Chinese versions that can shoot out rapid-fire bolts.

[Blood Flowers]

Mounted crossbow units are currently impossible because the perk that allows you to reload crossbows while mounted does not currently work. Thus any unit that is using a crossbow on a horse cannot reload (as of 1.4.2).

[flyingscot1066]

Keep a boatload of mounts in your inventory, it's like having crossbow wielding hobilars. (Sorry, best I got.)

[Drunio]

Pretty sure Warband (which takes place later time-wise) didn't have mounted crossbow troops so its unlikely in BL. Mounted crossbowmen were never a big thing in the West (I honestly don't remember ever hearing about troops being equipped with them and mounted). From what I remember they were mostly used in sieges with rising popularity later on.

With the rule of thumb being crossbows required extensively less training than a bow and didn't require skill, but were more expensive to maintain/upkeep.

[Khamal]

Once a form of troop editor that is noob friendly is released,anything will be possible,as in warbands morgh editor

[JoelTarnabene]

Crossbows are more or less impossible to reload on horse back. It could be done with the non windlass type, but it took way too long, and you couldn't really maneuver your horse during this time because of the forces involved in reloading. In the end, you are much better off firing a crossbow from the ground where you are not an elevated, static target.

[Crim]

A low draw weight crossbow would be reasonable and would probably be more accurate than bows.

However, it would shoot significantly slower than bows and probably be even lower draw weight than Cav Bows, and those are already fairly low weight.

[Tiamat]

I agree that reloading a crossbow on a horse is difficult. Probably back in the days they used a quick load mechanism for mounted which I presume had lesser range; so for mounted crossbows you would like short range and hit and run...but most-likely current horse archers are much more efficient so probably no-one will use them.

[It's Dunk]

They could ride to a flanking position and dismount to fire, like dragoons.

[Zef]

What do you want to do with them? There only advantage is armor piercing but i'm not sure that is working correctly atm.

[Crim]

Originally posted by Bannerlord:

They could ride to a flanking position and dismount to fire, like dragoons.

That would be amazing, but considering in general the current combat AI is to bum rush...

[ERIC 084]

Mounted crossbowmen were real in the 15th century. They used a device called a "Goats Foot" lever to reload while on horseback. Several tapestries and manuals from the time period show mounted crossbowmen. It would be a great addition to the Vladians.

[thunda]

Originally posted by dubrav10:

Mounted crossbowmen were real in the 15th century. They used a device called a "Goats Foot" lever to reload while on horseback. Several tapestries and manuals from the time period show mounted crossbowmen. It would be a great addition to the Vladians.

This game is not based on history or historical accuracy.

[Morkonan]

Mounted crossbowmen would have "issues" if TW implemented them... They need to fix their weapon switching and targeting behavior across the board for alll mounted units. FEW mounted units with secondary weapons work effectively with either weapon.

Crossbows take longer to reload, which means it's a longer time for something to go wrong with weapon-switching and/or targeting behavior. As soon as the unit switches to melee, that's going to interrupt the reload. And, if it doesn't, it will likely see any targets in melee range as "melee targets" and switch weapons anyway, even if it has managed to load a crossbow.

Slow rate of fire means that many Warband mods that use mounted crossbows over-compensate for their shortcomings - Heavy Armor.

And, if the unit can't adequately defend itself because it can not use a shield, they get more skills, better armor, a much better horse with armor, etc...

If they can use a shield, when are they going to do that? While they're not firing crossbows? GG...

The justification for crossbows is good penetration/stopping power at short range. And, if they have to get in short range to shoot, they're more likely to run afoul of weapon switching behavior issues. (TW can just not fix that crap... A good many mounted units have issues with weapon-switching and target selection.)

Anyone familiar withe the Adventurers in the Warband mod "Prophesy of Pendor?" THAT is what would likely happen as the community screamed bloody-murder about how squishy and ineffective their mounted crossbow units were...

Heavily armored crossbow/quiver/sword/shield units, highly riding skill, excellent beefy horse with good barding, etc... That's what would likely happen. If not? Then, people would complain the mounted crossbow units were dying too easily and were too ineffective.

Done right, I'm fine with it.

I just don't think it can be "done right."