Heavy crossbows = Best crossbows?

[Tamasin]

Are heavy crossbows the best crossbows?

[gungadin22000]

Nope, there's a lootable crossbow that's a lot better. It's somewhat difficult to get though, as the guys who carry them don't want to give them up without a fight.

[BrowneHawk]

Pretty sure the best cross bow is droped by orcs. Its a freaking crossbow cannon. Does a knockback when it hits.

[Caveira]

Originally posted by Maebus:

Pretty sure the best cross bow is droped by orcs. Its a freaking crossbow cannon. Does a knockback when it hits.

It is droped by a goblin overseer

[zantesuken]

the spiked impaler (goblin crossbow) has the same stats as the heavy crossbow , except that it has 5% less chance to hit and a knochkback effect.

so it's +5% hit chance vs knockback

[Lord Stuffington]

Originally posted by zantesuken:

the spiked impaler (goblin crossbow) has the same stats as the heavy crossbow , except that it has 5% less chance to hit and a knochkback effect.

so it's +5% hit chance vs knockback

It also weights a little less. Might be interesting for nimble users.

[Azov]

so any thoughts on which one is better? I am not seeing the +5% hit chance though, but I did experience a scenario where the knockback worked against my favor

[76561198074709395]

Originally posted by stefit555:

so any thoughts on which one is better? I am not seeing the +5% hit chance though, but I did experience a scenario where the knockback worked against my favor

Depends what comps you run, and what you personally prefer. Also, if you have a hyper-accurate xbowman (95+ ranged attack) then you can take the -5% hitrate the Spiked Impaler offers.

I personally run plated xbowmen with 5-tile attack range (due to -2 vision), and outfit them with Spiked Impalers so they can pushback melee enemies who beeline for them.

Hilarity ensues.

[Pringles™]

Unique crossbow > spiked impaler = heavy crossbow/arbalest > medium crossbow > light crossbow c:

[Pringles™]

Spiked impaler's knockback can sometimes be a pain in your *ss, as well.
If you happen to be fighting enemies that can do something nasty after you knock them back, such as charging you a second time (orcs), set up a spearwall (anyone with spears), push an important target away from your troops (necromancers, shamen etc...) or expose a dangerous enemy to a low-health brother (anyone possibly depending on situation).
The knockback is nice early in a battle, when the enemy is trying to reach your frontline, but as I explained, not always a benefit.

[Sathra]

Which is why you take care about who you're shooting at. If there's someone directly behind them from the xbow PoV, then they can't be knocked back. Obviously.

And the downside of the Impaler (lower bonus hit %) only really applies at 2-3 tiles range.

[Positive Mental Attitude]

Originally posted by stefit555:

so any thoughts on which one is better? I am not seeing the +5% hit chance though, but I did experience a scenario where the knockback worked against my favor

mouse over the attack "skills" your dude gets once it's equipped.
I prefer having that extra bit of accuracy, personally.

[Azov]

Originally posted by t4rt4Rus:

Originally posted by stefit555:

so any thoughts on which one is better? I am not seeing the +5% hit chance though, but I did experience a scenario where the knockback worked against my favor

mouse over the attack "skills" your dude gets once it's equipped.
I prefer having that extra bit of accuracy, personally.

interesting responses so far, especially that dude who uses heavily armored impaler crossbowmen