What is the reasoning that crossbow diffs effect against cav and foot while bow doesn't

[melm]

Curious to know the historicity behind the design.

[MVP7]

What difference exactly do you mean? I thought the only difference between the two was that crossbow has lower base damage but ignores armour.

[jomni]

Must be the rate of fire.

[rbodleyscott]

Curious to know the historicity behind the design.

We are drawing a balance between:

1) Crossbow lower rate of fire.
2) Chinese use of crossbows vs nomad cavalry.
3) Crossbow better vs armour than ordinary bows.
4) Crossbow loses in a duel vs longbows. (Although other reasons have been put forward for the debacle at Crecy)

[melm]

What difference exactly do you mean? I thought the only difference between the two was that crossbow has lower base damage but ignores armour.

I mean crossbow has -16% against cavalry but -41% against foot, but bow/sling/javelin doesn't differentiate the effect against mounted or foot. RBS's point #2 may be the reason.

[melm]

Yes, I've read that lack of shield-bearer is the reason for the poor behavior of crossbowmen in Crecy.