Ranged Weapons

Because of how they are used, all of the ranged weapons below (even the light ones) are considered effectively two-handed weapons.

STANDARD RANGED WEAPONS

These weapons are compact, mobile and usable in tight spaces:

Bow (called Short Bow in Chainmail): A small, simple wooden bow.

Range: 15' (see Short Bow on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Missile Fire table for large battles)

Training required: Moderate; basic proficiency can be learned relatively quickly, but accuracy improves with practice.

Crossbow: (called Light Crossbow in Chainmail, and also known as hunting crossbow): A relatively small and easy-to-draw crossbow. 

Range: 18' (see Light Crossbow on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Missile Fire table for large battles)

Training required: Low; can be used effectively with minimal training compared to bows.

Composite Bow: Made from layered materials like wood, horn, and sinew for high power in a compact form (better termed composite bow).

Range: 24' (see Composite on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Missile Fire table for large battles)

Training required: High; similar to other bows, with added care for maintenance and handling.

Horsebow: A composite recurve bow made for mounted archery.

Range: 18' (see Horsebow on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Missile Fire table for large battles)

Training required: High; requires mastering both archery and horseback riding simultaneously.

HEAVY RANGED WEAPONS

These weapons are more powerful, but are usually slower, more tiring and more situational:

Longbow (specifically the English longbow): A tall, powerful self bow, typically as tall as the archer, known for long range and strong penetration. Considered a heavy weapon due to draw weight, not its mass.

Range: 21' (see Longbow on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Missile Fire table for large battles)

Training required: Very high; requires years of practice and significant physical strength.

Arbalest (called Heavy Crossbow in Chainmail): A powerful crossbow requiring mechanical aids to span, with high armor penetration (also called an arbalest).

Range: 24' (see Heavy Crossbow on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Missile Fire table for large battles)

Training required: Low to moderate; easy to aim, but slower to operate due to spanning mechanisms.

Arquebus (sometimes spelled harquebus): An early firearm ignited by a matchlock, marking the transition from bows to gunpowder weapons Range: 

Range: 18' (see Arquebus on the individual Missile Fire table or use the large-scale Gunpowder Weapons table for large battles)

Training required: Low; basic use is straightforward, though handling powder and match safely requires discipline.