Bow & Crossbow Guide

Ranged superiority is often the deciding factor in Calradia's bloodiest battles. Whether you are commanding a line of Vlandian Sharpshooters or loosing arrows yourself from the back of a galloping steed, understanding the nuances of bows and crossbows is essential for any commander.

Mechanics of Ranged Combat

Before choosing your weapon, you must understand how projectiles behave in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

• Draw Speed: Bows generally fire faster than crossbows, but require you to hold the draw. Holding a bow drawn for too long decreases accuracy and eventually cancels the shot. Crossbows can be held indefinitely once loaded.

• Projectile Drop: Arrows drop significantly over distance. You must aim above distant targets. Crossbow bolts have a flatter trajectory, making them easier to use at range for beginners.

• Armor Penetration: Crossbows and high-tier longbows excel at piercing armor. Low-tier bows may glance off heavy mail.

• Movement Penalty: Moving while shooting reduces accuracy. Perks can mitigate this.

Positioning is key. Defenders on walls have a massive advantage.

Bows: Speed and Versatility

Bows are the weapon of choice for players who value fire rate and mobility.

• Shortbows: Usable on horseback. Fast draw, lower damage.

• Longbows: Generally not usable on horseback (without the specific perk). High damage, long range.

The King of Bows: Battanian Fian Champion

The Battanian Fian Champion is widely considered the best archer in the game. Armed with a Noble Longbow, they can decimate enemy infantry before they even reach your lines.

The Battanian Fian Champion dominates the battlefield with the Noble Longbow.

Crossbows: Power and Precision

Crossbows are slower to reload but pack a massive punch. They are devastating in sieges where reload time matters less than shot quality.

• Reloading: You are vulnerable while reloading. Standard crossbows can be reloaded on horseback, but heavy ones require a perk.

• Shield Breakers: Heavy crossbow bolts deal significant damage to shields.

The Sharpshooter: Vlandian Crossbowmen

Vlandian Sharpshooters are the premier crossbow unit. They carry a large shield on their back (pavise style) which protects them while reloading if they turn around, and they are decent in melee.

Vlandian Sharpshooters are lethal at range and durable in close quarters.

Skills & Perks

To maximize your effectiveness, focus on these skill trees:

Bow

• Dead Aim: Increases headshot damage.

• Mounted Archer: Reduces accuracy penalty on horseback.

Crossbow

• Donkey's Swiftness: Faster movement while reloading.

• Sheriff: Increases accuracy with crossbows.

Tactics

• Open Field: Use loose formation for your archers to maximize their line of sight. Place them on a hill if possible.

• Sieges: During a defense, place crossbowmen on the highest towers to snipe enemy engineers. In offense, use them to clear the battlements before sending in the infantry.

• Horse Archery: The "Cantabrian Circle" (circling the enemy) is a classic tactic to harass infantry while staying safe.

For more details on specific builds, check our Archer Builds & Comparisons and Horse Archer Builds.

Summary

• Choose Bows for DPS and Horse Archery.

• Choose Crossbows for snipers and siege warfare.

• Always protect your ranged units with a shield wall.

Mastering these weapons will ensure your enemies fall long before they can swing their swords.